By Laura LaVelle, Wonder Shuffle's Culture Editor:

Howl's Moving Castle

Stories are important-they're how we make sense of the world.

They're a way to create empathy, to understand someone else, even someone far away in space or time. But stories have their limitations. One of the themes of Howl's Moving Castle is the importance of finding your own way--of not letting other people's stories control you.

All that being said, this is a great story! The author's note credits a boy during a school visit who suggested that Diana Wynne Jones write a book called "The Moving Castle." She remembered the suggestion and took it to heart, but unfortunately, lost the boy's name. I hope that whoever that boy was, he eventually did learn that his idea was developed into a marvelous book.

The Wizard Howl (and his ever-moving castle) are fabulous creations, as are Calcifer (a fire demon), and Sophie, our heroine.

Sophie's initially the victim of family expectations (as the eldest of three daughters, she was destined to stay home or fail miserably, and was resigned to a dull life in a hat shop) and then the victim of a magical spell cast by the Witch of the Waste, who transformed her into an old lady. Fortunately, Sophie turned out to be made of stronger stuff than anyone thought.

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is its depiction of flawed but extremely likable characters, as well as imperfect but caring families. It's in many ways a comforting and familar story, full of of fairy tale tropes, but it also has a startingly original plot, with complex personalities of surprising depth.

If you, like me, would like more of these engaging characters, they make appearances in two other books, Castle in the Air, and House of Many Ways. They aren't as good as the first of the trilogy, but I enjoyed seeing some old friends again.

There's also a lovely animated adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki. It starts with the same initial premise but goes in a different direction (and greatly simplifies the plot). It's quite worth watching, nevertheless, full of unexpected visual touches.

But do read the book--I think it's a delightful story for just about anyone over the age of ten.

NOVEL: Howl's Moving Castle

AUTHOR: Diana Wynne Jones

YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 1986

IMAGE: book cover, HarperCollins Publishers