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A review by lmckensie
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
5.0
Update 8/5/2017: Increased rating from four stars to five. Ironically did my reread almost exactly four years after the first one. I could read this one a thousand times and not tire of it.
I preface this review by stating this: you are never too old to go back and read the classics that you missed along your reading journey.
Howl's Moving Castle is considered by many to be a classic staple of fantasy; on that note, I would say it's a tragedy I hadn't read it before, but I'm honestly rather glad I read it when I did. I'm not sure that I could have appreciated the subtlety of Sophie's characterization as an adolescent. Her initial problems resonate strongly with concerns of those just entering adulthood -- facing a destiny that seems rather lackluster, doomed to life as "the eldest of three", as she puts it, essentially the character in the fairy tale destined for failure, or at the very least, an unexceptional life. Her pessimism, along with her quick-flaring temper, make Sophie believable. She is not the happy-go-lucky protagonist, determined that better things will come her way; she is resigned to her fate as a hat maker, and I think it makes her character all the better. Howl is not without his many flaws as well, but his charm is readily apparent, and it makes him an endearing character. The arguments between Howl and Sophie never ceased to amuse me.
Perhaps my only complaint was some vagueness on the part of Howl's back story. The connection between the worlds was never fully explored, and I felt it might have been given a clearer explanation, but it's a small detail in what is otherwise a compelling tale. Rife with interesting characters, lovely imagery and equal moments of humor and poignancy, Howl's Moving Castle certainly deserves its place among the classics of the fantasy genre.
I preface this review by stating this: you are never too old to go back and read the classics that you missed along your reading journey.
Howl's Moving Castle is considered by many to be a classic staple of fantasy; on that note, I would say it's a tragedy I hadn't read it before, but I'm honestly rather glad I read it when I did. I'm not sure that I could have appreciated the subtlety of Sophie's characterization as an adolescent. Her initial problems resonate strongly with concerns of those just entering adulthood -- facing a destiny that seems rather lackluster, doomed to life as "the eldest of three", as she puts it, essentially the character in the fairy tale destined for failure, or at the very least, an unexceptional life. Her pessimism, along with her quick-flaring temper, make Sophie believable. She is not the happy-go-lucky protagonist, determined that better things will come her way; she is resigned to her fate as a hat maker, and I think it makes her character all the better. Howl is not without his many flaws as well, but his charm is readily apparent, and it makes him an endearing character. The arguments between Howl and Sophie never ceased to amuse me.
Perhaps my only complaint was some vagueness on the part of Howl's back story. The connection between the worlds was never fully explored, and I felt it might have been given a clearer explanation, but it's a small detail in what is otherwise a compelling tale. Rife with interesting characters, lovely imagery and equal moments of humor and poignancy, Howl's Moving Castle certainly deserves its place among the classics of the fantasy genre.