From Powells.com
Our favorite books of the year.
Staff Pick
With stunning illustrations and prose, Selznick once again delivers a mysterious, haunting tale. What begins in 18th-century London with an epic story-in-pictures of the Marvel family ends, in prose, with a modern-day boy who has run away to stay with an uncle who doesn’t want or trust him. This is a beautifully rendered work that is richly rewarding. Recommended By Richard C., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
In this magnificent reimagining of the form he originated, two stand-alone stories — the first in nearly 400 pages of continuous pictures, the second in prose — create a beguiling narrative puzzle.
The journey begins on a ship at sea in 1766, with a boy named Billy Marvel. After surviving a shipwreck, he finds work in a London theatre. There, his family flourishes for generations as brilliant actors until 1900, when young Leontes Marvel is banished from the stage.
Nearly a century later, Joseph Jervis runs away from school and seeks refuge with an uncle in London. Albert Nightingale's strange, beautiful house, with its mysterious portraits and ghostly presences, captivates Joseph and leads him on a search for clues about the house, his family, and the past.
A gripping adventure and an intriguing invitation to decipher how the two narratives connect, The Marvels is a loving tribute to the power of story from an artist at the vanguard of creative innovation.
Review
"Once again, Selznick showcases the cinematic style and blend of prose and pictures that he pioneered with The Invention of Hugo Cabret…both
epic and deeply intimate, this engrossing adventure also reflects on
the nature of creativity and storytelling…a bookmaking tour de force,
this novel is as full of marvels as its title suggests." Washington Post
Review
"Complex, entertaining, and full of gorgeous art and writing, this is a powerhouse of a book." School Library Journal (Starred Review)
Review
"Time, grief, forgiveness, and love intersect in epic theater celebrating mysteries of the heart and spirit." Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Review
"Selznick’s warm, affecting family tale is bittersweet, astonishing, and truly marvelous." Booklist (Starred Review)
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About the Author
Brian Selznick is the Caldecott award-winning author and illustrator of The New York Times bestsellers The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck. He is also the illustrator of many celebrated picture books and novels, among them Caldecott Honor Winner The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley, and Sibert Honor Winner When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Brian has previously worked as a set designer and a puppeteer. He lives in San Diego, CA, and Brooklyn, NY.