Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones
Julie: Four pages into Diana Wynne Jones's HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, I decided it was genius. As is so often the case with books that I love, it's the voice that got me. Jones uses the perfect matter-of-fact, wry voice to introduce her magical world. It's as if she's saying, "Come on in. Yes, it's different here, but don't worry. You'll get the hang of it quickly. And you'll like it!" I did like it in that world, and I didn't want to leave. I have to admit, though, that the story raised the kinds of questions that usually drive me crazy. I'm sure we'll get to those a little later. More importantly, the book casts enough of a spell that I'm willing to overlook those issues. That's unprecedented for me! Mia, what do you love about the book?
Marirosa Mia: This is my third time reading HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, and I'm still charmed by it! Even though I know what's coming, I can't help but smile and chuckle at Calcifer's quips and Sophie's pragmatic attitude, which I love love love. I just can't get enough of Sophie, really. I'm not fond of characters who panic and run around like chickens with their heads cut off, and Sophie is simply refreshing in her "there's far too much work to be done to panic" attitude. Love. And as you mentioned, Julie, Wynne Jones' prose/voice really swoops you right in, to the point that you see each character so clearly. Right down to Fanny's overly expressive gestures (which in my head are many). What questions did it raise for you, Julie?
J: Let me say a little about the book's plot first. Sophie happily looks after her two sisters until her father dies and her sisters become apprentices in nearby businesses. Sophie then helps out in her family's hat shop until the day the Witch of the Waste arrives in a nasty temper and turns Sophie into an old woman. After a few more surprises, Sophie seeks shelter in the moving castle of the supposedly wicked Wizard Howl. And now for some questions: Sophie and her sisters are obviously close, and the sisters express concern about Sophie both when she's at the hat shop and later, after she's disappeared. Yet they never, ever try to come see her and help her (even though one sister fears Sophie is trapped in the castle). Why? Also, it's clear from the start that Sophie is far more capable than average. But SO much time passes without her figuring out the full range of her abilities. Why? (I wish I could say more, but I have spoiler concerns.) I have the feeling I missed something. It's certainly possible! I flew through the pages because I so wanted to know what was going to happen. Do any of these questions nag at you?
M: I can see why Sophie wouldn't come to terms with her abilities. From the beginning we know that she believes her future will...well, amount to nothing. That she won't marry well or have a great fortune like her sisters, because that is the lot of being the eldest daughter. I can see why that colors everything she does. It's been so ingrained in her that she just won't amount to much and her lot is simply her lot. I suppose what I'm saying is that the power of self-doubt is very powerful indeed for Sophie.
As for her sisters, I'm not bothered by that issue. They are close, but I don't feel they are terribly close. They are also both so self-absorbed that their being consumed with the--how do I say this--action of being worried and fretting overcame any actual action. Make sense?
J: You make good points. As a reader, though, I long for a little more from the sisters (I'm a believer in sisters!) and from Sophie. Anything you wish were different?
M: I'm totally for sisters--I have two of my own--and sadly know that not all sisters are created equal. As for wishing for anything different...there is one thing. At the end (and I find myself wanting this each time I read it) I've always wanted just a bit more time with just Howl and Sophie. And that’s all I’ll say about that with out giving too much away!
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