Carlo Collodi (1826–1890)

There was mention somewhere of the original Italian story of Pinocchio here on LT, probably in conjunction with discussion of the del Toro movie version, and I realized I had never read it, so I checked this lavish volume out of the library. As a physical object, it's gorgeous. Large format, exquisitely illustrated by Robert Ingpen, pages so thick you never believe you're turning just one at a time, bright red ribbon place marker... If only I could have enjoyed the story. It's not just that show more it doesn't jive with the Disney version; that on its own is a positive. It's just too choppy, with no internal logic to it except for the over-explicated lesson about what happens to naughty children who don't obey their parents and pay attention to their teachers, which even a WOODEN HEADED PUPPET should have taken to heart long about the half-way point. There's very little charm to it that doesn't come from Ingpen's imagination, no real suspense, artificial cliff-hanger chapter breaks. Translation issues? Possibly. I understand it was written in segments, for serial publication. It shows. I don't see it appealing to any of the young'uns, past or present, that I know well. show less

Qué difícil reseñar un libro considerado un clásico, especialmente cuando no te gustó. ¿Cómo confesar que no lo has disfrutado cuando la opinión popular lo coloca entre lo mejor de la literatura infantil?

Pinocho nunca ha sido en realidad un libro que llamara mi atención, de hecho, creo que la adaptación cinemátográfica tampoco fue de mi interés; sin embargo, pensé que como con otras obras a las que tengo muy prejuicidadas, cambiaría mi opinión una vez que me enfrentara a sus show more páginas, recientemente me ocurrió ese descubrimiento emocionante con Rodari, así que motivos me sobraban para acercarme a Pinocho. Infortunadamente no ocurrió así con este último.

Las aventuras de Pinocho me pareció una de las obras más absurdas (quizá porque en su origen se publicó por entregas) que haya leído en mucho tiempo. Sus fines moralizantes rayan en lo ridículo y aburrido. La prosa es sosa (a menos que sea un problema de traducción), algunos pasajes no tienen sentido (un grillo que muere y al siguiente capítulo ya está de nuevo tratando de educar a Pinocho, un hada que muere y tres capítulos adelante ya está de nuevo ayudando a Pinocho, etc.) y, desde luego, no es para nada la historia perturbadora que muchos han mencionado en sus reseñas. Quizá deban acercarse a los cuentos que los Hermanos Grimm recuperaron de la tradición oral para leer historias perturbadoras.

Quizá sea la época en la que fue escrito, pero en lo personal lo aborrecí. show less

I have to say, my only previous experience with the story of Pinocchio is through the Disney classic cartoon…and boy is this a LOT different than the Disney version! I’m not saying that’s a bad thing…far from it in fact, I was just surprised at how selfish and, well…disobedient this little wooden boy was. In this book, Pinnochio isn’t a naive boy who gets led astray; he’s a selfish, lying, bad-tempered puppet who (for the most part) can’t see past his own immediate wants and show more needs. He constantly makes bad decisions based on spur of the moment desires without thinking about any long term implications. Naturally, he’s apologetic and supremely sorry when he gets caught or something bad happens to himself or others as a result of his actions, but he doesn’t seem to learn very quickly from these lessons and must repeat them many, many times before he finally “gets it.” Similarly, Geppetto isn’t 100% of the time a kindly old man; he too has his moments of anger with Pinocchio’s behavior. Even the Blue Fairy isn’t as kindly and beneficent as Disney made her…she too isn’t above pulling a nasty prank or two to show Pinnochio the error of his ways. I think these personality elements resonate with young readers…I think we can all admit that most children push the limits, do things they know they are not supposed to and generally find disobeying to be more fun than obeying (at least at times)…and in that way, Pinocchio is the embodiment childhood. He does all the things they’ve been told not to and reaps the rewards or pays the price for it! I think that is what makes this a timeless classic that has been loved for generations. I think that there are a lot of dark humor and plot points in this book (the blue fairy’s death, Geppetto’s getting lost as sea, the attempted assassination of Pinocchio, etc.), that it’s effective and riveting (especially for young readers) and enjoyable…it also makes his final transformation into a real boy all the more rewarding when it finally happens. I have to admit I enjoyed reading this far more than ever enjoyed watching the Disney cartoon version. Overall, it’s a rich, dark, and sometimes humorous tale that is illustrated wonderfully in this version by Gus Grimly. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys reading the non-sanitized versions of Grimm’s Fairy Tales (and other similar stories). It has all the familiar plot elements of the one we grew up watching (in America, at least) but is a much darker story than Disney gave us. I give it 4 stars and I would definitely buy it for my permanent library. show less

The Disney Movie, Pinocchio, was my first exposure to the character and the story when I was a child. It terrified me. I acquired this edition in Florence some years back and hadn't read it until now. To put it mildly, it makes the Disney version look like Toy Story. Granted, it is well-written (even in translation) and beautifully illustrated. And I do appreciate its allegorical themes and hero's quest motifs. That being said, Pinocchio kills the cricket (aka Jiminy in my childhood memory) show more with a hammer; the marioneteer wants to burn him alive; Pinocchio falls asleep by the fire and burns his feet off; the fox and the cat hang him from a tree to die. Bad boys turning into Donkeys is hardly the worst of it.

Seriously, I think it is one of the best (still terrifying) examples of episodic literature ever written,
with timeless characters and a strong moral compass. I am sorry I waited so long to read this version, and I plan to seek out others. show less