The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a novel filled with a combination of words and pictures, is one that has me pleasantly surprised. I have never read a book quite like this one. I am just as pleased to read the words as I am to scrutinize each picture. It flows so well, and I felt that the pictures tell many words themselves. Instead of describing the chase between Hugo and the Station Inspector, for example, we can see through pictures a dramatic chase through the station. In this blog, I want to share a little about my reaction to Hugo, my opinion of some of the illustrations as they played a major role in this novel, and I want to discuss my interpretation of the theme of this story. I will begin with Hugo, the protagonist of our story.
I think the author, Selznick, did something very successful with this story. He made a seemingly unlikable character (a young, dirty, thief of a child) beloved in my eyes. His back story with his father is touching and something I think many can relate to. I know as a child and even now, I loved everything my dad did. He is a huge sports fan, and I have grown into a large sports fan myself. I was excited to play basketball out on the driveway with my dad. When the day came that I finally beat my dad in a game of PIG, I was the happiest, most proud girl alive. This relates to Hugo because the novel so clearly conveys how much he admires his father and his work. We watch as Hugo progressively gets closer to finishing his father's old project. The automaton becomes his sole project in life because it connects him so closely to his father. This family bond makes Hugo seem so very human and vulnerable as a child out on his own. I grew to love him and even understand when he had to steal a few of the things he had to steal. This is not to say I wasn't frustrated with him for stealing from the toy maker, but everything was done for a reason, and I knew Hugo to be a good, focused character through and through. When authors make seemingly unlovable characters beloved and special, it always peaks my interest a little more, and I find it exciting that I can relate so well to the story.
As much I love the twist Selznick made on Hugo as a character, I did find one questionable aspect in this novel. Some of the illustrations seem to be somewhat mature for a children's audience. The illustration of the rocket and the moon, one of the main images throughout the novel, seems almost frightening and intimidating. While it is easy for me as a young adult to understand the difference between fantasy and reality, it might be harder for younger children to distinguish between the two. The illustrations certainly added a great deal to the story. To see into the mind of the great Papa Georges and his movie making, as a few of this illustrations portrayed, was thrilling as a reader as well as a great way to connect to the story. I only wonder if some of the ideas are too advanced. Still, the pictures added exciting, different aspects to the story rather than having to read page after page of black-and-white print, and they were truly satisfying. Combined with the word, they created a very moving story that I will elaborate more on next.
One of the main components of any story is the overlying theme. What is great about this novel is that I think it is open to interpretation of many themes. However, my personal interpretation is closely linked to my opinions about Hugo as character. In the end of the story, we see what a little bit of love and trust between characters can do for a person. Hugo finally develops into the famous magician he had always wanted to be with the continuous help of Papa Georges. The novel tells us that the two work together constantly to create Hugo's very own automaton. Papa Georges switched from a man that once hated Hugo to one that deeply admires and cares for him. Through this transition, the theme is revealed. Not everyone is what they seem to be on the exterior. Hugo, on the outside, is a dirty thief, but with a little bit of love and commitment, he transforms into a successful magician in a wonderful, warming family. When Papa Georges is reintroduced to his movies, Hugo races back to his room to retrieve the automaton because he was committed to making the old man trusting in the new rediscovery. It is important for everyone to remember to give chances to people that might seem more difficult to deal with on the exterior. This novel shows a great progression of that trust.
I enjoyed reading this novel as a first one for our class. It shows me the possibilities when reading children's literature. There are so many opportunities beyond just chapter books for older children and picture books for the younger. The combination here was illuminating as well as very satisfying, and I know I am going to want to take this with me into my future classrooms!
Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures. New York: Scholastic, 2007. Print.
