A Book by Diana Wynne Jones

As with many people my age, I would imagine that many had their first experience with the Story of Howl’s moving Castle via the 2004 animated feature film of the same name directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. I would imagine that most would be surprised to find out that the film was based on a classic fantasy 1986 novel by British novelist Diana Wynne Jones and has two sequels in book form. Going into this, I knew that the book would be far different than the film, as Miyazaki usually takes ideas from books and moves them into his own loose interpretations. He makes films for the Japanese market in mind, and a lot of tropes and references found in this book would not land firmly for a Japanese filmgoer, thus the changes are somewhat necessary. Unlike most book-to-film adaptations, it’s hard to see this as an adaptation as much as an alternate version as the story diverges quite a bit in the film. As such, I won’t dwell on those differences too much, but I will point them out.

There are a handful of Studio Ghibli films based on books, and I plan to seek a few of them out and see how the original versions stack up in future reviews. If that’s something you’d be interested in, be sure to keep an eye out!

“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. In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl’s castle?”

Howl’s Moving Castle is a captivating and whimsical fantasy novel that weaves a narrative that seamlessly blends elements of magic, romance, and adventure, creating a world that is as imaginative as it is endearing. At the heart of the story is Sophie Hatter, a young woman who finds herself ensnared in a spell that transforms her into an elderly lady. Her journey begins when she seeks refuge in the titular moving castle, which belongs to the mysterious and eccentric wizard Howl. The dynamic between Sophie and Howl is central to the narrative, offering a delightful mix of humor, camaraderie, and slow-burning romance.

So, about those differences, or why should you read this book if you’ve already seen the film? I mean, that sounds the same up there, right?! First, and foremost, these two stories are somewhat similar, but end up being largely different stories with different themes entirely. A Huge example, and perhaps the biggest departure is the entire theme of war, something Miyazaki added in because of his anger towards the United States Government during the Iraqi invasion post 9-11. War is mentioned exactly once in the book, that’s it one time, and it hasn’t even happened yet. There is not a war going on between the different countries, but it is implied that a war was brewing. Considering that the film almost entirely hinges on the fact that The King is practically forcing all wizards in his realm to be turned into horrible monstrosities to engage in airship battles above “The Waste”, this is a stark departure on the premise of the book.

The characters are vaguely the same, although the nature of the story being in a long-form novel means there is more room for them to breathe. Sophie’s sisters, that’s right there are two in this story, are far more prominent and a lot of the book revolves around a complicated love pentagon between Howl, Sophie, Michael, and the two sisters. The biggest change is Howl, who for reasons we are unaware of until the end of the book, is very terse and almost antagonistic to Sophie for a lot of the story. If you recall the scene in the film where he becomes insanely dramatic and oozes slime everywhere, that’s almost how he is for most of the book.

SPOILERS! There is a huge departure as well with Howl, in that it is revealed that Howl is really named Howell Jenkins, a Welshman with a PhD in presumably literature, who discovered a multiverse and decided to be a wizard instead of taking his chances on the academic job market. That’s not all, but let’s just say, go into this book with an open mind, and you’ll be surprised.

Jones’ writing is both witty and charming, and her ability to craft a fantastical world filled with peculiar characters is truly commendable. The moving castle itself is a marvel of imagination, a fantastical contraption that adds an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. The magical elements in the story are seamlessly integrated, creating a vibrant and immersive fantasy realm. What sets “Howl’s Moving Castle” apart, from other fantasy novels of the time, is its exploration of themes such as self-discovery, inner strength, and the transformative power of love. Sophie’s character development is both poignant and relatable, and readers are likely to find inspiration in her resilience and determination. The novel also cleverly subverts traditional fairy tale tropes, offering a fresh perspective on the genre. Jones injects a healthy dose of humor and irony into the narrative, keeping the story engaging for both young and adult readers.

While the plot is filled with magical occurrences and fantastical elements, it also addresses deeper issues, making it a rich and multi-layered read. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of tension and excitement interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes. I was happy that, despite the age of the story, nothing was dated in any way, especially considering that the story dips its toe into contemporary UK of 1986 as part of the setting.

In conclusion, Howl’s Moving Castle is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its magical charm and thought-provoking themes. Diana Wynne Jones’ masterful storytelling and imaginative world-building make this novel a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted fantasy tale. If you are coming to this as a fan of the classic animated film of the same name, you will find the story interesting and wildly different to the film. In many ways it can be seen as an alternate version of the story which added value to it for me. If you like it, there are apparently a handful of sequels out there as well, something I will definitely need to read at some point!