I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of I Capture the Castle
Book Review: A new favorite of mine!
Summary: 5 Stars
Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain lives a life of poverty is a crumbling castle in England. Her family consists of her father who was once a critically acclaimed author but hasn't been working in years; her eccentric step mother, Topaz; her dramatic and romantic sister, Rose; her younger brother, Thomas; and Stephen, who helps maintain the castle for free and is infatuated with Cassandra. Cassandra begins, one cold evening, sitting in her kitchen sink, to write a journal in order to teach her self how to read. The events that follow this decision will change her life forever. Her family meets the Cottons, two wealthy men from America named Simon and Neil. When Rose becomes attracted to Simon she begins to come up with a plan that could bring the Mortmain family out of poverty. What is she marries Simon? As the book progresses Cassandra deals with all the issues of growing up: love, trust, finding faith, and learning to understand her family and friends. I have to admit the only reason I really read this book is because of JK Rowling's commentary of it on the cover. I learned quite quickly that I Capture the Castle was much different from Harry Potter. Written by Dodie Smith (who wrote 101 Dalmations which has been made into two movies by Disney) in the 1930s, I Capture the Castle manages to capture a young, charismatic narrator that you will fall in love with right away. Cassandra begins this book very much as a child but by the end she has not only "captured the castle" but has grown up into a sophisticated young woman. I very much enjoyed this book. There are a couple twists near the end that even I didn't expect to see. The characters are fascinating and very well drawn and it's written extremely well. I would recommend this novel to both the young and the young at heart. It's a very good book. I highly recommend you read it!
Book Review: A perfect piece of literature...
Summary: 5 Stars
From the moment I first picked up this novel, I simply could not put it down. I instantly fell in love with Dodie Smith's style of writing. She describes the characters and the setting so well that you feel as if you are inside the book rather than reading it. What makes this book so great is that by the time you are finished you feel as if each character was a long lost friend and you feel so sad that the book has ended. This is definately a book that I will read again and again in the future, and I will most definately cherish it forever.Book Review: A student's review of "I Capture the Castle," by Dodie Smith
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this book! Cassandra is such a great character, very carefully crafted and written. I can relate to many of the feelings and experiences she encounters. I recieved this book as a gift and am so grateful that I did, it has now become one of my favorite novels. I would totally recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story and a character with a great deal of intellegence and affection. The other part of the book I really enjoyed was the plot, it is very easy to follow and written in a way that keeps you reading up until the very conclusion of the story, there is never a dull moment. Be sure to check this book out!Book Review: A surprising treasure
Summary: 5 Stars
How can you not love a book that opens with the line, "I write this sitting in the kitchen sink"?I fell in love with every single one of the characters. Although set in the 1930's, the story is timeless ... and a true test of a writer's skill in avoiding that "dated" tone. Dodie Smith's novel is as fresh and vivid as if it were written today. I actually took this book to work with me so I could finish it on my lunch hour.
Thoroughly original and engrossing.
Book Review: A sweet book with wonderful, quirky characters
Summary: 4 Stars
This was light reading at it's best. The spunky narrator keeps things moving right along with great characters whom you'll come to love!