Describe your new book. Oddfellow's Orphanage is a series of stories/vignettes that tell the tale of the newest arrival to a curious orphanage, a...
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Cosimo, a young eighteenth-century Italian nobleman, rebels by climbing into the trees to remain there for the rest of his life. He adapts efficiently to an arboreal existence and even has love affairs. Translated by Archibald Colquhoun.
Elliott Blackwell, January 1, 2011 (view all comments by Elliott Blackwell)
A fantastic tale in which Calvino creates a world steeped not just in the magic of Cosimo living in trees but in history, philosophy and politics as well. It is amazing how the author balances the whimsical with the human so effortlessly as he tells the story of this young noble who climbs up a tree in anger at his father and then chooses to live out his life in this arboreal setting. Somehow Italo Calvino makes this fantasy believable and fills it with such life, imagination,and poignancy that the reader cares deeply in the outcome. A rare feat that reminds the reader of the tales of childhood that first delighted us.
Imadoood, November 11, 2006 (view all comments by Imadoood)
This book was really unique. I had to read it in my 11th grade English class, but I didn't dread reading what I am assigned as I usually do because this was a pretty humorous and well-written book. Calvino illustrates the ironies of social class and conformity. This book appears to have been flawlessly translated to english.
I would also recommend Calvino's "The Nonexistent Knight" and "The Cloven Viscount" (2 novels that are published together in one paperback book).
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