Book Review | Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

19 January 2015

|| goodreads ||
Ben and Rose secretly wish for better lives. Ben longs for his unknown father. Rose scrapbooks a famous silent actress. When Ben finds clues and Rose reads enticing news, the children independently run to New York for what they are missing. Ben's story in words, Rose's in pictures, come together in deafness.
I've always wished I could draw. I mean really draw... pictures like those big, beautiful masterpieces that hang in museums. Unfortunately, my artistic ability is limited to stick figures and paint splatters. I don't have the patience to sit still and focus on the teeny-tiny details of a picture. It sounds head-ache inducing and stressful. I have accepted the fact that I am no aspiring da Vinci. But, because of my own patheticness with oil pastels and watercolors, I am always in complete, genuine awe at people who can actually draw. 

I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret when I was very young. I remember flipping through the gorgeous, pencil sketches, soaking up the amazing story. And when the movie came out, I fell in love all over again! (Hugo is one of my favorite movies, btw) When I learned that the same author wrote another book, I got very excited and bought it without hesitation (it usually takes me hours to choose a book to purchase). 

I'm going to be completely honest, I read it in a day. Despite its intimidating size I'm sure anyone could easily fly through this book. 

Two stories are told throughout this book, one told in words, and the other in pictures. As you flip the pages you watch the two weave together towards the end, tangling into one. It was a cute, heartwarming book, much different from Hugo, but still never ceasing to be charming. And the pictures were the icing on this yummy cake.

The drawings are what make Brian Selznick's books so special. I half wished I could rip out every page and decorate my room with them. (jk, I would never even think of ripping up a book as gorgeous as this one) It's a grown-up picture book, how cool is that! No matter how old you are I know you will enjoy reading this book. 

20 comments

  1. I LOVE THIS BOOK. <3 <3 <3 I'm so glad you did a review of it!! The artwork is just gorgeous, and I'm totally in awe of the way he tells a story using only images...totally in awe. It's neat, because it really emphasizes the silence in her life; it makes you feel it, too.

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    1. It's a very awe-inspiring book, indeed! And yes, I felt that way too, the story-telling in pictures were perfect to illustrate the deaf character's lives. It was just beautiful!

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  2. That book totally made me weep. It is perfect and brilliant and so gentle that it's easy to miss how heavy it is.

    I'm so glad you chose to review it! <3

    xoxo

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    1. It is a very beautiful book! Glad you liked the review ^.^

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  3. Brian Selznick is awesome! I love the idea of picture books for grown-ups.

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    1. Let's make grow-up picture books a thing. Grown-ups need pictures, they need beautiful pictures to cushion their brains!

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  4. I love this book so much! The illustrations are gorgeous. I read it from the library after I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret and loved it as much, if not more, than that one. I still haven't bought a copy of it, though. I always mean to, but $18-$20 for one book...ouch. I got Hugo Cabret with a B&N.com coupon. :)

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    1. Ikr! It's so expensive! But, in the end, worth it. :)

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  5. What a beautiful book! Adding that to my wishlist right away :)

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    1. It is beautiful, and you should read it :)
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. This book looks amazing. I know what you mean, I wish I could draw too! I used be pretty good and took lessons... but I suck now :(

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    1. Welcome to the club! I have always been less-than-exceptional at artwork. Thanks for visiting, Anita ^.^

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  7. I'm not familiar with Brian's books! I will have to check them out, they look beautiful!

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    1. You should, Meg. They are drop dead gorgeous!

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  8. Wow! That looks gorgeous!!! I love picture books. <3 *immediately adds book to TBR list*
    I must read it!

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  9. I love Wonderstruck. My teacher in sixth grade (I was in elementary) when he read to us, would read us this particular novel, and Hugo. The only problem was in seventh grade, when people did not actually want to read, they would choose out this book as an excuse. :( But I need to reread it sometime soon! <3

    xoxo Morning
    http://theworldthroughmywindowsill.blogspot.com/

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    1. When I was in public school in forth grade, my teacher read it to the whole class, and I immediately fell in love. But I understand how people could use it as a way to sort of cheat at reading, and that's very sad.

      Thank you ever so much for dropping by :)

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  10. Looks like my sort of read! Thank you for sharing lovely.

    xx Danica

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  11. This book looks awesome! The world needs more grown up picture books!!

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