In the first full-length study in English of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, the authors show how the checkered history of the puppet illuminates social change from the pre World War One era to the present. The authors argue that most Americans know a trivialized, diluted version of the tale, one such source is Disney's perennial classic. The authors also discover that when adults are introduced to the 'real' story, they often deem it as unsuitable for children. Placing the puppet in a variety of contexts, the authors chart the progression of this childhood tale that has frequently undergone dramatic revisions to suit America's idea of children's literature.

Richard Wunderlich, Thomas J. Morrissey

Introduction 1. Pinocchio's World and the Search for the Just Community 2. How Pinocchio Came to America Poor and Friendless, Was Beset by Rogues and Villains, Yet Persevered Steadfastly, and by Luck and Pluck Made a Name for Himself: 1892-1919 3. Pinocchio's Good Fortune Proceeds Apace, and His Adventures Are Known and Celebrated Throughout All the Land: 1920-1929 4. At the Height of Pinocchio's Renown, Change Intrudes, Pretenders Emerge, and Impostors Seize His Identity: 1930-1940 5. The Ascension of False Princes: How Pinocchio Is Besieged, Embattled, Displaced, and Cast Down, Remembered in Exile by Only a Few, 1940-2000 6. Pinocchio Perverted, Pinocchio Preserved: Four Early Continuations of the Puppet's Tale 7. Pinocchio Goes Postmodern - and Adult 8. W(h)ither Pinocchio? Bibliography