Howl’s Moving Castle Review
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a fantasy novel focusing on Sophie Hatter, the eldest daughter who believes she is doomed for failure. The hat shop Sophie’s family owns falls into dire straights, Sophie’s step-mother sends the younger daughters off to learn trades that will help them further themselves in the world. Sophie, on the other hand, remains behind in the shop where her step-mother hopes to groom her to inherit it when she’s older.
One afternoon, Sophie grows weary of hats and ventures out to enjoy the spring festival. While out, she runs into the Wizard Howl to takes an interest in her. Sophie has heard rumors of Howl’s love of eating hearts and runs home. Soon after she arrives, the witch of the Waste bustles into the shop and magically turns Sophie into an old woman.
Having had enough to magic and hats Sophie sets out across the hills to find her way in the world, even if she only has a few years left. On the way, night falls and she seeks refuge in Howl’s clanking, stomping, smoking, moving castle. While there, Sophie learns truths about herself and the world that she never imagined.
Howl’s Moving Castle is a story of self-realization, love, friendship, and strength. Sophie and her sisters don’t sit by and allow others to make life decisions for them. Howl, while not an evil man, he is a coward, self-centered, and a cad, much like most handsome talented young men. Michael, Howl’s apprentice is a sweet, romantic who is hellbent on pleasing his master and learning all he can so he can marry the woman he loves. Calicifer, a fire demon who Howl is bound to through a secret magical contract is saucy and witty, and one of the best characters in literature, in my opinion at least.
Diana Wynn Jones’ writing style is complex and unlike any novel I’ve read. I don’t think I would have noticed fully if I hadn’t read the whole novel around to my six-year-old son, who begged me to read it every night. Much of Jones’ syntax tripped me up and challenged what I’m used to in young adult novels. It was a refreshing change, and I look forward to reading more by Jones. She has become a family favorite.
