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The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio
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.
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.
306 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2007
17 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Lloyd Alexander
134 books2,103 followersLloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series,
The High King
, was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
May 8, 2008
This is a very nice young readers book about a young man who is given a book with a secret map inside by a bookseller who then myteriously disappears. The young man, Carlo Chuchio, heads off to find the treasure marked on the map, picking up along the way the world's worst camel-puller who finds an excuse whenever work comes around to get out of, an ex-scholar who is learning in the "classroom of the world" and who finds everything fascinating, and a young woman Carlo, of course, falls in love with. Carlo the narrator is genuine and funny and the action moves along nicely. The camel-puller, Baksheesh, is very funny with his excuses to get out of work, as well as his continual fawning and kissing-up to Carlo.
May 28, 2025
Carlo finds an ancient map to a long-forgotten treasure and sets out on a journey into faraway lands to search for the fortune. Baksheesh offers to work as his servant and guide him from the coast into the inland city and beyond through the desert. They are also joined by Shira, a girl running away from slavers, trying to return to her home in the mountains. Their caravan is attacked by bandits, and they get lost in the desert. Carlo is mistaken for a foreign prince and held for ransom. Through all their adventures, Carlo wonders if the treasure is even real or worth all this trouble.
The adventure is exciting, and there are tons of twists and turns in the story. There are some supernatural/mystical elements in the story as well, like a hermit who paints the future, and a merchant who sells dreams. But for the most part, they have to struggle through their adventures on sheer luck and their own wits.
I liked the clean romance between Carlo and Shira. They are really sweet together, and I love how Carlo is very protective of Shira even though she can handle herself in tough situations.
There is a lot of violence and descriptions of dead bodies and people being tortured. It wasn't too graphic, but I still didn't care for it.
There is also a little bit of profanity in this book, which surprised me because I thought it was for middle grade readers.
To see the details of violence and other sensitive content in this book, you can check it out on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-go...
The adventure is exciting, and there are tons of twists and turns in the story. There are some supernatural/mystical elements in the story as well, like a hermit who paints the future, and a merchant who sells dreams. But for the most part, they have to struggle through their adventures on sheer luck and their own wits.
I liked the clean romance between Carlo and Shira. They are really sweet together, and I love how Carlo is very protective of Shira even though she can handle herself in tough situations.
There is a lot of violence and descriptions of dead bodies and people being tortured. It wasn't too graphic, but I still didn't care for it.
There is also a little bit of profanity in this book, which surprised me because I thought it was for middle grade readers.
To see the details of violence and other sensitive content in this book, you can check it out on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-go...
March 27, 2009
I can't help but compare this book to Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, since the plot involves a boy following his dream and looking for hidden treasure in the desert, falling in love along the way. The covers of certain editions even look similar to me. The tone, however, is quite different: while Coelho's book constantly waxes philosophical, Alexander's is more lighthearted and geared toward children. Like many an Alexander novel, there is a cast of quirky characters, including the indecisive hero, the rascally sidekick, the dreamy sage, and the independent-minded love interest (though she didn't hold a candle to Eilonwy for temper).
I felt that some of the characters, like the rascally sidekick, were a bit one-dimensional, and that life-threatening problems weren't taken quite seriously enough, but I do think I'm a bit older than the intended audience. The plot was well-constructed and Alexander's descriptions are vivid. All in all, a very Lloyd Alexander book.
And, sadly, his last. I suppose I already knew that he had died in 2007, shortly before Golden Dream was published, but it saddens me to remember it. The Prydain Chronicles shaped my childhood, and will always be among my favorites. Rest in peace, master writer.
I felt that some of the characters, like the rascally sidekick, were a bit one-dimensional, and that life-threatening problems weren't taken quite seriously enough, but I do think I'm a bit older than the intended audience. The plot was well-constructed and Alexander's descriptions are vivid. All in all, a very Lloyd Alexander book.
And, sadly, his last. I suppose I already knew that he had died in 2007, shortly before Golden Dream was published, but it saddens me to remember it. The Prydain Chronicles shaped my childhood, and will always be among my favorites. Rest in peace, master writer.
March 4, 2008
I know this is sacrilege for a librarian, but I find Lloyd Alexander dead boring, and this book was no exception. I'd love to hear from kids who think differently, especially about this particular book. boring boring boring
June 13, 2020
If you were to ask Evariste what he thought of his nephew, Carlo Chuchio, he would say that the lad was nothing more than a thankless, dimwitted daydreamer. A “chooch”. And perhaps he was right. Having an uncle who was an importer, Carlo spent his days loitering at the docks and imagining places waiting to be visited and explored—places far beyond his home in Magenta. Adventure, as fate would have it, was a lot closer than Carlo had imagined for when he happened upon a bookseller in the market, he was offered a book of fantastic tales. Stories of magic carpets and genies in lamps and caves filled with treasure. But this particular book didn’t just contain wondrous stories, it also hid a map with the most intriguing and irresistible two words that Carlo could ever imagine: “Royal Treasury”. Soon, Carlo would be embarking on a journey that involved an unlikely set of traveling companions...all heading to Cathai and the fabled “Road of Golden Dreams”.
Lloyd Alexander takes readers on a magical journey filled with suspense, danger, mishaps, missteps, humor, and romance. Although there’s no flying carpet or bottled genie, there is plenty to delight and entertain readers of any age. At the heart of this story is young Carlo Chuchio, a dreamer filled with integrity who would not let his desire to be held in high regard outweigh his need to do the right thing. He soon realizes the burden of having a conscience, but the blessing that comes with listening to it.
Along Carlo’s journey, he meets up with a delightful set of companions. Baksheesh, a camel-puller, proves to be an invaluable adviser and is always ready with a fast line or two in order to escape trouble...or work. There’s quiet and observant Salamon, who is childlike in his eagerness, curiosity, and joy when discovering something new. Then there’s Sira, who is not what she appears to be. She bears a tragic past and although her heart is filled with vengeance and heartache, perhaps there’s still a bit of room left for love. Together, the group encounters ruffians, warlords, a dream merchant, a painter, rivaling tribes, armies, a horse master, and perhaps the most repugnant of them all, a storyteller. While encountering danger and death at almost every turn, our ragtag troupe reminds us that it is often cunning and cleverness that have a sharper edge and can cut just as deep as any saber or tulwar.
Of all the characters in this book, it is Salamon who is perhaps my favorite. He is a kind and gentle man of few words, but when he does offer up some advice or wisdom, they are balm to the soul. When Carlo was unsure about what his future held, Salamon replied, “What remains to be seen is always the most interesting.” And when Carlo was telling Salamon about his quest for treasure, Salamon came up with a gem of his own: “As if a fortune could make up for the bother of gaining it. No, no, my lad: The journey is the treasure.”
"The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio" teaches us so many lessons: not to judge a book by its cover, the virtues found by putting your faith in the untrustworthy, or the comfort gained from seeking hope amongst the impossible. But above all, Lloyd Alexander gives us a wonderful and exciting story about a boy who discovers all the possibilities and treasure that the world has to offer all because one day, he seized upon the remarkable opportunity to open up a book. How much richer can you possibly get?
Lloyd Alexander takes readers on a magical journey filled with suspense, danger, mishaps, missteps, humor, and romance. Although there’s no flying carpet or bottled genie, there is plenty to delight and entertain readers of any age. At the heart of this story is young Carlo Chuchio, a dreamer filled with integrity who would not let his desire to be held in high regard outweigh his need to do the right thing. He soon realizes the burden of having a conscience, but the blessing that comes with listening to it.
Along Carlo’s journey, he meets up with a delightful set of companions. Baksheesh, a camel-puller, proves to be an invaluable adviser and is always ready with a fast line or two in order to escape trouble...or work. There’s quiet and observant Salamon, who is childlike in his eagerness, curiosity, and joy when discovering something new. Then there’s Sira, who is not what she appears to be. She bears a tragic past and although her heart is filled with vengeance and heartache, perhaps there’s still a bit of room left for love. Together, the group encounters ruffians, warlords, a dream merchant, a painter, rivaling tribes, armies, a horse master, and perhaps the most repugnant of them all, a storyteller. While encountering danger and death at almost every turn, our ragtag troupe reminds us that it is often cunning and cleverness that have a sharper edge and can cut just as deep as any saber or tulwar.
Of all the characters in this book, it is Salamon who is perhaps my favorite. He is a kind and gentle man of few words, but when he does offer up some advice or wisdom, they are balm to the soul. When Carlo was unsure about what his future held, Salamon replied, “What remains to be seen is always the most interesting.” And when Carlo was telling Salamon about his quest for treasure, Salamon came up with a gem of his own: “As if a fortune could make up for the bother of gaining it. No, no, my lad: The journey is the treasure.”
"The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio" teaches us so many lessons: not to judge a book by its cover, the virtues found by putting your faith in the untrustworthy, or the comfort gained from seeking hope amongst the impossible. But above all, Lloyd Alexander gives us a wonderful and exciting story about a boy who discovers all the possibilities and treasure that the world has to offer all because one day, he seized upon the remarkable opportunity to open up a book. How much richer can you possibly get?
March 31, 2021
3.5 stars
Admittedly I was a bit scared to read The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio. After all, it was Lloyd Alexander's very last book and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with one of his other later works, The Rope Trick. On the one hand, The Rope Trick is very well-written and takes a lot of risks for a childrens' book. On the other hand, it also made me stumble around in a fog of existential melancholy for a few days. I was a bit worried that Carlo Chuchio would be the same. And to some extent, it is. Even though the heroes, there is still a vein of sadness running through it, due largely to Shira's much darker backstory.
Luckily there is comic relief in the form of Baksheesh and Salamon, and even in Carlo's narration. It does help to balance out the darker parts of the story and make for a pretty good adventure-fantasy tale. I did find the story arc too similar to The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen, a more tightly-woven and intricate story by the same author. And I would have liked to see more payoff for the various mystery characters Carlo meets, to find out if there is some connection between these odd encounters as there is in The Rope Trick. But to be fair, maybe part of the point is just the things Carlo learns on the way, focusing on the impact of the journey itself. The ending was. But it didn't feel forced and the poignancy is probably only natural given the circumstances and time of its writing.
The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio is far from perfect, but it's an introspective and quite mature story and I'm glad I finally gave it a go even if it didn't make me feel as happy as my favorite Alexander books do.
Admittedly I was a bit scared to read The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio. After all, it was Lloyd Alexander's very last book and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with one of his other later works, The Rope Trick. On the one hand, The Rope Trick is very well-written and takes a lot of risks for a childrens' book. On the other hand, it also made me stumble around in a fog of existential melancholy for a few days. I was a bit worried that Carlo Chuchio would be the same. And to some extent, it is. Even though the heroes, there is still a vein of sadness running through it, due largely to Shira's much darker backstory.
Luckily there is comic relief in the form of Baksheesh and Salamon, and even in Carlo's narration. It does help to balance out the darker parts of the story and make for a pretty good adventure-fantasy tale. I did find the story arc too similar to The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen, a more tightly-woven and intricate story by the same author. And I would have liked to see more payoff for the various mystery characters Carlo meets, to find out if there is some connection between these odd encounters as there is in The Rope Trick. But to be fair, maybe part of the point is just the things Carlo learns on the way, focusing on the impact of the journey itself. The ending was. But it didn't feel forced and the poignancy is probably only natural given the circumstances and time of its writing.
The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio is far from perfect, but it's an introspective and quite mature story and I'm glad I finally gave it a go even if it didn't make me feel as happy as my favorite Alexander books do.
July 16, 2021
Lloyd Alexander was one of my favorite writers when I was growing up. I read and re-read his Prydain Chronicles, crushing on a different character every time. I read his other books, too, but somehow I missed this one. The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio is the featured title for a book club next month. I'm too old to have crushes on characters (well, except for maybe Mr. Darcy), but I appreciate the strength and growth of Carlo and Shira. Alexander has always written strong female characters, even before it was politically correct to do so, and I think it's one reason his books are still read today. He's also an elegant writer. I had the privilege of hearing him speak at the Georgia Children's Literature Conference years ago, and he didn't disappoint. He also looked like one of my favorite characters from Prydain, Flewddur Flam. Although these books are aimed upper elementary and middle schoolers, I recommend them highly for all ages.
April 1, 2017
A nice adventure story with a sweet ending.
April 1, 2018
Cover Blurb: Yes or No? I love the color scheme for this book, and the Arabian Nights style. It promises adventure and treasure!
Characters: Poor Carlo has a heart of gold and craves adventure, but he isn't the most aware or brilliant person. He's easily fooled and you can't help but love him, even if you face-palm sometimes. Baksheesh was awesome. Definitely the comic relief, his tricky ways and exaggerations were hilarious and wonderful and he was so, so awesome! Shira, the woman of the group, is tough, courageous, honest, and witty. Lloyd Alexander knows how to write tough female characters, and Shira might be my favorite. This book has so many colorful characters; villains and allies alike.
The Romance: It doesn't take long for Carlo to fall for Shira, and I really liked their romance. It's quick, naturally, but I've found that if I like both characters and the romance isn't mostly focused on how hot someone is, I don't mind quick romances anymore. It is also implied that they're on the road for quite a long time, so Carlo and Shira have known each other for a little while. I also maintain that life-and-death situations can strengthen feelings a lot faster than normal circumstances. So Carlo and Shira's romance is very sweet and I loved it.
Plot: Carlo Chuchio is a dreamer, and it's driving his uncle crazy. When Carlo finds a mysterious old map that promises to lead to treasure, he decides to take his meager possessions and start out on an adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, he picks up a couple of companions: Baksheesh, a lazy, dishonest, yet very loyal camel-puller; Shira, a young woman with a dark past; and Soloman, an old man who is on his way to the beach - someday. Together, these four travelers encounter inexplicable wonders, evil villains, and what true treasure is. I love journey stories, expedition stories, travel stories, and more importantly - treasure stories. I love all the crazy, dangerous, and weird things that happen in stories like that. And The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio delivers with Lloyd Alexander's classic humor, magic, villains, and perilous situations. The plot moves along at a clipped, easy pace, and along the way there is indications of an underlying main plot that is going to create a climax at the end.
Believability: Not applicable.
Writing Style: First person, past tense. I love Lloyd Alexander's writing style. It's witty, it's magical, it's very picturesque. He brings the characters to life with his words.
Content: None.
Conclusion: The first time I read The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio, I found the ending to be a tad bit disappointing. Lloyd Alexander was a brilliant writer, but I've always been of the opinion that his endings are a little weak. It's like he got bored with writing the book and just wrapped it up. Re-reading it, though, I liked the ending a whole lot more. Maybe it's because of my "new" perspective on life, but I'm able to appreciate the whole "the journey is the treasure" idea a lot more than I used to as a kid. Either way, this is definitely one of my favorite Lloyd Alexander books.
Recommended Audience: Girl-and-guy read, fourteen-and-up, fans of adventure stories.
Characters: Poor Carlo has a heart of gold and craves adventure, but he isn't the most aware or brilliant person. He's easily fooled and you can't help but love him, even if you face-palm sometimes. Baksheesh was awesome. Definitely the comic relief, his tricky ways and exaggerations were hilarious and wonderful and he was so, so awesome! Shira, the woman of the group, is tough, courageous, honest, and witty. Lloyd Alexander knows how to write tough female characters, and Shira might be my favorite. This book has so many colorful characters; villains and allies alike.
The Romance: It doesn't take long for Carlo to fall for Shira, and I really liked their romance. It's quick, naturally, but I've found that if I like both characters and the romance isn't mostly focused on how hot someone is, I don't mind quick romances anymore. It is also implied that they're on the road for quite a long time, so Carlo and Shira have known each other for a little while. I also maintain that life-and-death situations can strengthen feelings a lot faster than normal circumstances. So Carlo and Shira's romance is very sweet and I loved it.
Plot: Carlo Chuchio is a dreamer, and it's driving his uncle crazy. When Carlo finds a mysterious old map that promises to lead to treasure, he decides to take his meager possessions and start out on an adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, he picks up a couple of companions: Baksheesh, a lazy, dishonest, yet very loyal camel-puller; Shira, a young woman with a dark past; and Soloman, an old man who is on his way to the beach - someday. Together, these four travelers encounter inexplicable wonders, evil villains, and what true treasure is. I love journey stories, expedition stories, travel stories, and more importantly - treasure stories. I love all the crazy, dangerous, and weird things that happen in stories like that. And The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio delivers with Lloyd Alexander's classic humor, magic, villains, and perilous situations. The plot moves along at a clipped, easy pace, and along the way there is indications of an underlying main plot that is going to create a climax at the end.
Believability: Not applicable.
Writing Style: First person, past tense. I love Lloyd Alexander's writing style. It's witty, it's magical, it's very picturesque. He brings the characters to life with his words.
Content: None.
Conclusion: The first time I read The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio, I found the ending to be a tad bit disappointing. Lloyd Alexander was a brilliant writer, but I've always been of the opinion that his endings are a little weak. It's like he got bored with writing the book and just wrapped it up. Re-reading it, though, I liked the ending a whole lot more. Maybe it's because of my "new" perspective on life, but I'm able to appreciate the whole "the journey is the treasure" idea a lot more than I used to as a kid. Either way, this is definitely one of my favorite Lloyd Alexander books.
Recommended Audience: Girl-and-guy read, fourteen-and-up, fans of adventure stories.
September 21, 2010
The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio is an adventure and coming-of-age quest where the journey, the lessons learned, and the people encountered, are more important than the original reason for the quest. Along the way, Carlo meets Baksheesh, a camel-puller who spends more time complaining and riding the camel than pulling; Shira, a girl who is determined to make it home again and find out what happened to her family; and Salamon, a wise scholar who is good with animals and enjoys the journey no matter what it may bring. Carlo also meets several mysterious characters along the way who seem to know much more about him and his dreams than they should - a bookseller, a storyteller, a painter, and a dream merchant. Each of these mysterious characters helps Carlo and his friends along their journey.
This is Lloyd Alexander's last book. While I didn't enjoy it as much as his Chronicles of Prydain, I'm glad to have finally read it all the way through. It's such a great feeling to mark a book "finished" that I had abandoned the first time I attempted to read it. I thought I might never go back to it, and I was fine with that. But now that I've finished it, I'm very happy I did! I still can't give it a glowing five-star review, but I don't feel that it was a waste of time to read. I did, eventually (more than half way through), start to really like the characters and care about what happened to them. I think the story would have been better if he would have focused more on Shira's story than Carlo Chuchio. In fact, I would have enjoyed the entire book more if told from her point of view. But if you are a Lloyd Alexander fan, I do recommend this book.
First review: 4/7/08 - I just couldn't connect with the main character. I didn't care what happened to him and decided not to keep reading. I didn't know it was Lloyd Alexander's last book until after I returned it to the library. Sad, but I don't think I'll ever finish reading it. :(
This is Lloyd Alexander's last book. While I didn't enjoy it as much as his Chronicles of Prydain, I'm glad to have finally read it all the way through. It's such a great feeling to mark a book "finished" that I had abandoned the first time I attempted to read it. I thought I might never go back to it, and I was fine with that. But now that I've finished it, I'm very happy I did! I still can't give it a glowing five-star review, but I don't feel that it was a waste of time to read. I did, eventually (more than half way through), start to really like the characters and care about what happened to them. I think the story would have been better if he would have focused more on Shira's story than Carlo Chuchio. In fact, I would have enjoyed the entire book more if told from her point of view. But if you are a Lloyd Alexander fan, I do recommend this book.
First review: 4/7/08 - I just couldn't connect with the main character. I didn't care what happened to him and decided not to keep reading. I didn't know it was Lloyd Alexander's last book until after I returned it to the library. Sad, but I don't think I'll ever finish reading it. :(
June 29, 2008
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.
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.
September 24, 2013
As a huge fan of Lloyd Alexander, I must admit my feelings toward this book are incredibly sentimentally tied with the knowledge that it was his last. To the point that I honestly wept when I was finished.
That said, it still is a genuinely good read. It is a bit more violent and graphic than his previous stories, so I would place this one more in the "young adult" to "upper middle grade" category. There is veiled allusions to rape mentioned, violent actions and some graphic imagery. Not too intense, mind you, but enough to the point where I don't think it is appropriate for his standard "middle grade" audience. I would say this is an age 13 or 14+ read, depending on the maturity level of the reader.
Most fans of Alexander know that he has his frequently used tropes and character archetypes and it is no different here, but I find them very comforting and familar, so I happen to love that about his writing. Much like his other stories, this is another quest/hero's journey full of rich settings and lavish images. It is a classic tale so don't expect any surprises - but again, that's what draws me to Alexander's works. I love that sense of timelessness in them. So if you enjoy fantasy adventures and/or enjoy other titles by Alexander, you are sure to like this one as well.
That said, it still is a genuinely good read. It is a bit more violent and graphic than his previous stories, so I would place this one more in the "young adult" to "upper middle grade" category. There is veiled allusions to rape mentioned, violent actions and some graphic imagery. Not too intense, mind you, but enough to the point where I don't think it is appropriate for his standard "middle grade" audience. I would say this is an age 13 or 14+ read, depending on the maturity level of the reader.
Most fans of Alexander know that he has his frequently used tropes and character archetypes and it is no different here, but I find them very comforting and familar, so I happen to love that about his writing. Much like his other stories, this is another quest/hero's journey full of rich settings and lavish images. It is a classic tale so don't expect any surprises - but again, that's what draws me to Alexander's works. I love that sense of timelessness in them. So if you enjoy fantasy adventures and/or enjoy other titles by Alexander, you are sure to like this one as well.
May 13, 2008
I got into Lloyd Alexander when I was in 5th grade and my Mother began reading me the Prydain series. (It is still one of my favorites and I enjoy it much more than Narnia) This is quick read and quite enjoyable, but not as great as Prydain.
June 21, 2015
I found this book at a garage sale and bought it for only 25 cents in the States. For some reason this book reminded me of Marco Coelo's Alchemist.
August 25, 2017
Is it ironic that an adventure inspired by the tales of the 1,001 Arabian Nights begins with its main character setting off on an adventure inspired by the tales of the 1,001 Arabian Nights? Irony is certainly well-represented in this book's rich variety of textures and hues, along with romance, comedy, magic, sickening violence, and suspense.
Carlo Chuchio, the orphaned nephew of a fat merchant on an island somewhat like pre-19th century Sicily, is widely considered a fool by those who know him. Impractical, accident-prone, and given to daydreaming, he is finally given his marching orders and sent to the mainland to make his own fortune, carrying with him a tattered book of tales in which he found a mysterious treasure map. He is joined on his search by a grumbling, idle camel puller, a wise old man, and a lovely but terribly serious girl who has sworn revenge on the slave merchant who abducted her, possibly after killing her whole family.
Together they witness deadly battles with bandits, explore caves painted by a hermit with the ability to see the future, purchase dreams, face seemingly certain death, and (in more than one couple's case) fall in love. Do they find the treasure? Well, that would be telling. All you need to know for now is that there is a laugh, a sigh, a thrill, or a gasp of wonder on every page.
This was the last book published by Lloyd Alexander, published in the year of his death, 2007. A winner of both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, he was the author of many folklore-based pieces of original fiction, including The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha, The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen, The Fortune-Tellers, The Arkadians, The Iron Ring, Gypsy Rizka, The Rope Trick, and the five-book "Chronicles of Prydain" series. I have loved many, many of his books, and there are still lots of them I haven't read yet, including the Westmark trilogy and the Vesper Holly sextet.
Carlo Chuchio, the orphaned nephew of a fat merchant on an island somewhat like pre-19th century Sicily, is widely considered a fool by those who know him. Impractical, accident-prone, and given to daydreaming, he is finally given his marching orders and sent to the mainland to make his own fortune, carrying with him a tattered book of tales in which he found a mysterious treasure map. He is joined on his search by a grumbling, idle camel puller, a wise old man, and a lovely but terribly serious girl who has sworn revenge on the slave merchant who abducted her, possibly after killing her whole family.
Together they witness deadly battles with bandits, explore caves painted by a hermit with the ability to see the future, purchase dreams, face seemingly certain death, and (in more than one couple's case) fall in love. Do they find the treasure? Well, that would be telling. All you need to know for now is that there is a laugh, a sigh, a thrill, or a gasp of wonder on every page.
This was the last book published by Lloyd Alexander, published in the year of his death, 2007. A winner of both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, he was the author of many folklore-based pieces of original fiction, including The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha, The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen, The Fortune-Tellers, The Arkadians, The Iron Ring, Gypsy Rizka, The Rope Trick, and the five-book "Chronicles of Prydain" series. I have loved many, many of his books, and there are still lots of them I haven't read yet, including the Westmark trilogy and the Vesper Holly sextet.
November 5, 2019
Book Review
-Inez St. John
My book is called The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio by Lloyd Alexander, the lexile is 650. The book is about how Carlo finds a map and goes to find the gold on the map he goes through various terrains, and attempts on finding it.
The setting shapes the plot by creating new challenges by changing the setting, to going from sea to a busy city. If Carlo is on on a boat in the middle of the sea he has seasickness but when he is on land he has to climb mountains to get to the gold.
I would recommend this book to people who like non-modern books and adventures. I have mixed feelings about this book because I really liked about half of the book but the end was dragging on and I didn't really like that he never got the gold to his uncle. The book was kinda confusing it didn't really give the reader a lot of background knowledge about him, they just gave us that his parents died and he really loves books and lived with his uncle. They never gave us his age for all I know he could be 2 or 90. It was kinda hard to read because it jumped around in the book it moved to fast in my opinion. I didn't like the ending because he didn't get the gold to his uncle like he said he would in the beginning. It connected to people who like to read and people who are always up for an adventure. The writing style was pretty good but not my taste, his way of words is what I really liked.
-Inez St. John
My book is called The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio by Lloyd Alexander, the lexile is 650. The book is about how Carlo finds a map and goes to find the gold on the map he goes through various terrains, and attempts on finding it.
The setting shapes the plot by creating new challenges by changing the setting, to going from sea to a busy city. If Carlo is on on a boat in the middle of the sea he has seasickness but when he is on land he has to climb mountains to get to the gold.
I would recommend this book to people who like non-modern books and adventures. I have mixed feelings about this book because I really liked about half of the book but the end was dragging on and I didn't really like that he never got the gold to his uncle. The book was kinda confusing it didn't really give the reader a lot of background knowledge about him, they just gave us that his parents died and he really loves books and lived with his uncle. They never gave us his age for all I know he could be 2 or 90. It was kinda hard to read because it jumped around in the book it moved to fast in my opinion. I didn't like the ending because he didn't get the gold to his uncle like he said he would in the beginning. It connected to people who like to read and people who are always up for an adventure. The writing style was pretty good but not my taste, his way of words is what I really liked.
June 10, 2021
As a kid, I could not get enough of Lloyd Alexander's stand-alone books like this one. They are stories that feel like our own folklore but set in places not quite like our own world (but enough like that we might secretly hope to visit one day and can still learn from the wisdom of the characters). This was probably my favorite, because I never felt there was enough fantasy out there inspired by a more Middle Eastern setting.
As an adult, I don't feel the plot pacing is ideal, and there are plenty of questions that never get answered. Shira is a little one-note at times, and it really is quite remarkable that Carlo doesn't end dead in a gutter somewhere by the third chapter. But, the life lessons are simply beautiful, and although Salamon is overtly "wise," he still doesn't feel preachy while he delivers some of them. Even the obnoxiously oily Baksheesh is likable, and there's something very humbling about a fantasy where even the lazy thieves can grow as human beings and happy endings aren't a given, but are the most likely outcome. ;)
As an adult, I don't feel the plot pacing is ideal, and there are plenty of questions that never get answered. Shira is a little one-note at times, and it really is quite remarkable that Carlo doesn't end dead in a gutter somewhere by the third chapter. But, the life lessons are simply beautiful, and although Salamon is overtly "wise," he still doesn't feel preachy while he delivers some of them. Even the obnoxiously oily Baksheesh is likable, and there's something very humbling about a fantasy where even the lazy thieves can grow as human beings and happy endings aren't a given, but are the most likely outcome. ;)
March 20, 2018
Very familiar ingredients if you know Lloyd Alexander's books: a young guy who definitely needs to grow up a bit, a older rogue sidekick and a strong headed love interest. I loved Alexanders books as a kid, so it was great to find a book of his I didn't read yet. His books are a big part of my current love for adventure filled fantasy.
For me it was a bit too similar to his earlier book, The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha, which IMO is the better version of this story. Both books take place in an alternative Arabian/Persian flavored setting, with in both cases some stories within the story. This book felt like a bit more mature version of the earlier book, and though it did have the better ending, it was a bit more episodic.
Still, it is fun to read, and I would have loved this as a kid.
One nitpick: in an alternate Europe/Middle East using the term Greek Fire felt out of place.
For me it was a bit too similar to his earlier book, The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha, which IMO is the better version of this story. Both books take place in an alternative Arabian/Persian flavored setting, with in both cases some stories within the story. This book felt like a bit more mature version of the earlier book, and though it did have the better ending, it was a bit more episodic.
Still, it is fun to read, and I would have loved this as a kid.
One nitpick: in an alternate Europe/Middle East using the term Greek Fire felt out of place.
February 26, 2025
I've loved Alexander's Prydain Chronicles for decades. His Iron Ring was okay, although nothing memorable. I wasn't sure what to expect from this, given the mixed reviews. In the end, I LOVED it. The pace was quick enough to keep me entertained, but not so fast, I felt rushed or that the plot suffered. The main characters were unique and well-written, the villains dark and violent but in a subdued-enough way, I don't think it would be inappropriate for a middle-grade reader. The story was one of discovery, with the wonder being as much subtly-psychological and mysterious as overtly "magical". Despite protests to the contrary, I felt the ending fit the tale perfectly. The only sad thing I felt was finding out this is the Master's last work, but I find consolation in knowing that there are still other treasures out there for me to find! After all, it's the journey that matters!
November 24, 2018
Fantastisk bog, det rummer et stort eventyr. Selv om den er let og læse nød jeg alle siderne, og måtte tage mig i ikke at have lyst til at gøre bøgen færdig. ( For så var den jo slut) hvad lærer man af et eventyr, hvad er meningen med et eventyr? Det er svært at sætte ord på. Bogen gør nu et meget godt forsøg, efterhånden som Carlo og hans kompaner udvikler sig, udvikler læseren med dem. Hver person har så stærk en personlighed, er det er lige som at mødes med egne gamle venner. Den helt perfekte hverdags læsning, inden sengetid. Husk der ligger altid et lille eventyr og venter om det næste hjørne!
July 1, 2019
While I felt like the overall plot was formulaic, there was a good amount of creativity in the details and twists of the story, with a good dose of stand-out characters. I'm not sure how so many people instantly latched on to an untried, untested young man who didn't exhibit any particularly redeeming character traits, but Rabbit and Baksheesh jumped on the train with Carlo and started a chain reaction. The author's creative jumbling of Middle Eastern names and traits were interesting as well. For a typical juvenile adventure novel, this is an entertaining one if you don't mind some of the common underlying techniques used.
July 8, 2019
This was a delightful book, with many of the endearing qualities characteristic of the Chronicles of Prydain. Though I've been a Lloyd Alexander fan for many, many years, I had not previously been aware of this work, but I'm very pleased to have discovered it now. Reminiscent of the Iron Ring and the Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian, as well. It felt a bit slow at first, though that might have had more to do with an interrupted reading routine to begin with. But it was increasingly exciting, compelling, and interesting as it progressed. Well developed characters, and a satisfying conclusion.
March 29, 2021
Listened with my kids while driving. I loved it--mostly because how Baksheesh talks reminded me of my dad when he was hyper or bored writing us notes in church--he always told us to go to school and make lots of money to fatten HIS silken purse and care for him when his bones were brittle with age, etc. etc. I love Arabian Night/Silk Road type settings so that was another appeal. I felt you could see authentic growth in Carlo too, without making a huge deal of it, which was well done by the author. However the ending was a bit disappointing albeit appropriately romantic and was the reason for the knocked off star.
December 24, 2024
It was enjoyable, sometimes quite funny, had a healthy dose of good, solid adventure (even quicksand!), and a taste of mysteriousness (are the bookseller, storyteller, and painter connected?) but overall it was nothing extraordinary. The characters are one-dimensional, which is relatively normal for Lloyd Alexander, but this book didn't have as many redeeming qualities to make up for it.
"Inside my head, I could hear Salamon's words when he learned that I was seeking treasure. What a shame if you should find it, he had said to me. Your quest would be over. And then what? No, the journey is the treasure."
"Inside my head, I could hear Salamon's words when he learned that I was seeking treasure. What a shame if you should find it, he had said to me. Your quest would be over. And then what? No, the journey is the treasure."
June 14, 2020
Carlo Chuchio is a dreamer whose adventure starts, mostly, because he makes one mistake too many and his uncle fires him & kicks him out of his home, at precisely the same time Carlo has found what he is sure is a treasure map. This book is full of quirky, mostly ragtag characters who all seem to gather toward Carlo, adding flavor to the adventure. This book has layers. It can be read purely for enjoyment, or one can wax philosophical & learn lessons through the characters & events of the tale. The journey is the treasure.
December 12, 2021
Again, another well written epic adventure by Lloyd Alexander. This one takes place in the Middle East and having been there, I find it quite humorous to read the descriptions of the characters. So true to the culture. Lots of good themes explored in this book. The storyline is quite similar to his other books but just as much fun to read. I will suggest this for older children or adults though. The violence got a tiny bit graphic at one point and there were a few references that might go by kids heads, but were present nonetheless. I’m betting this was one of his later books.
May 13, 2022
After finding a treasure map in a book given him by a strange bookseller, Carlo Chuchio wants nothing other than to seek the treasure he is sure awaits him. He gets his wish after his merchant Uncle throws him out for his constant daydreaming. After a sea-sickening passage to Campania, Carlo is ready to follow the legendary Road of Golden Dreams to find his treasure, but is convinced that he needs to hire a camel-puller by the quick talking Baksheesh. Not that he has a camel. Carlo also quickly picks up another traveler, Shira, who wants to return to her family's caravanserai from which she had been kidnapped and her parents killed. They set out together joining a caravan that is attacked and Carlo mistaken for both a prince and a great warrior. Baksheesh never does pull a camel, although at times he is a camel pusher. Mostly though, he is a complainer. Shira is out for revenge on the man who killed her parents. At one point in the journey, they each receive a dream by a dream merchant. The dream Carlo receives is not the dream of finding the treasure he seeks, but it may be the treasure he his truly searching for. This book is the author's last book written before his death last year. Full of adventure, fighting, quick thinking, and humor, it will appeal to readers ages 10 and up.
December 14, 2020
I like Lloyd Alexander books, but this one wasn't one of the good ones for me. I found the main character boring and irritating that he just lets things happen to him. I thought the story was cliche and meandered too much in the side plots. I liked the symbolism of it, but it took too long to get to the point of the whole tale.
March 21, 2022
Brings together the humor of Don Quixote with the mystery of the Alchemist. There is a lot of bloodshed and violence, along with some swearing and name calling. Some parts of of story were too much for me, namely that robbers were sentenced to death by being shiskabobbed. Overall, the story was fascinating, just not my cup of tea.
August 29, 2023
Three stars for good fantasy story. I couldn't give it four or even five stars though because it often felt just really hard to follow and personally I also don't think it is in fact appropriate for the 'target' age group. If I had had the literary expectations of and interest in slave trafficking, human cremation, so on, I would have read the original Arabian nights.
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