The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
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Book Reviews of The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Book Review: competently done; not mind-blowing
Summary: 3 Stars
Hey, everybody! I just finished a 530-page novel in about 2 hours! Er, well, I should fess up to the fact that I was helped along by the fact that 2/3rd of it is illustrations. As for the remaining third, many pages just have a sentence or two. I don't think I'll repeating this feat anytime soon.
I see from the other reviews that there was a great deal of hoopla surrounding the publication of this book. I know nothing about that. I had never heard of it or its author when I found it in the local library and took it home -- without even flipping through it.
I was surprised by all the pictures, but I liked it. I thought the whole thing with twice as many illustrations as text wasn't working as well as the author presumed it was, but it was an enjoyable read. Its strongest point was a tight and suspenseful story.
There are problems, however: Selznick is apparently unaware of the effect of his passing innuendos: I was given the distinct impression that Melies had amnesia.
And certain loose ends are left loose even at the end of the story: we never learn, for example, what caused the fire that did Hugo's father in.
Book Review: I Loved the Package, A Chapter Book with Lots of Pictures, But The Story Could Have Been Better
Summary: 3 Stars
I just finished reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret to my six year old daughter.
She gave it 6 out of 5 stars and said it was her "most favorite book ever, so far, even better than Larklight and Starcross".
So she loved it.
But, I was not as enamored with the story as she was. I think it was a good story but the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. And if they had been I think I would have enjoyed the story more.
I did love the format...all the pictures were wonderful and really added to the story, especially for my daughter. I think many chapter books would be improved for young readers/listeners with the addition of illustrations in this style.
I would love to see Brian Selznick write a similar chapter book retelling the moving story of The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. I thought that was a wonderfully well done story, very moving.
I certainly would encourage you to get a copy of Hugo Cabret and see what you think of it. I was a little disappointed with the story.
I strongly recommend The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins illustrated by Brian Selznick.
Book Review: Amazing Mix of Imagery and Text
Summary: 5 Stars
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a visually stunning, compelling story I am already thinking about re-reading. The book is different than many I've read in this age range because it opens with a series of beautiful, text-less drawings (almost like a David Wiesner book), but they are set in a novel format more similar to a large, later Harry Potter book. The book is a fast read as it alternates between the drawings and a few pages of text. It makes for an interesting affect as you become engrossed in the story, and then walk through the drawings almost like you are seeing a silent movie of climactic action in each chapter.
Writing-wise, I also thought the story lived up to a high caliber. Like many good stories, The Invention of Hugo Cabret does a great job of giving the reader lots to wonder about in the beginning that fuel the reader's interest through the 500+ pages of this tome. I literally could not put the book down for the first 300 because I was constantly wondering how key plot questions would be resolved and when certain secrets would be revealed.
All-in-all, a unique, creative, and engaging book. Don't let it's size scare you!
Book Review: Proves there can be too much for adults to enjoy in a children's book.
Summary: 5 Stars
Brian Selznick's pencil drawings offer a stunning tribute to the power of cinema, while slyly proving that the human hand has not lost its ability to thrill. But if you have children you might want to stop reading with them at the end of Part One. End there and you will have read the tale of an orphan's attempt to animate a clockwork human, bearing a fanciful and comforting message from the dead. Proceeding to Part Two, however, the reader encounters the story of a real filmmaker and the rediscovery of his lost work. True, this section contains some of the most stunning artwork, much of it directly inspired by the filmmaker Georges Melies, who was a sort of French Walt Disney whose innovations in special effects and technology made people think they were watching their dreams in the daytime. But, for younger kids, this homage is apt to be about as interesting as an Orson Welles marathon on TCM, and only serves to spoil the magic trick done in Part One. By the way, am I the only one who thought the film buff character of Etienne (French for Stephen ) looked just like a young Stephen Spielberg? The Stern Librarian (I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.)Book Review: One of the BEST Children's Books
Summary: 5 Stars
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is an utterly delightful read for children and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids do. Since the graphic novel MAUS was awarded the most prestigious award several years ago, graphic novels have been much acclaimed by critics and bibliophiles as authentic literaturee, and now the excellent art of Selznick brings it into the realm of outstanding children's literature. With a captivating and mysterious story of a young orphaned boy who lives in the walls of a train station in Paris, France, you will find this a page turner. But you will stop many times to pour over the excellent full page drawings of this work of art. Brian has built this fanciful story based on a real person who created some of the world's early films, Geroges Melies, and a few of Melies own drawings appear in the book also, as well as some historic art, reprinted with permission. The early days of film-making play a central part as the mystery unfolds, and of course, everyone lives happily ever after. This is a treasure of a book for the family! And you'll want to order more by Brian Selznick who has many to his credit.