Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
May 23, 2008 12:31 pm ReviewA DrCris quick Review of The Invention of Hugo Cabret
This is a children’s book which combines graphic novel-style narrative with conventional prose. It is presented in quite a thick volume, which is none-the-less quite accessible due to the small amount of text, and energetic style. Due to a series of personal tragedies, Hugo Cabret, a young boy and talented tinker, lives alone in the bowels of a train station. He steals food and spends his time maintaining the station clocks, to avoid being found out. He also attempts to repair a clockwork automaton that once belonged to his father. He is caught stealing by a shopkeeper and is befriended by his ward. With her help, Hugo finds out the secret of the clockwork man and manages to get him working again.
I paid full price for this book, because I found the combination of graphic novel and text captivating. The graphic sections are exceptional, with great suspense, energy and framing. Unfortunately, the text lets it down. It was written by a guy who has previously been well-known as a children’s illustrator. It should have had a lot more work on the text, which is clunky. The characters, particularly Hugo, seem to be in a perpetual panic, running here and there, never pausing. Although this builds action, it is really unbelievable. Like many childrens’ books, it also has a couple of pearlers of coincidences. I can accept the main one, but all of the others should have been trimmed. Kid books should be fantastic, but they shouldn’t rely so heavily on chance that they are completely improbable.
However, I think this book is worth reading, purely because of the graphic sequences. I suspect a less cynical child would have less problem with the text than I did, so I am planning to give my copy to my nephew, and I suspect he will enjoy it greatly.
Related posts:
- Book Review: Neuromancer by William Gibson
- Book Review: Diary of a Nobody by G and W Grossmith
- Book Review - Breakfast at Tiffany’s, by Truman Capote
- Book review: Tinker, tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carre
- Book Review: In the Forest by Edna O’Brien
