Book to Film Club September 2011 Book: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Last Sunday of the month means it's time to take a look at our Book to Film Club Book Selection: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

The book is a historically set fiction novel inspired by "Georges Méliès, his surviving films, and his collection of mechanical, wind-up figures called automata. (source)". I really got a kick out of this one, enjoying the combination of illustration and text which also made it a very quick read (and after The Three Musketeers that was a welcome change!). It took less than a week to get though and I loved the curious nature of the characters and the sense of wonder in the world. I am very curious about the adaptation, and have a feeling they might be able to keep lots of if not all of the story in the film. Here's hoping!

Things to ponder on the book:

• Did you enjoy reading it?
• Was it what you were expecting?
• What did you know about the book before reading it?
• Did you enjoy the format?
• What did you think about the combination of pictures & text?
• What did you think about the writing style?
• What did you take away from reading the book?
• Is there anything you would change about the book?
• Who would you recommend the book to?

About the upcoming film adaptation:

• How do you feel about the casting of the film?
• What do you hope to be the focus of the film?
• What do you think is essential to keep from the book in the film?
• What do you think they can trim away from the book to the film?
• What do you think the challenges of the adaptation may be?
• Do you have any hesitations on the adaptation?
• What are you most looking forward to about the film adaptation?

If this was a re-read:

• How did reading it this time compare with your previous time reading it?
• Did you notice anything different this time round?
• Did your interest and focus stay on the same characters and moments, or shift?

If you choose to shelf this out one:

• Was there a barrier (format, genre, focus, time period, reception) ?
• Would you consider trying it later?
• Have you already read it?
• Will you join us again in October for The Woman in Black? A supernatural tale that's hopefully a fitting selection for the spookiest month of the year.
  

Book reviews from Book to Film Clubbers:
Shannon
Norlinda

Film Adaptation
The adaptation has a truncated name, going with simply Hugo and will be in 3D. The film stars Asa Butterfield, Chloë Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In), Michael Pitt, Jude Law (Gattaca, Repo Men), Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, The House of Sand and Fog) and Sacha Baron Cohen and is directed by Martin Scorcese (Shutter Island, The Departed, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas).
Film Release Date: Wednesday November 23, 2011 (American Thanksgiving). See the trailer here.

If you haven't yet joined the Book to Film Club, you can still join us for the final 2 titles Our next book is a spooky selection for October 2011 with The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. Sign up for updates here.