Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones ★★★★★ I’ve just finished reading Howl’s Moving Castle for the second time in my life. I was introduced to it by a dear college mate of mine who’s been a friend for most of my life. In her good wisdom she had me read the book before letting me watch the movie.
I will say now. I adore both mediums, which must be credited to the nature of the story rather than its details (though both are excellent). I will later do a review on the film, and then a side by side comparison so that my feelings on each take may help the reader or viewer understand why both stories should be appreciated. First off. The main plot of the story is that Sophie Hatter is the eldest of three, and it is said that the eldest of three children will have the least luck, and the youngest the most. Sophie has accepted this as her lot in life, and goes on quite content to be a nobody. That is until she is cursed by the Witch of the Waste to be a frail old woman. After this event she decides to go off and find fortune for herself (what was the worst that could happen since the worst already had?), but she then runs into a heap of inconveniences which leads her to Howl’s moving castle. She is able to secure a place in his home, not at all afraid of his trying to eat her heart as the rumors have said, for she is no longer a young woman, which it seems is his only prey. Sophie, however, unwittingly falls in love with him, and when he starts courting her sister Lettie she is quite fearful her sister’s heart will be broken. It is not until he seemingly starts courting a stranger that she becomes jealous and her true feelings are revealed. It is at this point the Witch of the Waste’s curse on Howl catches up with him, and Sophie discovers that nothing is at all what it seems, and not at all what she thought Howl’s intentions were. They were better. Diana Wynne Jones has done a fantastic job of creating a world where such distinct characters can live. Without overworking the dreaded “world building” she is able to distinguish a land of fancy that is subtly, but obviously different from our own, so that when ours is introduced, we know without having to be told that there is a shift in dimension. Throughout the chapters she tells her story by showing us the things that Sophie thinks, and must endure to adapt to her new situation. We learn and feel with Sophie, hoping for the best on her behalf because we are her secret friend through her journey. Jones is able to weave anticipation through the use of every day living and subtle hints to the underlining danger that will no doubt rear its ugly head at the story’s end. She makes great use of her characters, playing them against each other and building off their interactions so that we are included in on the gossip even though we are only getting one point of view. This is one of those books that I just can’t put down. Though it’s my second time reading it, and I have seen the film many times, this book is one of those I keep in my purse while reading just so I can catch a few sentences in between the things I must do. It keeps me smiling, and enjoying a story I already know, but can’t help but love. For authors it is a good example of using repetition, whether it be in something a character thinks, or says, and especially in the consistency in how characters interact and treat one another. I had a difficult time finding this book in stores until I happened to ask for it at a Barnes & Noble I was passing through for other purposes. It seems a silly thing since my friend only today mentioned she had seen it at Target. Wherever you go for it make sure to look in the juvenile section. It was the last place I thought to inspect with all those blocks, and kid-books in that part of the store where parents can keep their kids entertained and get them interested in reading. Good luck! And enjoy. I always do.
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The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle ★★★★☆ I grew up watching the animated version of The Last Unicorn, and though I had always enjoyed the story, the art of the time wasn’t something I was ever in to, and I always found something lacking. My impressions of the movie’s story was that it was a pleasant fairytale, but had little depth.
Of course the book is different. The pieces of the tale that were taken out (I imagine to save screen time for the basic plot line that would keep children’s attention) made for a more enjoyable story. The prince wasn’t just a prince, the wizard wasn’t just a clumsy wizard, the scullery maid had more character and background, and the unicorn was a much more sympathetic and majestic character whose pain became real. The basic story is that a unicorn discovers she is the last of her people, and so goes in search for the rest of them. She learns on the way that they have been driven away by the Red Bull, and is then met by two who would become her companions: a wizard who hasn’t much control over his magic, and a scullery maid who’s been living in the forest with would be Robin Hood’s merry men. They journey together during which time they happen upon many adventures, but the most bleak of them is coming to the town of Hasgate (which, mind you, was not a mentioned plot twist in the movie version). They learn that this town is cursed, and its fate twisted in with that of their ruler, King Haggard. The Red Bull finds them, and after chasing the unicorn about until she has no choice but to be herded by him, the wizard transforms her into a human to save her, the worst of fates for one of her kind. The Red Bull, confused by her transformation, leaves, and the companions journey on to the castle. There they meet the well-named king, and his adopted son, who––unbeknownst to his father––is his and Hasgate’s doom. But most pathetically of all, Prince Lir falls in love with the unicorn, and the longer she remains there trapped in a human body, the more she forgets who she is, and her quest to save her people. With so much more at risk than the disappearance of unicorns, and character development that is deeper and presents a more interesting fate, the book version of The Last Unicorn is a worth while read. Through it Peter S. Beagle uses poetic imagery that is pleasant and creative. I would recommend any author to read this book for that sake alone. Instead of the clichés we are used to as readers, Beagle uses fresh and imaginative imagery that is beautiful to read. I give The Last Unicorn 4 stars out of 5 only because, though it was a fun read and a great tool for myself as an author, it lacked that magic something that made me want to read every chance I got. That need and desire to learn the story as quickly as possible so I was driven to stay up late and find out what happens next. I don’t believe my already knowing the story has anything to do with this because I have read books that--no matter how many times I read it or how well I know it--I will read it again and again as fast as I can because I simply can’t put it down. As a whole however, I really did love this story. The book was a much more interesting and romantic telling than I thought it would be because of the more basic nature of the film. It's one I will keep in my collection forever. Now the only thing I wish was that I had read the story before seeing the movie so that I could have imagined it with my own mind, rather than keep defaulting to the animated film version’s of their looks, voices, and mannerisms. So if you haven’t seen the movie, read the book first, and then go view it for yourself. The film’s adaptation is a good one, but leaves such a distinct impression that you will have a hard time shaking free of its influence while reading its predecessor, the book. |
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