I Capture the Castle Review

“I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.”

So begins I Capture the Castle, a charming, frustrating,  and compelling novel about an English girl and her family in the early 1900's. And while other reviews and the book itself compared the story to that of an Austen or Bronte novel, I am happy to say that it actually was much more Anne of Green Gables than Pride & Prejudice.

The Characters:

Let's start with Cassandra. Sadly, my overall reaction to her wasn't as positive as I'd hoped; she actually seemed to decrease in wisdom and maturity at certain points toward the end of the book (which is never a plus, because we try to develop during the story!), and while her reactions were pretty relatable, I really wished for more strength and development on her part. In my opinion, I think that her personality is a bit too naive and childish for a seventeen-year-old (probably because I am seventeen myself, and I don't find myself  looking at things half as naively as she does); but I did find her to be a very unique, descriptive, and usually charming narrator.

On a more positive note, though: in this novel, I found some of the strangest and most uniquely wonderful fictional characters I have ever read. Topaz, Mortmain, Thomas, and even Leda Fox-Cotton were all so vivid to me, I almost felt as if I had met them! Thomas especially I wish I could have seen more of. And Stephen; oh Stephen, how I wished you a better story!

The Plot:

Overall, I thought that the plot was well-thought out and engaging. Certain parts seemed to lag slightly, especially towards the middle of the book; and the slowness was enhanced by the fact that the last 100 or so pages had many things happening in rapid succession! While it was very interesting to spend lazy days or long evenings with Cassandra in which not much happens besides a chat or two, I think that maybe the story could have been a tad bit more evenly paced. However, it was a very, very realistic story, and if life happens that way then I really cannot begrudge an author too much for that!

All in all, I am glad that I got to read I Capture the Castle, and especially in contrast to what my fellow readers are exploring at the time (Pride & Prejudice). I think that I missed the target age to sympathize with Cassandra fully, and so in that respect I wish I had read it a bit earlier; however, it was really lovely to be able to observe different things and appreciate Dodie Smith's gorgeous prose as an older reader. I think that most of all, this book taught me how to be very, very fond of an author herself after finishing it; I am now seeking to pursue 101 Dalmations in the near future for some more of her great work!