[LM_NET] Houdini The Handcuff King Graphin Novel Review

[Christine Rayl <cjrayl@YAHOO.COM>]

I found this book slightly disappointing despite the high praises it has received 
in other review forums. Despite that, I did order it for my library as I know 
several young boys who are dying for anything about Houdini.

Lutes, Jason & Nick Bertozzi. 2007. Houdini: The Handcuff King. New York: Hypernion 
Books.

Grades 4-8

Houdini has long captured the imagination of the people and this graphic novel from 
the Center for Cartoon Studies provides a look at a small slice of his life that 
borders on fiction. Houdini is depicted as a man driven in a quest for fame and 
accolades, to be acknowledged the king of escape artists during his time. Yet, he 
is also shown as a loving husband and as a man who works hard for what he wants. 

With a complex yet informative introduction by Glen David Gold, the novel begins 
with Houdini at home, learning the intricacies of a handcuff lock that he will have 
to escape from when he jumps into the river at Cambridge. The reader is privy to a 
possible behind-the-scenes scenario as to how Houdini might have manage at least 
one remarkable escape from his bonds through the aid of his wife yet it is just a 
possibility as many of Houdini’s secrets have never been solved. Houdini allows 
himself to be hand cuffed, his wife slips him the key through a kiss, and Houdini 
jumps into the river while the crowd waits anxiously for his escape. Escape he does 
and returns to his home where he begins to plan his next event.

The dress, hair styles, and setting accurately represent the historical time this 
story takes place as well as the gray tone colors of the images, much like a black 
and white television. The writing is comfortable and easy to read yet lacks some of 
the vibrant action found in many other graphic novels. Yet the book makes up for 
the lack of story excitement through a fantastic end piece of panel discussions 
that touch upon the setting, locks, history of Houdini’s wife, and other 
historical events at the time this story takes place. While the book may not grab 
your reluctant readers as other graphic novels might, with the proper book talk and 
use of the information it contains, it is a wonderful introduction for this 
historical time of our history.

Christine Rayl, Librarian
Bowie Elementary School
Grand Prairie ISD, TX

cjrayl@yahoo.com
Book reviews: http://childrens-bookspot.blogspot.com/



      

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