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Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle, #1)

Diana Wynne Jones

Start date: September 1, 2018

Finish date: September 30, 2018

Discussion: BOTM Lengthy Discussion Space

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BOTM Lengthy Discussion Space

October 2018 - Frankenstein: Prodigal Son
By Sarah · 5 posts · 28 views

last updated Nov 01, 2018 08:22AM

September 2018 - Whose Body
By Sarah · 1 post · 10 views

last updated Oct 10, 2018 08:51AM

What Members Thought

Jan 21, 2019 Sara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What can I say? I loved this book.

I think it's pretty tough to live up to Miyazaki's work, but Diana Wynne Jones managed to hold her own. She has her own beautiful way of rendering magic, which is complemented well by the adaptation. I obviously had expectations, and depite there being a lot of different things and some unfamiliar nuances of the characters in the book, there were also many familiar things that made me smile. Overall I am very happy I read this book and I think any fan of Howl's ...more

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Aug 13, 2023 Beth rated it liked it

Shelves: classics, fairytale, 2018-book-ideas, 2019-book-ideas, disliked-or-mixed-feeling, 2023-ideas

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Some spoilers and unedited.

Would have given it higher stars but I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the ending. Keep in mind my first ever ghibli movie, anime movie, and movie I fell in love with in general was howls moving castle, which is somewhat different than the book in some aspects that I would consider pretty important, though the characters, most of the beats, and magical air is mostly the same. 3.5 at most. But somehow it felt less meaningful than the movie, especially what happens in t Some spoilers and unedited.

Would have given it higher stars but I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the ending. Keep in mind my first ever ghibli movie, anime movie, and movie I fell in love with in general was howls moving castle, which is somewhat different than the book in some aspects that I would consider pretty important, though the characters, most of the beats, and magical air is mostly the same. 3.5 at most. But somehow it felt less meaningful than the movie, especially what happens in the end which I won't spoil because i dont want to write an all out review and the book is still probably worthwhile reading for some, though i went away a little dissapointed. Don't get me wrong the journey was great. But the ending... left me a little disconcerted and disappointed.

In the movie there's more meaning to all the characters, and it all wraps up nicely and there's nothing that seems just...is there just because. To be fair it is a kids book so there are things that are just going to be there because kids like fantasy stuff and character but... it felt like some stuff was wrapped up abruptly or wrapped up in a way that seems too...easy? Or the fact that there were characters there that, while yes they advanced the plot early on just felt.... like they could have been cut out, or used more, or explained in more detail or something... insteas of just being there in the background for like 1 scene and discussed the whole book, then their story was wrapped up too easily. And I feel like a lot of this is just me complaining because it's not the movie. The movie spoiled me

But anyways... the pacing. The ending happened so fast it gave me whiplash. I would have liked more time to process and also potentially spend a little longer with the characters at the end. It just left me confused and shocked but not in a good way. Shocked may be a little strong of a word but it kindof fits.

One last note. A neutral note. I cannot get over the fact that howl was a Welsh rugby player. I cant. I just. What. Rugby. Welsh. Goodbye my view of howl as competent graceful powerful wizard. Welsh. Rugby. I cant lol. (And not neutral... I'm still not sure I understand how I feel about howl being a normal guy from our realm. Its sweet but it takes the fantasy escapism out of the book but also? Idk. Makes him more accessible and relatable as a character? Anywho. Mixed feelings.).

I liked many things the movie left out like the "addition" though i felt it wasnt utilized to the full potential... the ending with the fact that they just had it be in human form really bummed me out. That twist didn't make sense to me. None of the twists I felt I saw coming, which is somethi g i love in a book... when they foreshadow. And anyway, again, I'm probably the wrong audience. Actually, most definitely, since first off I'm not a kid. But I did enjoy the journey. And I guess that's all that matters. ...more

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Jul 12, 2024 Catherine Mason rated it really liked it

4.5 if I could!! (why can’t I, huh, Goodreads??)

If, like me, you’re reading this because you love the movie, then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! In the movie I think the character development is done more intentionally, more slowly, and a bit more obviously in the movie; there are understandable simplifications that require some character or situation changes; and there are some very Miyazaki-esque additions—BUT it stays very true to the excitement, the themes, and Sophie, Howl, and Micha ...more

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Oct 12, 2018 Kimberly McCollum rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I applaud the author’s ingenuity in creating this magical world filled with vivid characters, adventure, and incredibly humorous situations. I am going to have to look for the sequels!

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Dec 18, 2022 E.Elia rated it it was ok · review of another edition

i watched anime first then found this book and decide to give a shot and read it , i was surprised cuz i like cartoon more than book , i don't like the end and character in anime better .. so i give this book 2.star ...more

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