A Better Book Club Questions-March 2023 Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones General Discussion Questions 1. The author, Diana Wynne Jones had written 30 fantasy books, many of them award-winning, prior to writing Howl's Moving Castle. Jones said the idea for the book came directly from a young child in a school she was visiting who asked her to write a story about a moving castle. What is it about this particular story that even today, continues to resonate with the public, inspiring a much-revered animation film and companion soundtrack? As an adult, did the story hold any magic for you? 2. The characters are related in many ways to each other. Which relationships are key to the book, in your opinion. 3. Why do you think the Witch of Waste chose to curse Sophie with old age instead of turning her into a turnip? 4. How does the fact of being prematurely aged affect Sophie and her perception of herself? Does the experience influence her understanding of the