Pinocchio (1883) by Carlo Collodi is a classic Italian children’s novel that follows the misadventures of a living wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. Far darker than its popular adaptations, the original story presents Pinocchio as a rebellious, impulsive character who repeatedly disobeys his creator Geppetto, falls prey to deceitful strangers, and suffers harsh consequences—from being robbed and hanged to transformed into a donkey. Through these trials, including a dramatic encounter inside a giant dogfish, Pinocchio gradually learns hard lessons about honesty, responsibility, and redemption. Blending humor, social satire, and moral allegory, Collodi’s tale remains a timeless yet surprisingly grim exploration of childhood, morality, and the painful path to maturity. The story’s enduring legacy has inspired countless adaptations, though few capture the biting wit and moral complexity of the original.
A timeless tales of adventure, heart, mischief, and family, Pinocchio is one of the most renowned children’s books of all time. Since its publication in l883, there have been countless editions of the book. Unlike these editions, most of which feature the work of a single artist, this Classic Illustrated Edition brings together Carlo Collodi’s original story and a wondrous collection of illustrations from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
This extraordinary gallery of images includes the work of Enrico Mazzanti, Carlo Chiostri, Attilio Mussino, Frederick Richarson, and Charles Folkard, making Pinocchio’s fantastic encounters and tender moments a truly magical trip that will appeal to book lovers of all ages.
