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I Capture the Castle
I Capture the Castle
Author: Dodie Smith
I Capture the Castle tells the story of seventeen-year-old Cassandra and her family, who live in not-so-genteel poverty in a ramshackle old English castle. Here she strives, over six turbulent months, to hone her writing skills. She fills three notebooks with sharply funny yet poignant entries. Her journals candidly chronicle th...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780312316167
ISBN-10: 031231616X
Publication Date: 4/1/2003
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 68

3.7 stars, based on 68 ratings
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 164 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
Overall, lovely!

The back-of-the-book-blurb above leaves out a lot! Cassie's family is very bohemian, and in spite of what living in a castle might leave you to believe, the setting is the 1930's. I'm amazed that's when it was actually written -- it seems more like something written today set in that period. It's pretty wild to think that the author of "101 Dalmations" wrote a novel in the 1940's where the step-mother (an artists' model, when she's working) likes to commune with nature by walking naked through the countryside! She gets seen, too!

This was really an enchanting read. The writing is beautiful, and while there are a few slow spots, I found myself putting other things aside to leap back into this book whenever I could. I can see why people connect Jane Austen to this book -- the main characters are even Austen fans! -- but I liked this much better. I would have preferred a little more specific information at the end, but that may just be my desire to have every little detail spelled out for me.

Anyway, highly recommended! I can see why the literary reviewers are calling this one a modern classic, and for once it's even a classic I like!
reviewed I Capture the Castle on
Helpful Score: 7
I loved, loved, loved this novel. It is written from the point of view of a teenager, but contrary to my fears, I found Cassandra's concerns, excitements, and anxieties to be endearing and realistic. In fact, I believe she will become one of my favorite characters--rather reminds me of Elizabeth Bennet. In fact, comparing this novel to Jane Austen is not far off the mark--with an honest, sparky heroine surrounded by wealthy bachelors, quirky family characters, and a plot filled with will-he-or-won't-he social situations. Do not let the 1948 pub date put you off, Cassandra is a very modern and honest narrator.
Suzanne-Michele avatar reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Charming. This would make an excellent youth/young adult book for a teenage girl looking for romance, a budding aglophile, or anyone who can appreciate a sweet coming of age story.

No graphic sex, only a couple kisses with stars in their eyes. refreshing!
reviewed I Capture the Castle on
Helpful Score: 5
I thoroughly enjoyed this timeless love story. I was so impressed by the writers skillful ability to describe the scene and feelings of the main character/narrator. I thought the book was a delightful read and I thought the plot was interesting as well as realistic. A true love story!
smokeythecat avatar reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a wonderful story....very unique and makes you wish she had written dozens of books. It's a gem. It's the kind of book to read when you want to escape everything and pretend again. It's a young adult book which I originally purchased from my teenage daughter's school book order. I wish I had discovered it when in my teens, but I'm so happy I found it!! One of a kind!
Read All 31 Book Reviews of "I Capture the Castle"

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reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 8 more book reviews
This book is a fascinating look into happenings in a small English countryside village in the 1930s or 40s. The 17 year old narrator lives in not-so-genteel poverty in an old castle. This book is narrated by her as she writes a journal in order to learn how to be a writer. Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowlings, said "This book has one of the most carismatic narrators I've ever met," and I whole-heartedly agree! You will be charmed.
reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 224 more book reviews
I thought this was a charming book. It was well-written, imaginative, and fun to read.
reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 15 more book reviews
excellent story about young love
reviewed I Capture the Castle on
The descriptions of the landscapes are beautiful, and the main character is plucky and enduring. As a growing-up novel, it's interesting to watch the progress of the main character throughout the novel; if you're looking for a riveting plot, however, you'll find it a little lacking.
Kmarie avatar reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 529 more book reviews
Wonderful book set in ENgland, in an old, crumbling cottage. Good story about a teenage girl coming of age.
sophiesperspective avatar reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 141 more book reviews
Interesting in the telling, but lacks moral compass

I read this book because I loved Dodie's 101 Dalmatians. I almost didn't read it because the cover noted that the movie based off the book is the "most romantic" one of the year...and Im not really into romance books or movies. Inatead of acquiring it, like I was contemplating, I decided to compromise and check it from the library first.

A good decision.

First - what I liked: Dodie writes in a very engaging way and kept me interested in the story. I lived the descriptions of surroundings and the attempt to "capture" people. The first third of the book was the best.

What I didn't like: so many wrong/misdirected/immoral (or as the character puts it "wicked") choices made! Not only is nobody "falling in love" with the right people, but everyone seems further to make romantic encounters with people they do NOT love - in part because of (real or imagined) spurred love. Basically, its a soap opera in book form.

While there are astute observations about romantic conundrums and situations, there lacks a moral compass to chide, convict, and guide that was most disappointing.

And the ending - what a letdown! Im not sure how some have said its uplifting, I found it depressing, though it showed a kind of fortitude.

The telling of the story deserves 5 stars, the content (particularly as it pertains morally/guiding the youth in their choices) deserves 1 star. The remaining content deserves 3 stars for a book average of 2.5 stars. For all of its interest in conveying the story, I cannot recommend it because of the moral failings and how they are presented. Quite disappointing.
donnamig avatar reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 16 more book reviews
A splendidly whimsical coming-of-age story that was, unfortunately, very poorly adapted for the movie. Cassandra, a budding writer, vows to "capture" her eccentric family in her journal. Instead, she ends up writing both romance and a mystery. By turns wildly funny and deeply sad, I recommend this book particularly for women 13 and up.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed I Capture the Castle on + 1435 more book reviews
The lives of two sisters, living with their eccentric family in a tumbledown castle in 1930s England, are turned inside-out with the arrival of their new landlords -- two extremely eligible young Americans.


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