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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
“I think we ought to live happily ever after.”
Everything whimsical and fun, Howl's Moving Castle was a delight! Although some aspects didn’t live up to my expectations, there’s no denying this is a special tale.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Sophie is the eldest of three sisters, which means she is bound to be unlucky; Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Wastes into the form of an old woman. Desperate for her normal body back, Sophie does what few are brave enough to: she enters Howl’s moving caste, home to a wizard known for stealing hearts.
~★~
Diana Wynne Jones has certainly got a wild imagination. It was marvellous to be immersed into a world as fantastical as Ingary, especially after the wizard Howl was introduced. Witches, mermaids, wizards, demons and more, there was plenty to look forward to in terms of characters.
The plot was my main let down for sure. The first third of the novel had me completely engrossed, but soon after it became evident that Sophie’s cleaning, Howl’s outings and Michael’s spells were taking up the majority of page time. A repetition pattern started, and I found that by the time something different happened I was a little out of it.
I’ll say it again: objectively, this is a great story. Especially for its targeted age demographic. I know for sure that if I’d read Howl’s Moving Castle as a kid, I’d have loved it profusely. The mounds of rave reviews are definitely justified!
Everything whimsical and fun, Howl's Moving Castle was a delight! Although some aspects didn’t live up to my expectations, there’s no denying this is a special tale.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Sophie is the eldest of three sisters, which means she is bound to be unlucky; Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Wastes into the form of an old woman. Desperate for her normal body back, Sophie does what few are brave enough to: she enters Howl’s moving caste, home to a wizard known for stealing hearts.
~★~
Diana Wynne Jones has certainly got a wild imagination. It was marvellous to be immersed into a world as fantastical as Ingary, especially after the wizard Howl was introduced. Witches, mermaids, wizards, demons and more, there was plenty to look forward to in terms of characters.
The plot was my main let down for sure. The first third of the novel had me completely engrossed, but soon after it became evident that Sophie’s cleaning, Howl’s outings and Michael’s spells were taking up the majority of page time. A repetition pattern started, and I found that by the time something different happened I was a little out of it.
I’ll say it again: objectively, this is a great story. Especially for its targeted age demographic. I know for sure that if I’d read Howl’s Moving Castle as a kid, I’d have loved it profusely. The mounds of rave reviews are definitely justified!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"You didn't need to do that" said howl.
"I don't mind as long as I can come and go," Calcifer said. "and besides, it's raining out there in Market Chipping."
Ghibli movies where always a big part of my childhood. Howl's moving castle, Ponyo and Totoro being the main three. This book might have surprised my inner child, but it did not disappoint one bit.
Not only does this book stand amazingly in it's own, it explains a lot about the movie - even if they are so different. Sophie's private life is delved into and gets a whole new meaning to all that happens at the start of the movie. (As a child, I was confused over who the hell were those women who Sophie seemed to know.)
And Howl is just a whole treat. I can't even explain how much I love this pathetic man.
A great book. A really great book.
"I don't mind as long as I can come and go," Calcifer said. "and besides, it's raining out there in Market Chipping."
Ghibli movies where always a big part of my childhood. Howl's moving castle, Ponyo and Totoro being the main three. This book might have surprised my inner child, but it did not disappoint one bit.
Not only does this book stand amazingly in it's own, it explains a lot about the movie - even if they are so different. Sophie's private life is delved into and gets a whole new meaning to all that happens at the start of the movie. (As a child, I was confused over who the hell were those women who Sophie seemed to know.)
And Howl is just a whole treat. I can't even explain how much I love this pathetic man.
A great book. A really great book.
A classic. A template for every vain, eccentric, vaguely mean guy I’ve ever dated. Doesn’t make me love Howl any less though.
Different from Hayao Miyazakis movie. Veeery different. But equally wonderful. I think I even preferred the book. It definitely has a place in my heart as one of my favorite books ever♡
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
It has been a while since I read a fantasy that I simply could not put down. I read this book in 2 days (granted, it isn't long, but still). I really connected with the character of Sophie, so perhaps that had something to do with it.
In the beginning, when she is working in the hat shop she is pondering visiting her sister, but just keeps putting it off. It reads: “Every day it seemed more difficult to go see her sister. It was very odd. Sophie had always thought she was nearly as strong minded as Lettie. Now she was finding that there were some things she could only do when there were no excuses left. ‘This is absurd!’ Sophie said. ‘Market Square is only 2 streets away. If I run – ’… But when she at last put a gray shawl over her gray dress and went out into the street, Sophie did not feel excited. She felt overwhelmed. There were too many people rushing past, laughing and shouting, far too much noise and jostling. Sophie felt as if the past months of sitting and sewing had turned her into an old woman or a semi-invalid… ‘What made me think I wanted life to be interesting?’ she asked as she ran. ‘I’d be far too scared.’”
The writing is funny, witty, and the characters are completely wonderful and unique. This is definitely one of my new favorite books (and though I have many favorites, I don't say that lightly with this one). Diana Wynne Jones is a master with words and storytelling.
In the beginning, when she is working in the hat shop she is pondering visiting her sister, but just keeps putting it off. It reads: “Every day it seemed more difficult to go see her sister. It was very odd. Sophie had always thought she was nearly as strong minded as Lettie. Now she was finding that there were some things she could only do when there were no excuses left. ‘This is absurd!’ Sophie said. ‘Market Square is only 2 streets away. If I run – ’… But when she at last put a gray shawl over her gray dress and went out into the street, Sophie did not feel excited. She felt overwhelmed. There were too many people rushing past, laughing and shouting, far too much noise and jostling. Sophie felt as if the past months of sitting and sewing had turned her into an old woman or a semi-invalid… ‘What made me think I wanted life to be interesting?’ she asked as she ran. ‘I’d be far too scared.’”
The writing is funny, witty, and the characters are completely wonderful and unique. This is definitely one of my new favorite books (and though I have many favorites, I don't say that lightly with this one). Diana Wynne Jones is a master with words and storytelling.
I think I am too attached to the Ghibli movie. But this was cute and I think I should come back to it in a year knowing this it is decently different than the movie.