I Capture the Castle fails to capture my heart.

For years people have been telling me I had to read the novel I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith, immediately, if not sooner. And it's always been people I really respect, both as friends, and as readers.

So I finally did.

And I liked it. I read the whole thing, and pretty quickly, as I was interested in the story. (And you knew I'd be interested in a book set in Great Britain, ina falling-down castle.) But I've got to be honest: I didn't love it, love it. I didn't love it like I expected to love it.

The story is about seventeen-year-old Cassandra, and her rather unorthodox family life, living with her author father (who hasn't written a word in years), her beautiful sister Rose, her unconventional and artistic stepmother, her younger brother, and the hired hand (Stephen) who they don't actually pay. The story is good and is narrated by Cassandra in an appealing first-person voice; the family is on the brink of destruction from poverty, Rose is frustrated because she thinks she'll never meet a man to marry in their circumstances, Stephen is fruitlessly in love with Cassandra...and if that all weren't enough, two brothers who had been living in America suddenly show up as the heirs to a property next door. Hilarity doesn't really ensue, but Cassandra's love for and frustration with all of her family members makes for some nice comic touches.

God, that's a bloodless description, and as much as I liked the book, that's kind of how I feel about it. Just kind of average. What it HAS put me in the mood for is to re-read Dodie Smith's classic The 101 Dalmatians, which is largely set during Christmas and would therefore be a fun December read. So that's what I'm going to do.

Comments

[Venta]

I often wonder if older/classic books hold up with today's young readers. Your description of the book, CR, reads like a contemporary book, but is the style old-fashioned? I haven't read this one, so I'll check it out.

[Thomas at My Porch]

I thought this book was going to be just the kind of thing I like. But i ended up not going past page 50.

[Citizen Reader]

Venta,
Well, I think it's a classic because it holds up surprisingly well. I would guess if kids are still liking 101 Dalmatians (do they? Today's kids and teenagers are like a foreign species to me; I have NO IDEA what they like) they'd probably like this. The language is pretty classic. But I would guess it's probably just as, if not more, popular with older Anglophiles like myself. Here's a sample: "It is comforting to look away from the windows and towards the kitchen fire, near which my sister Rose is ironing--though she obviously can't see properly, and it will be a pity if she scorches her only nightgown. (I have two, but one is minus its behind.)"

Thomas,
Yeah, me too. It was all right, but it was no Helene Hanff.

[Jessica]

Saaaaad!

I read this earlier this year and loved it, though the ending really got under my skin. I almost want to tell you to check with me before you read something, because if I loved it you probably won't! :-)

[Becky]

I'm glad to hear you were so eh about this book because I had the same reaction: It's okay, but what is all the fuss about?

[Citizen Reader]

Oh Jessica,
That's part of the fun of reading, discovering what surprises you and what you dislike, etc. I liken it to the fun of relationships: my favorite people are the ones who can still surprise me. Ditto with reading and books. I would have guessed I would have LOVED this one, so it was actually kind of a charge to discover that I didn't.

No worries. I still kind of enjoyed it. Why did the ending get under your skin? Too unresolved?

[Citizen Reader]

Becky!
Hey, you too! I do owe it this, though: it made me remember how much I loved 101 Dalmatians. I can't wait to re-read that!

[diane]

Sorry this book did not WOW you. I have not read it yet, but have read some favorable reviews??

[Citizen Reader]

Well, Diane, I just may not have read it at the right time. I'd still definitely read it; I did enjoy it and while I was reading it I didn't really want to stop reading it.

Evidently I've just been spoiled by other books that did WOW me so that my expectations were just too high. Still, I give it a thumbs up.

[Ruthiella]

I am with Jessica. I read I Captured the Castle a couple of years ago and really liked it. I think I would have liked it even more had I read it as a teenager.

[Jessica]

The ending got under my skin because I was really pulling for a traditional Happy Ending. I still keep wondering What If? It's sort of like The Elegance of the Hedgehog... just a not-Hollywood kind of ending.