Lloyd Alexander, known for crafting richly imaginative worlds in a wide variety of settings, brings us a tale that lacked his usual genius in The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio. Unlike his other works that brim with memorable characters and gripping plots, this is confusing and meandering. It’s safe and intellectually stimulating, making it a decent read but not particularly compelling or memorable. And, sadly, it didn’t have any characters that I really appreciated. I didn’t dislike it, but I also don’t love it and will probably not reach for it again.

Carlo, the story’s young dreamer, embarks on a quest in the Land of the Thousand and One Nights, full of exotic locales and dangerous mysteries. Obviously this is supposed to be a riff off of Arabian Nights… and maybe it does hold to that, but I just didn’t make the connections. There’s adventure and a hint of romance, yet the storytelling lacks the captivating depth and spark Alexander fans might expect.

While it doesn’t deliver the same magic as The Iron Ring, The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio offers a safe, gentle read with intellectual touches. Ideal for young readers interested in an unobtrusive adventure, it’s particularly suitable for a quiet afternoon. The audio is very well done.