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Our Ancestors Series

This trilogy delves into absurdity and reflections on identity through fantastical narratives. Each novel features a unique character whose peculiar situation examines human nature and societal norms. The series is celebrated for its playful irony, philosophical depth, and timeless resonance.

Our Ancestors
Der Ritter, den es nicht gab
The Baron in the Trees
The Cloven Viscount

Recommended Reading Order

  1. The Cloven Viscount

    • 128 pages
    • 5 hours of reading

    The story follows Viscount Medardo of Terralba, who is bisected by a cannonball during a battle against the Turks. His two halves embark on contrasting paths: one indulges in a life of decadence and evil, while the other embodies virtue. As both halves vie for the affection of the same woman, their rivalry leads to increasingly outrageous antics. This novella showcases Calvino's unique blend of humor and fantasy, presenting a captivating exploration of identity and morality in a whimsically macabre setting.

    The Cloven Viscount1
    3.9

  2. The Baron in the Trees

    Cosimo, a eighteenth-century Italian nobleman, rebels against his family by climbing into the trees and staying there for the rest of his life.

    The Baron in the Trees2
    4.2

  3. Der Ritter, den es nicht gab

    Innen hohl, besteht Ritter Agilulf nur aus Rüstung, Kampfgeist und Pflichtgefühl: Das Musterbild eines ordentlichen Soldaten. Doch ausgerechnet diesen ergebensten Kämpfer Karls des Großen trifft der Verdacht, zu Unrecht zum Ritter geschlagen worden zu sein.

    Der Ritter, den es nicht gab3
    3.9

Related books

  • Our Ancestors

    • 393 pages
    • 14 hours of reading

    Viscount Medardo is bisected by a Turkish cannonball on the plains of Bohemia; Baron Cosimo, at the age of twelve, retires to the trees for the rest of his days; Charlemagne's knight, Agiluf, is an empty suit of armour. These three vivid images are the points of departure for Calvino's classic triptych of moral tales, now published in one volume and all displaying the exuberant talent of a master storyteller.

    Our Ancestors
    4.3