I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Jul 10, 2008 at 8:53 PM
15 comments

I fell in love with this book after reading the first sentence. It is:

"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."

The (very high profile) quote on the cover ("This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met.") by J. K. Rowling is spot on.

The novel is written entirely in wonderful first person narrative. The narrator is a 17 year old girl named Cassandra Mortmain, who tells us about a year in her life and the life of her family in the old castle they call home. She tells us her story in the form of journal entries, filling up three journals by the end.

I know it's cliche, but I literally could not put this book down. I even took it with me to the fireworks on the fourth of july, with a book light. I had to sleep with it by my pillow at night.

This is now one of my very favorite books of all time. I fell in love with the writing style and how perfect her descriptions of her emotions are.

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[this is good]

I loved Dodie Smith's books when I was a kid (101 Dalmations, The Twilight Barking, Midnight Kittens etc) but had never heard of this book until a few years ago. I had a similar response as you to it. there was actually a film made of the book (I think this is how I first haerd of the book) but I never got to see it. Would still like to.

Oh, I'll definitely put this on my "plan to read" list.

I've heard such good things about this book. I'm looking forward to reading it.

[this is good]

I read this book at the beginning of last year and as you said it has a habit of making you fall in love with it! I loved the naivete and innocence of Cassandra and Rose's need to think that she's right when all along she has no idea what the hell she is doing. I especially love the Cotton boys. And I felt that Smith's writing had the same lyrical almost fluid-like writing that Rowling does! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this BOOK!

[this is good]

I haven't read the book, but my Mum and I just love the movie. I'll have to get a copy of it and give it a go!

I really liked this book, too! I should pick it up again for a refresher. :)

I'm so excited to hear that like you so many other people have read and love this book. This book has been a favourite of mine too for a long time. I just wish that Dodie Smith had written more books than she did. When I first read this book I was around Cassandra's and despite the different time periods that we both live in, I could definitely relate to and identity with her. Whenever I read this book I always seem to be able to derive my own personal inner strength from Cassandra's. I think that Cassandra's a positive role model, particularly for young girls. It's true that she isn't perfect, indeed she has many imperfections. But I think it's important that despite her imperfections, many of which she herself is aware of, she still feels that she deserves love. At it's heart this story is for me a story of acceptance. I agree, the first sentence is wonderful, but the last three sentences are my favourite; they stand out amongst all of the other sentences in this book- I love. I have loved. I will love. What a charming way for Dodie Smith to end her book! By the way, those Cotton brothers make me swoon, especially Simeon whose so very English. Lol I think the movie's almost as wonderful as the book.

Sorry, I didn't intend to write such a long post!

Emily replied to Emu with a Clue’s comment:
Jul 15, 2008
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I definitely want to watch the movie now that I've read the book. It's out of print (? not sure if this is the correct term for a DVD, but it's unavailable new) in the US right now. I just ordered it used on Amazon though. I hope it's good!

I agree with all that you said, especially about the Cotton boys. :)

What a wonderful, wonderful book.

I agree - Cassandra is a wonderful role model. I'm glad to hear you loved the movie too. I just ordered it from Amazon.

You know what is strange? The three lines that you quoted are not the same last three lines in my book!! The last three lines in my copy are "I love you. I love you. I love you."

I like the last three in yours MUCH better. I wonder why they are different!?!

Emily replied to Bookishly Fabulous’ comment:
Jul 15, 2008
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Wonderful! So cool that so many people (me included) are discovering this book, so long after it was written.

I hope you enjoy it just as much! :)

I'm so excited to watch the movie. I just ordered it used on Amazon. I've heard really good things about the movie too.

I know - I'm already thinking about when I'd like to re-read it, since the writing is so wonderful that I want to read it a second time through to pay more attention to the language now that I know what happens.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

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