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A review by hangsangareader
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
2023
A second read is always better. And I assume consequent reads as well. And after all I've learned about fantasy, this book stands the test of critical knowledge, except for the ending, which felt rushed.
We follow Sophie after the Witch of the Waste has cursed her into the form of an old lady. She goes out looking for her fortune and finds Howl's Castle. Howl, the big evil wizard, turns out to be a man-child without many purposes besides trying to make girls fall in love with him. In his Castle, we meet Calcifer, the fire demon in a contract with Howl, and Michael, his apprentice.
Sophie is more of a badass than her movie portrayal: She is angrier, more stubborn, and, most importantly, a witch . She's not some helpless older sister of three, as she thinks. Seeing her develop confidence in her skills is pretty cool. The book is told from her perspective. As an immersive fantasy, we are exposed to Ingary and all it offers as normal. No blinking at the fire demon, but fascinating magical boxes in Wales.
Howl is more of a man-child than in the movie. Not as sexy and not the man, any girl should wish to marry. He does not change much throughout the book. But, as the main lesson in this story is that appearances can deceive, how Howl is portrayed at the start is not exactly who he is. Some redemption for this man comes at the end.
Michael is a lovely sidekick to Sophie; he is a teen in love with Martha. He's still as cute as in the movie. The Witch of the Waste does not feature much, but her motives and means are more flushed out in the book than in the film.
All the other characters help enrich the story, but I'm trying not to give too many spoilers away.
Wales is an interesting aspect of this novel. One the movie chooses not to incorporate. This means the immersive has a moment of a portal quest. It is not explained how Howl ends up in Ingary, but I don't think it is necessary to enjoy the novel.
For those who came to this novel thinking the movie is a direct adaptation, it is not so. The film goes a different route, incorporating the element of war more than the novel, and many aspects are different. They are both excellent.
A second read is always better. And I assume consequent reads as well. And after all I've learned about fantasy, this book stands the test of critical knowledge, except for the ending, which felt rushed.
We follow Sophie after the Witch of the Waste has cursed her into the form of an old lady. She goes out looking for her fortune and finds Howl's Castle. Howl, the big evil wizard, turns out to be a man-child without many purposes besides trying to make girls fall in love with him. In his Castle, we meet Calcifer, the fire demon in a contract with Howl, and Michael, his apprentice.
Sophie is more of a badass than her movie portrayal: She is angrier, more stubborn
Howl is more of a man-child than in the movie. Not as sexy and not the man, any girl should wish to marry. He does not change much throughout the book. But, as the main lesson in this story is that appearances can deceive, how Howl is portrayed at the start is not exactly who he is. Some redemption for this man comes at the end.
Michael is a lovely sidekick to Sophie; he is a teen in love with Martha. He's still as cute as in the movie. The Witch of the Waste does not feature much, but her motives and means are more flushed out in the book than in the film.
All the other characters help enrich the story, but I'm trying not to give too many spoilers away.
For those who came to this novel thinking the movie is a direct adaptation, it is not so. The film goes a different route, incorporating the element of war more than the novel, and many aspects are different. They are both excellent.