Post by blackhairedgirl on Oct 6, 2008 12:12:25 GMT -5
Howl's Moving Castle
By, Diana Wynne Jones
First published in 1986, "Howl's Moving Castle" became an ALA Notable book for children and young adults. It also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and was adapted to film by Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away).
I had seen the Miyazaki version when it first came out in 2003, but I hadn't read the actual book until just this past month. It was a great book and I found the story more riveting and interesting than the Miyazaki version. While the animated movie version (produced by Studio Ghibli) was entertaining I found that it was drawn out and boring at some parts.The book, however, was vast entertaining when you got past the beginning chapter of Sophie(the main character) being droll and boring.
My favorite characters, of course, are Howl and Calcifer.
Howl is a wizard who goes by various aliases. He is flighty and somewhat flaky and dishonest but is good at heart. He is a strong wizard who is sought after by the king who wants Howl to help find his brother, along with the Witch of the Waste, who yearns to be loved by Howl.
Calcifer is a fire demon who is bound to Howl by magic. (I won't say too much it may ruin the story for you) His character in book and movie are both cynical and humorous. He is responsible for Howl's vast magic, along with the mobility of the magnificent moving castle in which they live.
Sophie is the main character of the story. She is cursed by the Witch of the Waste to be in the body of a 90 year old woman. Despite her curse she endures many trials and tribulations. She also doesn't fear Howl or Calcifer, and gains their trust as well as the trust of young Michael, Howl's apprentice.
If you are looking for a light read I would recommend the book version to anyone. There are also two sequels to the book that were published in 1990, but I can't speak for them because I have not read them.
(A movie poster for the Hayaoi Miyazaki rendition made for film)
(Howl and Old Sophie)
(Howl, Miyazaki Vers.)
(The moving castle)
By, Diana Wynne Jones
First published in 1986, "Howl's Moving Castle" became an ALA Notable book for children and young adults. It also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and was adapted to film by Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away).
I had seen the Miyazaki version when it first came out in 2003, but I hadn't read the actual book until just this past month. It was a great book and I found the story more riveting and interesting than the Miyazaki version. While the animated movie version (produced by Studio Ghibli) was entertaining I found that it was drawn out and boring at some parts.The book, however, was vast entertaining when you got past the beginning chapter of Sophie(the main character) being droll and boring.
My favorite characters, of course, are Howl and Calcifer.
Howl is a wizard who goes by various aliases. He is flighty and somewhat flaky and dishonest but is good at heart. He is a strong wizard who is sought after by the king who wants Howl to help find his brother, along with the Witch of the Waste, who yearns to be loved by Howl.
Calcifer is a fire demon who is bound to Howl by magic. (I won't say too much it may ruin the story for you) His character in book and movie are both cynical and humorous. He is responsible for Howl's vast magic, along with the mobility of the magnificent moving castle in which they live.
Sophie is the main character of the story. She is cursed by the Witch of the Waste to be in the body of a 90 year old woman. Despite her curse she endures many trials and tribulations. She also doesn't fear Howl or Calcifer, and gains their trust as well as the trust of young Michael, Howl's apprentice.
If you are looking for a light read I would recommend the book version to anyone. There are also two sequels to the book that were published in 1990, but I can't speak for them because I have not read them.
(A movie poster for the Hayaoi Miyazaki rendition made for film)
(Howl and Old Sophie)
(Howl, Miyazaki Vers.)
(The moving castle)