Pinocchio

I've read the Collodi novel once before when I was a teenager and I remember being put off by both by Pinocchio's arrogance and the surrealism of the world in which the marionette lives. Were it not for Roberto Innocenti's gorgeous illustrations I would have set Collodi's story aside without finishing it. Like so many of the classics from the late 1800s, Pinocchio was serialized in Il Giornale dei Bambini (Children's Journal), starting in 1880. Each installment was a short allegory to teach children how to be independent thinkers (Wiki). Keeping in mind the method of publication and the reason behind it helps to put the disjointed nature of the chapters and the surreal world into perspective. Innocenti's illustrations then bring this world to life.

Full of Morals, in every bits of the plot or adventure of Pinocchio, Collodi points out the moral lesson. But will it be suitable for kids? It is too dark for the kids to endeavor. Even though some proclaim that kids are not that innocent, I don't think they wouldn't be as sinful as Pinocchio to murder someone. I remembered watching the movie "Pinocchio" when I was in elementary. Back then I saw him as a child who is just like me. As a child, I also was terrified by the fact how Pinocchio changed into the donkey because of his disobedience. But the book is so much worse than that. He didn't seem to learn a lesson from his wrongful behaviours and repeating the same mistake again and again. In a way you can say that is human nature and that might be the reason Collodi wants us to see.

2.5 stars Strong morals but the constant short, episodic nature not really going anywhere outside of rehashing the allegorical elements quickly began to drag for me.

It was an interesting read. All I knew from Pinocchio was what I had seen in Disney's movie, which is not so accurate is we compare it with the book. I found Pinocchio far less lovable and indeed a very, very naughty boy. Also, Gepetto is a very cute character in the movie... but at the beginning he is not so in the book. Also, things that should be very surprising seem to be very normal in this little book. Of course, it is a kids book and kind of a fable in the sense of teaching morality and so on. But in fables it is normally just animals, while here it is animals, humans and a marionette. I was just very surprised that no one was! Anyway, it is a children's classic and a very fast book to read.