The Baron in the Trees
by Italo Calvino · first published 2019
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A whimsical, fable-like novel about a boy who climbs into the trees and never comes down. Its playful tone and inventive ideas make it an accessible entry point into Calvino's work.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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I always recommend Italo Calvino. An underrated Italian writer IMHO. The Baron In The Trees or the Invisible Cities are a good start.
on “Umberto Eco has died” ↗I’ve been getting into Italo Calvino after reading Invisible Cities, which was great. Right now I’m reading The Baron in the Trees.
on “Ask HN: What are you reading these days?” ↗If you're an English [native] speaker, The Baron in the Trees just received a very nice new English translation (published by Penguin on their Vintage Classics imprint in the UK). I love Calvino so much as an writer, but that's probably my favourite and the one…
on “Italo Calvino, The Art of Fiction No. 130 (1992)” ↗…including his "Heart of a Dog". Also try Italo Calvino, his short stories are especially good. Calvino writes in many different literary styles, and magical realism is often at the core of his stories. "The Baron In The Trees" was one of the first books I read by him. For when you have the mental space, a rather interesting / meta Calvino book: If on a Winter's Night a Traveler
on “The Desk of Haruki Murakami” ↗I adore Italo Calvino. Even his less popular works, like The Baron In The Trees, move me. Invisibile Cities, If on a winter’s night a traveler, are even better. That being said, I almost feel like this author is taking him too seriously. Like Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller, and many…
on “The Worlds of Italo Calvino” ↗Every few years I come back to " The Baron In The Trees" and "Palomar", my favorite books from Calvino. Highly recommend, he has a certain way with words. Doesn't take himself seriously but still ponders deeply about things we all can relate.
on “The Worlds of Italo Calvino” ↗"The Baron in the Trees" by Italo Calvino.
on “Ask HN: What's your favorite book you've read?” ↗So glad you posted this. Baron In The Trees is one of my favorite books and it has been so long since I read it. I'll be picking up that new translation.
on “Italo Calvino, The Art of Fiction No. 130 (1992)” ↗Marcovaldo, Cosmicomics, Difficult Loves are my favorite. Baron in the Trees too. I'd definitely suggest starting with these. His short story work is beautiful.
on “Italo Calvino: A Traveller in a World of Uncertainty” ↗The Baron in the Trees is mentioned so rarely always, but it was one of the most influential books of my youth. A fantastic read.
on “Italo Calvino: A Traveller in a World of Uncertainty” ↗recommendations: * Our Ancestors (The Cloven Viscount, The Baron in the Trees, The Nonexistent Knight) * The Complete Cosmicomics (Cosmicomics, t zero, + others) * Invisible Cities * If on a winter's night a traveler
on “Italo Calvino: A Traveller in a World of Uncertainty” ↗Reminds me of Italo Calvino's The Baron in the Trees https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Baron_in_the_Trees
on “After Five Years of Living in Trees, a Protest Community Is Being Evicted” ↗Thanks for the rec! If On a Winter's Night and Baron in the Trees are next on my list :)
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗