Flying witch artwork by astromoali

And so we come to the last week of our read along with Wyrd and Wonder!

This year, Beth and Nils joined in with 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: This post is a book-club style discussion of the novel, rather than a review to tempt new readers in. We do discuss plot points, character motivations, and twists – if you have not read the book and do not want it spoiled, please do not read further!

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate.

But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady.

Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on.

Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

Week 2 – 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…

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?

Beth: Do you know what it reminded me of? Merlin and Madam Mim’s wizard’s duel in the Disney movie The Sword in the Stone. I felt like it was quite the bombardment on the senses, and perhaps not the easiest to follow, it was quite chaotic.

Nils: Definitely chaotic! But that’s a great comparison to Merlin in The Sword in the Stone. It felt very cinematic, like flashes of different montage scenes rather than an elaborately flowing battle, and yet I loved it! With us seeing the battle play out through Sophie’s eyes, probably the first heated duel between two mages she’s ever seen, there’s also a nervous energy to it, an atmosphere of wonder coupled with threat and doom. Jones writes this section well and it’s a chapter that I’m sure will remain memorable.

Beth: I loved the image of the townspeople all gathered in the harbour watching the battle though, the excitement and drama of it all. Like a fight breaking out on the school yard, only a lot more dangerous obviously…

What I did love was the way the curse was coming true! That’s a fun element to try to follow, although I didn’t fully understand the implications of it all. And still don’t, really. It’s a cool curse, but I’m not fully sure why the Witch needed to curse him to be able to catch him…

Nils: Yes I loved that too, although I’m not too shy to admit that I kept forgetting some elements of the curse! However I did remember the mermaids, and I was overjoyed when they showed up, even though it was only briefly. I also liked the shadowy monsters both Howl and the Witch turn into nearing the end of the battle, turning things just a shade darker.

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?

Beth: This is one of my favourite parts of the book. I love DWJ’s descriptions of the castle room settling itself into Sophie’s old home; I thought it was a great way of imagining how this magic castle can be different places at once. Because when you actually stop to try and consider it, it can do some weird things to your brain! I’m trying to recapture the first time I read this, but it’s too closely bound to my foreknowledge of the story from having watched the movie, but I think it was this point where I knew for sure Howl knew there was a spell on Sophie, and that he did in fact love her.

Nils: That’s a great point, Beth. I hadn’t considered that this was our first clue that Howl loved Sophie, but looking back on it that makes complete sense.

Beth: Everything about this move is his way of giving Sophie a gift; he’s given her a way of going home, but then the manor house kind of represents the kind of home he would set her up in if he could. And the flower garden! A beautiful demonstration of his magic which Sophie can appreciate for its usefulness.

Nils: I loved the visual aspect of this scene so much and the way it hit your senses. I could easily close my eyes and picture the vibrant blooming flowers in the garden and the beautiful bouquets throughout the shop, I could imagine the sweet fragrances and the odd pungent ones, I could feel Sophie’s overwhelming joy upon seeing it all. She knew she’d be far more satisfied selling flowers than making and selling hats and her own magic was better suited to it too. 

Beth: It was something similar enough so that she’d feel confident doing it, but new enough that she could make it her own and I loved how she took to it. You’re right, it’s such a big hit to the senses!

Nils: I just have to also say that the scene where they move Calcifer was a really tense one! Though when Calcifer is described as perching on the shovel that Howl is using to move him, with his little tiny fire-shaped hands holding on to the side trembling, I did have a little giggle and thought ‘awww how cute’, but I also nervously hope he wouldn’t snuff out. Yes I did in that moment get caught up and forget I’d seen the film!

Beth: Lol Nils! It was interesting seeing him so fragile and vulnerable in that moment.

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

Beth: I think it’s all to do with the fact that only part of the curse was by the Witch of the Wastes, and a lot of the curse had to do with Sophie herself.

Nils: Ohh Beth, I hadn’t considered that but it makes total sense. Sophie was always underestimating herself and doubting herself so perhaps part of lifting the curse was for her to see her true worth.

Beth: Exactly that Nils! I think only Sophie could cure herself, but if Howl told her he knew about it, she wouldn’t fight for herself. I don’t think there’s anything Howl could actually do for her anymore, except give her space to discover her own strengths, and recognise his love for her. True love conquers all!

Nils: The sweet taste of true love’s kiss! I thought at first maybe Howl just wanted to keep it a secret to maintain Sophie’s privacy as privacy seems to be a big deal to Howl, he hated anyone going in his room! Though, your point makes a lot of sense Beth. 

Beth: Oh I hadn’t even thought of that, but now you mention it that’s very true!

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

Beth: I was pretty suspicious of ‘Percival’ the first time round, that it was something far more complicated than a servant who had been turned into a dog. I thought it was sweet how he trailed Sophie around as a dog, and how Michael says he always wanted one. And again, I loved how angry Howl got with Sophie for not telling him, I thought that was a fantastic moment of real emotion from Howl. Sophie is far from perfect, I had to keep reminding myself that she is actually only 18, and a lot of her mistakes borne from ignorance were understandable. But this felt more wilful, despite the dog telling her not to tell Howl, she should have absolutely told him so that he could break the spell!

Nils: I was suspicious of Percival too, but more so because at that point in the story almost every character we come across is not as they seem, they were all becoming oddly magicked in some way and it felt like we hadn’t discovered their true identity yet. I was utterly confused why the dog-man knew Lettie. I was switching between Percival being Prince Justin and Wizard Suliman, and could never really decipher which one he was, which I guess in hindsight makes sense now!

Beth: Ha! It does! And that’s a really interesting point Nils, I think Michael is the only character who isn’t something other than he seems! 

Nils: Like Beth said though, Sophie did begin to become rather frustrating when it came to her interactions with Howl. Sophie was constantly at odds with Howl and a lot of the time it felt unwarranted. He is a wizard after all, if she had shown some trust and honesty he could have cleared up the spell upon Percival a lot sooner!

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

Beth: I couldn’t remember the exact details of who was who, but I remembered the dog was either the Prince or Wizard Suliman… and it was definitely something I suspected when I read it the first time. But trust DWJ to make it that little bit more complicated! Again, this was another thing I felt a little frustrated with Sophie for: they might have been able to solve a lot of problems a lot sooner if she’d stopped sending the scarecrow away! 

Nils I know you found what the Witch had done to the Prince and Wizard Suliman super macabre!

Nils: Although at first I completely understand why she sends the Scarecrow away, having one chasing your castle desperately trying to get inside is pretty terrifying! Though later on as she begins to learn more about magic, spells and curse, surely she could see that the Scarecrow was someone who needed their identity revealed!

Beth: Yes! She doesn’t stop to question it, does she?

Nils: But yes Beth, I know I’m skipping ahead a little here, but that scene where Sophie confronts the Witch in the Waste and the Witch reveals what she’s really done and what she’s planning to do was very macabre, for a kids book, but I know younger me would have loved it! Meshing together parts of Prince Justin, Wizard Suliman and Howl’s head would create the perfect figure for the Witch to use as the ruler of Ingary, and having the Witch in charge is a scary thought in itself. Though it also shows us just how far and how dark her plans go. Knowing the skull was Suleiman’s all along, desperately trying to find a way to talk and spill its secrets was pretty freaky! 

Beth: It was super dark, and like you, I’d have loved it when I was little.

“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?

Nils: I pretty much loved Howl from his very first scene and not for one second did I ever believe the rumours about him stealing young girls away and taking their souls. Maybe because I’d already watched the film, but I think it’s more because Howl seemed eccentric, chaotic and a touch flighty, but never evil. I think Sophie’s judgement of him was very off key throughout many chapters, she seemed able to easily see the good in others except Howl. 

Beth: Oh Nils that’s so true! She’s certainly a lot harder on him than other people. And I don’t think it’s at all fair of her; she makes these assumptions about him, and despite all evidence to the contrary, sticks to them.

Nils: I think if she had given him a chance a lot sooner, she’d have seen that although he tried to avoid certain things, Howl had been honest all along but his plans to conquer the Witch, find Prince Justin and Wizard Sulliman were obscure. 

Beth: I did at first think he was vain and obsessed with women, but you’re right, it is eventually clear that what appears to be his cowardice is actually a careful dance around the Witch, not to get noticed. Seeing as he’s the last element she needs, he’s right to be cautious. By the end of the book, I was also wondering if all his romancing was because he was scared he couldn’t fall in love, because Calcifer had his heart?

Nils: You might just be right there.

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?

Beth: I think Sophie is quite easily swayed by other people, isn’t she? I don’t think Martha was entirely wrong about Fanny, but she certainly wasn’t entirely correct either and it’s a shame Sophie didn’t trust her own instincts enough. Which, actually, is an issue with Sophie throughout the whole story…

Nils: Thoroughly agree Beth, Sophie is very much influenced by other people’s perceptions. The idea that Fanny was exploiting her could easily have been cleared up if she’d actually talked it through with her. Her step-mother wasn’t particularly cruel to her, nor was she showing signs of malicious intent, she was a woman trying to keep her family from poverty and I don’t think Sophie appreciated that enough. I do think Fanny was using Sophie perhaps a little too often, so she is not entirely faultless, but I feel Sophie had a tendency to also “slither out” of confronting honest conversations and finds it easier to just believe others. What do you think Beth? 

Beth: You’re right Nils, she was always too afraid to confront the truth of anything. I did also wonder if the reason why Fanny was able to recognise her was because maybe the spell was wearing off a little by then? When the spell does wear off, we only know because Howl comments on the colour of Sophie’s hair, so we don’t actually know by the time Fanny sees her, how old she still looks or acts?

Nils: Yeah we don’t get a lot of descriptions about Sophie’s appearance, so that’s kind of left to us to decide. 

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?

Nils: Jones included some great twists and nope I didn’t see either of them coming! Although Beth, you reminded me it’s in the film, so I should have remembered that!! Oh the Miss Angorian twist was the biggest one for me, I was expecting a revelation when it came to Calcifer, but Miss Angorian being the Witch’s fallen star was a real shocker! How cool was that scene though Beth? When they’re trying to capture Miss Angorian?! 

Beth: Miss Angorian was such a good twist, that I fell for it twice! I didn’t see it coming the first time around, I genuinely thought she was Suliman’s fiance, and I thought it again this time! 

The confrontation in the Witch’s weird castle of clay and porcelain was fantastic, and so imaginative. She was really quite sinister, wasn’t she, and she’d completely taken control of the witch by then!

Nils: Bingo, we found an author who can actually fool you!! 

Beth: I’m really not enjoying this reputation lol!!

“Howl showed kindness rather strangely”

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

Nils: Finally! The penny drops! That was literally my reaction! In all seriousness though, I was relieved, I was desperately waiting for Sophie to soften towards Howl, to see him as I saw him and to become friends, which they both very much needed. 

Beth: Ugh, yes! 

Nils: I felt sorry for Sophie’s loneliness, for her lack of seeing how wonderful she is and can be, and I knew if she’d just trust in Howl they’d make great friends and with Michael and Calcifer, a great found family. You know I love that trope, Beth! 

Beth: I was actually getting so damned annoyed with her Nils! It was taking her forever to see the wider picture!

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?

Nils: I do feel that Sophie often made rash decisions, like you said previously Beth, she doesn’t trust her own instincts. Therefore her decisions are reactionary, she doesn’t take the time to look at situations and see them in different ways with different perspectives. That’s not a bad thing, we all do that, but in certain circumstances Sophie’s life would have been easier if she’d just stopped seeing herself as insignificant and started to trust her own judgement.

Beth: And that’s exactly the curse she was under, all along.

Nils: Absolutely. As for being “too nice”, again that’s not a bad thing, I’d take being too nice over being too angry or harsh, but it can lead you to being used, being taken advantage of, as Fanny did to her in the shop. I think Sophie needed to just become more assertive but not lose her kindness. Balance is the key! 

Beth: I thought it was a strange thing to say of her, because I’m not sure she was too nice. I think she lacked the courage to speak up for herself, and I think she struggled with confrontation to the point she’d let others have their way at the expense of what she actually wanted to do. But I think if she was nicer, she wouldn’t have been so judgemental towards Howl, or jealous. 

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?

Nils: I’m all in favour of cosy reads at the moment and that ending with all the pairings was so wholesome it made me smile.

Beth: It was wholesome!

Nils: I was pleased that Michael finally got to be with Martha, who he’d been utterly besotted with and that Martha got her wish of marrying a man she loved. Lettie also had her wish fulfilled as she had always wanted to learn all she could of magic, so that was nice.

Beth: It’s like everyone had their own place at last, and everyone could be who they wanted to be, and not what their apparent roles dictated they should.

Nils: That’s true. Although Howl and Sophie’s pairing felt a little abrupt to me, a little too convenient? I was hoping their relationship would grow into a romantic one, but I didn’t expect them to be in love instantly, even though Howl dropped subtle hints of his affection for her. However, I guess Jones didn’t want Sophie to be without her own share of love and happiness at the end, and I can’t really criticise that, Sophie deserved Howl’s love. 

Beth: Oh I’m quite surprised you thought that, because I saw it as an inevitability! It seemed clear to me for a long time that Sophie was in love with Howl but wasn’t aware; her jealousies, and then how upset she was when she suspected he might like her but thought it was just the suit. Likewise for Howl, I think he starts falling for her quite early on and that’s why he puts up with all her eccentricities and cleaning and bossing. She’s resistant to his charms, and that in turn charms him.

Nils: I think it was in the way Sophie treated Howl for the majority of the book that made me a little surprised by how in love she was at the end. Im very glad she was though! 

Finally, what were your overall thoughts?

Nils: Howl’s Moving Castle is enchanting in every way. The quirky characters, the bantery humour and the many twists along the way kept me excited throughout, always eager to discover everyone’s true identity. Jones doesn’t incorporate a magic system as such, but the magic used has its rules and limitations nonetheless, and it bleeds into every aspect of the world of Ingary, it creates some visually wonderful and thrilling scenes, and most of all the magic is fun to see unfurl. 

Beth: This is the kind of magic I like best, the kind that is just there. I think it’s something of an old fashioned notion of magic, like in Narnia, or Wonderland.

Nils: Jones also incorporates themes of loneliness, family bonds and wrongful perceptions, which add a layer of depth. This isn’t a book that talks down to children, it’s a book they can enjoy and perhaps even learn from. 

Beth: Which is why I think adults can enjoy it so much too. And I don’t think she purposefully wrote it so that adults and children could enjoy it, I just don’t think she cared about this notion of writing something in particular way so that it’s “aimed at” a particular group of people. Instead, she just had a story to tell. It’s a messy and sometimes confusing story, with things vaguely gestured at rather than outrightly said; but for me, that’s the charm of it. 

We hope you enjoyed our read along discussions!

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