Сергей Касаткиндобавил заметку 7 лет назад

OK, I'll try for a record here: if by "middle name" you mean "patronym" or, as we call it in Russia "отчество", I'll assume you're talking about two rather wooden boys, called Pinocchio and Buratino.

Yes, that`s exactly what I mean.

And NO, unfortunately, it`s not the entirely correct answer, though you`re halfway there!

The only other Italian that comes to mind is Chippolino, but he doesn't seem to fit the bill. so I'm at a loss right now.

This line about something going in his favor when he came to Russia and then suddenly failing might well give you a hint.

None of them is Italian, yet they both have italian roots.

буратино и Наполеон Бонапарт

Yes, Anastasia, this is correct.

I would be beat if you could:

- give answers using English (really, what are here for?)

- explain your answer at least a tiny bit (using English, for sure), otherwise some disturbing thoughts come to my mind. Just kidding, but still...

not beat, but neat*

"I would be beaten" or "It would be neat", Сергей. "I would be neat" makes some sort of sense, but still...
I never would've thought of Napoleon in this context. Not in a thousand years. Well done Anastasia!

I was thinking the same thing...about Cepreň typo. :-) #sweet

Igor,

It was just an iPhone-autocorrection. I surely meant to type "it would be neat", though it's really uncomfortable to do it whilst driving :-)

Well done, Indeed.

Never mind me, Сергей. I'm just fooling around. I love the sort of typos that create a new meaning for the whole sentence.

Igor, so do I, especially in Russian. It can be really funny sometimes.