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A review by lolocole
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this!! I had watched the movie first and it was so fascinating to have a few preconceived notions of appearance and plot and character to match up against the unfolding of the book.
Across both mediums, I am OBSESSED with Howl and Sophie as protagonists because they are motivated by character traits and internalized beliefs that are usually reserved for side characters. They felt clever and fresh if also (at times) exasperating.
Things that I would love to ponder/research more in terms of character/plot and adaptation:
- the witch of the waste (particularly her appearance and goals quarreling with Howl)
- the fact that Howl is from WALES
- the extent to which Sophie is aware of her own magic and wields it intentionally
- Sophie’s place in the birth order and its impact on the story
- the extent to which the war is included in the narrative
- the presence (or lack thereof) of Howl’s shapeshifting abilities
Across both mediums, I am OBSESSED with Howl and Sophie as protagonists because they are motivated by character traits and internalized beliefs that are usually reserved for side characters. They felt clever and fresh if also (at times) exasperating.
Things that I would love to ponder/research more in terms of character/plot and adaptation:
- the witch of the waste (particularly her appearance and goals quarreling with Howl)
- the fact that Howl is from WALES
- the extent to which Sophie is aware of her own magic and wields it intentionally
- Sophie’s place in the birth order and its impact on the story
- the extent to which the war is included in the narrative
- the presence (or lack thereof) of Howl’s shapeshifting abilities