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Howl's Moving Castle

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Howl's Moving Castle

By: Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated by: John Sessions
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About this listen

Now an animated movie from Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, the oscar-winning director of Spirited Away

In this beloved modern classic, read by John Sessions, young Sophie Hatter from the land of Ingary catches the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell . . .

Deciding she has nothing more to lose, Sophie makes her way to the moving castle that hovers on the hills above her town, Market Chipping. But the castle belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl, whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the souls of young girls…

There Sophie meets Michael, Howl’s apprentice, and Calcifer the fire demon, with whom she agrees a pact. Her entanglements with Calcifer, Howl and Michael and her quest to break her curse come alive with Diana Wynne Jones’s unique combination of magic, humour and imagination.

©1986 Diana Wynne Jones (P)1986 Harper Collins Publishers Limited
Fantasy Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Humorous Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Comedy Magic Users Funny Wizardry Witchcraft
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Critic reviews

"One of the greatest ever writers for children" – Garth Nix

"A true original" – Katherine Rundell

“Imaginative and terribly funny” – Michael Morpurgo

THE TELEGRAPH – 100 Best Books a Child Should Read

“Wit and humor glint from the pages" – THE HORN BOOK

What listeners say about Howl's Moving Castle

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Excellent

I purchased Howl as I love the movie from Studio Ghibli.
It's very similar for most of the way but with so much more detail. I must say I like the book more.
I'm looking forward to starting part 2.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastical Fantasy World

I have been trying to obtain a audio copy of this book for a couple of years so was very happy to find it on Audible.

Diana Wynne Jones never ceases to please amaze entrance with her story weaving of magicians‘, mystery & magical mayhem.

The only disappointment for us was that this is an abridged version of Howl's Moving Castle so it was over far too quickly.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Excellent story, excellent narration. Try "castle in the sky" too, that's another gem for long journeys.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic

A wonderful if somewhat slightly absurd story, made more captivating by the narrator. I'd be interested in the unabridged version if it was available but I worry another narrator would not do it justice, so I might just have to get the physical book. I also loved the short music interludes between chapters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Almost brilliant

This was my favorite book as a child, and I must have read it 50 times. This is a good adaptation, but I do wish people who aren't Welsh wouldn't attempt Welsh accents! it's a lovely accent, but very, very hard to mimic well. In all other respects, John Sessions does a marvellous job.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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fun

big fan of the original book and the studio gibli film. would have preferred the full unabridged version but this wasn't bad. narrator great. listened at 80% for best speed.

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Shame it’s abridged

It’s a great story and suitable for all ages but it’s a shame it’s the abridged version.

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Great children's fiction

Where does Howl's Moving Castle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My children love this audiobook, both the story and performance it is one of their favourite bedtime stories

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophie, who starts off as a mouse of a girl to become a cool heroine

Have you listened to any of John Sessions’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sad that it's abridged ...

Howl's Moving Castle is by far one of my favourite books, that's why for me the fact it is abridged was very noticeable. I have read the book about 5 times and know it well, as well as having a few favourite lines. Some of which were missing.

As for the performance, I think John Sessions was pretty good. I felt he had the right voice as the narrator. As for the characters, I wasn't too sure. It was ok, but when you read the book or of you have watched the Studio Ghibli adaptation, you have certain expectations. Overall, however, I think it was well done.

As this is my favourite book, I am pretty certain I will be listening to this again. It's nice to listen instead of read when your a bit tired or travelling (as reading when travelling makes me feel ill). The book, I would rate as 5/5 and this adaptation I would rate as 4/5.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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INCREDIBLE

This was a very well thought through book and i listened to it when i sleep. it could have had a few more longer chapters but the narattor was good.
Over all it was incredible

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