Growing Up Is Hard To Do (I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith)

Member Name: hannahm223

Product:	I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith
Date:	10/08/06 (557 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A realistic and interesting tale of growing up and falling in love

Disadvantages: Some dull moments and some annoying characters

Flicking through the bookshelves of a high street bookstore a couple of years ago I came across “I Capture The Castle” by Dodie Smith. Although dubbed a “children’s book” something about the novel drew me to it and I decided that I would like to find out more. I received this book the following Christmas and commenced on an often moving, at times frustrating and frequently intriguing journey along with Cassandra, the protagonist of this charming novel.

THE PLOT-
“I Capture The Castle” draws you in from the start, what other novel begins citing the writer’s location as the kitchen sink? The novel tells the story of Cassandra Mortmain, a seventeen year old girl, who lives in a castle with her beautiful older sister, Rose; little brother, Thomas; retired novelist father; stepmother, Topaz; and Stephen, the son of their former maid, who remained with the family following his mother’s death. Cassandra’s eccentric father, now virtually a recluse, moved to the castle years before with his daughters and his wife, who later died. He had previously written a best seller, the profits of which they were still attempting to live off after he abandoned writing following its publication, with no explanation as to why. The sales of his only novel, however, have dwindled over the years, leaving the family now almost destitute. The only other source of income they have had in past years was from Topaz, who, being strikingly beautiful, was a famous artists’ model but who is now as good as retired herself. Due to their dire financial situation, the family, freed from paying rent years ago, remain living in the castle thanks to the landlord’s kindness.

Although the Mortmain family struggle through their destitution, Rose, at least, has other plans. Beautiful Rose dreams of marrying someone rich who will take her away from her life of boredom and poverty, to begin her transition into the social butterfly that she longs to be.

Cassandra, although idly supportive of her sister’s ambitions, is more content with their situation which she feels to be romantic. She does, however, have her own aspirations and is intent on following in her father’s footsteps by writing a novel. She has no intention, unlike her sister, of finding someone to marry. That is, until the new heirs to the castle, Simon and Neil, arrive to view their property.

This is where, after a slow start, the story really seems to begin, as Rose sets about making Simon fall in love with her. The rather shallow Simon is naturally ensnared by Rose’s beauty and she is besotted with is wealth and status. To add to the complication, however, Cassandra, who has connected with Simon on a more intellectual level, realises that she is in love with him, a sentiment that Rose clearly doesn’t share. The story follows Cassandra as she struggles with her feelings; Rose, who, oblivious to Cassandra’s discovery, is determined to cling on to her new-found taste of wealth; and the struggle of Cassandra’s own admirer, Stephen.

WHAT I LIKED-
This is an interesting and cute story about growing up and falling in love. The author uses an effective technique of writing the novel in diary form. I liked this style as it gave added insight into the thoughts and actions of the leading character and made the characters seem more real, almost giving me a sense of knowing and understanding Cassandra. It is realistically written as, like any diary, it records the insignificant personal details of Cassandra’s life alongside significant events, which gave it a genuine and realistic feel.

WHAT I DISLIKED-
Although the style of writing does has its advantages, the downside of this format is that the novel occasionally gets a bit dull as, like with any diary, Cassandra does record insignificant events and there often was not much of interest to record. Another disadvantage was that I also began to find the main character, Cassandra, quite annoying as she came across as completely self-centred, a side-effect, I suppose, of it being written in the style of a diary, a place where many of us probably do sound self-centred. I also felt that the ending was rather unsatisfactory as questions are left unanswered and situations unresolved.

RECOMENDED FOR... Anyone who has experienced the agonies of unrequited love or growing up (that’s most of us then?) It is a gentle, slow-paced story so is probably not ideal for anyone who is used to, and enjoys, reading thrillers full of action and twists.

READ WHEN... You’re in a quiet, reflective mood or are feeling isolated in your misery and longing for love.

READ IF YOU LIKED... “Little Women”, another classic which tells the tale of growing up, falling in love and heartbreaking sibling rivalry.

IF IT WERE FOOD IT WOULD BE... Warm milk. Cosy and comforting with memories of childhood, yet occasionally you may find it ever so slightly bland.

IF IT WERE A COLOUR IT WOULD BE... White - gentle and pure.

IF IT WERE A SEASON IT WOULD BE... Spring, a time of growth and change.

MARKS OUT OF 10 FOR:
WRITING STYLE- 10
PLOT- 7
CHARACTERS- 4. One of the downfalls of this novel is the unlikeable character traits of many of the central characters, such as Cassandra’s self-centredness, self-pity and tendency to wallow; the mercenary and selfish tendencies of Rose; and Simon’s shallowness regarding Rose and her beauty - his sole reason, it would seem, for falling in love with her.
UNPREDICTABILITY- 7
UN-PUT-DOWN-ABILITY- 5
OVERALL NOVEL- 7

RECOMMENDED- Yes. It is loved by many and a nice enough story but don’t go in to it with too high expectations like I did or you might feel a bit disappointed.

Summary: A pleasant read for when you have a bit of time on your hands