The Invention of Hugo Cabret
So. Thus begins my first official blog post. Exciting times! What shall I ramble about, you ask? The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
I first heard about the book when the author, Brian Selznick, was interviewed on Fresh Air. (Yes, I'm a nerd.) Selznick has illustrated several children's books, but I believe this is his first foray into writing. Don't quote me on that. The invention of Hugo Cabret is a graphic novel that tells the story of a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of the Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century. He discovers a broken automaton and is convinced that if he can repair it, it will deliver a message from his dead father. Along the way, he encounters a girl intent on uncovering Hugo's past, a toy shop owner with his own mysterious past, and discovers the magic of early film.
This was my first experience with the "graphic novel" genre, and I didn't realize what I was missing! It really can't get much better than this. The illustrations are all done in pencil and have a huge part in the actual telling of the story, not simply illustrating what you already know is happening.
This is the kind of book that I give to unsuspecting friends as Christmas gifts. It's currently making the rounds through my group of friends, so I might save some money come the holidays.
If you've already read Hugo, let me know your thoughts. If not, a bookstore can't be too far away!
Thus ends my first official blog post. Tada!
I first heard about the book when the author, Brian Selznick, was interviewed on Fresh Air. (Yes, I'm a nerd.) Selznick has illustrated several children's books, but I believe this is his first foray into writing. Don't quote me on that. The invention of Hugo Cabret is a graphic novel that tells the story of a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of the Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century. He discovers a broken automaton and is convinced that if he can repair it, it will deliver a message from his dead father. Along the way, he encounters a girl intent on uncovering Hugo's past, a toy shop owner with his own mysterious past, and discovers the magic of early film.
This was my first experience with the "graphic novel" genre, and I didn't realize what I was missing! It really can't get much better than this. The illustrations are all done in pencil and have a huge part in the actual telling of the story, not simply illustrating what you already know is happening.
This is the kind of book that I give to unsuspecting friends as Christmas gifts. It's currently making the rounds through my group of friends, so I might save some money come the holidays.
If you've already read Hugo, let me know your thoughts. If not, a bookstore can't be too far away!
Thus ends my first official blog post. Tada!
posted by C-Love | 12:17 PM
20 Comments:
Thanks for the review, C-love. I haven't explored the graphic novel genre, either, so your reaction is interesting. It sounds like you definitely plan to read more of them. Keep us informed?
I'm curious about the author. Do you know if he's related at all to David O. Selznick? Also, I wonder if he (or graphic novelists in general) thinks of himself primarily as a visual artist or as a writer.
Yes, his grandfather was a first cousin to David O. Selznick. Love for film must be a family trait. The book is very cinematic.
His degree is in illustration, so I would wager he sees himself first as a visual artist. But "storyteller" might be a better answer.
I wonder how that plays out in his work method -- i.e.: Do his characters come to him visually, first, then their other traits, diction, etc.? Does he create storyboards, like a film director, before working out the dialog? (Not questions I expect you to know the answers to. Just wondering.)
And a question about how the genre itself works: when he needs to describe something visually, does he just illustrate it, or does he also use textual imagery of the kind we expect in a traditional novel?
It's a good thing you don't expect me to know the answers. Heh...
Since this is the first graphic novel I've read, I can't speak to the entire genre. In this particular book, there is a mixture of illustration and prose. So there is actual "writing" mixed with illustration. But there is never writing on top of illustration, if that makes sense. The drawings tell part of the story, and the prose tells another part of the story.
Nice post, C-Love. The key to answering JU's (or anyone's) questions is to just make stuff up. Even if you don't know about it. I've not read a graphic novel before.
Do you have any ideas as to what you'll read next in this genre?
Thanks for the advice.
I haven't got a clue as to what graphic novel I'll read next. I'm currently reading a "real" book (Devil in the White City), so it will be a little while before I make it back to the genre. But I think Hugo might be pretty hard to beat.
On a completely unrelated note, next time you see me in person (if ever!), do you promise to call me C-Love? Hilarious.
You mean that's not your real name?
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the story of a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of the Paris train station
We had something very like that happen right here in Memphis. Mikey can tell you the whole story.
I'm listening...
It's all you, Mikey...
I'm not sure I can do the story justice in print.
You're a rhetorician, fer cryin' out loud. That's like being the pater familias of stories.
BTW, I looked for this book last night, C-love. The B&N nearest me didn't have it.
Really? Sad...
Ditto here in california. I looked at B&N last night and nothing. So I'll hafta order it from amazon, I guess. Which is always a pain because if I order ONE more book I get free shipping. And I fall for that trick EVERY TIME.
Who knew Memphis was the literary capital of the US? I feel so smart.
I just discovered the book has its own website. I'd link to it, but I have no idea how to do that. Not so smart after all.
www.theinventionofhugocabret.com
Who knew Memphis was the literary capital of the US?
It's probably just Midtown.
Cool website. Makes me even more curious about the book, which, I suppose, was the point.
It doesn't seem to be a typical graphic novel, though.
No, it's definitely not a typical graphic novel. It's hard to fit it into a genre, so it just gets placed into something close (like much of my favorite music).
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