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Howl’s Moving Castle

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Howl’s Moving Castle

By: Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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About this listen

‘One of the greatest ever writers for children’ – Garth Nix

‘A true original’ – Katherine Rundell

‘Truly magical … Guaranteed to leave you gasping’ The Bookseller

‘She is the best writer of magical fantasy for children’ Evening Standard

In the land of Ingary, where seven league boots and invisibility cloaks exist, young Sophie Hatter 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)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Classics Fiction Humourous Fiction Literature & Fiction Magic Science Fiction & Fantasy Women's Voices Fantasy Magic Users Feel-Good Wizardry Witchcraft

Critic Reviews

“Imaginative and terribly funny.” (Michael Morpurgo)
All stars
Most relevant  
I find I like the books better then the movies and Howl’s moving castle was no different.
I found the book more interesting and more depth.
I thought it was just going to be the movie but was happy how much better it is.

Better then the movie.

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As books often are, this is even better then the movie but in this case the movie was the staple of my childhood.

I plan to read this book to any children I look after but if my voice is old or ruff I would not hesitate to let them listen to the audio book.
Thank you.

Fantastical

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Amazing performance and beautiful story. Have listened many times and will listen again. Worth it guys

Worth it

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Really entertaining, quite a few differences from the film so interesting even if you've seen it.
Loved the narrator.

Great listen

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I’ve loved the movie for years and finally decided to listen to the book after reading the reviews. And it was amazing. The story is different and with more detail, and even better than the movie. I enjoyed every second of it!

Loved it even more than the movie

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Hardly like the movie at all, which pleased me greatly. But above even the fun and fantastic story was the narrator's wonderful performance! I think I'd have liked the story rather less if reading it in my own internal thoughts.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

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Such a beautiful story. And beautifully narrated. I've read the book before, but hearing Howl's voice in a Welsh accent adds another dimension to his character.

Magical

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A delight to listen to! The journey is charming and Kristin Atherton's performance elevates the tale exquisitely.

Charming Delight

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One of my all time favourite books from when I was younger. Kristen Atherton did a superb job of narrating it!! I’ve since searched out other books based on what she has performed.

Wonderful version of the classic story.

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The story is absolutely magical but the story teller takes it to the next level! I equally loved listening to this as my 2 sons have.

magical storey telling

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