Bought this book at the Secret Garden Bookshop in Seattle. Had never heard of it before; discovered it via those little hand-written "Staff Picks" tags stuck to the shelves. Also, the giant J.K. Rowling blurb on the cover was hard to miss: "This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met."And I agree with Ms. Rowling. Cassandra Mortmain is a wonderful narrator, full of contrasts (blunt/poetic, naive/wordly), never insincere, and always well aware of her own shortcomings. The early chapters seem very Austen-ish (Cassandra herself draws parallels between her family and the Bennets), but as the novel wends its way through unrequited love and happily-ever-after-ness, it also becomes a meditation on religion, creativity, love, and beauty. I doubt I'm explaining it well. It doesn't seem at all contrived.Highly recommended.Added: Cassandra's dog, Heloise, made me think of this photo. ( )

Really enjoyed this coming of age book! Nice pace to the book. Great book for busy times. Enough going on in the book to keep one's interest... not so much that one has difficulty keeping up with it. It's just right. Fun book. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were memorable and eccentric. It had an innocence and sweetness to the writing and the romance was just that it was a very romantic book. I was disappointed that the ending left me unfulfilled, it was too open-ended and felt almost rushed. ( )

Dodie Smith wrote "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" - my very favorite Disney movie, by the way, and also the best argument I've ever seen for the nuclear family. But that was a bit of a one-off - she was actually a rather well-known playwright, and had minor success as a novelist as well. I've read one of her other novels and it was sort of lame. But "I Capture the Castle" is delightful.

The castle in question is a ruined one, currently inhabited by the Mortmain family, headed by Mr. Mortmain, a vaguely Joycean novelist who has not published a word in fifteen years or paid rent in four.I wou Consequent to his failure to earn, his family - 21-year-old Rose (beautiful and hungry), 17 year old Cassandra (curious and philosophical), 15-year-old Thomas (cheerful and oblivious) and the beautiful Topaz, stepmother to the children - are all trying to subsist on a non-existent income. Cassandra, a budding writer (hate that phrase) is trying to "capture" this strange and rather dream-like existence in the pages of her journal. Cassandra reminds me a bit of Joan Wyndham's "Love Letters"; she writes with that same mixture of naivite and pragmatism, laced with understated wit - I was on her side from the word Go.

This would never be a desert-island book for me, but sometimes it is exactly the atmosphere I want. I would read it just for the descriptions of Topaz and her pseudo-intellectual commentaries on Art. "Oh, what worlds words weave!" says Cassandra, and I'm right there with her. It's lovely to visit the castle. ( )

Cassandra and her family live in a large, rather decrepit house built out of the remains of a castle. She and her family - sister Rose, brother Thomas, stepmother Topaz, father, and friend/servant Stephen - are all falling into decay along with the building. They have lived on the remains of her father's career as a writer, but for years he has written nothing else, and now the royalties have stopped coming in. Then a new family moves into the estate next door.

The new heir is an American, Simon, with a brother named Neil. They are both young and handsome. Rose decides the best way out of their problems is to marry one of them. What happens next, as told by Cassandra in her diary, is not completely smooth sailing.

I enjoyed this book. I liked Cassandra a lot. She's a very appealing character, honest and loyal, pretty clear-headed. But I was a little disappointed by the ending.

And what's with these folks? Why didn't Rose, or the father, or Cassandra, any of them show a little independence and GET A JOB? That's what most people do when they need money - they work! Odd.

Very well written with interesting language, characters and insights. ( )

Cassandra Mortmain lives in a ruinous castle with her father (a previously successful writer now suffering from writer's block), her stepmother, brother and sister, and Stephen, the lodger. Money is tight but Cassandra doesn't let it to get her down. Then the arrival of two American brothers changes everything. This was a fun and warm novel that I enjoyed very much. ( )

The back blurb of my copy has, "Everyone is cheering the return of I Capture the Castle." I'm rather surprised. This book is enjoyable enough that I'd have assumed it was continuously in print.

If you took a plot conceived by Jane Austen, slapped it down in the middle of the 20th century, you'd have the basic structure of the book—although, no promises that things will turn out as rosy as Ms. Austen would contrive. It worked well for me. The main character, Cassandra, was warm and engaging and I enjoyed her voice (the novel is in the form of her journal). The other characters fulfilled their roles reasonably well: her sister, Rose, a bit off-putting; her father, the eccentric; the object of her affection, Simon, somewhat affection-worthy; etc.

What kept the book from a higher rating was that I found the last third...until the last few pages...did not live up to the book's beginning. The first part was full of her 17-year-old observations on her family's condition of abject poverty and the colorful characters around her, sometimes witty, sometimes insightful, sometimes naïve. The story eventually turned into a somewhat commonplace tale of unrequited loves and infatuations. It was still very readable but it didn't have that amusing sense of freshness of before. I could see a teenage girl writing those things but I'm not sure they are so enthralling for the reader. The ending rescued it, however, avoiding the trite for the intriguing.

All-in-all, it was an enjoyable book and I'd recommend it if you like this sort of story. ( )

A Contemporary Classic with Austen Allusions

"I know of few novels - except Pride and Prejudice - that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers as I Capture the Castle. - Joanna Trollope

One of my favorite books (outside of Jane Austen’s canon of course), I Capture the Castle is a contemporary classic originally published in 1948, but still as fresh and vibrant today. Dodie Smith, more famously remembered for her children’s classic 101 Dalmatians, has humorously assembled an eccentric cast of characters living in less than genteel poverty in a crumbling castle in England. The story is revealed through 17-year old heroine in the making and aspiring writer Cassandra Mortmain in a series of journals, an she attempt to improve her skills as a ticket out of her dire circumstances. Her sister Rose will use more avarice means to free herself from her parent’s neglect by setting her cap for their wealthy new landlord Simon, and easily succeeds. Less of a schemer, Cassandra is attracted to his younger brother Neil and is hopeful for her own romance. As the wedding plans proceed, Rose’s vain and selfish nature blossoms with her newly elevated social position causing conflict. Cassandra, left out of the plans and Simon, who Rose is treating as an annoyance are drawn into their own romance. Rose, on the other hand, is drifting away from Simon and secretly into the arms of his brother Neil. An elopement will cause a family panic, a change of heart and an unusual ending.

Filled with allusions to Pride and Prejudice, this coming of age story is more a gentle nod to Austen’s style than a copy of her novel. Witty and moving, Smith connects with readers through perceptive observation played against dry wit resulting in a moving and memorable story. It’s what makes for great literature, and also what Austen is valued for today. Enjoy!

Laurel Ann, Austenprose ( )

I think that this is a small classic. Cassandra is completely charming, and her family and friends form a nearly perfect setting for her, the lovely jewel at the center. Other people have written about the plot, so I'll just add my couple of thoughts on completing the book.
First, I had the most trouble believing Mr. Mortmaine. I think that genius must always be hard to portray. Even more difficult for the writer of traditional fiction must be the description of experimental, avant-garde fiction. I almost think that if one can conceive of it, one writes it. I'll accept that the seven cats on the seven mats are wonderfully meaningful for Cassandra's sake, but I really don't believe it.
On the other hand, I'm blown away by Cassandra's ability at 18 to manage the man she loves as she does in the last scene. There can't be many girls who would be able to let go or who have such a strong sense of their own value. I'm sure, as she is, that he will be back! At any rate, I rejoice to have found this; it's one for rereading. ( )

This book is July's [2008] pick for bookof_themonth [on LiveJournal]. I read it early so I can fully participate.

My first reaction is that this is very British. It was slower than I expected and it took me time to get into it, but the setting is wonderful and the people are delightfully unique and eccentric. I can see how J.K. Rowling would take inspiration from this. The protagonist, Cassandra, lives with her family in a dilapidated castle. Her father published a book of staggering success and has written nothing since, leaving the family in abject poverty. Her older sister, Rose, is determined to marry up, and when the American Cotton family takes possession of their family castle nearby, she makes her move.

The book is in the form of a diary, but it never feels like a diary. There are some moments of great hilarity such as the bear coat and Father-in-the-tower (a technique I should try for Nanowrimo). It's really a coming-of-age book for Cassandra, very delicately written, and it does show how much she has matured and how she is still more mature than Rose in some regards.

It's a good story overall, but not one I think I'll reread. However, I'll gladly take possession of that castle. I do love the setting of 1930s England; I kept thinking of Hercule Poirot during the London scenes. ( )

http://passionatebooklover.wordpress....

I have just finished reading I Capture the Castle and even though it’s a good book, it was not
as charming as I expected it to be. Since I have read so many positive reviews about this novel, I expected it to be as wonderful as The Enchanted April. I suppose my expectations were too high, thus, I was disappointed with this book. As I said before, I Capture the Castle is not a bad book; it has a nice story line and interesting characters. In addition, the author does a great job describing the protagonists and the setting by letting Cassandra record her personal thoughts and observations in her journal. That way, we can witness how she falls in love for the first time and how she deals with it. Furthermore, readers get to know her eccentric family and learn engaging things about the village life and the old English castle.

Many people have compared I Capture the Castle to the novels of Jane Austen, but honestly, I can’t really see why. In my opinion, Cassandra lacks the charm, wit and passion of a Jane Austen heroine. Sure enough, Cassandra is bright and charismatic, but sometimes also very childish and naïve. She tells the story with an honest teen perspective; the reader gets to know every side of her (clever, sad, vulnerable, naïve etc.), and that’s what makes her a realistic and believable character. However, I didn’t like her as much as I liked Jane Austen’s heroines since I find that Cassandra is a shallow character.

Overall, I Capture the Castle is an enjoyable book and even though it’s not one of the best books I’ve ever read, it still attracted me because of its wonderful and romantic setting: the crumbling English castle! ( )

This book has not been checked out of the library in a long time and thats a sad thing because this is a great book!
I really enjoyed it and I think I will change it to the young adult section of the library so that it will get more exposure!
I highly recommend this book! ( )

Witty and captivating -- the characters really draw you in, particularly the central Cassandra. Quite charming. ( )

This is one of my favourite books. Cassandra lives in poverty in a run down castle with her brother, sister, father and stepmother when an American family from the large house nearby come to stay...

The characters are wonderful, interestingly it is the children that are more together than the adults. Cassandra has such a strong voice as the narrator guiding you through her familiy, their history and the realtionships with the American men that come into their lives. I loved Cassandra's values, love of books, view of life and sense of humour.

It is the feeling of the novel that stays with you, the humour, compassion and struggles. It's never patronising, preachy nor sentimental, just wonderful combinations of plot, character and description. It's one of the few books that I can still recall clearly after having read it years ago. Please read the book first before the film!

I couldn't put it down, felt huge loss when I had finished it and recommended it to countless people who have all loved it too.

Read it, you'll love it. ( )

Fabulous coming of age story with a compelling narrator. Was out of print and republished recently. There is a film too, which is pretty true to the book. But the book first, please.

This story left a bad taste in my mouth. It was very incongruent with first the Americans being turned off, the miraculously in rapture with the girls, then with the father being insane and then a genius again. It didnt seem like it came from a 17 year old's journal and it was trying to be too pretentious. The movie was one that also closely followed the storyline to a fault and lacked artistry or quality as a film. ( )

I'm not sure what to say about this book. It is written as Cassandra Mortmain's journal, actually 3 journals. It opens with her feet sitting in the kitchen sink because sitting in a place you've never sat before could be inspiring. I really liked Cassandra she was only 17 and just beginning to see what the world is like. Her family lives in a crumbling castle and barely has enough money to eat much less fix the castle. There are many changes that happen to Cassandra and her family over the months that she is writing in the journals. I found myself hoping the family would come into money and then hoping that Cassandra could find her own happiness. It was a beautiful story about love, family and finding your own way. ( )

This book was pretty good, but not the best book that I have ever read. I didn't care much for the dad and step-mother because they both needed to get out and find jobs to take care of their family.

It was interesting to read that this author also wrote the original 101 Dalmations book that my daughter and I both enjoyed as children. ( )

http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/06... ( )

Historical fiction about two sisters who live in a rundown castle when one day two young gentleman arrive at the door and of course both sisters fall for the same one! ( )

Fantastic coming of age novel set in 1930s England. Cassandra Mortmain and her eccentric family live in a crumbling castle gate house. Cassandra documents her daily life and the make do and mend life in poverty. Everything changes when two men from America inherit the castle... This was an excellent chronicle of what it feels like to be a teenager and fall in love for the first time. Read it! Another 5 stars and added to "One of my favourites". ( )

The narrator of this story is a delightful 17 year old. Her descriptions of life in a run down English castle are charming. The romance part of the story left me a bit flat. My 17 year old daughter called this the best book ever. Oh to be 17 again! ( )

17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain lives in a rented rundown castle in England with her eccentric family. Her father wrote a book years ago, but that money is long gone, and the family has almost no food and wear rags. Their landlord has died, and in swoops his two grandsons, Simon and Neil, from America to get a look at their inheritance, and in the process, change the lives of everyone in the castle. Wonderful writing that gently pulls you into the story until you realize you can't wait to find out what happens to all of the characters. ( )

I realized as I started to read this that I always get the title confused with We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but Cassandra is not Merricat. I'll not confuse them again, though I may pause for a moment to sort the titles out in my head before speaking of one or the other...

A lovely book, very evocative in the descriptions of people and life in Cassandra's world. ( )