Wonderstruck

Compelling parallel storylines spaced 50 years apart, one in type face, the other depicted through illustration, Wonderstruck weaves a wonderful story about overcoming the difficulties in our life and the meaning of friendship and family for two young children growing up similar but in very different time eras.  Not as classic as The Invention of Hugo Cabret but another marvelous piece of work in two mediums.

4 stars out of 5

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

My newest favourite book. A nice little mystery filled with a small handful of characters, that exhibits an old cinematic charm straight out of the French New Wave. The interweaving of graphic novel style storyboards to the traditional novel text gives it a cinematic pacing and feel. Plus the thematic elements of magic and silent films falls directly within two of my most beloved interests. It may seem cliche to say this, but i'd love to see a film made of this book, as i could picture the energy, mystery, and sweetness that envelopes the main characters. For authenticity sake, i could imagine the director of Amelie putting a deft cinematic hand on this French tale. I would highly recommend this to anyone, old or young. Despite its some 500 page heft, it was a very, very quick read. You won't be disappointed.

5 stars out of 5