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A review by shanaqui
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a review more of the audiobook (narrated by Kristin Atherton) than of Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle. It's a book I love very much, even though I saw the (very different) Studio Ghibli animation first. I love all the touches that show very clearly that Howl is Welsh in more than name: the rugby jersey, "Sosban fach", etc. I enjoy the relationship between Howl and Sophie, and the way the real Howl is slowly revealed.
In the audiobook, Kristin Atherton does a great job. She does all the voices (though one or two come out sounding much the same -- inevitable, really), and she does a Welsh accent for Howl and his family which is recognisable without being ridiculously exaggerated. The emotions of the characters come across perfectly, and the narration is lively when it ought to be. I kept wanting to keep listening, which is a little rare for me -- often with audiobooks I get fidgety.
It's really well done, and I really want to try more audiobooks narrated by Kristin Atherton. Luckily, looks like there are one or two in my collection already!
In the audiobook, Kristin Atherton does a great job. She does all the voices (though one or two come out sounding much the same -- inevitable, really), and she does a Welsh accent for Howl and his family which is recognisable without being ridiculously exaggerated. The emotions of the characters come across perfectly, and the narration is lively when it ought to be. I kept wanting to keep listening, which is a little rare for me -- often with audiobooks I get fidgety.
It's really well done, and I really want to try more audiobooks narrated by Kristin Atherton. Luckily, looks like there are one or two in my collection already!