Flying witch artwork by astromoali

Welcome to Week 2 of Wyrd & Wonder’s readalong!

This year, Beth and Nils will be joining in Lisa’s (Dear Geek Place) read along of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.

We’ll be sticking to the following reaching schedule, and posting a weekly discussion of that week’s chapters. Lisa will be doing the same on her blog, and everyone is welcome to join in! If you don’t have a blog, feel free to join in the conversation on Twitter or Discord.

• Week 1: Chapters 1 through 7 (hosted by Lisa)
• Week 2: Chapters 8 through 14 (hosted by the Fantasy Hive)
• Week 3: Chapters 15 through End (hosted by the Fantasy Hive)

SPOILERS AHEAD

Week 3 Questions

Chapters 15 through End

And so we reach the final chapters of our read-along! Hands up who’s still muddled by the ending? Let’s see if we can’t untangle it… As with last week, feel free to pick and choose which questions to answer if you don’t want to tackle them all!

1. Let’s start with the epic magic battle we’re treated to in ch16! What did you make of it? Was all the magic easy to visualise?

2. Following the battle, it’s decided they must move Calcifer, and so Howl purchases the hat shop. This is one of the few moments in the book where we witness Howl actually perform a magic spell. What did you think of the move and the resulting flower shop?

3. It’s revealed that Howl knew Sophie was under a spell for a long time! Why do you think he kept it a secret?

4. Let’s explore some of the revelations from these final chapters! Firstly, what were your first impressions of Percival, previously the dog-man?

5. And let’s address the scarecrow and the fact that Howl had Wizard Suliman’s skull sat on his counter this entire time!

6. “Or had Howl slithered out so hard that he has come out right behind himself and turned out what most people would call honest?”

Is this a particularly fair comment from Sophie? How has your perception of Howl changed over the book, if at all?

7. Speaking of perceptions, how do you think Fanny was able to recognise Sophie so easily? Do you feel Sophie’s original perception of Fanny was wrong?

8. Say one thing for DWJ, she loves a good twist. Did you guess Calcifer was actually a fallen star? How about that Miss Angorian was one too? Which was the biggest twist for you?

9. “Howl showed kindness rather strangely”

What do we think of Sophie finally realising that Howl is not as bad as she once perceived?

10. When Sophie tells Howl that she is a failure because she’s the eldest, Howl responds, “Garbage… you just never stop to think” and that she’s “too nice”.

Would you say this is a fair criticism of Sophie?

11. The last few pages are something of a chaotic climax, but how did you feel about the various pairings by the end: Sophie and Howl, Michael and his Lettie (Martha), and Lettie (the real one) achieving her apprentice with Wizard Suliman?

12. Finally, what were your overall thoughts?

We look forward to reading your responses and joining in the discussion! Check back at the end of the week for our answer!