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The Adventures of Pinocchio (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – January 1, 1806

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,302 ratings

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BG6U5Z2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford; 1st edition (January 1, 1806)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 188 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 019955398X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199553983
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.59 x 5.04 x 7.72 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,302 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,302 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story enjoyable and memorable. They describe it as a delightful, interesting read with good moral lessons. The book is well-written and easy to follow, with beautiful illustrations that enhance the reading experience. Customers appreciate the relatable moral content and life lessons.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

106 customers mention "Story quality"95 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the story's retelling and artwork. They find it memorable, enjoyable, and a classic book like the movie. The story is touching, funny, and teaches kids good behavior. It is a fun take filled with grand adventures and lessons.

"...The Adventures of Pinocchio_ is highly relevant, unforgettable, and thoroughly enjoyable...." Read more

"...in this book and ALL kids should have the joy of knowing this real story...." Read more

"...I think these AmazonClassic editions are the best ones among public domain editions." Read more

"...It is so good that it will likely prompt them to read other famous fables such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, which are also free, as well..." Read more

69 customers mention "Enjoyment"66 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the story delightful, interesting, and unexpected. Readers say it's a fun read, much richer than the movie version, and their favorite book.

"...The Marionette Theater promises entertainment; the Fox and the Cat promise him a fortune; Lamp-Wick promises a life of leisure in the Land of Toys...." Read more

"...that the work of the creators is not tainted by intellectuals, but is pure, and only a succinct biography at the end of the author and, in this book..." Read more

"...They will enjoy the book. It is so good that it will likely prompt them to read other famous fables such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella,..." Read more

"...Fun to read too." Read more

40 customers mention "Teaching value"37 positive3 negative

Customers find the book an engaging and educational read for children of all ages. It provides valuable lessons about obeying parents and ignoring advice from others. Readers describe it as a classic of children's literature that offers morals for both young and old.

"...education and work is good, but much education is worthless and much work for little..." Read more

"This is a beautiful story filled with morals for both young and old. So happy to have read this classic as as an adult!" Read more

"The original tale of Carlo Collodi, a book for all ages...." Read more

"...There are so many good lessons to be found in this story. Taken as a whole, we see a model of maturity...." Read more

34 customers mention "Readability"29 positive5 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the close adaptation that retains the original text's feel. The short 36 chapters are enjoyable, with descriptive language and modern typography. Readers enjoy reading the book before bed.

"...It is a visually stunning adaptation that follows the text quite closely...." Read more

"...Edition... I love the minimal design, correct format and contemporary typography. The X-Ray function is minimal but is there...." Read more

"...know the story but not all the details that are in this easy to read short 36 chapters. They will enjoy the book...." Read more

"I love the concept of reading original texts, especially of classic stories...." Read more

28 customers mention "Visual quality"22 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's illustrations. They find them intricate and imaginative, with many full-page drawings. The pictures help children enjoy the book more than a less expensive version. The 300 color illustrations depict Italy at that time. However, some readers feel the captions for the pictures are not accurate.

"...The movie’s imdb rating does not do justice to it. It is a visually stunning adaptation that follows the text quite closely...." Read more

"...He goes beyond mere illustrations. It's art! The Adventures of Pinnochio was published in the U.S. in 1925. There have been several reissues since...." Read more

"Wonderful retelling of the original story and incredible artwork. A great edition for adults as well as children. A real gem" Read more

"...Innocenti's illustrations are outstanding." Read more

26 customers mention "Moral content"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has good moral lessons and life lessons. They say it's full of life lessons, truths, and wisdom. The book is fun to read, entertaining, and life-affirming. It teaches good work ethic and wisdom, and gives them a lot to discuss about stubbornness, listening to adult mentors, and working hard.

"...nevertheless desires to be human: the novel is, in spite of all, life-affirming...." Read more

"...The reader really begins to wonder. There are some great morals/lessons to be learned in this book and ALL kids should have the joy of..." Read more

"...don’t have time to read the whole bible, this is the cliff notes for ANY good guidance book!..." Read more

"...This book made me want to study and listen to my elders...." Read more

16 customers mention "Storyline"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They appreciate the descriptive language and humorous translation of the tale. The adventures of Pinocchio are hilarious and fun to read. The classic Collodi version is their favorite read aloud.

"...my impression of the protagonist before I read the story, Pinocchio is not necessarily bad; it seems to me that he is all too human, more human than..." Read more

"This is a good free often humorous translation of the famous tale of Pinocchio, of the making of the marionette, the adventures it had, its..." Read more

"The classic Collodi Pinocchio is my favorite read aloud so far. This particular version has fantastic illustrations...." Read more

"...A strange book." Read more

13 customers mention "Value for money"12 positive1 negative

Customers find the book a good value. They say it's worth buying, with wonderful art. Readers also mention that it's worth reading the original.

"This is a good free often humorous translation of the famous tale of Pinocchio, of the making of the marionette, the adventures it had, its..." Read more

"...and was fortunate to find a seller offering a 1989 hardcover at a good price and in like new condition! The book arrived quickly and as advertised!..." Read more

"The Disney movie is actually terrifying but this was a wonderful read. A little random at times but good for all ages. Lots of lessons to learn...." Read more

"...Great book, but I think I like the Disney version better. Worth trying and it is well written, nothing I imagined, but I am glad I am reading it,..." Read more

Beautiful Edition with Creepy Illustrations (Macmillan Collector's Edition)
3 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Edition with Creepy Illustrations (Macmillan Collector's Edition)
First, The Adventures of Pinocchio by Collodi is a fantastic read-aloud for young kids, and bears repeated readings in order to catch more and more symbolism. My 8-year-old kept yelling "Don't do it, Pinocchio!" 5 stars, Signore Collodi.The Macmillan Collector's Library edition is beautiful. It is a pocket-sized hardback with embossed cover and a dusk-jacket with adorable illustrations. Though I wasn't expecting or needing illustrations, I was optimistic about the illustrations based on the cover. (You might predict the moral of this story.) Again, I was not interested in illustrations as I intended to read it to my kids, but they have become something of a distraction from the story. Basically, the illustrations are creepy. Those aren't my words. They are the words of my 8-year old daughter. I wasn't going to say anything because who cares about the illustrations? I do...now. The illustrator for this edition is Charles Folkard. Probably a great guy, and most likely even a good artist, but these drawings didn't do it for our family.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2021
    I haven’t seen the Disney version of _Pinocchio_ (1940) as an adult. In my memory, it is a sad, dark film. There must have been happy moments, and a happy ending, but I have retained only those moments when Pinocchio is punished and humiliated. This shouldn’t be surprising; after all, the main purpose of the story is to teach children that they should be obedient and that they should not give in to low impulses or peer pressure. In any case, it took me years to pick up a copy of the book. I have finally read it, and I now realize there is much more to this story than meets the eye. Even the overall moral is more complex than I had realized.

    _The Adventures of Pinocchio_ (1883) is the kind of book that needs no description. Everyone knows the story: a kind woodcarver makes a puppet that comes alive only to misbehave and suffer the consequences. Contrary to my impression of the protagonist before I read the story, Pinocchio is not necessarily bad; it seems to me that he is all too human, more human than he realizes. He is tempted many times along the way, but his weakness is understandable. The Marionette Theater promises entertainment; the Fox and the Cat promise him a fortune; Lamp-Wick promises a life of leisure in the Land of Toys. The real world, on the other hand, offers toil and trouble.

    Pinocchio is a puppet both in the literal and the figurative sense: he is easy to manipulate because he lacks willpower. The Talking Cricket is the voice of conscience, but it is external. Collodi’s novel traces the journey from puppet to human being, which is complete when the voice of conscience has been developed and united to the person. This is done with the help of the Fairy, who is a mother figure. Hence both the Fairy and the Cricket have exited the scene before the story ends; they are no longer necessary.

    I would describe _Pinocchio_ as a bildungsroman for children. “Bildung” means education, formation, and it sounds very similar to “building.” Collodi’s novel suggests that as long as one has not developed a conscience and a strong sense of individuality, one is not truly free. This is a timeless issue. Peer pressure is a big problem in our society, and one need only look around to see how it affects not only children and adolescents, but also adults. How many adults in our society can truthfully claim to think and act freely? According to Collodi, one is truly free only when one has developed the ability to make decisions after carefully considering their possible consequences. Pinocchio becomes human once he learns to think for himself and act according to a clear vision of the potential results of his actions. Work and self-sacrifice are also important, Pinocchio learns, as ways to give meaning to our lives. What we have here is, in many ways, an existentialist text.

    _Pinocchio_ depicts the human condition in all its harshness and fragility. Poverty is a reality, and danger is always around the corner. Verismo was en vogue when the novel was published, and it is no coincidence that neorealism originated in Italy. The novel also features social commentary and satire; consider, for instance, the portrayal of physicians (the Crow and the Owl, with their conflicting diagnoses) and of the justice system (the judge, a gorilla, imprisons Pinocchio because he is innocent, and sets him free when the puppet pronounces himself a thief). Pinocchio nevertheless desires to be human: the novel is, in spite of all, life-affirming. I was reminded of Steven Spielberg’s 2001 film _A.I. Artificial Intelligence_, an obvious metatext, even a re-imagining, of Collodi’s novel. There are also the androids of _Blade Runner 2049_ (Denis Villeneuve, 2017), who wish they could be human (or even “more human than human”), and the holographic Joi, who would like to die for K, “like a real girl.”

    Right after I finished the novel, I watched Matteo Garrone’s 2019 film adaptation, starring the hilarious Roberto Benigni as Geppetto. The movie’s imdb rating does not do justice to it. It is a visually stunning adaptation that follows the text quite closely. Some images are quite bizarre, and the atmosphere is rather dark, but this reflects the source material. I highly recommend this film, and Garrone’s interpretation of some of Giambattista Basile’s dark stories, _Tale of Tales_ (2015). I intent to re-watch the Disney movie tomorrow. And of course, we shall see what next year brings: two adaptations, by Guillermo del Toro and Robert Zemeckis (the latter for Disney), are set for release in 2022.

    _The Adventures of Pinocchio_ is highly relevant, unforgettable, and thoroughly enjoyable. I wish I had read it earlier, but then, I do believe some books come to our lives at the moment when we are ready for them.

    Next on my list, another book about growing up: _Peter Pan_ (1911), by J. M. Barrie.

    Thanks for reading, and enjoy the book!
    53 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
    My grandmother was a schoolteacher and owned this book. My granddaughter borrowed it and told me how weird it was so I found it online so we could read it together. Written when children's books were meant to teach lessons it is indeed strange. Fun to read too.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2019
    21th century culture tends to bury and purge anything that, for adults, is terrible, erotic or cruel, as it is death. In consequence we have books that are condescending toward them, and inversely adults whose belief is that being mature means to be exposed to that eroticism, to gore or blood. That is not adult: is immature.

    Although I loved so much the Disney version (and I still love it) I am sure I had loved far more this book if I had read it when kid as I love it more now that I have finished to read it. I know many parents will think some images are quite adult for a kid (as Pinocchio killing by chance the talking cricket, throwing him a hammer) but it would be a wrong approach that only draws exaggerated attention to violence as something glamorous, those kids afterwards will be teens ravenous for violent video games. Pinocchio is not a bad boy/marionette, he has just a conflict of natural tendencies (as playing) against necessary societal requirements (as studying) to help him when he reach adulthood. Sadly in this world as in Pinocchio's world there are those that take advantage of children to take from them what they could not get with honest effort. Is not that Pinocchio or any kid is dumb, is that bad adults that failed in their lives think they can take advantage of beings that are not their peers neither in experience nor in fearlessness to cheat and to scam. Through a long journey Pinocchio learns to be happy but, as in real life, the consequences of everything he did are not erased. One thing I have to say as an adult is that sadly this modern world is a bit different of the one in Pinocchio. Sadly now the promise of superior education is more a scam to get customers for unscrupulous universities that in many cases know that their degrees are worthless, or this trend of only allowing work for people with contacts while exploiting in exchange of nothing high skilled professionals. I'd say in these modern times (of I.A.s, automatic algorithms and products made in foreign factories) education and work is good, but much education is worthless and much work for little payment is just an euphemism of slavery for vast corporations.

    About the AmazonClassics Edition... I love the minimal design, correct format and contemporary typography. The X-Ray function is minimal but is there. I really love a lot that the work of the creators is not tainted by intellectuals, but is pure, and only a succinct biography at the end of the author and, in this book, of the translator. The translator is quite warm and transmits a tenderness that I really feel is in the original. I think these AmazonClassic editions are the best ones among public domain editions.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2025
    This book is definitely different from the Disney movie. Pinocchio was pretty much a completely unlikable character. The fairy was the only saving grace. Would not recommend unless you're just really curious.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
    This is a good free often humorous translation of the famous tale of Pinocchio, of the making of the marionette, the adventures it had, its relationship with the kind old man who made it and becoming its papa, and Pinocchio becoming a real boy. Most children know the story but not all the details that are in this easy to read short 36 chapters. They will enjoy the book. It is so good that it will likely prompt them to read other famous fables such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, which are also free, as well as other books. The free Kindle versions are easy to use.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2024
    This is a beautiful story filled with morals for both young and old. So happy to have read this classic as as an adult!
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Giorgi Bastos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Meraviglioso
    Reviewed in Brazil on April 9, 2024
    Il romanzo di Carlo Collodi è un capolavoro della letteratura. È fondamentale per trasmettere i valori morali della sincerità e della non fiducia cieca negli estranei. Cruciale per tutte le età. Pinocchio mostra il viaggio dell'eroe che esce dall'innocenza totale e, attraverso le difficoltà che incontra, matura fino ad affrontare la propria ombra (rappresentata dalla balena) per salvare il padre dentro di sé. Un libro formidabile.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy chulo
    Reviewed in Spain on December 17, 2023
    Libro para el cole
  • Mary
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfetto
    Reviewed in Italy on August 31, 2021
    Mia nipote doveva leggere due libri in inglese come compito per le vacanze e abbiamo optato per questa pubblicazione di Pinocchio con CD audio.
    Il libro è ben scritto, semplice ed adatto ai principianti
    Il supporto del CD audio è prezioso ed aiuta per migliorare la pronuncia e comprendere il testo.
    Un testo perfetto per imparare l'inglese in modo facile.
    Cinque stelle meritate.
  • Juan Valadez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy buen libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 4, 2020
    Es un muy buen cuento, distinto de la versión de Disney, más cruel, por lo cual puede no ser para todos los niños, pero muy bueno para los mayores.
  • Mark Dymond
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than any other retelling.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2019
    I had never read the original story of Pinocchio, and was only familiar with the Disney telling of it. I decided to give it a read. From the moment I started I loved it. Though harsh at times the lessons that Pinocchio goes through in this story are written to really emphasize why a child shouldn't do certain things.

    I purchased for myself, and read it, but now I think I shall read it to my daughter so she can enjoy it as much as I have.