Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (2001, Paperback, Reprint)

Diana Wynne Jones is celebrated for her clever and humorous subversion of fairy tale and fantasy novel tropes, and she is at the top of her form in this charming YA novel. Sophie, the eldest of three daughters, has dutifully resigned herself to a dull life running a hat shop. But when she runs afoul of the evil magic of the powerful and testy Witch of the Waste, her life becomes very interesting indeed. The Witch's curse turns Sophie from a young woman into an old one. In shock and desperation, Sophie finagles herself a job as housekeeper in the Moving Castle belonging to Howl, a wizard with a (perhaps undeserved) unsavory reputation, in hopes that either Howl or his fire demon Calcifer prove capable of removing the spell. Acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki based a 2004 animated film on this book.
Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl.

I bought this book because I've been enjoying the animated movie by Hayao Miyazaki for several years and I wanted to see how different the book was from the movie. The style of the writing is very simple and engaging. The characters are well thought out and amusing. There's nothing really to dislike about this book and if you liked the movie, I strongly suggest reading this, because it's awesome. It's basically a story of finding your own self worth, family, friendship and of course romance as Sophie lives with the eccentric Wizard Howl. There are some differences between the movie and the book, as to be expected. For instance, in the movie Michael is about 10 or so. In the book he's 15. Also, Sophie has two sisters instead of just one and the plot is slightly different. Whether you've watched the movie first or not, you're sure to love this fantastic tale by Jones.

I first watched Hayao Miyasaki's film by the same title last summer and I was intrigued by the plot depth. I could tell that he had taken the idea from a book. I had loved the wistful charming quality of the movie and thought the book would have to have the same kind of aura. So I set out on google to find it, having never heard of Diana Wynne Jones or any of her work. I have to say that the book did not disapoint. It had me laughing out loud at times and Jones wry take on fairy tale cliches is adorable. It has a similar atmosphere and turn of phrase to Barry's Peter Pan. I loved it to bits and plan on making it a valued member of my bookshelf.

I read this after watching the movie. While great, I was left a little lost with the story in the movie, but it had me interested in reading the original source. I got through the book very easily- it was very fast paced and interesting. It's a great book for any Harry Potter fans. The characters were very realistic and well-rounded. I loved reading Sophie's and Howl's adventures. The only thing I could criticize is the development of the romance and the abrupt ending. Characterization was great, but I did not see a developing romance throughout the book and it felt like the author just put the obligatory couple together at the end. Maybe I need to reread it to see it, but anyway I read it for the fantasy adventure rather than the romance. I highly recommend anyone who is a child at heart to read Howl's Moving Castle.

An unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch. Her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.