The Sword and Laser discussion

This is my first time reading Howl, and because I listened in audio I may have missed something... probably missed something.

I was thinking about Emma by Jane Austen at first, with the hat shop (if you've seen the newest film version you can probably picture it too.)

And then I was thinking about Sense and Sensibility, or even Pride and Prejudice, all about sisters with no money who have to find husbands... I think the story my heart really wanted was more along these lines, so I was impatiently waiting for Sophie to resolve her curse thing so she could get married. HA.

But then the question I have (that I may have missed) is what happened to the other sisters in the end? They seemed unhappy in their assigned professions at the beginning which made me think they'd play a more significant role, but they really don't.

And like a good Austen heroine, Sophie is the model of dealing with the cards you're dealt!

I like Sophie as Elinor from Sense and Sensibility. Two younger sisters (one of whom is fairly impetuous), no father, family without too much in the way of means. Sophie isn't devoid of feeling, but is more likely to just get things done that need doing, even as her situation worsens - a lot like Eleanor - as you say she deals with the cards she's dealt.

Austen's writing has some qualities of fantasy too. There's enough subtle world-building so the reader comes to understand the sorts of rules that govern the character's lives. I certainly read them without any historical study and picked up enough that I could get invested in the lives of the characters. Sophie is introduced with similar rules that are supposed to govern her life - being the eldest daughter, for example, and thus doomed to a life without adventure.

Seth wrote: "I like Sophie as Elinor from Sense and Sensibility. Two younger sisters (one of whom is fairly impetuous), no father, family without too much in the way of means. Sophie isn't devoid of feeling, bu..."

I'm glad you get the connection! But I guess that's why I'm missing that balancing piece of the impetuous younger daughter getting into shenanigans.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "But then the question I have (that I may have missed) is what happened to the other sisters in the end?"

It’s been a few years since I read the book, last read it in 2009, and if I’m not completely wrong, I think there is a scene where Sophie is visiting the sister that was sent to learn magic and is surprised to see her other sister there instead.

Viola wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "But then the question I have (that I may have missed) is what happened to the other sisters in the end?"

It’s been a few years since I read the book, last read it in 2..."

That's true... this made me think they were having their own adventures that we hadn't gotten to hear about. I wonder if the other books in the series follow them (reading the descriptions makes me think no but they are pretty sparse.)

The second book Castle in the Air ties the bow on where at least one of the sisters ends up.

Christina wrote: "The second book Castle in the Air ties the bow on where at least one of the sisters ends up."

INTRIGUING

I reread the trilogy around the 1st of this year, so there might be both sisters' futures detailed and I've just spaced it. I highly recommend the series.
I love your comparison with Austen!

Christina wrote: "The second book Castle in the Air ties the bow on where at least one of the sisters ends up."

Ooooh, I’ve just started reading that, so that’ll be fun to watch out for. I wasn’t sure there’s be any familiar characters in the next one, which would be fine - I like the world and the writing.

Jenny, I really like viewing the book through a Austin lens. It’s surprising to me how well it fits, and I’d have never thought of that. I, too, now wish there had been some more misadventures for the sisters, and maybe Howl would step in to help them, which makes Sophie realise how much he actually cares for her... but of course she decides he only helps them because he’s after them, ready to break more hearts... but after a few more misunderstandings... ooooooh! I like this! hee

Maybe Colin Firth can play Howl in a live action movie.

Sophie got into plenty of shenanigans all by herself by being “sensible”. Responsibility does not ,Dan that you have to avoid the adventures.

I was also struck by how disciplined the book is. Every chapter is between 10 and 15 pages and the story does not meander or have any looseness. DWJ is a consummate professional writing a book for a younger reader without sacrificing the quality of the writing.

This does mean that there is no room for other characters stories

I don't really have much to add but wanted to give kudos to Jenny for the Jane Austen reference. I didn't think of it on my own but now that you mention it, it really does fit.

But this thread pretty much convinces me I'm going to have to listen to the other books. But maybe after Rhythm of War.

I'm halfway through and it's dragging for me a bit. I miss having characters written for an adult and a story with a bit more realism. In fact, I went and read all of the first Logmire book. Of course I love all the Miyazaki (not necessarily Ghibli) movies, but now it's different from the movie.

Iain wrote: "Sophie got into plenty of shenanigans all by herself by being “sensible”. ..." (not sure what that second sentence meant to say, sorry!)

The adventures can't be avoided when your Mom makes you work and a witch gives you a curse - but if you can keep a tidy house you can keep the worst monsters at bay, ha!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Iain wrote: "Sophie got into plenty of shenanigans all by herself by being “sensible”. ..." (not sure what that second sentence meant to say, sorry!)."

My guess: "Responsibility does not ,Dan that you have to avoid the adventures" Iain had moved his hands when trying to type the first two letters of "mean".

Serendi wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Iain wrote: "Sophie got into plenty of shenanigans all by herself by being “sensible”. ..." (not sure what that second sentence meant to say, sorry!)."

My guess: "Resp..."

It means I have forgotten how to type. Moving countries is hard and the brain is not functioning on all cylinders 😡

Iain wrote: "Sophie got into plenty of shenanigans all by herself by being “sensible”"

Now that I think about it, so did Elinor. It's not like she went out searching for drama on the moors in the rain - Hugh Grant just showed up at her house.

I completely did not know about this book or its movie adaptation. So thanks to the group for spurring me to discover it.

As I'm reading it (nearly done) I keep seeing the late, great Alan Rickman as Howl. I really, really admire the writing style, and all the humor. Very entertaining. The one thing missing for me is Sophie seems to take her old-lady state in stride, without longing much to be her young self again.

As I'm reading it (nearly done) I keep seeing the late, great Alan Rickman..."

He would have been amazing at it.
I did find Sophie's acceptance without the complaining and focus on becoming young again .... odd.
I do love a practical heroine though- they are hard to find outside Ursula Vernon (under Kingfisher)