Howl's Moving Castle (World of Howl, 1) Mass Market Paperback – August 7, 2001

I've seen the Miyazaki animation based on this book at least half a dozen times (was the only thing not packed away before a move some years ago) and loved it. After reading the book, I actually think the movie was pretty faithful to Diana Wynne Jones's story, just with some parts removed and some characters merged in order to fit this into the length of an animated feature film. I ended up liking both the film and the book about equally well (and was happy to find out there are a few sequels available for the book -- I'll be buying them soon); I guess because of the order in which I read things, I saw the book as a chance to learn more about the characters.Regarding the characters, they're really the ones who are the stars here. Sophie, the POV character (third person, though) undergoes both physical and personality transformations fairly early on -- they pretty much go hand-in-hand. She's timid and a bit fatalistic early on, when she still has the appearance of a young woman, but she loses the timidity when she's changed by a witch into an old crone. The fatalism takes more time to go away, and I won't be sure until the next book whether her personality transformation is complete. Something that was a little lost in the movie (I think; I'm going to have to watch it again, now) was that Sophie actually has some magical abilities of her own and doesn't even realize it. She's quick-thinking but also a little gullible. She sometimes loses sight of her goal (in this case, her bargain to free Calcifer, the fire demon powering the title castle's hearth). And she's entirely likable and sympathetic.Howl is a bit more puzzling to me, but I guess that's the nature of non-POV characters. He's a drama queen, for sure. We do learn quite a lot about his background, including his family. And some things are revealed later on that explain some of his fickle behavior. He's got this reputation that's given to him by other characters. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but pay attention to Howl's actions and the *kinds* of spells he does during the book. Sophie makes a statement about him later that puts his reputation into perspective.A quick diversion to note that this can definitely be considered YA fiction (but is still worthwhile for adults to read). There are some fairy-tale-type transformations (on the level of, say, turning a man into a dog) but none of the violence or gore associated with the Grimm brothers. There's some light romance, but nothing sexual. The language is clean and unobjectionable. If you're a bit tired of the gritty fantasy" trend in literature for adults, this would certainly be a welcome diversion.The setting(s) are pretty typical for fantasy novels. It's not the cities, really, that stand out here, but rather the "castle" of the title, which is more about appearances and convenient travel than anything else (it is most definitely not a medieval fortress). It's possible that the movie aided me here, especially with the door that has a dial and opens on different locations depending on the dial's setting. My picture of the hearth and of Calcifer is also definitely influenced by the movie. It's just such a fun concept, of a hovercraft/castle that's small and cozy inside but imposing and scary when viewed from outside, and where what you see out the window isn't necessarily the same as what's physically outside the wall.As far as the writing goes, we do see a fair amount of Sophie's internal monologue. It's not as interesting, perhaps, as the action scenes (there is a LOT going on during the final confrontation; I had to read it twice to catch everything), or the verbal sparring between Sophie and Howl, but it does go a long way towards helping us understand Sophie as a character.Magic is never explained in detail, although it seems from reading that spells can be worked in different ways -- sometimes even unintentionally -- and that spells that are intended to have bigger impacts require more preparation and energy. People can be cursed, appearances can be changed, but magic can also be used for good. Magic takes on a fairy tale quality in this book that is entirely fitting, considering the setting.Action-wise, the pace is a little uneven. We're treated to a fair number of discussions of cleaning, for example, and these drag a little (although they also serve to introduce us to the castle, so they have a purpose, at least). However, there are a few moments of fright (for example, with respect to a scarecrow that seems to be following the castle, and with a couple of encounters of the villainess, the Witch of the Wastes), and the pace is pretty frantic at the end.One could discuss deeper themes if one had a mind to -- for example, the role of women in Sophie's world. Early on, Sophie's father dies and her stepmother sees little choice except to apprentice out the three girls (one sister and one half-sister for Sophie). Education costs money that a young widow doesn't have, forcing one of the girls to leave school. And the types of jobs (baker's apprentice and witch's apprentice) obtained by, and futures (mother of many children and witch) envisioned by Sophie's sisters are indicative of the roles women were allowed to play in that society. Women in the hat shop where Sophie worked early in the book were pretty bad gossips. And there's an interesting contrast between magic practitioners, where Howl has a *reputation* for being bad, while the Witch of the Wastes actually *is* evil. At any rate, it's an interesting thought exercise to do afterwards, although I didn't really think about these things while I was reading.FYI, the Kindle version has a lot of "extra" content including a brief interview with the author and an excerpt from another book, so you'll be finished well before you hit 100%.In sum, this book has complex characters, the castle is interesting and fun, and you can even find complex themes if you go looking for them. I'm glad I snagged this one when it was a Kindle daily deal and will be getting the next two books soon.

This book is honestly just so enchanting, and even though some of the themes/topics/ and scenes can be a little dark, it feels so light, like a little piece of the whimsy we've lost just kinda floated back into this amazing book <3 it can be so hard to find fantasy books that aren't that gross Dark "romance" That has become so popular but this one is exactly what I've needed for so long!I saw the movie first, and when I found out there was a book, I had to buy it. Best choice EVER 10/10 both the movie and the book are works of art in their own respects, and I now have the need to Read the rest of Dianna Wynne Jones's works (especially The Chrestomanci Chronicles <3) Please please please give this a shot, and if you are on the fence, watch the movie, if you like it you'll like the book! Both are weird and witty, even though the storylines differ greatly, the soul remains intact. This has become my favorite book! (my top 3 all count as my fave XD))

I picked up the novel this month because I enjoyed Miyazaki's film of it so much. I had read somewhere that the film didn't follow the novel exactly, so I wanted to see where the differences lay.As it turns out, I loved the differences in the novel (and the fleshing out of Sophie and her family situation). Each-film and novel--offer something a bit different, but essentially, it's the story of a cursed Sophie (the Witch of the Waste, beautiful in the novel, a strange and fat big-headed creature in the film), who is turned into an old woman by the jealous witch. Sophie wanders off, liberated by her new old body, and encounters Howl's castle, which, in fact, IS mobile, as well as able to open out to different parts of the land at the turn of a knob. Multi-locatory?The novel (like the film based upon it) is full of people who are under some sort of curse/spell--Sophie, Howl, Calcifer, the scarecrow. But the novel adds other characters, and in so doing, becomes more complex and more interesting for it.Eventually, as in all good fairy tales, things get sorted out. It's in caring about imperfect characters and the outcome of their trials that one has delight. Diana Wynne Jones employs a sort of blithe, even tongue-in-cheeky voice that is a delight to read. All age groups can enjoy this novel. (For concerned parents, no cussing or naughtiness, so it's a safe read.)One thing the movie had that the book doesn't--and that I actually really enjoyed in the movie--is the "beast" aspect for Howl (in the novel, he doesn't turn into a weird flying monster), and the "love thy enemies" and compassion that is bestowed on the Witch of the Waste. Wynne Jones doesn't turn the Witch soft and senile. So, as I said, there are merits to the anime interpretation, which allows for transformation of the more extreme sort and a kinder message of forgiveness.In the novel, family problems play a larger role, and so does the apprentice. Romance definitely colors the air. And Howl and Sophie both have growing up to do.It's a fine novel and a fine film, and both should give you great enjoyment. I recommend you get/watch/read both.Mir

This one’s a bit slow to sink into. But as the story picks up, it’s really adorable and the storyline is charming and entertaining to the end. What an enchanted read.

Kept me spellbound through the whole book. Couldn't stop reading!! Would highly recommend for all ages! Loved the characters! Awesome!

I just love this book. It was so lighthearted and made me smile from the beginning to the end. It’s a great book to read after a book hangover.