Howl’s Moving Castle (a guest review)
Published June 24, 2010
Today’s guest is my sister Kati, who—I readily admit—is my best friend. She also happens to be a younger, more interesting, and better fashion inclined (in a “she doesn’t even try but people still think she’s the raddest person in the room”) version of myself. In fact, I’ve often thought she reminds me of an anime character. But without the high-pitched, Japanese voice-overs, obviously. Although voice-overs would’ve been cool while growing up since I distinctly remember her entire year of age 6 being spent seated on the front steps singing Ariel’s “Part of Your World.” Not that I’m bitter or anything.
Anyhow, a couple months back she handed me “Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones, and when I didn’t read it within two days, immediately proceeded with hourly, nagging phone calls as to WHY I’d not read it yet and did I not understand that “Howl’s Moving Castle” was one of the best books ever. I yawned and delayed even longer, privately relishing my obstinacy as a form of revenge for the Ariel performances in front of my friends. But then, in a fit of boredom, I did read it. And repented. And promptly began recommending it to all of my friends, followed by nagging phone calls and questions of literary taste. So, if you’d like to avoid those phone calls, I suggest you get on the ball and read it. Here’s her review:
Up in the northern regions of a country called Ingary sits a village called Market Chipping. Aside from its few oddities, such as the castle that roams the surrounding hills, or Wizard Howl, who is purported to be the eater of young maidens’ hearts, Market Chipping is the perfect home for one Sophie Hatter. As the eldest of three girls Sophie is quite content with pursuing her dreary life of trimming hats while her sisters set off to seek their fortunes. At least that’s what she keeps telling herself.
Enter the Wicked Witch of the Waste, who, in a fit of hat-induced rage, changes Sophie into a ninety-year-old woman. This inadvertently sets Sophie on a journey of her own as a stubborn, old, cleaning lady for wizard Howl and the inhabitants of his moving castle. In an effort to break her own spell, she strikes a bargain with Calcifer, the fire demon, to break the mysterious contract that binds him and Howl together.
Fun and full of wit to spare, Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones has some of the most fabulously quirky and memorable characters I have ever had the delight to read–including the wildly self-absorbed, but ultimately good-hearted wizard, Howl, and the hard-headed, no-nonsense Sophie who will enchant individuals of any age.
Favorite things:
- Sophie spends 85% of the story as a 90-year-old woman, with all the aches, pains, and complaints to go along.
- Howl’s vanity, which may be longer than his suit sleeves.
- Calcifer’s endless hints about his contract.
Kati’s question for the reading friendlies: Have you read it???
Mary’s question for the reading friendlies: What did YOUR annoying younger sibling used to sing???
What’s the mood noise of the moment? Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Incidentally, this is Kati’s ringtone on my phone. 
)
Tags: annoying sister, best books, book review of Howl's Moving Castle, Cyndi Lauper fun, Diana Wynne Jones, Sophie and Wizard Howl
06.25.2010 / 9:19 am
What didn’t Kami sing annoyingly? :] Any of the Brittney Spears songs would probably top the list though.
Howl’s Moving Castle has been added to my summer reading list.
06.25.2010 / 11:39 am
I have not read this book, but certainly will after this review!
Annoying songs… well, I was usually LEADING my siblings in singing annoying songs. But I do remember wanting to tear my hair out while the boys were learning how to play the guitar and they would play the SAME 3 cords over and over for hours and hours with no change in rhythm. I GUESS it’s worth it now. =)
Oh wait! When Christopher’s voice changed, he would sing the bass line for “Duke of Earl” and that would get pretty annoying. Especially when Jeffty would try to sing the tenor part in a horrible voice. =P
06.25.2010 / 9:12 pm
all this flattery! are you buttering me up for something? Also, i’ve never been annoyed by any sibling whatsoever. Ok, that’s a lie. It’s what i said out loud to Wyatt, but he had the good grace to remind me of Daniel, before the voice lessons.
06.26.2010 / 11:04 am
I have not read, but watched the movie (which I know is completely not comparable and comes nothing close to the real story). But I will have to borrow it from Val when she is done..
Annoying songs – when was Emily not annoying
hehehe… just kidding. Most likely it was sound of music soundtrack as that was her favorite movie when she was a wee tike… after that, I don’t remember? Emily? Little Mermaid or Aladdin perhaps? And Kami is always singing, mostly I didn’t live with her during the annoying singing phase 
06.27.2010 / 2:56 pm
Haha Lori.
Not Little Mermaid so much, but definitely Aladdin. And always the Sound of Music. To this day I catch myself singing a few bars under my breath.
06.28.2010 / 12:20 pm
Hahahaha…Kati. Oh yes. Daniel before voice lessons. And now he’s writing songs and recording (yay for progress)
.
Emily, the Sound of Music is in a fabulous, intimidating, operatic category of it’s very own. Oh how often my children break out with “Doe a deer…” full force in the car, and then it’s stuck in my head for days. On a side note, I still sing Aladdin songs.
Lori, yes, borrow it
. Or I will call you.
Dani, I love that you were the leader. Heheheh… And that you have the good grace to admit it
. Nice. No comment on the guitar strumming as that is pretty much how I sound.
06.28.2010 / 2:30 pm
Can’t wait to read it! Thanks Katie for the great review!
07.2.2010 / 12:34 am
Mary – Loved the post. You really are a talented writer and gorgeous to boot! (what in the heck does that saying mean?!)
And I totally enjoyed the Cindy Lauper video! That song will never die!
Thanks.
07.2.2010 / 12:40 am
Forgot to answer the annoying song part; I was the one always singing. In high school I used to play the supremes every morning and sing at the top of my lungs while I put on makeup. My brother finally hid the record. I never saw it again; even now I will get something in my spirit and sing it continually. Ode to Joy was the last one and after a week Ty finally told me he was going to have to kill me if I didn’t quit singing it. If he does – please sing it at my funeral out of spite : )
07.7.2010 / 5:59 pm
One has no idea how agravating it is to attempt commenting on my own website from my little cute cell-phone with really tiny buttons with a bunch of youth kids yelling in my ear for multiple days in a row. Thus…I did not
. But now I’m back in town and at my nice, large laptop where I can take my time to ramble away. **big sigh** Oh how I love my house and my bed and my preeecious (computer).
Ronda, I love this song! I caught my girls singing it the other day and totally had to smile. Cyndi Lauper rocks on
. Also, thank you for your sweet words. They mean quite a lot coming from you–I remember the first time I met you I though you were the most gorgeous woman ever. And then I discovered your own nack for creativity! Ah–you make me laugh! Ode to Joy it is!!! Hahahaha…