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Today is already our final day of the Literary Sewing Circle focusing on Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle!
I hope you've had the chance to read the book, and both the first and second inspiration posts, and are getting lots of ideas for a project of your own.
This is our final and roundup post. Share links to your projects here: as soon as you are done your project, just pop a link to your post into the comments and we will all be able to visit your blog/instagram etc. and explore your creation -- remember, it can be sewn, or knitted, crocheted, embroidered... any textile art that you practice. Or you can just tag me, @sewmelwyk on IG and use #LiterarySewingCircle as a hashtag.
We've discovered more about the author and this book in the author feature post. If that sparks any comments, please share those, too!
Here are a few questions to ponder -- please add your thoughts to the comments!
Did you like the fairy tale structure and subversion in this story?
How did Sophie's sudden aging affect her personality, and what did you think of her character, especially as she finds her voice?
Did you have a favourite character? Were there parts you related to more than others?
Could you see the hidden bits of the story ahead of time, or did things surprise you - like Calcifer's story and the contract, or the actions of the Witch of the Waste?
Did you like the inclusion of Wales as part of Howl's story? Do you think it added to the story or did it draw you out of the fairytale setting of Ingary?
Howl is a tricky character. Did you believe everything he said (or that was said about him) or do you feel he was hiding his real character often? Would you have been charmed by him if you were Sophie (or Lettie)?
If you have watched the film, did you notice a lot of differences? If so, did you like one format over the other? Or did you find them both interesting in their own ways - and with their distinct takes on the story?
Please share your thoughts on the book, its themes, characters, or anything you noted about it -- either in the comments here or on your own blog with a link to your longer thoughts in the comments so we can find it. I love to talk about the experience of reading so feel free to comment no matter when you're reading this post; if you've read this I'd love to hear about it!
Also please share a link to your project in the comments -- our linkup did not work last time, so we'll go with links in the comments -- if that doesn't work for you, please email me or tag me on IG so that I can see and share your project. Thanks so much for reading and sewing along!
You have two more weeks, until Nov 21, to share your project, if you want to be included in the round up post.
I've finished the book one and two, getting ready to read book three. As always, I loved the book you chose for us to read. I enjoyed Sophie both as a young girl and and older woman, but I couldn't understand her repetition of being a failure because she was the oldest- I had to look it up. And I'm not a very critical or insightful reader, so I had no idea what the hidden elements were- I was surprised and pleased to let the events unfold as I was reading. My literary sewing circle project is planned and cut out. Since I've left IG, not sure where to post my finished project- do you think I could link to a threadloop post? Thank you for hosting this challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it and have even gone on to the sequels :) It's a fun read and I'm happy that others have been able to enjoy too. The fairy tale elements were stronger in the beginning (ie: the birth order expectations) but I found them entertaining.
DeleteYes, definitely just leave a link to wherever you might be posting your project. I think on Threadloop people can see your profile? Anyhow, if not, I can share it in the roundup post too if you're okay with that!
This is the link to my post on Threadloop. I'm not sure if people will be able to see it but I'll post it to try. https://threadloop.app/members/sew-focused/projects/literary-sewing-circle-howl-s-moving-circle
ReplyDeleteMy make for the Literary Sewing Circle, Howl's Moving Castle is the Magic Pants by Anne TIlley. With wizards, witches, and magic spells, I felt the Magic Pants were a good match for the book.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to check if you were able to see the link (and if it worked) I shared for my project? I posted here, but I can't see it under comments.
Sorry, Sarah, I didn't see this comment as it got stuck in my filter! I have 'approved' your comments now so they should show up properly. Unfortunately I can't see the project as it's asking for a sign-in to Threadloop but if you post on IG or send me a pic I can share it in the roundup!
DeleteI am late again!
ReplyDeleteHowl's Moving Castle was a very different book for me. I found the first few chapters hard going, as I wasn't really expecting a fairy tale, and it lacked a little substance at first (for me). But I quickly became quite hooked, and enjoyed it.
Sophie was a little irritating at first, I think it was the whining and complaining at first, and then her 'nosiness' started to grate. But she made some interesting reflections on ageing once she aged. In Chapter 2, …. after all, old people often talk to themselves...... she had never realised before what old people had to put up with …. it made such a difference to be old ….. How one's point of view does alter (with ageing). There were in face many, many references to being old which were used to highlight limitations of some sort.
I understand her comments on being old, which ran throughout the whole story. I guess the difference with ageing in real life and in the story is that Sophie was not expecting it so it was not natural or normal for her at that point in her life. Whereas as I age it has happened gradually. I think I rather like being the age I am, things just don't bother me the same because I (almost) don't really care about many things any more. I dress to please myself etc.
Howl was interesting, but I did always think he was hiding something and I certainly didn't expect the ending, particularly the relationship of Howl and Calcifer.
I ended up sewing Style Arc Martha Swing Shirt., in a blue/grey/white geometric patterned cotton. It was a nod to the 'fantastical blue and silver costume' Howl would wear and which Sophie was so frequently sewing as well as 'Martha' being Sophie's sister. And now, I shall try and put a photo on Instagram, but being social media challenged I cannot guarantee success! Looking forward to next season's LSC. Thank you Melanie for all your work, I love reading the author talk and the inspiration posts.
...Sara
So glad to hear your experience of reading the story & how it hooked you! I love the reflections on getting old, both Sophie's expressions of it and your response. It's true that as aging occurs naturally we just get used to it ;)
DeleteI think your project sounds lovely and I will check in to see if I can see it on IG. Thanks!