The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Berkelouw Review

I finally picked up this handsome volume when I realised it was the basis for the new film Hugo, direct by the venerable Martin Scorsese. What a treat was in store!

Set in a time between the world wars, the story describes Hugo Cabret's life hidden in the bowels of the Montparnasse railway station where he maintains the all-important clocks.

The boy, Hugo, arrives here when his father is killed in an accident and he is taken in by his none-too-sober uncle who teaches him the maintenance routine for the many Montparnasse clocks, and then, inopportunely, falls into the Seine.

Hugo's life is a cat-and-mouse adventure as he tries to stay out of trouble and out of the hands of the authorities. He has a master project rebuilding a complicated clockwork figure, a work commenced by his beloved father. To obtain the parts he requires he comes into contact with M. Melies, from whose toy stall he can acquire numerous bits and pieces. The irascible Melies was a pioneering filmmaker whose work flourished for a while and then fell out of fashion. He is now a very bitter old man.

How will Hugo and M. Melies help each other to realise their dreams and find happiness?

This story is told is beautiful black and white drawings (284 of them) as well as text. Selznick treats the images as "frames" in a film - some are close ups, some are sequences that portray action (for example a rapid pursuit), some are dreamlike.

Readers who have seen Scorsese's wonderful film, and others from 10 years of age and older will enjoy this beautifully realised tale.