The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

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The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

(12 User reviews) 5276

By John White Posted on Dec 22, 2025

In Category - Pilot Stories

Authors: Collodi, Carlo, 1826-1890 Published By : Collodi, Carlo, 1826-1890

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever read the *real* Pinocchio? Forget the cute Disney version. This original story is wild—a wooden puppet who comes to life and immediately starts lying, skipping school, and getting into serious trouble. Every time he tells a fib, his nose grows, which is the least of his worries. He gets kidnapped, turned into a donkey, and swallowed by a giant shark. It's a surprisingly dark and funny adventure about a very bad boy who just wants to become a real one, if he can ever learn to behave. It's way stranger and more compelling than you remember.

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The Story

Geppetto, a poor woodcarver, makes a puppet from a magical piece of wood. To his shock, the puppet—Pinocchio—springs to life. But Pinocchio isn't a sweet, obedient son. He's impulsive, lazy, and a terrible liar (his nose gives him away every time). Ignoring Geppetto and the advice of a talking Cricket, he runs away from home.

His journey is a series of disastrous choices. He trusts sly foxes, goes to a fun-filled land where lazy boys turn into donkeys, and ends up inside a monstrous shark. Through it all, the ghostly Blue Fairy tries to guide him, but Pinocchio has to learn his lessons the painfully hard way.

Why You Should Read It

This book surprised me. It's not a gentle fairy tale; it's a chaotic, sometimes scary, and honestly hilarious story about growing up. Pinocchio is a fantastic character because he's so deeply flawed. You wince at his bad decisions, but you also understand his desire for a quick, easy path. The world he stumbles through feels dangerous and unpredictable, which makes his eventual growth feel earned, not guaranteed.

At its heart, it's about the struggle between doing what's fun and doing what's right. The themes of honesty, responsibility, and redemption are timeless, but presented without any sugar-coating.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves classic stories with real bite. If you enjoy the darker edges of original Grimm's tales or stories where characters have to work for their happy ending, you'll love this. It's a fantastic pick for parents to read with older kids (it sparks great conversations!), and a must-read for adults who only know the cartoon. It's a weird, wonderful, and enduring lesson carved from a block of wood.

🏛️ License Information

This book is widely considered to be in the public domain. You can copy, modify, and distribute it freely.