The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By: Brian Selznick

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

©2007 Brian Selznick (P)2006 Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

Critic Reviews

"It's wonderful. Take that overused word literally: Hugo Cabret evokes wonder." ( New York Times Book Review)

"A true masterpiece." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"A fast-paced treat for tweens." ( People Magazine)

engaging story for the whole family

Our family read the book last year when it came out, and it appealed to both my 5 year old son and 7 year old daughter. The book is VERY visual, however, with nearly 1/4 of the pages being full (and very detailed) black and white illustrations that evoke the silent film era that the book refers to. The illustrations actually move the plot of the book forward, so I was skeptical about the ability of an audiobook to do justice to the book. They solve the dilemma of several pages of wordless pictures by resorting to old-style radio sound effects, which work fairly well, and also call to mind days gone by.

The book made a car trip go by quickly for everyone, and the kids wanted to start it over again. I'd recommend the story highly, but strongly suggest that you read the book as well in order to really experience Hugo's adventure.

A wonderful quick listen

I listened to this with my nine-year-old daughter in five short sessions as she read along with the more-than-500-page printed version. Even if you do not listen with a young child, get the printed version. The hundreds of illustrations in the book are magnificent. The recorded version is also enhanced by several mood-creating sound effects which, in my opinion, really added to the enjoyment of the story. The narrator was magnificent in his renderings of all the characters, particularly Georges. If you are hesitant about using a credit for a book that is less than three hours long, make the leap with this one. I guarantee you will choose to listen to it several times because the experience is just that good.

what an intruiging story

I listened to this book during a long drive, with my mother (in her sixties), my son (six), and myself (30's). This book kept all of our interest, and we could all follow the story line. The sound effects during this reading were great, keeping it interesting and fun. The narrator did a great job, with old timie radio images popping up in my mind throughout. And the story itself shows why they would turn it in to a movie (which was also fabulous), with heart-felt emotions being felt when this poor boy's plight is made clear. I recommend it for all ages!

Dare to follow your dreams!

What made the experience of listening to The Invention of Hugo Cabret the most enjoyable?

It's a quick listen but well worth the credit. Although it is a children's story and simple in it's construction, it has a nice flow and strong character development. I fully enjoyed to escape into this little world and follow Hugo through his escapades.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mr Woodman's performance was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed his voice.

Deligtful

I did this one backwards, as I really prefer to read books before seeing the movie. But regardless, this book is simply delightful. The characters catch you quickly despite the fact that I cannot relate to the differences in our experiences. The performance was just right. Sound effects are startling since they are so real. I was listening outside much of the book even though I do not usually have trains come along in my backyard. A treat for all ages.

Good

What did you love best about The Invention of Hugo Cabret?

Good, but not as brilliant as I thought it would be. Still, a very enjoyable listen.

My children listened with rapt attention!

If you could sum up The Invention of Hugo Cabret in three words, what would they be?

Vivid, magical and fun.

What did you like best about this story?

We enjoyed the suspense and the magical quality of the story.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Woodman – was your favorite?

Our favorite character was the toy maker.

Any additional comments?

My only disappointment is that with the audio version of this book, you miss the rich illustrations in the book. But my children had the unique experience of being able to conjure their very own images while they listened to the engaging story.

Great Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was a simple and entertaining listen.

Any additional comments?

I was surprised that it was such a short listen. I had seen the movie first. The book and movie are very much in keeping with each other...minus a bit at the end. The movie is really the book plus effects.... great effects.

My kids and I loved this.

My 8 and 6 year old loved this story. We have the actual book so we had the wonderful illustrations to look at too. They are amazing and I wish they were included with the download.

Best Book Ever!

Where does The Invention of Hugo Cabret rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

First audiobook

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Invention of Hugo Cabret?

The end! Don't want to spoil it - but it was surprising!

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

good character voices

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some parts made me laugh out loud!

great children's story!

I listened to this as my kids read the book. We love being able to discuss stories together. We all loved the story but the narration is a bit choppy, especially when it's someone speaking. It would have gotten annoying if the story was any longer.