The Baron in the Trees [Paperback]

The story begins, as the first line of the novel tells us, on the fifteenth of June, 1767. Cosimo Piovasco di Rondò is a member of a family whose father has sights on climbing the aristocratic ladder. In the very first chapter there is a family scuffle, during dinner, which results in Cosimo going into the trees and vowing never to come down ("And he kept his word" Cosimo's brother, who narrates the story, states). Cosimo then resigns himself to a life in the trees. After some initial mishaps (dealing with rain, bathing, food, etc), he proves himself very adaptable to living off the ground. Human adaptability seems to be at the back of the story (along with many other things); his family and town almost grow accustomed to Cosimo's darting amongst the branches. Cosimo even makes a name for himself "up in the trees" (Voltaire asks about him, and Napolean insists on meeting him). Of course the big question that comes from this action, in the very opening of the novel, is why did Cosimo go up into the trees? Why didn't he simply run away? One possible answer is that he wanted to make an example of himself. Living in the trees (especially in the 18th century) would likely make one into a spectacle. Running away wouldn't make as strong of a point, and would sever ties to his family which Cosimo does not want to do (this becomes more obvious as the novel moves on). And why does he stay in the trees? One possible answer is that which his brother gives to Voltaire: "My brother considers that anyone who wants to see the earth properly must keep himself at a necessary distance from it." Another possibility is, close to the novel's end, Cosimo is speaking with a Russian officer, who says, right after some members of his unit present him with the severed heads of some hussars, "You see.. War... For years now I've been dealing as best I can with a thing that in itself is appalling; war... and all this for ideals which I shall never, perhaps, be able to fully explain to myself..." Cosimo answers in like: "I too have lived many years for ideals which I would never be able to explain to myself; but I do something entirely good. I live on trees." Rambunctous and impetuous youth led Cosimo into the trees (he was only twelve when he took to the branches), but his ideals, once established, kept him there the rest of his life. All of us make descions in our youth that we either follow through with or abandon. Cosimo never abandoned his decision, for good or ill.

The novel reads like an adventure in places (e.g., when the feared, or imaginary, "Gian dei Brughi" is terrorizing the countryside, but evetually becomes addicted to novels - which in and of itself makes for a hilarious few chapters - Cosimo is there for almost every move); in other places it reads like a heartbreaking love story (e.g., Cosimo's nearly lifelong affair with Viola, which becomes so intense it's almost painful to read). A lot of action goes on in the trees, and the reader will likely not conclude that Cosimo has "missed something" as a result of his decision. Overall the novel is so readable that it's hard to put down (it could probably be completed in one long sitting). It has that mix of reality and fantasy that Calvino is famous for (it's easy to find references to Calvino as "one of the world's best fabulists"). Like other Calvino it's funny (Cosimo's sister serves bizarre arrangements of food to the family), heartbreaking (did Cosimo find true love in the trees or did he fail miserably?), poignant (he finds a great comrade in a small daschund he names "Ottimo Massimo" but the dog ultimately belongs to someone else), and a great read. The decisions one makes in life have impact on oneself and others, and in Cosimo's case his decision had vast impact on his immediate surroundings, regardless of the reasons why. Make a good decision for yourself and read this book.

Italo Calvino is well known for his light, whimsical style of writing that make his books sound more like fairy tales or fables than novels and this is very true of THE BARON IN THE TREES.

The protagonist of THE BARON IN THE TREES is Cosimo Piovasco di Rondo, who, at the tender age of twelve, has a minor spat with his parents and decides to leave his earthly existence behind and live in the treetops of his family's estate instead. The year is 1767, and the narrator, Cosimo's younger brother, tells us that in that day, trees were far more plentiful so Cosimo was able to "walk" from village to village and even to the seashore.

One might think that an arboreal existence would mean a deprived existence. Such was definitely not the case with the inventive Cosimo (and the inventive Calvino). Cosimo manages to educate himself (he is quite well read), groom himself and even conduct a romance...all in the trees...and seemingly with few problems.

Although THE BARON IN THE TREES is as whimsical a book as Calvino ever wrote (except perhaps for IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT A TRAVELER), it is also a book about being true to oneself and one's convictions. Although Cosimo's reason for ascending to the treetops might have been rather slight, his reasons for remaining there become more and more substantial as the book moves along.

This is a charming (and yes, whimsical) book, but it also has a dark, brooding, sad quality to it that I found pitch perfect. The prose is vintage Calvino and his fans, of which I am one, are sure to love it. I don't think it's his best work; I think IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT A TRAVELER and INVISIBLE CITIES surpass it for sheer excellence. THE BARON IN THE TREES is still a book that shouldn't be overlooked by anyone who loves good literature and especially by anyone who loves the work of Italo Calvino.