I Capture the Castle
(9 reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5)
Publisher: Penguin
Originally published in 1949, this delightful novel by the author of the much-loved One Hundred and One Dalmatians, still retains its freshness today.
Cassandra, the 17-year-old narrator, lives an eccentric existence in a crumbling castle in the English countryside in the 1930s. Her father is a former bestselling novelist now suffering from a chronic case of writer's block and her glamorous but bohemian stepmother Topaz is a sometime artist model. Money is in short supply but Cassandra and her discontented older sister Rose are forced to make the best of things - until some young, wealthy American neighbours arrive and Rose sees an opportunity for them all to escape their impoverished existence.
Even when she is encountering the difficulties of first love and first heartbreak, Cassandra remains a wonderfully likable heroine, with a strong narrative voice and a distinctive sense of humour. Whimsical, charming and beautifully written, this engaging classic novel will appeal equally to both adult and young adult readers.
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What you thought...
Average rating:
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Tina, 28 February 2017
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This book is charming, humorous and thoroughly enjoyable. Definitely does not seem like it was written 67 years ago!
MKelly, 04 May 2016
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One of the best books I have ever read. Never have a I felt such a strong bond with a character in a book as I did with Cassandra.
Jack, 27 November 2015
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This book captured my attention as soon as I saw it and being 12 myself I found it extremely breath taking and a beautiful story.
Kate, 22 November 2015
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A truly amazing novel . I would definitely recommend!!!
Amelia, 13 August 2015
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cool
Samantha, 25 June 2014
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truely breathtaking ..... a beautiful story that will surely make you laugh , cry , and send your heart firing
aster , 01 May 2014
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An AMAZING book which i would recommend to twelve year olds and over. I found it immensely captivating and it totally kicks Harry Potter's butt. Its an adventure/romance seen through a young girls eyes.
Kalina, 22 April 2014
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I found this book in my parent's bookcase many years ago and really enjoyed it but i wouldn't have described it as teenage fiction. Good to see it on the list though.
Barbara, 07 March 2014
I was given this book to read by one of my teachers when I was about 14. She told me it was very funny, I'm sure it is when you are an adult but I found it heartbreaking and cried for days after I finished it.