Book review: I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith

Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Rachael in Reviews

I Capture the Castle is a very funny, dreamy and odd book and I would highly recommend it.

I read this book while away on holiday and actually banged my hand against the sun-lounger at one point because it made me laugh so much.

The focus of this book is a very eccentric, very poor family who, despite their poverty, live in a castle. Cassandra, the youngest daughter is the story’s narrator. She wants to be a writer (just like her father) and spends a lot of time finding her writing style and perfecting her talent by literally “capturing” the castle in her journal.

Cassandra’s father spends all of his time locked in the tower “writing” – his first book was a great hit, but since then he has been suffering from a bout of writer’s block that has lasted over 10 years! His wife is a quirky artists’ model, who is often found wandering the grounds of the castle wearing only a pair of waders! Rose, the eldest daughter, is an affected beauty who is desperate to be ‘saved’ from poverty by a rich, handsome man.

Things start looking up for Rose when a wealthy American family, with two unmarried sons, inherit nearby Scoatney Hall and become the family’s new landlords. For me this is when the comedy of the book really kicks in, with a hideously funny scene involving green arms, a tin bath and two rather bemused young gentlemen!

At times this book is bittersweet, but there is so much humor to be found is this dysfunctional set-up that I’m sure you will love this book. I really do.

Some famous fans of the book are quoted as saying the following:

“I know of few novels—except Pride and Prejudice—that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers.” – Joanna Trollope

“This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I’ve ever met.” – J. K. Rowling

“I think it is a book that will be very much lived in by many people; because you can live in it, like Dickens.” – Christopher Isherwood

Unfortunately, the film adaptation just didn’t manage to do the book justice – although due to abeautiful set andgreatcast (Billy Nighy & Tara Fitzgerald to name a couple) it is still entertaining in its own right.

I Capture the Castle – film trailer

Tags: , , , , , , ,

8 Responses to “Book review: I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith”

  1. Phil

    03. Nov, 2009

    Another one to add to my list for the car-boot sale this Sunday.

  2. Rachael

    03. Nov, 2009

    I hope you find it Phil…its great!

    With all of the fab suggestions from the Sparkle members that list is going to end up like a catalogue.

    **********

    Gold star to anyone who knows what else Dodie Smith wrote – here’s a hint: woof woof :)

  3. Kathryn

    03. Nov, 2009

    Erm, could it be 101 Dalmations???

  4. Rachael

    03. Nov, 2009

    A huge big ‘Sparkle’ing twinkling gold star goes to Kathryn! Admit it…you ‘googled’ it didn’t you!?! :-D

    I’ve not read ‘101 Dalmations’ myself, but I loved this review of it by an Amazon customer:

    “The story is told, continuously, from a dog’s point of view. It is mentioned how humans believe that they own dogs; whereas the truth is that the dogs own them. Pongo and Missus continually refer to their humans as their pets, and one can see that mentality in their conversations.”

    I know that’s how my dogs feel too!!!

  5. Bea Holden

    03. Nov, 2009

    This sounds my like kind of book, quirky characters, budding writers, a hopeful girl dreaming of being swept off her feet by a rich suitor and lots of humour – just perfect.

  6. Caz

    06. Nov, 2009

    You have made me really want to give “I Capture a Castle” a read by giving me a brief taste of Cassandra’s life. I will definately be giving this a read

  7. Rachael

    07. Nov, 2009

    Caz, that’s good to know. I still can’t believe that it’s not more widely celebrated, I’m sure you’ll love it. Be sure to come back and let us all know how you found it.

  8. forex robot

    19. Nov, 2009

    good article as usual!

Leave a Reply