20211229 - Review: Howl's Moving Castle

Her words bring to life\ the ability to change,\ the magick of speech.

#HAIKUPRAJNA - Review: Howl's Moving Castle

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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4294872408

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    "It was, she thought dizzily, as if the man sitting there and the huge, important thing which was kingship were two separate things that just happened to occupy the same chair."

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a novel about Sophie Hatter, the eldest daughter of three at eighteen years old, who is transformed into an older lady by the evil Witch of the Waste. The subsequent adventures led her to forming a contract with the fire demon Calcifer, who controls the eponymous castle, which pushes her into the life of Wizard Howl, all the while showing the power of thought and speech through the deceiving appearances of magic.

    " “What does Howl do to these poor females? I was told he ate their hearts and took their souls away.” Michael laughed uncomfortably. “Then you must come from Market Chipping. Howl sent me down there to blacken his name when we first set up the castle. I—er—I said that sort of thing. It’s what aunts usually say. It’s only true in a manner of speaking.” "

The world which Ingary inhabits is rooted in fantasy, but it incorporates elements of magical realism with roots in metaphysics, logic and morality, using real-world locations and occult concepts such as demonology, chaos, alchemy and ceremonial magick; in effect, the cast's need to keep track of multiple settings in the wizard's castle, their climatic battles and circular studying of spell castings to root out traps are well grounded in relatability. 

    " “Not the servitor,” said Mrs. Pentstemmon. “I do not think he is clever enough to cause me concern. I am talking about Howell, Mrs. Pendragon.” " 

While Howl casts spells and makes demands, Sophie realizes that what she says has the power to create change through charming hats for their owners and bringing objects to life by talking to them. The loveable cast of characters were made to be animated in film, as all of the charm was preserved in its Studio Ghibli adaptation, and watching was just as good of an experience as reading. (Shoutout to April @electricarmchair who loves the Ghibli films)

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Thank you for reading.

Until next time,

Allen W. McLean

...Updated 221002...

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