House of Many Ways

The last book in the Howl Series, House of Many Ways was written almost two decades after Castle in the Air and more than two decades after Howl's Moving Castle so that there could be another adventure for Sophie and Howl in future, if we're lucky. Without a doubt I find this to be my favourite out of the three, solidifying Diana Wynne Jones as one of my favourite authors. If you yourself are a bookworm then you will find this book catered to you, I know I did. Along with Sophie and Howl there are many new characters, including Charmain our naive, bookworm protagonist, who add to the growing list of loveable characters in the series.

We find ourselves in yet another kingdom, High Norland, home to the elderly Princess Hilda that you may recall from Castle in the Air. This time our protagonist is a young girl by the name of Charmain who has been brought up to be "respectable" by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Baker. Now I say "respectable" because as the novel moves along you discover just how naive and unskilled she is. I find this to be a reflection on overprotective parenting, if you don't let your child do anything how are they ever going to be able to fend for themselves in the world? For example, knowing how to simply prepare yourself a sandwich is a skill that Charmain lacks and considering her parents are in the food industry I would have thought they would have taught her something regarding food.

More often than not you will find Charmain's head stuck in a book, which is what made me fall in love with her character. Even when she is pulled away from her family to look after her Great Uncle William's house while he is away she is still immersed in reading. Although the books that Great Uncle William has are of a magical sort and bring about some adventure for her. Mix that up with the fact that turning left instead of right when exiting a room can lead you to places unknown with his house and Charmain is experiencing more adventure than she has ever in her life. Of course taking care of his house does entail cleaning and washing, all of which Charmain knows nothing about and it is very interesting to watch as she struggles her way through. Fortunately there are some helpers she encounters along the way.

Now you're probably wondering, where do Howl and Sophie fit into the story? Well, Charmain loves books, so what better thing to do than send off a letter to the King inquiring whether he and his daughter need help in the Royal Library? At the palace much mischief comes about and we not only encounter Sophie and Howl but Jamal and his dog are now in the kitchen there. With lost gold, lubbocks, and a kingdom in danger this story is sure to keep you reading.
Diana Wynne Jones