Rating: 
Summary: I devoured this fabulous book!
Review: This book is a fabulous coming of age story that is written splendidly. The narrator begins as a clever 17-year-old and matures in the story to be a sharp and self-aware young adult. The stories of her family are entertaining and it is so much fun to see all of them mature in the novel. The story and Dodie Smith's engaging writing style makes the book almost impossible to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing and delightful (mellion108)
Review: In the first few pages of her journal, Cassandra Mortmain paints an amusing, whimsical, and somewhat depressing picture of her life in a crumbling castle in the English countryside. She lives here with her sister Rose, her brother Thomas, her father James, her stepmother Topaz, and the family's live-in helper Stephen Colly. They live a life of genteel poverty, quite often not having enough income to feed the family. James Mortmain has a more-than-serious case of writer's block having once traveled and lectured on his critically aclaimed book. Now the family has no other income than that contributed by the hard working Stephen who would gladly hand over all that he owns to win Cassandra's favor. In the opening scene, Cassandra discusses the family's poverty and the fact that they have sold off nearly every stick of furniture in order to make ends meet. As the family sits down to tea, Cassandra writes of the unexpected treat of having eggs. She exclaims, "I was only expecting bread and margarine for tea, and I don't get as used to margarine as I could wish. I thank heaven there is no cheaper form of bread than bread."
This book is told in first person and is the journal that Cassandra keeps over the course of a year. We learn her fears and dreams, and we get to know her family through her eyes. When two handsome, wealthy, and exotic Americans show up to claim their birthright, Cassandra and Rose are both thrown into their first encounter with romantic love. Cassandra tells a sweet and touching story woven through with a great deal of humor which keeps this story from becoming dull and whining. We literally get to read Cassandra's march from being an awkward girl to developing into a charming young woman making her mark on the world.
As trite as it might sound, this is truly an enchanting book. I kept thinking that the author was doing such a remarkable job of creating an authentic atmosphere with the dialogue, clothing, and current events of the time. Then I found out that the book was originally written in the 1940s which isn't a far leap from the 30s setting of the book! This is also penned by the author who wrote One Hundred and One Dalmations. I recommend this for anyone who has no problems reading books such as Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice. While this is certainly less stuffy than the "classics," it is nonetheless a treat to read.
(reviewer: mellion108 from Michigan)
Rating:
Summary: An Absolute Delight!
Review: This is one of the nicest, sweetest, loveliest books I have ever read. Absolutely charming...and I haven't finished it yet! Like any good book, I am torn between not wanting it to end and wanting to do nothing but curl up with it. I happened upon this title while reading movie reviews - it was recently made into a movie and is currently in theaters. I plan to see it when I finish the book, but not a minute sooner. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Promises to be a well-read favorite
Review: This book has a vividness and charm that is timeless. The family in the story is so quirky they seem like they have to be real. I read this book every winter and its rich, descriptive language and humor whisk me away every time.
Rating:
Summary: This book definitely captured my heart!
Review: This book was recommended to me and I am forever thankful that I bought it. Through the diaries of a teenage girl named Cassandra Mortmain, the reader has the opportunity to discover the Mortmain's style of living in their old, broken-down castle. James Mortmain, reknown author of Jacob Wrestling, suddenly stopped writing and spends his days in the gatehouse, reading detective novels. After Cassandra and Rose's mother died, James decided to marry a woman who was at the same time excentric, peculair and overly obsessed with nudity: Topaz. Topaz posed for artists', but did not really enjoy it and rarely received any money for posing. With no income whatsoever, it would take a miracle for the Mortmain family to continue living.However, thing slowly changed: Stephen, the Mortmain's servant and Cassandra's admirer, received a job at Four Stones. This gave the family a bit more financial freedom, but nothing major happened until they met the Cottons'. Simon Cotton took possession of Scoatney Hall, and, in this case, the castle, since the Mortmain only had a 40 year lease on the castle. But Simon didn't mind that the Mortmain's couldn't pay their rent; in fact, he was so honoured of meeting James Mortmain that Simon frequently came to the house to talk to the family. Neil Cotton, Simon's brother, was also there, but less present then Simon was. As the story unfolds, things seem promising for the family: Rose is engaged to Simon. However, things suddenly go wrong, as first love often does. A surprising ending, with a witty and lovable narrator and a perfect length for the book. What more can a reader ask for? I find this is a great book for teenagers and prepares them for the often deceiving ending of their first relationship. It was very well written and inspired me to start a journal, just like Cassandra did. It makes readers who have never experienced love realize that it is not as beautiful as is often perceived to be in fairy tales. With a zest of rustic, mediaeval feel snd a modern twist, this book is something that will be cherished and passed on from generation to generation.
Rating:
Summary: Best read of 2002!
Review: This was easily the best thing I read in all of 2002, and I read a lot. Though this was written 50 years ago, the writing still seems fresh and modern, and the characters are as alive today as they were when they were written. A heartbreakingly good coming of age story.
Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The best book in the world!
Review: I found this book by accident in the tiny library of a summer
house on the Maine coast. I read it in one day, and I loved it so much I actually took it home with me! The characters in this book are so well developed that you feel like you know them.
The story is so real and so beautiful. You can identify with Cassandra as she deals with life, and the people who surround her. I read this book at least once a year, just to stay in touch, and i never, ever get tired of it.
Rating:
Summary: Captured my heart.
Review: The first feeling is one of total surprise. I really did not expect such an entertaining modern book. Although this is a book that was published, as I understand in 1948, it is very modern and refreshing and seems to be dealing with issues relevant to young women in any time and place.
What is mostly refreshing is the writing of Cassandra, the 17 year old narrator. Cassandra would like to be a writer one day and therefore writes this account. She writes candidly, vividly and with no need to impress herself or others. Cassandra is totally true to herself and the fact that the Dodie Smith chose this mechanism of diary writing as her narrating tool allows us to see Cassandra grow, mature and understand the world in front of our eyes. The descriptions are real, alive and very detailed. The story, which can be very simply described as a sort of love story is interesting due to the lovely characters. Cassandra which the reader knows inside and out, a person that likes human beings and nature alike. The beautiful rural English view comes alive through her eyes as well as the behaviours of the people surrounding her. Cassandra has an eye for detail and a natural way to catch all gestures (an example for this would be Cassandra's description of her sister Rose drinking the green Menthe drink which she chose on purpose as it matches her hair). We also have Rose, Cassandra's elder sister, beautiful and looking for a way to escape her poverty life, Thomas their younger brother, Stephan a servant son who has been living with the family, the father, a writer who does not write, and their stepmother, Topaz, a model for artists, full of good will and kindness. All these characters are presented as round figures, we see their good and bad qualities and this mixture, together with further characters makes this a superb book. Pure entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Completely Charming!
Review: I stumbled over a 40-year-old copy of this book at my in-law's house last spring when they were trying to get rid of some of their thousands of books. After reading the first sentence, I simply could not put it down! Dodie Smith's writing is vivid and captivating, and her characters are all well-defined and interesting, whether you find them likable or not. A year later, I can close my eyes and see myself as Cassandra, performing my Midsummer's Eve rituals. This book is utterly charming, without becoming drippy. The characters are gritty and real enough to keep from falling into stereotypes. On the one hand, the story is a conventional fairy tale of marrying off daughters to handsome, moneyed boys and solving the poor family's financial crisis, but on the other hand it is completely UNconventional, allowing the narrator to have very un-fairy tale-like thoughts and experiences. I am delighted to see this book back in print! It is a wonderful read, so just buy it and read it!
Rating:
Summary: Truly Wonderful
Review: I was online searching desperately for other books by Dodie Smith and became absorbed in the reviews for I Capture the Castle, my favorite book of all time. Most everyone agreed that it is one of the most beautiful, enjoyable novels ever written, but I was spurred to write this review after discovering a review by someone who ACTUALLY gave it two stars or something equally pathetic. Their reason: because "no book could ever live up to Lord of the Rings," which they had just finished. For the record, this is not a book to be compared to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The differences between the two are astounding, one being that tLOtR is, albeit a well-done history and fantasy novel, stale and boring, especially compared to a book like ICtC, which really enchants the reader from start to finish. I read Tolkein's trilogy and enjoyed the imaginative goings-on, but I had to force myself to finish, to read the long boring passages saturated with history.
Everyone should read the Lord of the Rings, and everyone should read I Capture the Castle. But please don't avoid it because one elitist person thinks that one is better than the other. I Capture the Castle is truly mesmerizing and can be enjoyed by anyone...seriously.
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