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Howl's Moving Castle
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Read Howl's Moving Castle
Howl/Castle: Book 1

Howl's Moving Castle (1986) (edit title/settings)

by Diana Wynne Jones (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter. After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing... read more

Summary edit see section history

When Sophie is turned into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste, she strikes a deal with a demon to break her curse in exchange for her to break the demon's contract with a wizard. Now Sophie goes on an amazing adventure to avenge herself and lift the curse.

People edit see section history

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Besides, it's raining out there in Market Chipping!”
    Calcifer
  • “I hope your bacon burns.”
    Calcifer
  • “All my flanks were weak, Sophie.”
    Howl
  • “We can't all be Mad Hatters”
    Howl
  • “I think we ought to live happily ever after.”
    Sophie
  • “I'm dying of boredom. Or maybe just dying.”
    Howl
  • “That's why I love spiders. 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.”
    Howl
  • “She said 'Over my dead body!' so I took her at her word.”
    Witch of the Waste
  • “I'm done running away. Finally, I've found something worth protecting with my life. It's you.”
    Howl
  • “Seems like your true love has fallen in love with someone else!”
    Witch of the Waste
  • “Yes, you are nosy. You're a dreadfully nosy, horribly bossy, appallingly clean old woman. Control yourself. You're victimizing us all.”
    Howl
  • “I am cold stone stober”
    Howl
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • Howl said, 'I think we ought to live happily ever after,' and she thought he meant it.
    Highlighted by 10 Kindle customers
  • Sophie's experience told her that tantrums are seldom about the thing they appear to be about.
    Highlighted by 7 Kindle customers
  • 'Go to bed, you fool,' Calcifer said sleepily. 'You're drunk.' 'Who, me?' said Howl. 'I assure you, my friends, that I am cone sold stober.'
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • 'Not likely!' Howl yelled. 'I'm a coward. Only way I can do something this frightening is to tell myself I'm not doing it!'
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • 'It should be hair-raising,' added Howl. 'And you'll exploit me,' Sophie said. 'And then you'll cut up all my suits to teach me,' said Howl.
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • She watched Howl being restlessly busy in order to hide his discontent. That was something Sophie understood rather well.
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • It had to be Howl's heart she was holding. He had given it away to Calcifer as part of his contract, to keep Calcifer alive. He must have been very sorry for Calcifer, but, all the same, what a silly thing to do!
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • 'If he is, you'll never pin him down,' Michael answered. 'He hates being pinned down to anything.'
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • But Sophie and Howl were holding one another's hands and smiling and smiling, quite unable to stop.
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • She had a silly impulse to add, but she was alive an hour ago! And she stopped herself, because death is like that: people are alive until they die.
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
Show all 22 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

This book has quite a few settings, and therefore may be more complicated for younger readers.
  • Ingary: The country in which the story takes place.
  • Wales: Howl's true home, where his family lives.
  • The Moving Castle: Where Howl, Michael, Sophie and Calcifer all live.
  • The Waste: Home of the Witch of the Waste.

First Sentence edit see section history

In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1: In which Sophie talks to hats
2: In which Sophie is compelled to seek her fortune
3: In which Sophie enters into a castle and a bargain
4: In which Sophie discovers several strange things
5: Which is far too full of washing
6: In which Howl expresses his feelings with green slime
7: In which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
8: In which Sophie leaves the castle in several directions at once
9: In which Michael has trouble with a spell
10: In which Calcifer promises Sophie a hint
11: In which Howl goes to a strange country in search of a spell
12: In which Sophie becomes Howl's old mother
13: In which Sophie blackens Howl's name
14: In which a Royal Wizard catches a cold
15: In which Howl goes to a funeral in disguise
16: In which there is a great deal of witchcraft
17: In which the moving castle moves house
18: In which the scarecrow and Miss Angorian reappear
19: In which Sophie expresses her feelings with weed-killer
20: In which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
21: In which a contract is concluded before witnesses

Glossary edit see section history

  • Ingary: the land in which this book takes place

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 3 in Howl/Castle. (standard series)

Followed by Castle in the Air.

Preceded by Ballet Shoes, and followed by Just So Stories.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Diana Wynne Jones (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: 0688062334
Page Count: 224

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Has no objectionable content but the plot may be difficult for younger readers to follow.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Castle in the Air
  • House of Many Ways
  • Fire and Hemlock
  • The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume I
  • The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume II
  • Charmed Life

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • House of Many Ways
  • Castle in the Air

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history

   
  • House of Many Ways
  • Castle in the Air

Books Influenced by This Book edit see section history

   
  • House of Many Ways
  • Castle in the Air

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