The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio

by Lloyd Alexander

Book Overview

A beautiful Kirkassi girl, cold-eyed villains and smiling killers, a bazaar merchant peddling slightly used dreams--could any young adventurer ask for more? Not Carlo Chuchio, who is seeking hidden treasure on the legendary Road of Golden Dreams. With Baksheesh, the world's worst camel-puller, Carlo leads a caravan through the realm of Keshavar. Robbed of all but his underdrawers, mistaken for a mighty warrior and then for a crown prince, Carlo risks his life for a prize that may not even exist. Newbery medalist Lloyd Alexander weaves a glorious tale of adventure, love, and the treasures that matter most. The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805083332
• ISBN13: 9780805083330
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Outstanding tale

While I adore the depth a capable author can offer a reader with a serial story there is something to be said for the concise tale limited to one volume. This was a wonderful story with suspense, humor and romance - we enjoyed it very much!

Exciting adventure story

This is the last novel of Lloyd Alexander, author of The Chronicles of Prydain. I was both excited and worried about reading this book. I loved the Chronicles of Prydain as a kid, but was afraid this book would be awful in comparison. Thankfully, this was not the case. This story is about a young man named Carlo Chuchio, a character who is not as appealing as that lovable assistant pig-keeper Taran, but still interesting nonetheless. Carlo "the chooch" sets off on an adventure seeking great treasure and is accompanied by a fast-talking but lazy flatterer, a beautiful girl with a wild streak, and an eccentric genius. Their journey is filled with danger and excitement while the travelers encounter storytellers, brigands, and dream merchants, in a dazzlingly romantic fantasy world that seems to be intentionally reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. While the story at time seems rambling, with random events happening one after the other, the reader is still left with an amazement at Alexander's storytelling abilities. I would not recommend going into this tale hoping for a grand-sweeping epic fantasy novel, but rather for a satisfying travel/adventure story, much like the stories of Sinbad the sailor.

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio

Alexander, Lloyd, The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio, Henry Holt and Company, 2007 When Carlo Chuchio finds a map in a book that purports to detail where a royal treasure is located, he embarks on a long journey to look for it. As he travels the "legendary Road of Golden Dreams", he hooks up with a young woman who has escaped from her captors, battles with some terrible robbers, and encounters some dangerous warlords. This engaging first person narrative is rich in descriptive language, unusual characters and humor. Will he find the treasure and what is it? This is a thoughtful story in the vein of his earlier gem, "The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen (Dutton Children's Books, 1991).

A Fantastical Road Trip of Rollicking Fun and Adventure

If you read one book this fall, this should be the one! It moves constantly forward with funny, fascinating characters and alternating humorous/dangerous encounters. The adventures and places are so alive and interesting, you get totally caught up in Carlo's fascinating road trip, and without even realizing it you become tangled as well in the character's stories and the philosphy of what it means to be human in any world. Funny, heartwarming, rollicking and glorious! You won't be able to put it down!

The Last Golden Dream

My daughter and I have been fans of Lloyd Alexander for over ten years. We fell in love with Taran and the Companions of Prydain. We have read and reread all five books of the series. My daughter has corresponded with Mr. Alexander. When we received news of his recent passing, we both cried. We were relieved to know that we could look forward to one last book: The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio. This book is not Prydain. There wasn't time for that kind of character development. But Lloyd is present. His humor and his carefully hidden nuggets of wisdom are evident. The book moves with great, choppy speed. The language shifts and causes you to be off-kilter at times. But Lloyd gathers his companions deftly without you even realizing what is happening. He brings all of these wild and unconnected people together and creates this wonderful community. And you don't want to leave. On the whole the story is delightful. The book was too short, and should not to be compared to his writing in Taran Wanderer and The High King. I don't want to say goodbye to Mr. Alexander, but he has left me satisfied.