The Invention of Hugo Cabret

#221
Title: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author: Brian Selznick
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2007
533 pages

An unexpectedly lovely fusion of illustrated book and graphic novel. Selznick's hundreds of drawings tell the story rather than mirroring it, while text is always presented separately, giving it a non-cartoon, non-manga look. Selznick's story weaves together multiple threads (or, to use a more pertinent metaphor, assembles seemingly disparate pieces). Though stylistically different, Selznick's illustrations share both some proportions and a quality of earnest emotion that reminds me of Garth Williams's illustrations for the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. The historical and fictional elements are nicely integrated, and the story itself is surprisingly moving. Though it's a quick read, it would repay more leisurely exploration.