Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, was first published in 1881. Collodi (whose real name was Carlo Lorenzini) never married or had children. He lived in Florence, Italy. He decided to write for children "because adults are too hard to please!" Pinocchio was his first children's book. And it counts as my 19th Century Classic for Karen's Back to the Classics Challenge. (Sorry, Anthony Trollope! I'll have to tackle Can You Forgive Her? next year.)
After reading this one, I have to say, I like Disney's version better. It's cuter, and Pinocchio is more likable, and there are fun songs to sing!
In the book, Pinocchio is impetuous, selfish, prone to temper tantrums, thoughtless, gullible and easily swayed. He never listens to the good advice he's given; but he always follows the bad influences he meets. In chapter 4, he even throws a wooden mallet at the book's version of Jiminy Cricket, killing him. Boy was that a surprise! Pinocchio makes mistake after mistake. Sometimes he feels bad and promises to do better, but his promises never seem to last. And he has one misadventure after another. It's not until after he rescues Gepetto from the gigantic shark that swallowed him, and then works selflessly to nurse him back to health, that Pinocchio changes for the better and finally becomes a real boy.
So, I didn't love this one. But it was interesting to see how it compares to the Disney version. And, as my twelfth classic of 2021, it completes my Back to the Classics Reading Challenge for this year. So, yay! I'm proud I actually managed to finish all twelve categories this time around.
Happy Reading!
Congrats on finishing your Back to the Classics Challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I almost didn't finish all twelve categories this year either because I tend to run out of steam on reading challenges about seven months in, but somehow I managed to pull this one off.
DeleteI remember reading this! I was also shocked at what a jerk Pinocchio was. Even in the end, I felt like he didn't really redeem himself. I like the Disney version better as well. The characters are much more endearing.
ReplyDeleteRight?! I thought Pinocchio was very hard to like in the book. At least he worked to help Gepetto at the end, but I still like the Disney version better.
DeleteIt was so many years ago that I read this that I had really forgotten it. Thanks for reminding me that there was a more complicated story than the one Disney gave us.
ReplyDeleteIt was more complicated in many ways, but with fewer teaching moments.
DeleteI kind of feel like I've read this but am not sure. If I have it's back in the mists of time. Well done on finishing the challenge! I have a list of classics I want to read next year so perhaps I ought to go for it next year.
ReplyDeleteYou should! I might try and do this challenge again next year, but not all twelve categories. Six is really more my speed. ;D
Deletei've never heard of ANYONE who actually read this! goodonya!
ReplyDeleteI needed something short and easy for this category, so there you go. :)
DeleteIt's really interesting to hear how this differs from the Disney story. I had no idea. And congrats on finishing the challenge! That's awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to see what Disney changed, and what they kept the same.
DeleteCongratulations.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSounds like I would like the Disney version better too.
ReplyDeleteIt's just cuter. And I like the songs. :)
DeleteNice! I like reading classics in theory. In reality, I'd rather not. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteSome classics are better than others! Although I'm not sorry I read this one. :)
DeleteI sort of knew it was darker than the Disney when I first read it, but I also didn't like this one as well as I thought I would...
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing! I've still got a couple to go.
This Pinocchio just isn't as likable. But I'm still glad I read it. Good luck finishing all your classics!
DeleteCongratulations on completing your challenge. It's interesting to me how Disney can take a fairly dark story and make it all light and magic! LOL.
ReplyDeleteDisney does do a good job of that, don't they? They certainly did it with The Little Mermaid; the original story has a much sadder ending.
DeleteI remember going to see the movie. I was so young. And oh wow! What was it with these old fairy tales/ stories, they had so much violence or darkness lol!
ReplyDeleteRight? Were people trying to frighten children? ;D
DeleteHi Lark, Congratulations on completing the challenge! When you described Pinocchio the image of Ramona came into my mind for some reason although Pinocchio is much more extreme. Not surprised Disney didn't go with the original Pinnochio. Hollywood back in 1939 did the same with Heathcliff.
ReplyDeleteHollywood does like to 'nicen' things up, don't they? Not that I blame them. :)
DeleteI've never read the written version of Pinocchio, but I recently watched the live action movie version and was quite taken by that. The story is very un-Disney-like, too, but the makeup and technical trickery used to make the film are both absolutely fascinating. It's an Italian movie; if you can find it, you ought to take a look.
ReplyDeleteI'll look for it! Thanks. :D
DeleteI read this one a long time ago. I have two copies now with two different translations. Which version did you read? I'm curious to read them again side-by-side (and decide which one to keep). Yeah Pinnochio was a real unpleasant fellow!
ReplyDeleteI read the 2011 Puffin version with an introduction by John Boyne and the translation by E. Harden. It was the first one that was available from my library.
DeleteI didn't love it when I read it either, but I enjoyed reading your review!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Jane! I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving, too.
DeleteCongrats on completing your challenge! It sounds like Disney made this into a better story. Why do classics have to be so depressing?
ReplyDeleteSo many classics are depressing, aren't they? I guess those authors were trying to write serious literature rather than just entertaining ones.
DeleteI've never read this classic but based on your review, I think I'll stick with the Disney version, lol. I need my Pinocchio to be likeable. Congrats on completing your challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And the Disney version of Pinocchio is the one to stick with.
Delete"He decided to write for children because adults are too hard to please!" Haha! I would like to read The Adventures of Pinocchio to see how it compares with the Disney version.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see what changes Disney made...like in the book Gepetto gets swallowed by a shark, not a whale.
DeleteOh wow some major differences from the Disney version for sure. And, congrats on completing your classics challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I was surprised by how many changes there were between the original and Disney's version.
DeleteCongratulations! You did an excellent job with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't believe I managed to read a book for all twelve categories! I almost quit in November. ;D
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