Howl’s Moving Castle

Diana Wynne Jones

I am so glad I got this book, and gave into the temptation to read it. The movie, which was made by Studio Ghibli, is one of my favourite movies of all time. It seems to pick the most important and interesting elements from the novel, and merge them into a seamless whole. Normally I’m disappointed with movies made from a book (like the Harry Potter franchise), but this one is good in its own right.

‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ concerns Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters. While technically she should have been an ugly sister (the youngest sister is the product of a second marriage), instead she is just boring, and bored with her life. The whole town fears Howl, the resident ‘wicked’ wizard. Sophie goes out to visit her sisters, and meets Howl. The required ‘baddy’, the Witch of the Waste, takes a dislike to Sophie and casts a spell on her. Sophie isn’t the kind to give up easily, and she chooses to chase Howl instead.

This book is great. Ok, sure, it’s aimed at younger readers, but the characters are so engaging and funny that you’d have to have a stone heart to not enjoy it as a teenager and adult. I’d probably suggest it for independent reading 10 years and up, and for younger readers who are being read to.

Do yourself a favour, and buy this book and watch the movie. It’s something you won’t regret.