I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of I Capture the Castle
Book Review: A Haunting Narrative
Summary: 5 Stars
I was suprised by Cassandra's maturity and by her keen insights of the people around her. Cassandra is undoubtedly a character that belongs in the same category as Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Bennet: all three women are strong and not easily "broken" by money, men, or influence. Cassandra is intelligent but not pompous, reserved but unafraid to be blunt and direct. She has a sense of duty to her father and to her sister which I very much admire.
This would make a great gift for a girl who is around 16/17. It's a very, very good book.
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Book Review: A Magical Coming of Age Story
Summary: 5 Stars
I Capture the Castle is a wonderful coming of age story! It is the story of the Mortmain family, as seen through the eyes of 17 year old Cassandra, as she chronicles her and her family's life in a series of journals. The family is one step from poverty, living in a falling down castle, when Neil and Simon Scoatney arrive from America. The Scoatney's live in the manor down the road, and actually own the castle Cassandra's family is leasing. Once they arrive, things begin to change for the Mortmains. Rose, Cassandra's sister, is determined to marry one of the brothers, hopefully to lift her family out of poverty. The Father of the family, once a brilliant writer, is reclusive and non-communicative, until Mrs. Scoatney gets a hold of him! Topaz, the girls' step-mother, is beautiful in an unconventional way, plays the lute, and communes with nature in the buff. As Cassandra chronicles the goings-on of life in the castle, she tries to "capture" her life and her family on paper, in hopes of understanding who she is and what it means to be a part of her family. The author's rich descriptions of the castle and the surrounding countryside are so vivid and lush, I felt as if I was there, in the story, with Cassandra.Book Review: A beautiful book that sums up my country's history!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful book, perfect for 12 ups! It tells the tale of Cassandra Mortmain, and her eccentric family who live in a beautiful ancient English castle with their long-dead servant's son, who falls in love with Cassandra. Unfortunately the handsome, rich, American Cotton brothers turn up, whose family owns the castle, and plans go under way to marry Rose (Cassandra's older brother) to Simon (the oldest Cotton brother). Unfortunately, for Cassandra, she has fallen in love with Simon.......Book Review: A book without any ending is a waste to read . . .
Summary: 3 Stars
I set out on this book on tapes, I really cared about some of the characters and very much enjoyed the light sorry . . . than it got all muddled and ridiculous. There is no ending . . . I repeat . . . there is no ending!! Its as if the author was told she had 5 minutes to finish the book and just puts a period any where.
The main character just ends up where she begins, like if she is 14 years old not 20, writing her journal with her cat and dog. The man who loves her becomes a film star, the man she she loved, is still in love with her sister. The cruel, violent, self centered father, becomes a success.
No wonder there is only a few books written by this author.
Book Review: A classic in every sense of the word and more!
Summary: 3 Stars
I stumbled upon the book through recommendations and was interested to learn that the author wrote this in the 1940's and the book is set in the 1930's. I also loved the fact that Dodie [the author] had written 101 Dalmatians. To be honest I did have very high hopes for the book. While it was written with wit and wisdom I was bothered at finding the usage of the same extraordinary rare words over and over. I thought the story started out wonderfully; a girl loving where she is and loving who she is and being content while wanting so much more. It is the life of a young girl who wants only the best for her father, sister, brother, step mother, and friend/hand-boy. It was no surprise and I knew it was coming ... that she would fall for the wrong man which was disappointing. I hoped that there would be a better end; that somehow for once an author could actually pull it off. As the author had our young main character put it ... she loved a book that "left you wondering." Some just do not care for the way it is done, I being one. Overall the book was worth reading and I did enjoy the time I spent.