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.
Rating: ★★★★☆
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Never before have I had a more fervent longing to live inside a book.
On more than one occasion, I had to restrain myself from packing up, grabbing a walking stick and seeking my own fortune (no matter the consequences). Diana Wynne Jones’ novel Howl’s Moving Castle made love a priority in the face of uncertainty and championed perseverance despite the odds.
“I’m the eldest!” Sophie shrieked. “I’m a failure!”
“Garbage!” Howl shouted. “You just never stop to think!”
If you’ve seen the animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, then this is a must-read. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s still a must-read. The book offers depth to conflicts that were (understandably) simplified in the film and while the writing itself is simple, there’s an elegance to it that cannot be overstated.
There was most of the valley spread out beneath her in the setting sun, all fields and walls and hedges, the windings of the river, and the fine mansions of rich people glowing out from clumps of trees, right down to blue mountains in the far distance.
Howl’s Moving Castle is a bit over 400 pages but if you’re looking for an immersive story about magic and a colorful cast of characters, it’s well worth it. (Particularly the audio book narrated by Jenny Sterlin!)