The book "Earwig and the Witch" is a children's fantasy novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. It tells the story of a young orphan girl named Earwig who is adopted by a witch and taken to live in a mysterious house. Earwig discovers that her new guardian, Bella Yaga, is not a typical witch. She doesn't have a broomstick or a cauldron, and she doesn't cast spells. Instead, Bella relies on a magical cookbook to perform her witchcraft. Earwig soon realizes that she doesn't want to be just a servant in Bella Yaga's house and decides to take matters into her own hands.
Review Quotes
A young middle grade novel by World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement winner Diana Wynne Jones, beautifully illustrated in black and white by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Neil Gaiman When a fearless young orphan finds herself in a house of dark magic, she does whatever she can to adapt especially if it means that she ll learn a little magic herself.
Earwig soon realizes that she doesn't want to be just a servant in Bella Yaga's house and decides to take matters into her own hands. Using her intelligence and resourcefulness, she starts unraveling the secrets of the house and the witch's cookbook. She befriends Thomas, another orphan who is a talking black cat, and together they uncover the truth about Bella Yaga and the magical world she belongs to.
Earwig and the qitch book
I recently watched the Studio Ghibli movie, Earwig and the Witch on HBOMAX, This was so different from the moviemaker's usual work, that I decided to read the book and compare the two works. Sadly, neither were very good.
I was so thrilled when I saw that HBOMAX advertised a new Studio Ghibli film! Earwig and the Witch is done in a 3-D animation style similar to what Pixar does. So it was immediately apparent that this was a different sort of film for the studio. Despite it's break from the usual style, I was eager to watch this movie. However, I found the movie very disappointing.
What I Liked:
While the animation is done in a completely different style from what the studio usually does, they did do a wonderful job. I loved how the animators did the hair for each character. Earwig (Erica) has high ponytails that look like the pincers of an earwig bug! The hair for the two female witches, are also beautifully done. The witch that must be Earwig's mother has giant corkscrew curls that are used in spells. The voluminous hair of the other witch, Bella Yaga, look heavy and foreboding.
The movie did spend time at the orphanage, where it seemed as though Erica was very happy. I really loved the moments when the children were pretending to be ghosts. It was charming.
The house where Bella Yaga and The Mandrake live has a magical charm to it.. Like the TARDIS in Doctor Who, rooms can be bigger on the inside, and don't follow the laws of physics. Walls change to suit the needs of Bella Yaga. It almost seemed like the house had it's own personality.
What I Didn't Like:
Erica (Earwig) starts out as a manipulative child in an orphanage, and ends up as a manipulative child in a home. There is no growth for this main character. Shouldn't she have learned to see others as people, rather than as tools to get what she wants? I really wanted Erica to view her new family as individuals, and form actual attachments. Instead, the only thing she learns is to find ways to cow Bella Yaga, and use The Mandrake. And Bella Yaga doesn't change either. She is abusive (actually hitting Erica at one point), and berates her at every opportunity. The only reason she is less abusive at the end is because she is afraid of The Mandrake.
There really isn't any story. At the beginning of the film, Erica is left on the doorstep of an orphanage with a cryptic note. There are twelve witches after Erica's mother. She will return to claim her when she has gotten rid of the witches. With such a strong lead in, it was a huge disappointment when nothing comes of this. And I mean, NOHTHING! We never hear about it again. I really wanted to see a parallel storyline where we follow the adventures of Erica's mother.
The story goes something like this: Erica (Earwig) gets left on a doorstep of an orphanage, she learns to charm (or is it spell) others to do as she wants. Then she is adopted by a strange couple. She goes to their home and learns how to manipulate them. The End! Literally, nothing else happens. There are some enticing moments where we see the origins of Erica and her possible connection to the couple. But, again, it is never fully fleshed out. A missed opportunity.
I found the movie so strange, that I had to read the original children's book by Diana Wynne Jones, to see if I missed anything. Maybe there was more to the story? But, again, the story didn't go anywhere,
What I Liked:
Illustrations:
The children's book does have many whimsical illustrations. They reminded me of drawings one might see in a Roald Dahl book.
What I Didn't Like:
Lack of Story:
As with the movie, there are hints of an exciting book at the beginning with the note attached to baby Erica. But it is never mentioned again! Earwig simply goes from the orphanage to Bella Yaga's home, and continues to be rude and manipulative. Nothing really happens in the book.
There is a significant difference between the movie and the book. In the movie, the witches belong to a band called, Earwig. In flashbacks, we see a relationship between Bella Yaga, The Mandrake, and Erica's mother. Could The Mandrake be Erica's father? There is lots of music which helps Erica begin a connection with The Mandrake. But this is never fully developed in the movie. I can only think that Studio Ghibli added this to try and have something happen in the movie, as the book's story is so slim.
I can only think that Studio Ghibli made this movie on the strong reputation of Diana Wynne Jones. She did write Howl's Moving Castle , one of Studio Ghibli's most successful films. This movie had potential. But with a children's book so slim, the movie was doomed from the beginning.
Throughout the book, Earwig's strong-willed and confident character shines as she uses her wit to outsmart both Bella Yaga and the other magical creatures she encounters. The story is filled with humor, charm, and suspense, making it an enjoyable read for both children and adults. "Earwig and the Witch" showcases Diana Wynne Jones' talent for creating unique and engaging fantasy worlds. The book explores themes of independence, friendship, and the power of self-belief. It encourages readers to be curious, brave, and to question authority. Published in 2011, "Earwig and the Witch" was one of the last novels written by Diana Wynne Jones before her death in 2011. Despite its shorter length compared to some of her other works, the book is an excellent addition to Jones' legacy and a delightful introduction to her storytelling for young readers. In 2020, the book was adapted into an animated film by Studio Ghibli, directed by Goro Miyazaki. The adaptation received mixed reviews, with some praising the unique animation style and charming characters while others felt it lacked the depth and complexity of the original novel. Overall, "Earwig and the Witch" is a delightful and enchanting book that captures the imagination of readers. It is a testament to Diana Wynne Jones' ability to create captivating fantasy worlds and compelling characters, making it a must-read for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "Earwig and the Witch Book": a modern classic"
1. John - 2 stars - "I found 'Earwig and the Witch' to be quite disappointing. As a fan of Studio Ghibli films, I had high expectations for this movie, but the story fell flat for me. It lacked the depth and charm that I usually associate with their films. The characters were underdeveloped, and the plot felt rushed. Overall, it left me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more."
2. Sarah - 1 star - "I must say, 'Earwig and the Witch' was a major letdown. The animation style was a departure from the beautiful hand-drawn artistry that Studio Ghibli is known for, and it simply did not live up to their previous works. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters were unlikable, and I couldn't connect with any of them. I'm sad to say that this film did not capture the magic of Studio Ghibli for me."
3. Michael - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Earwig and the Witch', but it unfortunately fell short of my expectations. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me scratching my head throughout the entire film. The animation, although a departure from Studio Ghibli's usual style, could have made up for it, but it was lackluster and unimpressive. I found myself unengaged and disinterested in the story, ultimately making it a forgettable experience."
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - "I wanted to love 'Earwig and the Witch' as much as I love other Studio Ghibli films, but it didn't quite meet the mark for me. The story had potential, and there were moments of charm, but overall, it felt underdeveloped. The characters lacked depth, and I couldn't fully invest in their journeys. While the animation was unique, it didn't make up for the shortcomings of the film. It's a shame, as Studio Ghibli is known for their enchanting storytelling, and this film didn't quite deliver."