Book Review of "Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck is written by the author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” which is now a major motion picture. Sections of both stories are told solely with the author's own illustrations, while the remainder of the book is in words, the style unique to Brian Selznick.
Wonderstruck begins with the story of Ben Wilson, a boy in 1977 grieving the death of his mother. Suddenly it goes back 50 years to a girl named Rose in the 1920’s. Rose’s story is unfolded in Brian Selznick’s beautiful black and white illustrations; the novel continues to alternate between the two character’s lives, one life told in pictures, the other described with words.
In 1977, Ben has a terrible accident that robs him of the sense of hearing. Back in 1927, you learn Rose is deaf as well. The similarities between the two children continue throughout the book. At last the parallels culminate in one surprising discovery. 

The thing about this book that I especially appreciated was how it entered into the mind of Ben. You got to experience a bit of life through the eyes of a boy who is deaf. Deeply profound, this book and its characters grabbed my heart from the very beginning. I felt in an indescribable way as if the characters were real. This is one of those rare novels that I will never forget and whose characters will always feel real to me.

Inspirations 4 Writing

What always inspires me about Brian Selznick’s writing are the characters he creates. The details of their emotions, their innermost thoughts, their habits, their likes and dislikes all work together to make them become real to the reader.