J.M. Briggs answers “How does it compare to the movie? It's a...”

QNPoohBear asked this question about Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle, #1):

How does it compare to the movie? It's a favorite of my oldest niece (now "almost 6") but I wasn't enamored with it.

J.M. Briggs Both the film and book are good, but the film is quiet different from the book from about the midway point where the plot deviates greatly. I prefer t…moreBoth the film and book are good, but the film is quiet different from the book from about the midway point where the plot deviates greatly. I prefer the book myself as Sophie's power as a sorceress in her own right is explored more and Howl's flaws as a person are more intact. He is less heroic and his weaknesses make him a more interesting character. The book ending follows through with all the plot elements coming together in a final battle.

While the movie is good it changes the themes of the story and should really be regarded as a different work. The world of Howl's Moving Castle is supposed to be medieval or at best early Renaissance so the war elements of the film are the result of the directors desire to infuse his own message into the story. Both are good on their own merits for the story of Howl's Moving Castle give the book a try.(less)

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Howl’s Moving Castle

by Diana Wynne Jones

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