The Invention of Hugo Cabret: Review

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

      With the recent release of Hugo in our cinemas, I was recommended to read the book prior to watching the film. Across a week of furious writing (and the rare schoolwork) I did so, and found myself entranced by the imagination that was put into the novel, not only through words but also through the pictures.

Some trivia about this imaginative book

• The book has 284 pictures within 533 pages.
• It was the first novel to win the Caldecott Award, in 2008.

Personal response

      The book drew me into a world of logical fiction, with connections to the history of France (Georges Melies was an illusionist as well as a filmmaker, and the facts are included in the novel), and this curious character by the name of Hugo Cabret. He did not have a particularly good childgood, with both the death of his father and uncle, and he was certainly poor, yet he had survival instincts which help him throughout the book.

      In order to escape the orphanage and the Station Inspector's prying nose, he pretends that his uncle never left the station, continuing to keep the clocks around the station on time, as a young gifted horologist even as young as he is. In his spare time he often steals from the toy shop and other such shops, using what he steals from the toy shop to fix a curious automaton in his possession.

      The images that entangle with the writing give a physical assistance to imagining how it was, without a worded description, which thus drives your mind to think up your own description, as well as/or even letting you imagine a moving scene, with the pace of some pictures, particularly during a chase scene.

     The storyline itself was increasingly interesting as it progressed, seeing how Hugo matured across the pages, and the development of his personality with the introductions of other characters, such as Isabelle and her godfather (the owner of the toy shop). Together, he and Isabelle make an intriguing pair, as they unravel mysteries which surprise so many readers I have heard from, and have even experienced myself.

      Faults, faults, faults .. It was too short. I wanted to learn more, I wanted to see more of the characters and how they grew up, and I especially wished to know how Hugo turned out after the epilogue, with just those words on the consequences of the main storyline.

Recommendation
      Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. It has so many elements to it, with the historical and foreign (unless you are French) setting, and then the fantasy and mystery, and so many other threads flowing from it.

Imagination Iota Rating

NOTE: The Rating:
The 'Iota' rating has now been put into place to show how much I enjoy the book in particular. Each book will be rated out of TEN Iotas, as demonstrated above with the Ten Iota Rating. This is to give more originality to the blog, as well as linking to Latin, as so few do in these current times. Thank you.

Tempus Imaginor

Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud review

Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

      Sherlock Holmes is a rather prominent fictional character who has had quite the remodelling in recent years, beginning with the Sherlock Holmes movies directed by Guy Ritchie, the modern version airing from BBC One, and now with Andrew Lane's series of books.

Some trivia about the first book of the series

• It was initially going to be named The Colossal Schemes of Baron Maupertuis, as this was a case mentioned by Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Reigate Squire.
• It was released in the UK on June 4th 2010.

Personal response

      I found the book incredibly intriguing, as it delved into the younger version of the famous consulting detective in the time when his deductive skills were very poor, allowing plenty of time for character development. Lane introduces some extraordinary characters in the shape of 'Matty', Virginia Crowe, and, of course, Amyus Crowe, the Holmes tutor.

      The way the book was structured was not a copy of Conan Doyle's original works, as Lane set out to avoid such a thing, using third person to follow Sherlock through his first adventure.

      The idea of Baron Maupertuis and his plot was finely presented, with complex thought as to how to map it out across the book, and to intertwine with various sub-plots, particularly involving the two Crowe members. The character development of all the main characters was spun in intricate threads of web as the storyline progressed, creating Matty as having a bold, survival personality, Sherlock with a mentally-strong personality, and Virginia as a mysterious girl who holds Sherlock's interest. Amyus could very well become a fictional tutor for the reader as he details various facts which could in fact assist with the reader's own life.

      There are very few faults I could find with this book, even with reading it several times to pick out details I had missed the first time. It certainly gives the reader an almost need to read the second book; Young Sherlock Holmes: Red Leech.

      I highly recommend that fans of Conan Doyle or any of the many videos or other books should buy this book, though it is rather intended for a teenage audience, though I know a fair amount of adults who also enjoyed reading this book. Amazon currently has a frankly fitting price, though the book is also available in local libraries or bookshops, as well as other shopping websites.

Tempus Imaginor