I can’t deny it; this is one of the rare occasions I picked up a book because of the film. I fell in love with “Howl’s Moving Castle” when I first watched the Studio Ghibli adaptation. When I found out it was originally a book by Diana Wynne Jones, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I’d already read the sequel, “Castle in the Air,” not realizing it was connected. The buzz around “Howl’s Moving Castle” is hard to miss; it’s beloved both as a fantasy novel and the basis for the Ghibli film. I finally decided to dive into the book to see what it was all about, and I wasn’t let down. Jones takes readers on an adventure that blends classic fantasy with unique, humorous twists.
The story is set in the magical land of Ingary and follows Sophie Hatter, a young woman from the town of Market Chipping. The book opens with one of the best lines I’ve ever read: “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.” This line not only sets the magical tone of the story but also introduces our main character, Sophie. As the eldest of three children, she tends to stay in the background, letting her more talented sisters shine. But as with any great fantasy, there’s more to Sophie than meets the eye.
While Sophie is working in her family’s hat shop, a mysterious moving castle appears in the countryside. This is the home of the infamous Wizard Howl, who is said to kidnap young girls and steal their hearts. Initially, the townspeople believe this means he literally takes hearts, leading to widespread fear. As the story develops, we learn that Howl’s “heart-stealing” is more metaphorical; he charms young girls and then loses interest, leaving them heartbroken.
Sophie gets tangled up in this magical world when she’s cursed by the Witch of the Waste, who has a vendetta against Howl. Sophie heads to Howl’s moving castle, hoping to break the curse. There, she becomes the cleaning lady and meets an array of quirky characters, including Howl’s apprentice Michael and Calcifer, a fire demon who promises to lift Sophie’s curse if she can break his bond with Howl. The castle itself has a door that leads to various locations in different worlds, adding another layer of intrigue.
The King of Ingary is among those seeking Howl’s help. He needs to find the missing Wizard Suliman and his brother, Prince Justin. Both disappeared following a confrontation with the Witch of the Waste. Howl tries to keep a low profile, not wanting to be seen as a hero, but he continues to work behind the scenes. Sophie’s attempts to break her curse and help others often complicate matters, and she even discovers she has magical abilities of her own.
The characters in this story are richly complex and relatable, each with their own flaws. Sophie is impulsive, often jumping into situations without thinking, while Howl is vain and somewhat selfish. Calcifer is powerful but limited by his bond with Howl, a relationship that terrifies them both due to its potentially disastrous consequences.
As the plot unfolds, we see the dynamics between the characters grow and evolve. Sophie and Howl’s relationship, for instance, starts off rocky but becomes more nuanced. Initially, Sophie finds Howl annoying and self-centered. However, as she becomes aware of her own magical abilities, her feelings start to change subtly. Howl even points out her jealousy at one point, a slight but believable shift in her character.
Ultimately, it’s the relationships between these flawed yet endearing characters that allow them to overcome their challenges. Relationships, whether romantic, between student and teacher, siblings, or friends, are at the story’s core. They shape the characters’ decisions and reactions throughout the narrative.
Another prominent theme is that people are often more than they appear to be. Sophie starts out seeing Howl as just a vain and powerful man, while Howl initially views Sophie as merely an interfering old woman. Through their interactions, they realize there’s more depth to each other and even to themselves.
If you’re in the mood for a fun, engaging young adult book filled with adventure, romance, humor, and magic, give “Howl’s Moving Castle” a read. Don’t miss out on the sequels, “Castle in the Air” and “House of Many Ways.” A Studio Ghibli marathon wouldn’t hurt either; you’ll likely find it as enchanting as I did.
I believe any new adaptation of this story would inevitably be compared to Miyazaki’s film, which might make it tricky. The author, Diana Wynne Jones, had her reservations but ultimately gave her stamp of approval to the film. She understood that changes were necessary when translating a book to the screen. Given that endorsement, it’s hard to argue against the adaptations, but it does make you wonder if another version could ever live up to the charm of the original.
