I Capture the Castle

A few weeks ago I received an email from a blog friend who had just finished reading I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. “I really think you’ll like it,” she told me so I promptly picked up a copy during my last visit to the big city.

I Capture the Castle is the story of two sisters living with their father, stepmother and brother in a old broken down English castle in the 1930’s. They are poor, very poor, yet their fortunes seem to take a promising turn with the arrival of two wealthy American brothers.

I Capture the Castle is narrated by the younger of the two sisters, seventeen year old Cassandra who chronicles her experiences in a journal format that forms the content of the novel. Cassandra’s entries are sweet, funny and charming. She is at turns wise and insightful, silly and dramatic, eccentric and endearing. In fact, much of the charm of the book stems from both the eccentricities of the characters as well as the setting itself; the castle and the English countryside create the kind of romantic setting that makes the reader (this one at least) dream of a holiday in England. However, the real delight of the novel is Cassandra herself. Her recounting of the turbulent transition from girlhood to young love is a delight and a pleasure to read. I loved her.

My blog friend was right. I liked this book immensely and I highly recommend it!

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….