Pinocchio

This childhood classic comes to life in a modern abridgment, full of music that emphasizes the plot and scene changes. A very dramatic reading by Margolyes is flawed by fluctuations in volume that force the listener to strain to hear the narration. M.B.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2002
The publisher has timed this unabridged edition of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, illus. by Gris Grimly, to hit bookstores just before Roberto Benigni's (Life Is Beautiful) feature film based on the book. Grimly applies the same off-kilter, skewed perspectives that made his Monster Museum so memorable; in his pen-and-inks, Pinocchio resembles a wooden bird with his round belly, twig-like legs, beaky nose and bead-like eyes. A scene of Candlewick and Pinocchio changing into donkeys will likely raise goosebumps.

In the retelling of this evergreen tale by Carlo Collodi, narrator Rebecca Reynolds's enchanting voice first introduces listeners to Geppetto, an old carpenter who has always wanted a son. In deep and jolly tones, Gepetto tells stories to the puppet he is carving--and then his project begins speaking to him. The raspy voice soon becomes the boyish, and slightly arrogant, Pinocchio. While the wooden puppet wants to be a good and kind son, he often finds himself in trouble due to his na�vet�. Throughout his journey to become a real boy, Pinocchio meets a variety of fairy-tale friends, all whom Reynolds voices expertly. She seamlessly switches between timbres and tempos to lead listeners--and Pinocchio--to a perfect happily-ever-after. V.T. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine