Fantasy · Children's
Howl's Moving Castle
A shy hat-maker named Sophie is cursed by a witch into the body of an old woman. She takes refuge as housekeeper in the walking castle of the vain wizard Howl, whose household turns out to be full of secrets.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1986
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 429
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in Howl's Moving Castle
Read this if you want a cheerful, witty fantasy with a cranky wizard, a capable heroine and a very odd house.
Skip this if you want a close match to the film, as the novel's plot and tone differ from it in many ways.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Howl's Moving Castle
- What is Howl's Moving Castle about?
- A shy hat-maker named Sophie is cursed by a witch into the body of an old woman. She takes refuge as housekeeper in the walking castle of the vain wizard Howl, whose household turns out to be full of secrets.
- Who should read Howl's Moving Castle?
- Read it if you want a cheerful, witty fantasy with a cranky wizard, a capable heroine and a very odd house. Skip it if you want a close match to the film, as the novel's plot and tone differ from it in many ways.
- How long and how fast is Howl's Moving Castle?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 429 pages, first published in 1986.
- Does Howl's Moving Castle have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow Howl's Moving Castle for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Howl's Moving Castle; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Howl's Moving Castle?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Uprooted, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Ella Enchanted.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Howl's Moving Castle
-
Uprooted A grown-up, more serious fairy-tale fantasy with a similar mix of a prickly wizard and a determined young woman.
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The House in the Cerulean Sea Another warm story about a quirky household, found family and a reluctant outsider.
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Ella Enchanted
Another light, funny fairy-tale retelling with a spirited heroine struggling against a curse.
Fantasy
