The Path to the Spiders' Nests

By Italo Calvino,

Book cover of The Path to the Spiders' Nests

Book description

Italo Calvino was only twenty-three when he first published this bold and imaginative novel. It tells the story of Pin, a cobbler's apprentice in a town on the Ligurian coast during World War II. He lives with his sister, a prostitute, and spends as much time as he can at…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Path to the Spiders' Nests as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This was Calvino’s first novel when he was just in his early twenties, and long before he became known for his explorations of fantasy, fable, and magical realism.

He tells the story of a cobbler’s apprentice in a Ligurian town who becomes involved with a band of partisans during WWII. This brotherhood, who take on assumed identities by day and fight for Italy’s freedom up in the mountains by night, provides a story of second family for the protagonist, Pin, as he comes of age during a tumultuous time.

I love how we see the flickerings of who Calvino will…

Want books like The Path to the Spiders' Nests?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Path to the Spiders' Nests.

Browse books like The Path to the Spiders' Nests

Book cover of The Italians
Book cover of War in Val d'Orcia: An Italian War Diary, 1943-1944
Book cover of A Valley in Italy: The Many Seasons of a Villa in Umbria

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,174

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Italy, presidential biography, and World War 1?

Italy 410 books
World War 1 933 books