Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Book Description

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on.

Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye. In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl’s castle?

Review

Okay, first things first. I adored Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.

Not only does the novel incorporate many of my favorite tropes, this funny story is utterly enchanting, and exactly why I love to read fantasy. The story hooked me, from the very first paragraph, perhaps because I am the oldest of three!

In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes. — Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones

The story follows Sophie Hatter, the oldest of three, who finds herself entangled in a spell. The spell, cast by the Witch of the Waste, transforms Sophie into an old woman. Determined to break the curse, Sophie sets off to seek help from the notorious wizard, Howl, whose moving castle roams the hillsides.

Within the curious castle, Sophie meets a cast of eccentric characters. Once there, she finds herself questioning what she thought she knew about the world. Sophie’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment brings depth to this character-driven novel. And she’s not the only one changing as the story unfolds!

In Howl’s Moving Castle, Jones expertly blends fantasy and reality. The world-building is vivid and imaginative, with magical elements seamlessly integrated into everyday life. The prose is engaging, filled with wit and charm, and kept me captivated from start to finish. One thing I loved about this story is that nothing is ever quite what it appears.

What about the film?

After reading the novel, I watched Hayao Miyazaki’s animated adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle. The film maintains the whimsical atmosphere and fantastical elements of the original story, bringing them to life with stunning animation and talented voice actors.

But Miyazaki makes a lot of creative deviations. I commented over and over, “Wait, that doesn’t happen in the book!”

The animated version of Howl’s Moving Castle presents a much darker story with more danger to the characters and the world they inhabit. The film strips much of the humor present in the book too; only Calcifer is funny in the movie.

While I enjoyed both the book and film versions of Howl’s Moving Castle, I preferred the book. The film, while beautiful, only captures the idea of Howl and his castle. But the book gives you a glimpse into Howl’s backstory, which helps fully round out his character.

I believe Howl’s Moving Castle is a must-read for fans of portal fantasy and clever plot twists, told with a funny, fairy tale vibe. With its captivating world and memorable characters, it will transport you into a cozy world of magic, love, and self-discovery.

Content Warning

Ageism, Curses, Family Dynamics, Kidnapping

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by EMARDI on Unsplash