Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle, #1) in The Alternative Worlds

Jan 16, 2009 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-classics, magic, alternate-dimension-or-world, wizard-warlock-sorcerer, in-disguise, library-checkout, curse, fantasy, hero-i-loved, audiobook

It's been a long while since I read this, but I remembered absolutely loving it. My memories were correct. In fact, I read every book by Diana Wynne Jones I could get my hands on growing up. I've finally gotten a chance to reread this, and I'm glad I choose the audiobook format. Jenny Sterlin was brilliant. She utilizes her voice distinctly for the varied characters. She even makes a distinction between Old Sophie and New Sophie very well. I recommend listening to the audio if you have a chance. It's been a long while since I read this, but I remembered absolutely loving it. My memories were correct. In fact, I read every book by Diana Wynne Jones I could get my hands on growing up. I've finally gotten a chance to reread this, and I'm glad I choose the audiobook format. Jenny Sterlin was brilliant. She utilizes her voice distinctly for the varied characters. She even makes a distinction between Old Sophie and New Sophie very well. I recommend listening to the audio if you have a chance.

Howl is a real character. He's what you would rightly call an amiable rogue. Howl's imperfections are very much part of his charm. I liked how Sophie spent most of the book annoyed with Howl, but you could tell that she had fallen in love with him. She was awful jealous."I think she doth protest too much." Howl will admit that he's a coward, and he's extremely vain. He's not above manipulating people. But Sophie is a perfect match for him. She doesn't put up with his bull, but at the same time, she's good for him and both Michael, his apprentice.

I love Sophie. She's an awesome character. What pluck despite her timidity and low self-esteem. I liked how as she was under the old age spell, she came into her own and it's understandable. She was freed from the fears and restrictions that had ruled her life as the Oldest Daughter. The older you get, the less you have to lose, and the more you are willing to call it like it is, but also you realize that life is valuable and each moment could be your last. Sophie comes into her own and realizes that she has a unique ability to create magic of her own.

Calcifer is a character. He's a fire demon who has made a pact with Howl. He pretty much runs the castle, and he's incredibly grumpy about it. You could tell that Sophie and Calcifer grew quite fond of each other.

One of the things I love about fantasy most is the world-building and the way that the imagination has free reign. The descriptions of things that are completely imaginary and even from our normal lives, but with an interesting twist. Ms. Wynne Jones knew her fantasy and I could see how influential she was to Neil Gaiman as an author. That twisted convergence of fantasy and the lightest edge of the horrific. The Witch of the Waste is on the periphery of this novel, but she's a disturbing presence. Also, she's a cautionary tale to those who are corrupted by magic.

There's nothing to complex about this story. But simplicity can be gorgeous, and a well-told story outweighs author tricks that pad a novel unnecessarily. I consider this a fantasy classic.

**A note about the movie:

I do so much love the Anime version of this. It's gorgeous, and I can watch it again and again! There are some changes between it and the novel, but it's a great adjunct and exploration of the novel in a visual format. Definitely recommend it, but the source material is where you want to start. Read this book! ...more

31 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2015 Nicky rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: welsh-writing, fantasy

I don’t know how many times I’ve read this now, but it’s probably my favourite of Diana Wynne Jones’ work. I actually saw the Studio Ghibli adaptation first: it’s very different in some ways, but it still captures some of the ideas and tone. The thing I really loved, though, coming to the book after the film, was discovering all the Welsh background. The ‘saucepan song’, Howl’s family, his Welsh Rugby shirt, even some of the things he says — “there’s a welcome in the valleys”! As well as the Wel ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2018 Nicky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, children-s-and-ya

Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.

Another reread of a favourite during my exam period! I originally watched the Studio Ghibli adaptation first, and loved that, and I think the first time I actually read the book it took me a while to get into it; certain aspects at the end seemed so rushed, and there was so much to keep track of. Perhaps it’s familiarity that means I didn’t really have a problem with it this time; certainly, experience helps in untangling exactly what’s going on!

While I still love ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Jun 04, 2008 Nicky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-and-ya, fantasy, humour, steampunk

Another reread review. Howl's Moving Castle isn't one of the books I go back to again and again, partially because I haven't owned it that long. I saw the movie first, which has rapidly become one of the movies I put on whenever I'm sad or bored or just need a pick-me-up. I can't tell you how many times I've seen it because I've seen it so many times. However, reading the book again reminds me of how limited the movie is. There's so many subplots that just get cut out of the movie, so many that ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2009 Sandi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, young-adult, library-books-read, fantasy, books-my-son-liked, funny-stuff

Howl's Moving Castle is a fabulous book for all ages. I could easily imagine reading it to a preschooler, recommending it to a middle-schooler and I loved reading it myself. It's got wizard and witches and curses and missing princes and a nice, not evil stepmother and a young woman who doesn't understand the power she wields. It has comedy, romance and drama. It falls in the same category of fairy-tale fantasy as Stardust and Lud-In-The-Mist. It was like them, but also nothing like them. I highl ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2007 Jackie "the Librarian" rated it it was amazing

Shelves: humor, fantasy, favorites, teen-books-adults-can-enjoy, fairytalesretold, youngadult

This is my favorite Diana Wynne Jones. She takes all the fairy tale conventions, turns them upside-down, and mixes them up with alternate worlds and a dash of Shakespeare. I love how Sophie Hatter (while cursed to be an old woman) barges her way into Howl's cobwebby pit of a castle, and proceeds to make his life miserable with sweeping, and mopping, and organizing the place from top to bottom. Ha! Howl's such a peacock about his own appearance, but really, he's a slob. And I love Calcifer! What ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 23, 2011 ~Geektastic~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed, owned, kids-and-ya, fantasy

In a huge coincidence, I find myself finishing Howl’s Moving Castle just as the announcement of Studio Ghibli’s closing has rocked certain parts of the internet. While I’ve heard that the “closing” is in fact a “restructuring,” I can’t help but find it odd that I am just now approaching the source material of one of my favorite films, just as the makers of the film may possibly be closing up shop. Even more odd, I’ve been a Diana Wynne Jones fan for years and have waited this long to get around ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 26, 2019 Richard rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ebook

*Admission* I’ve never seen the movie.
Fun easy read.
Not as deep as I thought it would be, but enjoyable nevertheless.

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 21, 2011 michelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely charming.

Like · see review

Jan 16, 2009 Lori rated it really liked it

Just like the Chrestomance books, charming, delightful curl up on the couch stuff. And now that I'm writing this I've got a earworm of Don't Stop Believin'! ...more

Like · see review