EoFF Book Club (April) - Howl's Moving Castle

[Del Murder]

Thanks for that constructive input, Caraliz.

I'm about 1/5 of the way through. It's interesting, but I can't help but think of the anime while I read it. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.

[qwertysaur]

About 1/5 through as well. My current thoughts:
Fanny = Needs to be hit with a pole, or 5
Hatter = compleatly original Surname.
Witch of the Waste = Creepy, and I can't get the picture from the anime out of my head for her. =/
Sophie = Need to get out more. Having a conversation is a little over the top.
Martha & Letty are pretty cool, though kinda random that "Letty" is going to a baker.
Turnip Head = :3
Calcifer is cool

Also Miyazaki changed sooo much.

[Del Murder]

Calcifer is my favorite character, yeah.

[~*~Celes~*~]

I read it and finished it all in the course of less than 24 hours and I have to say it didn't end nearly the way I expected, but I love it! Definitely a unique book compared to all that I've read before

(SPOILER)Being a sucker for romance, I was instantly rooting for Sophie and Howl to end up together from the moment it was revealed that he was the one who spoke with her in the marketplace. So, the ending satisfied me quite well <3

[ShunNakamura]

Let me just say Miyazaki is really creative with his use of 'Artistic License'. And after reading this book my respect for the film maker has greatly risen. Not because it is so much better(really I have a hard time deciding between the two), but rather because he changed/cut so much and yet the characters(while different) are still more or less themselves and it feels like all the really important bits were kept solidly enough.

The anime is obviously Miyazaki(I mean it just feels like his work, I didn't even need to see the title or the credits to recognize his touch) and yet it is also still the book(normally my mind won't play the film/book alongside the other in my mind, but it did here). Miyazaki has, at the same time, a delicate yet powerful touch is all I can say.


On to the book itself. It starts off iffy in my opinion but picks up nicely not too long after. In addition I felt it could have used more description at some points and that at others the description could have been better spaced. The pacing kinda felt off at times is basically what I am saying. Finally I think it could have been comfortably stretched to 400 or more pages by building on the ending and by padding areas that I felt were a bit bare.

However, all that is just me being cranky/picky/overly critical. It is an excellent book though I would probably label it as a 'light' read(I finished it in a matter of a few hours, I really should have kept track). My end analysis is that it has an excellent plot and solid characters/development; however, despite this I felt that it could have been written better. Particularly the ending which felt kinda rushed(though not horribly so). That hurts it because it reminds me of how many good manga end due to being cut(Mx0 anyone?). Feels almost as if she knew it needed wrapped up before long and did an excellent job of tying up the ends on short notice. That though is probably colored by my previous experiences.



My overall take on the film(having no read the book) is that Miyazaki has show us the correct way to adopt a book into a film while making it refreshing different and yet still keeping true to the roots. FOX could probably learn a thing or two from him.

And to end with my favorite quote -

"Leave this yard alone. I know just where everything is in it, and I won't be able to find the things I need for my transport spells if you tidy them up."

If only I could count the times I told my mother that about my bedroom (sans the transport spell part)

[qwertysaur]

I love they way Calcifer and Michael react to Turnip head :3

[Imperfectionist]

Oh wow a book club! I haven't been on here in a while but this is great, i'm joining
I'm glad this book got voted in, i'm really excited about reading it cos I watched the movie like 2 days ago and it completely rekindled my love with the characters

[~*~Celes~*~]

I watched the movie this morning and IT WAS SO CUTE! I LOVED turnip head That and the disguise cloak was hilarious xD Just thinking about it is making me laugh all over again.

honestly at first I was unsure of how I would feel about this book but now that I've read it, I can say it's added to my list of favorites <3 And the movie as well!

[Araciel]

I haven't watched the movie... I'm not enjoying the book that much but I'm about half way done.

I'll save further comments till I'm finished.

[Rocket Edge]

I'll be getting the book during the week. I'm hoping for an interesting read.

[Rye]

This is a fabulous idea!

[Del Murder]

About 3/4 the way through now. Things are starting to diverge from the film now. Don't remember anything about Wales.

(SPOILER)Is Howl from the 'real world' and if so why is he in this magic kingdom?

[~*~Celes~*~]

About 3/4 the way through now. Things are starting to diverge from the film now. Don't remember anything about Wales.

(SPOILER)Is Howl from the 'real world' and if so why is he in this magic kingdom?

I'm not sure the second half of your question gets answered but your first half does. I forget if the second half does or not But it was shocking to me too.

[Imperfectionist]

Finished reading this a few days ago, I absolutely loved it!

I did have a couple issues though. I felt that the book was far too short. So many things could have done with extra descriptions or explanation, for example (SPOILER)Miss Angorian suddenly being Witch of the Waste's demon, the fact that they all of a sudden end up in Wales... I also had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind of whether or not I would've enjoyed the book quite as much if it hadn't been for the film.

But other than that I thought it was fantastically captivating, I fell in love with the characters instantly, the story kept me turning the pages so much I finished it in one sitting. I'd recommend it to anyone who has a love of fantasy.

I'd also like to add that I started reading Castle in the Air, amd i'm loving it as much, possibly more, than Howl's Moving Castle

[Bastian]

Del Murder: the answer to part one of your spolier is "yes" and the answer to part two is: that's touched upon lightly in the sequel Castle in the Air and then revisited (literally) MUCH more thoroughly in the third book House of Many Ways.

Imperfectionist: I know Castle doesn't seem like a proper sequel, and I don't want to ruin any of the fun for you . . . but just you wait!