Scan barcode
A review by allonsyalexa
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
4.0
(Originally posted here!)
I was very excited to read this book. I absolutely loved the film version by Hayao Miyazaki, and the gorgeous soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi. I think I've played the main theme a couple hundred times already since I watched the film earlier this year, because if there's something I'm a sucker for more than beautiful writing, its beautiful music (I'm actually writing this with it playing on repeat in the background, teehee). I really can't get enough of the music. Despite my excitement, for some reason, I kept putting off reading the book - even though I got my copy in May - until this month. I think I saved this because of the holidays, which would give off the magical atmosphere I would very much prefer in reading a book like this.
Howl's Moving Castle stirred somewhat lukewarm feelings within me at first, because I was expecting it to have the same effect on me as the film had. The film version was more exciting and dramatic, definitely, but then I realized that it wouldn't be fair to judge a book by its movie. I'm very okay with judging a film by its book, but vice versa? It just feels weird, so I decided to try reading Howl's Moving Castle with a mind that wasn't familiar with the movie. It worked. I enjoyed reading about Howl and Sophie, and I felt like a child again. Gosh, how I missed reading fantasy that didn't have such convoluted plots!
I really loved the characters. I am absolutely amused by Howl, the entertainment factor of which helped me in rating this book. He is so vain and conscious of his appearance that I sometimes want to throw and fit and make green slime myself (because no one, and I mean NO ONE, should take that long in the bathroom EVERY DAY sheesh) but also very scatter-brained everywhere else, so the results are just hilarious. I keep imagining the events in the book transpire with the film characters* and I am all laughey-dovey for hours. Well okay, minutes, but you know. He started to grow on me somewhat because of those moments. Also, let me just mention how I admire Sophie very much. For someone in a granny's body, she is everywhere! I would like to be like her, (still) sassy and full of energy when I am ninety, if ever I do reach that age. I also love how determined she is when she is set to do something. She's like, "Oh, I'm an eldest kid so I can't be exciting? Qurl, Imma find my fortune and prove y'all wrong. I'm sorry, being ninety all of a sudden just ain't enough, so lemme see if I can poke the Wizard Howl's eye or summat." That's the impression her character made on me. So sassy. I love it. (For some reason, I remembered McGonagall, and by association, Dame Maggie Smith. She would make a perfect Sophie, I'd say!)
Overall, I really liked this book. Despite Howl's vanity and Sophie's stubbornness, I found myself rooting for them until the very end. It was a very cute story, whimsical in a way that makes you remember all those fairy tales you used to read as a little child. It's got a very simple plot, but it has its very own charm, which is why I have no doubt many readers will enjoy this. This is the first novel I've read by Diana Wynne Jones. I've read a short story of hers in Firebirds, and I enjoyed her writing even then, so I wouldn't say no to reading more of her works.
*okay, maybe I failed in the complete separation of film and book part, but hey, I still liked the book!
PS
Now I want to watch the film again. Or any Studio Ghibli film, for that matter.
I was very excited to read this book. I absolutely loved the film version by Hayao Miyazaki, and the gorgeous soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi. I think I've played the main theme a couple hundred times already since I watched the film earlier this year, because if there's something I'm a sucker for more than beautiful writing, its beautiful music (I'm actually writing this with it playing on repeat in the background, teehee). I really can't get enough of the music. Despite my excitement, for some reason, I kept putting off reading the book - even though I got my copy in May - until this month. I think I saved this because of the holidays, which would give off the magical atmosphere I would very much prefer in reading a book like this.
Howl's Moving Castle stirred somewhat lukewarm feelings within me at first, because I was expecting it to have the same effect on me as the film had. The film version was more exciting and dramatic, definitely, but then I realized that it wouldn't be fair to judge a book by its movie. I'm very okay with judging a film by its book, but vice versa? It just feels weird, so I decided to try reading Howl's Moving Castle with a mind that wasn't familiar with the movie. It worked. I enjoyed reading about Howl and Sophie, and I felt like a child again. Gosh, how I missed reading fantasy that didn't have such convoluted plots!
I really loved the characters. I am absolutely amused by Howl, the entertainment factor of which helped me in rating this book. He is so vain and conscious of his appearance that I sometimes want to throw and fit and make green slime myself (because no one, and I mean NO ONE, should take that long in the bathroom EVERY DAY sheesh) but also very scatter-brained everywhere else, so the results are just hilarious. I keep imagining the events in the book transpire with the film characters* and I am all laughey-dovey for hours. Well okay, minutes, but you know. He started to grow on me somewhat because of those moments. Also, let me just mention how I admire Sophie very much. For someone in a granny's body, she is everywhere! I would like to be like her, (still) sassy and full of energy when I am ninety, if ever I do reach that age. I also love how determined she is when she is set to do something. She's like, "Oh, I'm an eldest kid so I can't be exciting? Qurl, Imma find my fortune and prove y'all wrong. I'm sorry, being ninety all of a sudden just ain't enough, so lemme see if I can poke the Wizard Howl's eye or summat." That's the impression her character made on me. So sassy. I love it. (For some reason, I remembered McGonagall, and by association, Dame Maggie Smith. She would make a perfect Sophie, I'd say!)
She'll be all, "Green slime? Meh."
Overall, I really liked this book. Despite Howl's vanity and Sophie's stubbornness, I found myself rooting for them until the very end. It was a very cute story, whimsical in a way that makes you remember all those fairy tales you used to read as a little child. It's got a very simple plot, but it has its very own charm, which is why I have no doubt many readers will enjoy this. This is the first novel I've read by Diana Wynne Jones. I've read a short story of hers in Firebirds, and I enjoyed her writing even then, so I wouldn't say no to reading more of her works.
*okay, maybe I failed in the complete separation of film and book part, but hey, I still liked the book!
PS
Now I want to watch the film again. Or any Studio Ghibli film, for that matter.