The Invention Of Hugo Cabret (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
Don't let the size of this book dissuade you from picking it up. It is quite a quick read. The illustrations, interwoven with the story, compel the reader. I was blown away by the beauty and simplicity of the sketches and how seamlessly they moved the story. The story itself focuses on Hugo, a kid living in the train station, attending the clocks. His run in with a local booth owner and a young girl start to change his life. He is trying to restore an automan in the hopes of restoring the memories of his father. The story felt magical in places. This would be a great book for kids from the 4th grade and up. Struggling readers might enjoy the mixture of drawings with short chapters. This was a very neat little book. Everything was very circular, like a clock, winding back up to the beginning (or rather, I suppose, the end which then, like the hand at the stroke of 12, goes back 'round again). The drawings were absolutely charming, and the actual photographs from the early 20th century was a really neat touch.This is beyond a kid's book, as the author plays with medium only to provide further commentary on the magic of story telling, and how it goes beyond the written word, sometimes, but how it must always come back to it. That beautiful idea of a clock going round one more to end up at 12 yet again.The commentary on everyone fitting into the world and finding their place, like a cog in a machine, was beautifully executed through the eyes of a creator, and the inclusion of Greek mythology to further story telling, going back to the roots of ancient fables, was also another brilliant touch. Men were given fire to be able to light their paths, the god who stole for them suffered punishment. But it did not mean that his work was in vain, and he was later rescued and freed from his chains.Much like a character in this book. The story was very inception like, as every story fit inside the other like a nesting doll. For that, I must tip my hat to Selznick.I also learned quite a bit about French film making and its early roots, as well as Georges Melies. The only complaint I have is that the beginning was a bit slow, and it took awhile for me to understand the need for secrets. I found Isabelle to be absolutely irritating through the entire narrative, and there was a number of times I just wanted to smack her.But they are easily forgiven due to the wonderful medium through which the story of one of the cogs of the universe was told. I'd be interested in reading something by Selznick once again.
What do You think about The Invention Of Hugo Cabret (2007)?
This book was beautiful. A beautiful story- beautiful illustrations and beautiful written
—Nevo
