For this year’s culture week, PADERBORN2READ—The English Book Club took a full tour of Howl’s moving castle by discussing Diana Wynne Jones’s 1986 children’s novel and Hayao Miyazaki’s 2004 anime adaptation by the same title. Here are some impressions from an afternoon filled with magical moments and in-depth discussions of magic in literature and film, male and female gender roles and their connections to fairy tales and found families, as well as strengths and weaknesses of literary and movie world-building.
The afternoon started with DIY. Club member Hannah helped us create beautiful origami bookmarks and club member Claire instructed us on how to design intricate Victorian puzzle purses.
Afterwards, we took the tour of Howl’s moving castle with a joint movie screening and follow-up novel and movie discussion. Snacks and drinks included, obviously!
