I finally understand why people love this author so much. Howl’s Moving Castle is so fun to read, a fairy tale that’s not only for kids, a story that warmed my heart. And how timely to have read it now so that I can review it for Diana Wynne Jones March organised by We Be Reading!
The story takes place in a magical world where pretty much anything is possible. Sophie, the eldest of three daughters and therefore destined for absolutely nothing (the eldest is always destined to fail), doesn’t have any expectations for her life. Until the Witch of the Waste visits her hat shop and turns her into an old woman. Now, free from rules and expectations, Sophie can go on an adventure of her very own. This leads her to Howl and his moving castle, where she makes a deal with Howl’s fire demon and ends up staying. While trying to break the witch’s spell she discovers more than she could have imagined.
What I loved most about Sophie is the change that happened in her when the witch made her old. She had always followed the rules and didn’t expect anything more than what she was entitled to, which in her world meant nothing. But then, when her whole world was taken away with that spell, she didn’t break down or despair, she got on with it and just did whatever she wanted, not caring who it pleased or displeased. It’s a great idea to put in a story, the ridiculousness of following expectations when you’re clearly capable of so much more. And the idea that when you grow up you’ll look at things very differently.
“It was odd. As a girl, Sophie would have shrivelled with embarrassment at the way she was behaving. As an old woman, she did not mind what she did or said.”
I admit that I loved Howl… I think I could have been one of those enamoured girls they talk about at the beginning of the book.
I also really liked the story. Some of it was predictable, sure, but it was still enchanting enough to hold my interest. And I loved the fairy-tale feel of the book, but without any of the sugary, almost forced sweetness you sometimes see in such stories. It felt like a fairy tale, like a crazy world that could never exist, and yet it felt real somehow, too.
It was comforting to spend time in the world Diana Wynne Jones built, and I would like to go back again. I understand that there are two sequels to this book, and I know that there is a famous movie.
Have you read/watched them? Should I bother?
The movie is different than book, but it is still really good. I enjoyed it. And for the sequels, I’ve only read Castle in the Air. I really enjoyed it though. It has different characters in it, but Sophie and Howl do pop up for a bit in the book. I think it is worth a read.
I’m hearing so many good things about this movie!
Howl is one of my favourite books. I haven’t watched the movie because I’m annoyed it wasn’t Live Action. That’s petty of me, I know, but they did it for Harry Potter, LOTR and Narnia… I don’t like Castle in the Air, the first sequel, as much because it’s set in a kind of Old Baghdadish place and the dialogue is flowery. I’ve read it a few times though. The third book, House of Many Ways, is fun. Again, the focus is NOT on Sophie and Howl, although they do appear. Charmain, the main character, is more to my taste than the protagonist of Castle in the Air though.
She’s a bookworm, coersced into house-sitting for her wizard great uncle while he’s away being healed.
I love characters who are bookworms! I think I have castle in the air somewhere, so I’ll give it a try…
I liked what you noticed about Sophie too, how she learned to just do what she wanted. The movie version of this book is really, really awesome. I loved it.
Yes, that’s something all of us could learn from, doing more of what we want and not caring what others think of us!
This sounds very cool. As a girl, I used to love reading about mystical worlds. I need to get back to that!
It really is very cool. There’s something so escapist and comforting about magical worlds.
I discovered this book because I saw the movie first. It’s a beautiful book, and a wonderful movie. Yes, the writers and directors of the animated film took a LOT and I do mean a LOT of creative liscense, so if you are a huge lover of the book you might find portions of the movie misleading or confusing.
But the Howl in the movie? oh yeah did I turn into one of those enamored girls!
I am definitely getting the movie, can’t wait to see Howl now! 🙂
That does sound enchanting. It looks like it would be a good fairy tale for menopause as well as childhood.
Well, it sure shows you that you should stay open to possibilities and do your best no matter what your age, and it’s always good to be reminded of that!
Apparently the movie took some liberties with the story and it’s quite different to the book. Though most people seem to have liked both. Hope you and your girls enjoy it, let me know!
I agree – I totally want to read this now, maybe to my daughters. I know of the movie and honestly cannot remember if I have seen that one – that Japanese director (i feel like i should onow the name, but i don’t 🙁 )has done a few, so I have lost track. The thing is I didn’t even realize it was a book, so I am grateful that you posted this. Off to the library!
I have yet to see the movie, but now you really make me want to read the book! Alas, I has vowed to read more books in French, and there you add a book in English on my virtual TBR!
It’s so great to be completely swallowed by a magical world and to get to escape in it. I love it when books offer that. Glad you had fun!
I think you’ll really like this, if you don’t read it this year, I’ll put it on your list for next year!