Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11526 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-24
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Synopsis
A new look for one of Diana Wynne Jones' funniest and most popular novels. In the land of Ingary, where seven league boots and cloaks of invisibility do exist, Sophie Hatter catches the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell. Deciding she has nothing more to lose, she makes her way to the moving castle that hovers on the hills above Market Chipping. But the castle belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the souls of young girls! There she meets Michael, Howl's apprentice, and Calcifer the Fire Demon, with whom she agrees a pact. But Sophie isn't the only one under a curse - her entanglements with Calcifer, Howl, and Michael, and her quest to break her curse is both gripping - and howlingly funny!

Customer Reviews

a pleasant book
It's the second time I read Howl's moving castle, and I like it quite enough: there's magic, humour, endearing characters...and it's nice to get acquainted with Calcifer, no mistake.
But I have a problem with the plot: I find this book rather confusing : the explanations at the end are not satisfying and not very clear. And after all these mysteries (the witch, her demon, Sophie's talents, the dog...)I expected something better: the end is a bit sloppy.
Say what you want, Rowling is a master at explaning her "mysteries", and not Jones.
But if you try not too hard to find the logic in it, it's quite a good ride for you!

All time favourite book!
This is my favourite book, ever. I continue to re-read it over and over. It makes you fall in love with Howl, his marathon bathing sessions and spectacular tantrums. I love what Wynne Jones has done by making sophie actually enjoy her old age and it allows her to become more herself.
The ideas are just brilliantly original.
Wynne Jones has a fantastic way of explaining things and describing movement in characters which doesn't go into huge amounts of detail or inappropriate flowery language but gets the same effect as if she had. Reminds me of being a child, she has us simply accepting that things are the way the author tells you they are.

Better than the movie, and I loved the movie
One of the most heart warming and endearing stories. Dont be put off if you see this book labeled 'young adult' or 'children's' fiction. The concept, the depth at the heart of the story, puts it beyond being just children's or young adults literature as its throughly enjoyable at any age. It should have an impact on young people as the story is about a girl who pretty much wills herself into an unsatisfactory life, without even realizing she's done it. However, is anyone ever at a point where they couldnt use a reminder that we are what we make of ourselves? It's got all the great elements of a fairy tale, a handsome rugby loving heart eating wizard, a girl with a disfiguring curse, wicked witches, lovable demons,freaky looking talking dogs and of course dont forget the magical hats. It's a lovely story about making yourself the person you want you to be, but it's subtle enough to be a terribly sweet love story as well. Comical, romantic and thoughtful, this is a fantastic book, I hope it turns into a classic.