J's Pages

I have neither read the original Pinocchio or seen the Disney adaption. All I know of Pinocchio is that he was a living puppet created by the woodcarver Geppetto, and was eventually turned into a real boy. Well, real boys grow up. For Pinocchio, adulthood means service in the first World War and a confrontation with the rising Fascist movement in Italy. That doesn't turn out too well and Pinocchio is forced to flee, staying on the move as a merchant seaman. In his travels over the years, he makes new connections, suffers new setbacks, and gains new skills. But then he finds himself seeking his father in Nazi Germany. (I don't know if Ms. Moon is trying to make a connection there, implying that Nazis are a bunch of puppets, or if she just wants to whack some Nazis.) 

I found it to be an enjoyable book. Pinocchio is a relatable character throughout. The first part of the book seemed a bit rushed, where the story lightly touches on the people he meets. I felt I was only told about the connections he made rather than being able to fully experience them. But eventually the book kicks into gear and the reader is treated to better developed characters and settings. Check it out! 

LibraryThing link

Labels: CheckItOut

// posted by John @ 5:25 PM