The Marvels

Written & illustrated by Brian Selznick

A boy's quest uncovers family secrets in a mysterious London house.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 21,131 ratings

664 pages· 39,085 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

$32.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1766, Billy Marvel survives a shipwreck and finds a new life in a London theatre. Generations later, Joseph Jervis, a runaway, discovers a mysterious house filled with secrets. As he delves into its past, he unravels a connection between his family and the enigmatic Marvels. What hidden truths will Joseph uncover, and how do these two stories intertwine across time? Embark on a journey through history and mystery, where the power of storytelling reveals the unexpected.

From the publisher

Don’t miss Selznick’s other novels in words and pictures, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, which together with The Marvels, form an extraordinary thematic trilogy!A breathtaking new voyage from Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick.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 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, runaway Joseph Jervis 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 stories connect, The Marvels is a loving tribute to the power of story from an artist at the vanguard of creative innovation.

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