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Howl's Moving Castle  By  cover art

Howl's Moving Castle

By: Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

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

Featured Article: The top 100 fantasy listens of all time


When compiling our list of the best fantasy listening out there, we immediately came up against the age-old question: Is this fantasy or science fiction? The distinction is not as clear as you may think. Dragons, elves, and wizards are definitely fantasy, but what about wizards that also fly space ships? (Looking at you, Star Wars.) For the sake of fantasy purity, the top 100 fantasy listens include the best audio works in all manner of fantasy subgenres.

What listeners say about Howl's Moving Castle

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stays with you for days

This is a great book, read by a great narrator. I loved listening to the story unfold and could really feel the character development. I usually have to be working on something while listening to an audiobook, but I could just sit around with this and listen to it over and over again. The writing is funny, quick, and original, and Jenny Sterlin brings Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer to life. Especially Sophie; I loved her character tremendously. I'm about to make a bold statement and don't want to cause any controversy, but this is the kind of performance that makes the audio version better than the written one, and I mean that with full compliments to Diana Wynne Jones. A painting is only as good as the drawing underneath.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

5 stars for the book / 3 stars for the narration

This is one of my favorite books. If you've only seen the movie, the book is just as good and much more complex. It is entertaining enough for children yet intelligent enough for adults.

If you've read/listened to D.W.J's Chrestomanci books, this is a slightly different type of fantasy and takes place in a fairy tale world.

Sophie is the oldest of 3 sisters and therefore, of course, destined to be the least successful. She submits quietly to this fate until the day her life takes an unexpected turn. Freed from expectation, she discovers just what she is capable of and "finds her fortune".

If only the narration were as good. I own another book read by the same narrator and liked it just fine. Her voices for this book, however, were a bit irritating and detracted somewhat from my enjoyment of the story. It won't keep me from listening to this book again, though.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A magical romp for the whole family!

I loved this book! I can't wait to have my kids read it. It's unique, imaginative, exciting and squeaky clean. Great read!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it with all my heart.

So much better than the movie, as it should be! I love Diana Wayne Jones and all her work. so full of life and wonderful, charisma, charming characters. this book just jumps off the page and casting you into a world of magic and fun. one of my all time favorites.

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

I can't tell which I like better

I grew up watching the movie as a child and I absolutely adored it. Now that I've heard the full book I've decided i love both. Even though they're different they're both wonderful and I will hold them in my heart forever.

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

now I want to see the anime again

many commonalities with the anime but ultimately this is probably the story that came first can't wait to see more Miyazaki

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely

I watched the movie before I read the book. You have to decide to set them apart in your mind, and if you do you will be impressed with both the book and the movie separately.

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

Funny and entertaining even for adults

Well written, genuinely funny, great narration and not predictable unless you've seen the movie and even then there are still quite a few unexpected differences. This is deffinetly one of my all time favorite books now.

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

my only want is for it to be a longer story

this audio book had a great reader. each character is uniquely read. the story is all feel good. an easy listen all arround.

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

Superb storytelling

I adore Diana Wynne Jones and her imaginative and superbly done writing. When I first read this, I had just been enchanted by the movie, so was a teeny bit disappointed as I loved the movie so much. But now, after a big gap, having re-read the book, and listened a couple times to the Audible version, I still enjoy it a great deal. The author, whom I miss, pulls off a remarkable feat with a self-absorbed wizard, a demon, a young wizard, and a cranky and determined 90 year old woman. Impressive story telling!

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