Comprehensive information and links about Carlo Collodi

Carlo Collodi , was an Italian writer and journalist. His pseudonym, which he used from 1856 onwards, is the name of the Tuscan village where his mother, Angela Orzali, was born. Collodi himself was born and died in Florence.

Best known as the creator of Pinocchio, Lorenzini wrote many more novels and comedies.

During the Wars of Independence in 1848 and 1860 he served as a volunteer with the Tuscan army. His active interest in political matters may be seen in his earliest literary works as well as in the founding of the satirical newspaper . This newspaper was censored by order of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1849 but re-emerged in May 1860.

Lorenzini had won fame as early as 1856 with his novel ; at the same time he was employed by the Censorship Commission for the Theatre. During this period he composed various satirical sketches and stories (sometimes simply by collating earlier articles), including , a series which explored the re-unification of Italy through the ironical thoughts and actions of the character Giannettino.

Lorenzini became fascinated by the idea of using an amiable, rascally character as a means of expressing his own convictions through allegory. In 1880 he began writing (the first Italian newspaper for children).

Lorenzini died unaware of the fame and popularity that awaited his work; as in the allegory of the story, Pinocchio eventually went on to lead his own independent life, distinct from that of the author. It has been said that this was one of the inspiring themes of Luigi Pirandello's