"Howl's Moving Castle" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come talk about your initial, general impressions!

Please save all discussion of particulars, details from the story, character choices, plot questions, etc. for the full spoiler thread.

[Cheryl]

My first impression is that the beginning does not ring a bell at all, though I was sure that I had read it less than a decade ago.

My second impression is that it's a kid's book so I'm not sure why we're reading it. But it's ok by me; I'm interested to find out if I like the book/author.

[Mikael]

The audio book I listened too has a lady actually doing the right accent for certain characters which was appreciated. I am comparing it to the movie and although there are important differences, Ghibli pretty much nailed it.

[Michelle]

Oh, shoot! I want to join this one, but I'm in a buddy read for another group. Maybe I can read that book fairly quickly and get to this one, because I loved this book!

[Michelle]

I am joining in.

[Anna]

Mikael wrote: "The audio book"

Jenny Sterlin or Kristin Atherton? Sterlin is The Correct One <3 but I think it’s harder to find now there’s a newer one. I’ve listened to Atherton once and iirc there’s nothing wrong with it but Sterlin is amazing <3

Also please no spoilers in this thread! Anything that happens after chapter one is definitely a spoiler in someone’s opinion. The spoiler thread is open, so those who have finished can chat there :)

(Actually I didn’t check if Allison has opened it yet, but if not then it’ll be open momentarily.)

[Meredith]

My library hold came through early, so I'm already over halfway done. My first impressions were that I liked the fairy tale tone, and that it was also smart about itself being a fairy tale.

[Michelle]

I love the whole feel of this story. It's such a pleasant read!

[Eva]

Me too, I've just finished it and loved it just as much as the Ghibli movie version! It's also different enough that the story is still surprising even if you know the movie already.

[Michelle]

I've never seen it, and I finally read this for the first time a year or two ago. I wish that I had gotten around to it sooner!

[Meredith]

I am definitely appreciating this as a "summer read": light and fun. I am planning to treat myself to watch the movie when I finish. I've never seen it (I am way behind on Ghibli movies in general).

[Anna]

Maybe a topic for the spoiler thread but the movie is extremely different and should be approached as something inspired by the book more than an adaptation, imo.

[Mel]

I hope that this isn't too off topic, because it was my *original* first impression reading this book.

So you must know, I read dozens of Diana Wynne Jones books as a child - yet somehow had missed this one. Fast forward to high school, and I am house sitting for a friend's family. This friend had similar tastes in books, so when I spotted this lying about in her bedroom, I picked it up barely glancing at the cover, and with all the indiscriminate confidence of youth, settled in an armchair to read.

I was enjoying the fairy-tale vibe when all of a sudden something *clicked* in place and I froze. I KNEW. I flipped the book over, absolutely giddy to see Diana Wynne Jones on the cover. It was like hearing a familiar voice that has snuck up on you from behind, and turning to look into the eyes of an old friend.

It still remains a comfort read, and I'm glad you're all enjoying it. I look forward to picking it up again. :)

[Ruth]

I’ve read this book dozens of times before and it’s always a delight :)

[DivaDiane]

I read this book the first time only a couple of years ago. I loved it. I watched the movie shortly thereafter and didn’t find it soooo different. Sure there are differences but I’m usually quite sensitive to jarring differences and this did not bother me at all.

[M.L.]

It's an enjoyable read and I like all the characters. Sophie is an old soul even before the fact. I haven't seen the movie but will and of course have heard of the title. I'm glad it was nominated.

[Anna]

Link to the spoiler thread is in the first post for those who have finished! Please move on over there to talk freely without having to worry about spoilers :)

[Jeff]

Solaris and this I'm all set for my next rereads, both are favourites. DWJ is an excellent author. I'm also a fan of the animé film.

[〰️Beth〰️]

Hoping to read this within the week.

[HeyT]

I shared this on another platform but this is the first impression cover that everyone at my local library gets. It's so bad it's amazing tbh. I have never been so glad to have needed to check out a library book for this club in my life!
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Mary]

Well, those of you who watched the movie may need to forget a bit for this one. . . .

[Mikael]

Thats a cool cover HeyT.

[Lucy]

I'm two chapters in and loving it so far - I can't believe I never read this as a child because it would have been right up my street. The Studio Ghibli film is one of my favourite films of all time so I am looking forward to seeing how the book differs. I am especially enjoying Sophie's character and all the little dialogue where she is talking to herself and inanimate objects - very relatable!

[Olga]

Started reading it yesterday and 'zzipped' through ten chapters :)
It really is an light and enjoyable read, not what I expected from the blurb.
Going to watch the animated movie after I finish the book.

[Gabi]

Started it and it is adorable.
I have to see if there is a translation. It would be nice for my boys.

[Anna]

The Chrestomanci series is also great for kids, but probably too childish after Sanderson 😄

Neun Leben für den Zauberer

[Eva]

Gabi wrote: "Started it and it is adorable.
I have to see if there is a translation. It would be nice for my boys."

There is! Here's the link: Das wandelnde Schloss And the movie version is on Netflix here, too. :-)

[Gabi]

Anna wrote: "The Chrestomanci series is also great for kids, but probably too childish after Sanderson 😄

Neun Leben für den Zauberer"

:D - most probably. But the greater problem is, that it seems to be not in print any more in German

Eva wrote: "Gabi wrote: "Started it and it is adorable.
I have to see if there is a translation. It would be nice for my boys."

There is! Here's the link: Das wandelnde Schloss And the movie v..."

Thanks Eva!

[Anna]

Howl seems to have a really cool new cover (German edition), so maybe Chrestomanci is also coming back? That said, I *loved* Chrestomanci so much as a kid, and I still do as an adult because of nostalgia, but I don't know if someone reading it now for the first time would find it *as* mindblowing? But I'm an unapologetic DWJ fangirl, and I will never tell anyone not to read something of hers :D I'm pretty sure she is my most read author if I count rereads, I can reread some of her books on a loop and never get bored.

(I kinda want to rec Dark Lord of Derkholm / Fauler Zauber tho! It's crazy and I think there's something for kids and adults, might be a fun one to try out.)

[Ariel]

Feels like a YA version of the Xanath series. Sophie is comparable to Bink.

[Karen]

I *finally* read(listened to) the book and just loved it! I'd seen the movie a couple of times so my brain was trying to do the comparison based on sketchy memories. Many similarities, many differences but nothing detracted from the story overall. Definitely a book and movie I'll highly recommend.

[Anthony]

Necroposting! I’m about 2/3 of the way through, and while I find the overall tone and style of the prose to be charming and delightful, the sort of diffuse fuzziness of the plot is letting me down a little bit. I do think many current fantasy writers could take a page out of Jones’ book and adopt her confident, subtle approach to exposition; she utterly resists signposting, and allows her quirks and mysteries and idiosyncratic details speak for themselves, in a manner that is quite refreshing.