A Book A Week: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. Scholastic 2011 (library copy)

You might know Selznick’s work from his previous novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (which has recently been adapted into the film Hugo), or from one of the many children’s books he has illustrated (like Frindle or The Landry News). Like Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck is massive-looking, but do no be put off by fears of the book’s density. The text of the novel is elaborately illustrated by Selznick’s signature artwork, giving a cinematic quality to the unfolding of the narrative.

The story alternates between Ben and Rose. Ben lives in 1977, in Minnesota. His story is told entirely in words. His mother has just died, and in his grief, he begins to wonder about the father he has never known. Rose lives in 1927, near New York City, and her story is told entirely in pictures. Despite the distance of time and space, Ben and Rose are connected, both in coincidences of their lives, and in their mutual search for missing pieces.

This is the sort of story a person (child or adult) could completely fall into. Though I read this to myself, the story would be lovely read out loud, side-by-side. And though there are one or two moments where the story feels overly contrived, there is a little bit of magic in the way that Ben and Rose find what they need.