The Marvels by Brian Selznick
by manz
Brian Selznick has done it again. The Marvels is a beautiful book and the third in what the author is calling a trilogy, following the Caldecott Medal winning The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck. The books are all stand-alone novels in words in pictures. Not just pictures – gorgeous, amazing illustrations done by the author.
The first 400 pages of The Marvels are all pictures and the tale begins in 1766 as we follow the story of a fantastical theater family from generation to generation, starting with Billy Marvel, survivor of a shipwreck. The last section of the book is told in words and takes place in 1990 and centers on a runaway youth named Joseph with map in hand searching for an uncle he’s never met.
The two stories seem unrelated but converge in the most beautiful way and it is up to the reader to connect the dots. I loved that it was loosely based on real people and a real house! If you enjoyed the first two books in this words and pictures format, this one should be a treat as well. To quote a theme in the book, Aut Visum Aut Non. You either see it or you don’t.
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