I Capture the Castle: Deluxe Edition

I can’t wait until I’m so established an author that I can simply say, “This book is a treasure, you must read at once, preferably under light of a lantern beneath your covers.”Until then, I shall have to provide some incentive beyond.Nevermind that this book is seventy five years old. It’s as fresh as the air after a good hard rain, more relatable than any Disney princess could ever dream of being. Definitively classed as a coming of age story, a Bildungsroman, for those in the know, ICTC captures all the angst of young love, familial ties and creative ardor.Another interesting focal point is the specific capture of a moment in history when class and social expectation were seeing massive rejiggering. I shan’t spoil it, but the commentary on men, work, creativity and where women fit into all of it is philosophically replete and beautifully rendered.Just read it. No the plot isn’t “twisty” or lickety split but I promise you’ll be riveted.My only complaint is how uncomfortable Cassandra’s sudden and intense infatuation made me feel, but that’s only because sixteen year old me felt massively seen and thirty three wholly embarrassed.

Funny, with many clever lines, this is a classic. Cassandra grows up, dealing with youth love and old problems while living in a crumbling castle in England.

Every page of this book is a wonder. Characters are so likable and so well drawn that you want to pop in for a visit.First line

I've lost count of how many times I have read this exquisitely-written book, which was first given to me at around age 11 or 12 by an elderly family friend who was cleaning out her library and had a first edition... Cassandra is a pure delight and the story manages to be both touching and laugh-out-loud funny thanks to her candid observations on her eccentric family and her musings on society and growing up. A page-turner from a gentler time; do yourself a favor and read it! (Also has one of the best first lines in a book, ever.)

I had to keep reminding myself the time period in which this book was written. Misery plagues each character, and in the end, the only happiness that is found is with the two least liked of them all. There was only one character that I found truly ‘likable’, Stephen; unfortunately, happiness eludes him. I’m not sure how I felt about the love interest relationship involving the sisters, especially with how close they seemed to be prior to meeting the Americans. The ending wasn’t very satisfying.The chapters were really long, longer than they needed to be.

I did not hate it, but apparently I have been reading a number of books in which sisters fall for or at least appear to fall for the same man. Although it may be unfair to be annoyed with the trope in this book, as it probably wasn’t the last written in the group I have recently read.I gave it four stars because I only give 5 stars to books I can see reading again or that made me laugh out loud, or were emotionally too devastating to re-read, even if one adored them.I loved the coming of age insight of a young innocent, and the descriptions of odd relationships and familial love with a simple sort of, thinking one’s own family is perfectly normal sort of way. The significance of the Midsummer rites were particularly pleasing.The ending is flat however and certainly not tied up with a bow for anyone really.

This is a book that I first read as a teenager. I have just re-read it, and found it even more delightful than I remembered. As I could only remember the atmosphere, and not the story, it was like reading it for the first time. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an escape into the past, a coming of age novel with bite, and some wonderful characters who truly come alive. (With the exception of Father, I feel, but that is a minor issue ).

A coming-of-age story set in 1930's England. Growing up in castle ruins with an unusual family that all the same comes across surprisingly normal.A girl's journal as she transitions from childhood into awareness, experiencing love and sacrifice...exuberance, misery, and understanding. Filled with meandering insight and the treasures of daily living.A read worth experiencing. An experience worth reading.

Many years ago I asked my local librarian for a book recommendation, and she gave me this book. It instantly became a favourite, and I feel a new level of joy every time I re-read it (too many times to count!)

It arrived a little battered and dirty, with a hit on the book spine. DO NOT try to peel off the blue sticker on the cover, it tears the cover fabric.

Very happy with this hardcover edition of an absolute classic.

Très beau Roman. J'enseigne la littérature Anglaise. Les élèves semblent beaucoup apprécier ce texte.

Never mind about Cassandra capturing the castle, I was captured by Cassandra, the narrator of this unusual and sumptuously written story.I was captured by her rich noticing of place, people and details, by her ideas about love and life as she crosses from child to woman, by her deeply delicious and hilarious relationships—so much so that for days she and her people filled my mind when I was supposed to be thinking about other things.The book now sits in pride of place in my “favourites” bookshelf, so that every now and then I can run a reverent finger down its brilliant marigold spine.