logo

48 pages 1 hour read

The Adventures of Pinocchio

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1883

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Carlo Collodi

The Adventures of Pinocchio

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1883
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Italy • 1880s

Publication Year

1883

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Set in the Tuscan region of Italy in the 1800s, Carlo Collodi’s classic children's fantasy novel The Adventures of Pinocchio (1883) follows the misadventures of a living wooden puppet, Pinocchio, and his poor father, Geppetto. The story, originally serialized due to popular demand, explores themes of morality and growth through a series of episodic encounters that often involve deception, danger, and the pursuit of personal transformation. The source material includes outdated and offensive language about individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Adventurous

Fantastical

Emotional

Inspirational

Playful

Reviews & Readership

4.1

84,656 ratings

65%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi has captivated readers with its imaginative storyline and rich moral lessons. Critics praise its vivid characters and timeless appeal, though some find its episodic structure disjointed and moralistic tone heavy-handed. Overall, it remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its creativity and enduring messages.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Adventures of Pinocchio?

Readers who relish classic tales bursting with whimsy and moral lessons will adore The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. This timeless story appeals to fans of richly imaginative journeys akin to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, offering enchantment and reflection for all ages.

4.1

84,656 ratings

65%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Pinocchio

Pinocchio is a lively and mischievous puppet carved from enchanted wood, whose adventures teach him important life lessons. Throughout the story, he is depicted as both impulsive and capable of growth.

Geppetto is a poor woodcarver who carves Pinocchio from a piece of enchanted wood and becomes his father. He is characterized by his deep love and selflessness toward Pinocchio, often sacrificing his own comfort for his puppet-son's wellbeing.

The fairy appears in various forms throughout the story, often providing Pinocchio with guidance and assistance. She represents the theme of magic and offers unconditional love and support to Pinocchio despite his disobedience.

The fox and the cat are cunning characters who deceive Pinocchio under the guise of helping him. They are portrayed as antagonists who exploit Pinocchio's naivete for their own gain.

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Italy • 1880s

Publication Year

1883

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.