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I Capture the Castle

A beautiful coming-of-age novel about first love
By Dodie Smith
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Check link for latest rating. ( 113,822 ratings, 11,893 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith is a coming-of-age story narrated by a young woman named Cassandra Mortmain. Living with her eccentric family in a dilapidated castle in the English countryside, Cassandra documents her experiences and emotions in her journal. As she navigates love, financial struggles, and family complexities, she undergoes significant personal growth amidst a backdrop of changing fortunes.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1800
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this delightful coming-of-age novel if you appreciate charming and eccentric characters, vivid and atmospheric settings, and an engaging blend of wit and romance. The story offers a unique perspective on family dynamics and the struggles of creative ambitions, set against the backdrop of a crumbling English castle.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her impoverished family in a crumbling castle. Her journal records her life with her bored sister Rose, her stepmother Topaz, her little brother Thomas and her novelist father who suffers from a financially crippling writer's block. However, all their lives are turned upside down when American heirs to castle arrive.

'This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met' J K Rowling WITH AN UPDATED INTRODUCTION BY VALERIE GROVE

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met — J.K. Rowling

This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met — J.K. Rowling

'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink' is the first line of this timeless, witty, and enchanting novel about growing up.

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere. Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fading glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from a financially crippling writer's block. However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive, and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time.

I know of few novels that inspire as much fierce lifelong affection in their readers — Joanna Trollope

One of the BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith is warmly received by readers, who often cherish it deeply. It's praised for its universal appeal and has an enduring charm reminiscent of Nancy Mitford's works. The book offers a vividly evocative portrayal of England, with a dreamy and timeless quality that resonates with many.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099460879

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 February 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Valerie Grove
  • Introduction by Valerie Grove

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 301g

Pages: 432

Collections

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About the Author

Dorothy Gladys 'Dodie' Smith was born in 1896 in Lancashire and she was one of the most successful female dramatists of her generation. Her first novel, I Capture the Castle, was written when she lived in America during the 1940's and marked her crossover debut from playwright to novelist. The novel became an immediate success and was produced as a play in 1954. She has written numerous other novels but is best known today for The Hundred and One Dalmatians, a story for younger readers. The Hundred and One Dalmatians became the basis of two Disney films.

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  • I Capture the Castle
    VINTAGE QUARTERBOUND CLASSICS - Bound to be beautiful A beautiful hardback edition of one of the funny, heartbreaking, iconic coming-of-age novels. 'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink' is the first line of this timeless, witty and enchanting novel about growing up. Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of...
    By Dodie Smith
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  • I Capture the Castle
    Meet ten of literature's most iconic heroines, jacketed in bold portraits by female photographers from around the world. 'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink...' This is the story of Cassandra, precocious and charming, who begins a journal detailing her life with her bohemian family in a crumbling old castle. On the cusp of adulthood, Cassandra meets the family's...
    By Dodie Smith
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  • I Capture the Castle
    The universally adored story of Cassandra Mortmain, her mad family, her loves and her heartaches. A perfect novel. 'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink...' This is the diary of Cassandra Mortmain, which tells of her extraordinary family and their crumbling castle home. Cassandra's father was once a famous writer, but now he mainly reads detective novels while the...
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  • The Hundred and One Dalmatians
    A special 32-page picture book adaptation of Dodie Smith’s much-loved classic story, perfect for children aged 3 years and up. When Missis and Pongo’s darling Dalmatian puppies are stolen, they know just who to suspect… the evil Cruella de Vil! She’s enough to scare the spots off a pup and she would love nothing more than to turn them into...
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    A gift edition of this classic tale of pups and villains, with vibrant illustrations by the award-winning Alex T Smith, creator of Claude.‘As comforting as hot buttered toast’ – Guardian THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANSWhen dastardly Cruella De Vil steals a whole litter of Dalmatian puppies to make a new fur coat, the puppies’ parents, Pongo and Missus, lose no...
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