Howl's Moving Castle Audiobook By Diana Wynne Jones cover art

Howl's Moving Castle

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Howl's Moving Castle

By: Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book and ALA Notable and Best of the Year in Young Adult Fiction, Howl's Moving Castle is by acclaimed fantasy writer Diane Wynne Jones and was transformed into an Academy Award nominated animated motion picture by Hayao Miyazaki. On a rare venture out from her step-mother's hat shop, Sophie attracts the attention of a witch, who casts a terrible spell transforming the young girl into an old crone.

©1986 Diana Wynne Jones (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC Action & Adventure Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Fantasy Fantasy & Magic Fantasy Essentials Fiction Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Comedy Magic Witches & Wizards Feel-Good Witty Suspenseful

Critic reviews

"A wonderful blend of humor, magic, and romance." (Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: 12 Outstanding Audiobooks for Tweens


It can be incredibly difficult to find engaging stories that are thematically mature enough to challenge growing minds without veering over the edge into inappropriately adult content. Thankfully, there are many talented authors who achieve this balance, and we’ve rounded up some of the best examples of their work. Our list of 12 outstanding audiobooks for tweens is sure to offer something that's just right for your young listener.

Featured Article 12 Outstanding Audiobooks for Tweens
Magical World-building • Complex Characters • Whimsical Storytelling • Heartwarming Romance • Clever Plot Twists

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I really love this book, it is inventive and rich in so many ways. It has themes that appeal to all ages, and playfully tweaks the fantasy genre while creating one of the most memorable wizards in literature. The story is quite different than the movie version, with surprises right up until the end. The narrator has a unique voice, but I liked her interpretation, and highly recommend this audiobook.

Great book for all ages

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while this is different from the animated film, I found it such a joy to listen to. I just love the ending.

delightful!

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I loved this book. If this were my physical copy of this book, it would have tattered pages by now. Sometime I don’t have time to sit down and read and the movie doesn’t always queue my productiveness, but I love how Jenny narrated this book. Best purchase!!

Will forever love this book

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Though this isn’t my typical go-to genre, I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time and I wasn’t disappointed. I enjoyed my time in Sophie and Howl’s magical world.

I related way too much with Howl on many occasions. Two prime examples in which Howl is me:

Example 1: When Howl gets sick with a cold and becomes a giant baby about it, moaning and groaning and acting like his world is ending. This is me every time I get sick. Ask my husband. In fact, I’m pretty sure my husband is Sophie and I am Howl in so many ways it is frightening.

Example 2: When Howl tells Sophie his truth: “I’m a coward. Only way I can do something this frightening is to tell myself I’m not doing it.”
This is the backwards tactic I’ve been known to use when I need to convince myself to do scary things — I tell myself and others that I’m not going to do it (or at least find a million “outs”) and then I usually end up doing it. Both Howl and I know ourselves well enough to know that if we have to commit to something, the pressure becomes too great and we give up. I’m not proud of it, but I’ve embraced it. And I loved that he did, too.

So, basically, I related exceptionally well to Howl and I was thoroughly entertained by how Sophie dealt with things. Particularly turning into an old woman. She was just like, “Eh, it is what it is,” and kind of went on with life, only vaguely inconvenienced. I found this hilarious for some reason.

The writing was perfectly middle-grade fantasy and British. At least it was to me, coming from someone who rarely reads this particular genre.

It was nice to roam outside of the norm for a bit with this book. Now I’m off to find out how I can get my hands on the movie!



Audiobook Performance:
Jenny Sterlin had the absolute perfect voice for this book. Her voice acting is impeccable. I was completely in the story the entire time thanks to her.

I related way too much to Howl

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I kept seeing reviews talking about reading it to their kids but honestly there are so many little details I think everyone can get something out of it.

Not quite like the movie mind you. There's some Frankenstein body building going on for example, and the witch of the wastes will not ever be so well mannered as to eat soup at the table with everyone else.

More complex than it looks

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I came to this for the first time as an adult, knowing nothing about the book or film but hearing so many people praising it.
The story is fun, charming, and whimsical. And funny. It’s a nice adventure to go on with your kids, or just yourself when you’re in the mood for something lighter. I really enjoyed the characters and the over all tone of the author, it has a nice fairy tale narration feel to it. It is great for kids. It did have some slow points, but I didn’t mind too much. The ending felt a little confusing to me, I didn’t quite feel like the author gave us enough to believe all the things she was telling us. But over all, I enjoyed it. And I must say, I love old Sophie, I KIND’VE wished she’d stayed that way. I also wish the author would have given us a little more to believe the growing romance.

Now, my critique of the audio aspect. Honestly, there’s no critique at all. I loved it. I’d almost say it was perfect, or near to anyway. I enjoyed the story, but I’m not sure how much I would’ve if I’d been reading it. To me, the narration makes this a gem. I will likely relisten, which I don’t do often.

Charming, funny, with fantastic narration

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I first came across to this story from Ghibli’s version, and since I loved the movie I thought it would be interesting to read the original story. I loved it! It’s exiting, and very beautiful.

Beautiful

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i wanted to experience the source material for the animated gibli movie and i wasn't disapointed!

Amazing!

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I’ve loved the movie for years and just realized there was a book! I loved the book and the reading- both were great. The narrator did a great job with the characters’ voices. I found myself at the beginning of the book admiring Miyazaki for putting so many tiny details from the book into the movie in such a short period of time...then before long the book’s plot departed from the story I was familiar with! I enjoyed how some aspects of the story were the same between the movie & book but they were different enough to draw me in and wonder what would happen as I listening to the reading.

Loved the Movie, New to the Book

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I listen to it over and over again I love this book! 🖤🖤 thank you.

my favorite book

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