The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Thursday, July 21, 2011


The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
★★★★☆

Hugo is the orphaned son of a clockmaker. He lives in a small room in a train station in Paris in the 1930s. His father was in the midst of trying to fix an automaton when he dies unexpected, leaving his son alone in the world. Hugo attempts to continue his father’s work, while trying to survive on his own.


This graphic novel is fanciful and sweet and just the right blend of drawings and text. The story sweeps you along and you find yourself running through the streets of Paris with Hugo, evading police and stealing milk. Hugo is caught stealing by a man who runs a toy shop and soon their lives become intertwined.

Selznick works bits of fact and historical trivia into the book. I love it when authors do that, because adds a richness to the story. He makes it clear, in an endnote, what is fact and what is fiction.



The book looks huge, but I read it all in one sitting. The drawing and photos supplement the text and so it flies by. It was just delightful. I heard Martin Scorsese is making a film version and I can’t wait to see it come to life on the big screen. I think this is the kind of book that would actually work well as a movie.

*All images from the book

10 comments:

Ana S. said...

I am reading this right now! It's amazing so far :)

Jillian said...

I haven't heard much about this series, but is this the one that they made a movie on? They showed the trailer during the HP midnight showing. Looks like a fun read that I would enjoy.

Amanda said...

I really love this book!! Like Jillian, I saw the movie preview the other day when I went to see Harry Potter - it looks fantastic! I've also listened to the audiobook version, which converts all the pictures to wordless sound!!! It's really interesting.

Sandy Nawrot said...

I thought this book was amazing. It represents everything magical about childhood. We saw the previews when we went to see Harry Potter! I can't wait!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

I didn't get to see a trailer for this before HP when I saw it. That's not fair!

Nymeth - I hope you love it!

Jillian - I don't think it's a series, but it's a great book.

Amanda - I can't even imagine what this would be like as an audiobook.

Sandy - Yes, it captures that magical feeling that you can only truly have in childhood.

B said...

With every review I read of this book I want it more and more!

Bybee said...

This one's in my school library back in Korea. I've been meaning to just hang out there one afternoon and read it through in one sitting. Nice goal for next semester. Thanks for your review!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Bybee - I read it in one sitting. I think it's perfect that way.

Amanda said...

I'd just like to point out that Brian Selznick is HOT.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/891273-312/wonder_boy_if_you_loved.html.csp

That is all.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

He reminds me a bit of Joshua Ferris (The Unnamed).