If you’ve been following me for, well, pretty much any length of time, at some point or another you’ve probably seen me flail about the novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. And though I break the sound barrier squealing about it every 0.7 seconds, I haven’t actually ever just sat down and talked about why this story so fully captures my heart and soul.

Come every March is a delightful event called March Magics hosted by We Be Reading. It is a celebration of both Diana Wynne Jones’s and Terry Pratchett’s magical works. Every single year I always hope to join in and do something as part of the celebration and…every year I fail. Alas, I have yet to read any Terry Pratchett (I KNOW. One day! I promise.) and have actually only ever read just 4 of Jones’s novels (also a tragedy). BUT. Despite all that, this year I wanted to, at last, do something in celebration of March Magics, and what better way than to dedicate a whole post to my favorite book of all time?

Hilariously enough, I’ve never done a proper review or anything of that sort for this novel. So today we’re going to fix that! (Except not really, because this still isn’t really a “review” in the normal sense of the word, but details.)

Get ready for a lot of fangirling…

WHY I LOVE HOWL’S
MOVING CASTLE

There is a dreaded question we bookworms will get asked at some point over the course of our lives (or some 29834 times): What’s your favorite book? Such a question can cause deep agony, self doubt, sudden forgetfulness of every book you’ve ever read, and the occasional hair loss (read: usually due to tearing one’s hair out). For me, if you ask me to list my top favorite five books, or even 10, or pinpoint my favorite series, I will most certainly react in such a manner. And my answers will wildly change depending on the day.

But if you insist I name just one book to rise above the others, miraculously, I will probably answer before you’ve even gotten the full question out.

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE

But why? Out of all the incredible books out there, out of the many epic stories I have consumed over the course of my 28 years, how did this silly, utterly bizarre little tale rank to the very top? (Yes, even more so than The Hobbit. I KNOW.)

That’s actually an…interesting question. Because the really funny thing is that HMC isn’t the type of story I tend to gravitate toward. IT’S TRUE.

It all started with my dearest friend Deborah O’Carroll (whom I call my Book Fairy for very good reasons). I wish I could remember the exact date, but I believe this all took place around 2012? (This was a time before I discovered the pure magic of GoodReads and obsessively tracking everything.) I do believe I was either 19 or 20 at the time. Deborah had mentioned this absolutely amazing book called Howl’s Moving Castle and thought I’d love it. The name sounded kind of familiar (probably because of the Ghibli film, which I had never seen either), but I had never given it much thought. But after her much flailing about it, I knew I had to give this book a go. So one day, around fall I believe, I found a lone copy in a bookstore and simply could not leave without it.

I promptly began this little book with the bright, happy green cover of an old woman shaking her cane at an odd looking house with legs, and I was swept away. Immediately I entered into Sophie’s cozy hat shop nestled in a little town in the world of Ingary, where witches and wizards alike cause all sorts of trouble and mayhem for the rest of society.

And I felt like I had come home.

The thing about HMC is that it’s a very quiet book. With my first reading, I was both captivated, and yet confused why because…nothing was happening. There are entire sections simply dedicated to Sophie cleaning, of all things. There’s not much in the way of traveling (despite it taking place in a moving house). You’re not seeing a lots of big, magical places or meeting tons of mythical people or battling terrifying monsters. The majority of the story takes place in Howl’s “castle” which is actually simply a very small home, where most of the time it’s just Sophie and Howl’s apprentice Michael trying to get the enigmatic, absolutely childish Howl to behave himself.

That really doesn’t sound like much of a premise for a fantasy novel.

And see, I like the epics. I like huge fantasy series packed with dozens of interesting characters and insanely high stakes and dangerous journeys. (LOTR, anyone???) I’m hard pressed to even write a book that doesn’t have some sort of plot that quite literally involves the world threatening to end if the baddies aren’t stopped. Seriously I…I can’t even think of a single novel I’ve written that doesn’t involve the entire world being doomed?? (Drama queen much, Christine?)

Some people like quieter, more domestic tales. Which is great! But those have never been my favorite. I like big things. I’ve read so, so many stories where I liked it, but I was sad how small the plot with. I wanted more. That happens more often than not… (And I kind of drive myself crazy with this.)

But then there’s Howl’s Moving Castle. A quiet, standalone novel with a small cast, very little action, and filled to the brim with nothing but domestic scenes. And yet I will cling to it as a favorite to my dying breath.

So…why?

WELL. Because everything basically! But let’s try to narrow it down…

THE CHARACTERS

Naturally this makes it to the top of the list. Not only do I claim this as my top favorite book, but I also claim Howl and Sophie as my top favorite male and female fictional characters, respectively. (Which may be an even harder question to narrow down than what’s your favorite book!)

The really funny thing about these two is that they’re terrible people. Sophie is cantankerous and stubborn, while Howl is just a brat who literally has wizard-sized temper-tantrums when the smallest thing doesn’t go his way. It is simply through the pure magic of Diana Wynne Jones that these two have been beloved favorites of innumerable people over the decades, and most certainly take number one place in my heart.

For Sophie, she starts out meek and mousy and unsure what she wants to do with her life. She’s pretty much resigned herself to a life of drudgery, thinking she’s not worth more than that. But then, over the course of the novel, she finds herself. Facing off with the incorrigible, charismatic Howl makes this mousy girl suddenly find her spirit. You can’t help but pump your fist when she starts telling Howl off. (Their fights are my fave.) But, unlike Howl, Sophie is anything but self absorbed. Though she can have tantrums to even rival Howl’s (the weed-killer scene! #ifyouknowyouknow), she still sees the best in everyone and will make great sacrifices even if it means giving up her happily ever after. Her mix of meekness and fire is such an intriguing one. And somehow it works. I think we can all see a bit of ourselves in Sophie, which makes her a protagonist worth following.

Then there’s HOWL. Oh boy… I feel like I could both write an entire post on him alone and yet still not be able to find the right words. I think Howl is just someone you have to experience yourself. Howl’s whole character is he’s the pretty boy who knows it and draws every girl his way. And, often, when we come across such male characters, we ourselves know not to get swept up into their charms. We’re to smart for that. But with Howl…I fear there is no fighting the magnetism of his personality. Even though you know he’s a brat and a coward and wholly and completely full of himself, you just can’t help but love him anyway. And it’s ridiculous. Even Diana Wynne Jones herself was surprised at all the love this monster child of hers received. I’m not sure she really even set out to make him so lovable in our eyes. But here we are… Though he is quite the brat, Howl isn’t all bad traits. He’s like an endearing child that you want to scold but can’t help but just smile and laugh at their antics instead. I also love the contrast of how he is an extremely powerful wizard, but so lazy you don’t always even realize it. (Usually super powerful people in fiction are crazy active but, like, just because we have abilities doesn’t mean we always want to use them, am I right?) And sure of himself though he seems, he’s also a complete coward, which somehow just makes him more endearing. But I think the main thing is that, deep down, you know Howl is a good person. You know he’s capable of being a hero when it really matters. It might take a lot doing to get there, but it is, in fact, there.

And as if these two aren’t spectacular enough separate, but TOGETHER. *clutches heart and squeals until my throat is sore* Somehow these two balance each other out in such a perfect way…but maybe not in the way you think. They are not all hearts and roses. No. Usually their dynamics involve yelling and tantrums and slamming things and miscommunication. And yet, AND YET they are better people together. Howl helps Sophie realize she does have a fire inside her and doesn’t have to resign herself to a life of drudgery. While Sophie gives Howl the bravery he has always been lacking. (Plus she’s the only person in all of Ingary who can put up with Howl’s nonsense 24/7 and, ya know, not murder him.)

I need to stop or this whole post will literally just be about these two. BUT they really are the main reason I love this tale so much. There is still lots more to love about it though!

I haven’t even talked about Calcifer, the snarky fire demon that helps Howl keep the castle moving. The friendship between Howl and Calcifer is one of my favorite bromances ever. Sophie isn’t the only one who is brave enough to tell Howl off when he needs it. XD

Or Michael, the poor teenage boy apprenticing to Howl who just has to roll with the insanity that is his life in Howl’s castle. In the midst of Howl’s, Sophie’s, and Calcifer’s fiery personalities, unassuming little Michael is honestly a breath of fresh air. Though he’s not always great in a crisis, but that just makes him more endearing.

Basically, the whole castle gang is just…perfect. And if you’ve never met them before, your life is missing something.

THE COZINESS

There are only a very, very few stories that give me a sense of perfectly contented coziness, but HMC is at the top of that list. It is my ultimate comfort story. The many domestic scenes is what makes it good. Honestly, the occasional highly magic scenes we get have never been my favorite. It’s the quiet scenes in the castle—Michael working on potions, Sophie sewing up Howl’s suits, Calcifer murmuring about burning bacon, Howl bumping around in the bathroom—these are the real joys of the story.

Despite the very odd plot and the ridiculous characters, there is just a sense of peace nestled within the pages of this tale. Whenever I’m feeling distraught, I know I can always slip away into Howl’s cozy home and find happiness again.

THE WHIMSY

It was from the very opening sentence that I knew I was in for a treat when I first read this tale.

“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.”

The book has a very simplistic fairy tale-like style (and actually pokes a bit of fun at fairy tale tropes, which makes it all that much more delightful). The tongue-in-cheek humor and whimsical words easily rivals—dare I say it?—J.K. Rowling, who is pretty much the queen of whimsy and dry wit. But there is something so seamless of the narrative of HMC. It pulls you in immediately, and you are really truly there with Sophie in her world of moving houses, silly wizards, cozy towns, peaceful meadows, and a touch of magic. For once, I actually adore how the world isn’t super big and wild. Instead, you feel like you really get to explore it and touch all its corners.

And if there’s anything I love in this world, it is whimsical things.

THE PLOT

If you’re like me, the first time you read this you’ll be like, “Wow, how did an author get away with pitching and publishing a book with literally no plot?” Then you reach the end. And there is the true brilliance of Diana Wynne Jones.

I don’t want to say too much, because this book really is a thousand times more enjoyable going in not knowing the plot twists. But I will say there is a purpose for everything. Absolutely EVERYTHING. It doesn’t seem like it. Really, up until the climax, most all the chapters just seem like random scenes with nothing of any great important going on. But pay attention because it all matters. This is honestly one of the most foreshadowed books I have ever read in my life. But it’s nearly impossible to realize that the first way through. It’s one of those books that I think I actually enjoyed even more my second read-through because that is when the utter genius of the author shines.

ALSO. This has one of my favorite plot twists to ever exist ever, and sealed my love for Howl wholly and completely. And no, I’m not saying any more than that. *smile, smile* Actually, there are multiple elements and plot twists that equally blew my mind and made me squeal, but one in particular was just… *clutches heart* It was e v e r y t h i n g.

Although honestly, even if there had been no plot, this would still be my favorite book. I could read about Howl and Sophie just eating breakfast for 900 pages and I wouldn’t tire of it.

But despite all these amazing things, I think the one thing that draws me to this tale can be summed up as this…

A SENSE OF HOME

I kind of covered this when I mentioned it gives me a peaceful, cozy feel, but it’s more than that.

Though there are many, many things that can draw me to a tale, I think one of the most important things for me is that sense of home. There are really only four places that give me that perfectly contented, happy feeling: Middle-earth, Narnia, The Hundred Acre Wood, and Ingary.

Though I love LOTS of other stories and places, there’s something about those four that just tug at my heart. Gives me that longing. I firmly believe God put a longing for Heaven in all of us, that want for More. After all, this earth isn’t our home. Which may be why so many of us seek that more in fantasy. Though these strange and often dangerous places certainly cannot even come close to reflecting the glory of Heaven, they do give us a sense of something spectacular. And something homey.

Though HMC is, of course, not a Christian book or anything, it thrums that sense of longing inside me. That taste of eternal contentedness I know will be found in Heaven. That may seem…odd. But I think all great fantasy should achieve something of that nature.

C.S. Lewis said it best:

“The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can’t supply is proof that Heaven must be our home.”

Whenever I crack open the pages of this whimsical little story, I feel like I’ve returned home. It just makes me…happy. Happier than any other fictional tale in existence.

And I think that, right there, is why I can unquestionably claim it as my favorite book. Maybe it’s not an epic, sweeping tale. Maybe the entire universe isn’t threatened. Maybe the plot isn’t a heart-racing, high action journey. Maybe there isn’t monsters and war and endless high stakes. But it is in its simplicity that makes it brilliant.

It feels like home. And no matter how many times I revisit Sophie and Howl and Calcifer and Michael and their antics and mayhem, I never get tired of it. It always makes me smile and fills up my heart.

And besides, sometimes it’s nice to have a fandom that doesn’t cause pain and tears and confusion. Sometimes we just need something happy and whimsical and lighthearted.

IN CONCLUSION…

READ HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE.

That’s it. The end.

Okay, but really, clearly I recommend this book with my whole heart. It is absolutely my goal to get everyone I possibly can to read this book, and being as how so many of you have told me you read it because of me, my plan of world domination is working brilliantly! *cackles* Although, really, you can all thank Deborah. After all, I never would have discovered it without my Book Fairy!

Word of warning: It does have magic. Clearly. So if that’s not your thing, I totally understand. The magic is all so whimsical and fairy tale-ish and never takes itself seriously, that it really doesn’t bother me. But I totally get it if you don’t like that sort of thing. Otherwise, it’s perfectly clean. Even the “fire demons” aren’t exactly what they seem…

Despite this monster post, I feel like I could say so, so much more about this book. But I’m trying my best to not give things away. There is just so much joy in discovering all the amazing little things yourself.

So go read it! And when you finish, give the companion novels, Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways a read too. Though HMC is, of course, the BEST, its companion novels are true delights as well.

And don’t forget March Magics is happening, so if you want to join in on the Diana Wynne Jones and Terry Pratchett love, definitely check all that out!

Really only one question matters here: HAVE YOU READ HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE? Please, come squeal with me! Also, do you have a book that brings you indescribable happiness? And what’s a defining factor for you to fall in love with a tale?