The Adventures of Pinocchio

(1883)

Translated from the original Italian by Carol Della Chiesa

Created by the woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, Pinocchio is actually a wooden marionette, something that is controlled by strings or wire, not a puppet that is usually worn on the hand. Pinocchio dreams of becoming a real boy. Like some other famous Western literary heroes, such as Gilgamesh and Odysseus, Pinoccio goes through many trials and tribulations. He is prone to telling lies and fabricating stories for various reasons. Pinocchio has a short nose that becomes longer when he is under stress and lying. His clothes are made of flowered paper, his shoes are made of wood, and his hat is made of bread. At times he is obnoxious, bratty, and very selfish. The story has appeared in many adaptations to the stage, radio, and film. The story has inspired many other works of fiction into the 21st century.

A carpenter finds a talking piece of wood and gives it to his poor neighbour, Geppetto, who wants to create a marionette. Geppetto carves the block into a marionette puppet and names him his son, Pinocchio. However, Pinocchio runs away as soon as he learns to walk. The marionette is caught by a Carabiniere or policeman, but he assumes that Pinocchio has been mistreated and imprisons Geppetto. What ensues are the moralistic adventures of the little boy made of wood and the other colourful characters in the book including: Candlewick, The Coachman, The Fairy with Turquoise Hair, Figaro, The Fox and the Cat, The Green Fisherman, Mangiafuoco, the Talking Cricket or Jiminy Cricket, and The Terrible Dogfish.

Carlo Collodi [pseudonym of Carlo Lorenzini] wrote the first half of Pinocchio in 1881 and 1882, later completing it as a book for children in February of 1883. It tells the tales and adventures of an animated marionette named Pinocchio and his father, the poor woodcarver Geppetto. This story is considered a canonical piece of children's literature and has inspired hundreds of new editions, stage plays, films, such as Walt Disney's iconic animated version and commonplace ideas such as a liar's long nose. According to extensive research done by the Fondazione Nazionale Carlo Collodi in late 1990's and based on UNESCO sources it has been translated to more than 240 languages worldwide.

Fan of this book? Help us introduce it to others by writing a better introduction for it. It's quick and easy, click here.

Recent Forum Posts on The Adventures of Pinocchio

Post a New Comment/Question on The Adventures of Pinocchio