Howl's Moving Castle
Published in 1986, Howl's Moving Castle is a gaslamp fantasy and witch fiction novel by Diana Wynne Jones. Much of the action takes place in whales and porthaven. It features Howl Jenkins, Sophie Hatter and Michal. It deals with blessing and cursing, castles, witches and wizards.
Open Library readers give it an average of 4.4 out of 5 from 109 ratings, and 1,087 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 37 editions across 8 languages.
It runs to roughly 304 pages — 5–6 hours of reading at an average pace.
About Howl's Moving Castle
As the oldest daughter, willful, outspoken Sophie knew that her life could lead to nothing but mistakes. When her father dies, her stepmother sends her two sisters out to make their fortunes while Sophie continues to work in the family hattery. As she whispers her thoughts to the hats she trims, the shop begins to grow in popularity, until she offends the Wicked Witch of the Waste. The witch casts a spell turning Sophie into an old woman. Sophie leaves the shop and happens upon the castle of the Wizard Howl. He has a reputation for finding young women and eating their hearts but that doesn't stop Sophie from moving in and turning the lives of the whole castle, including Howl's apprentice and his fire demon, upside down in a battle against the wicked witch and for Sophie's future.
Quick answers
Who wrote Howl's Moving Castle?
Howl's Moving Castle was written by Diana Wynne Jones and first published in 1986.
What genre is Howl's Moving Castle?
It is usually shelved as Gaslamp & Victorian Fantasy, Witch Fiction, Victorian-Era Fiction and Magicians & Illusionists.
How long is Howl's Moving Castle?
The median edition has 304 pages, about 5–6 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.
What books are similar to Howl's Moving Castle?
Readers who like it often enjoy Splendors and Glooms, The Dancing Floor and The Somnambulist.
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