In The Strand’s inaugural Flashback column, I’m pleased to present two stories of fantasy and self-discovery, of femininity and memory. These are ways of bringing magic into reality. If you’d like to write about an artwork that’s at least ten years old for a future Flashback column, send an email to [email protected]
The Magic of the Moving Castle
By: Marjan Dian
In a land where fairytale tropes are the norm, a cursed young woman sets out on an adventure with a dramatic, mysterious wizard, his apprentice, and a wise-cracking fire demon. Sound familiar? Published in 1986, Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones was the inspiration behind Studio Ghibli’s wildly popular film of the same name. To any die-hard fan of the film I say—you have to read the book. Though it bears some resemblance to Miyazaki’s film, Wynne Jones’ novel is without war and breathes more character into the memorable cast.
The plot centres around Sophie, the eldest of three sisters, and thus, the sibling who is fated to a dull life. However, after the Witch of the Waste curses her to live as an old woman, Sophie stumbles upon Wizard Jenkins’ infamous Moving Castle and makes an interesting wager with the fire demon who inhabits it; a wager that could alter both of their lives and spin Sophie’s tale into anything but dull. Without spoiling the novel, I can say that watching Sophie learn to love and believe in herself, despite everything in her life saying otherwise, was a message I desperately needed when I first read the book. This message remains the biggest reason why the book has found a permanent place in my heart. If you find yourself enjoying this novel as much as I did, there’s more good news: Wynne Jones continues the magic in two sequels entitled Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways.
The Prince & Me & University
By: Nikki Frazer
Fairytales present a straightforward contract: choose love, and receive happiness. But real life seems to be different. I have never felt the loneliness of a princess without a prince, because I have my life goals. And yet, I still fall under the spell fairy-tales cast on romantic souls. I know that I’m not alone in this confusion. Which is to say, there’s a different kind of fairytale movie: The Prince & Me, released in 2004, shows that you can have an uncompromising goal and still meet your prince.
The movie opens, not with a sad princess, but with a happy, busy medical student named Paige. She is finishing up an internship, preparing for school and attending a friend’s wedding. Of course, Paige’s life is paralleled with the reckless Crown Prince Edvard of Denmark (or as I have nicknamed him, Hamlet). But, to me, this movie is about Paige. Meeting her prince is not her whole story—it’s not even the climax. Love is only another chapter in her story. UofT is actually host to many of the scenes, including the famous library flirtation between Paige and Hamlet which was filmed at our very own E.J. Pratt Library. I’m guessing the chairs are still the same. I hope, in sharing this, to provide relief to those who are as worried about missing their royal adventure as I was. Don’t ever be afraid to be intimidating, motivated, or focused. The right prince or princess will love you for it.
