I hate to admit this, but I often pick up books to read without ever knowing what they're about. This is one of those books. I knew the general premise, but had no clue the amount of historical fact that would be woven throughout. It really transformed the book into something more, for me. 
 At first glance, I was already struck with a sense of awe. To set itself apart from others, Hugo Cabret has been printed on black paper. Never has a blank page carries such a weight. 
 This book also makes a perfect gift for those reluctant readers, as even those who are slow at turning those pages will find a satisfaction behind being able to conquer a 500 page book so effortlessly. An advanced reader would probably be able to push through within an hour or two, as... unless they get lost in the drawings, which I often found happening. More than half of the book is told through black and white sketches, that are beautiful in their attention to detail. There are several historical photographs as well, and I had a blast doing post-read research! 
 My only complaint is that there has to be a seam in the book, causing every sketch to have a line cutting right through the middle. My irrational complaint aside, the layout of the book is done brilliantly. 
 Highly recommended for readers of any age!