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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found it super boring, and had no desire to pick it up.
I Capture the Caste is a coming of age set in the 1940s English country side among poverty, desperation, hope, Americans, inclement and fine weather, and love of several sorts. The setting, for which the book is named, is in a run-down castle that was once a fairytale for the family, but now it's more of a prison. The story is told through 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain's journal. There are no affectations that one would associate with a private journal because Cassandra is teaching herself to write stories, so she tries to write her life like a story. But there are loads of honest, embarrassing, heartbreaking goings on that are associated with a coming of age story. It's terribly melancholy at times, but it is a good read that is clean enough for the YA crowd, and engaging enough for everyone.
There is a movie based on the book, but the movie makes the story seem more pessimistic and unhappy than the tone of the book. Of course, since they are different mediums for storytelling, it's always hard to compare a book and a movie. But I always hope that the movie can at least capture the overall tone and purpose of the book, which wasn't well-done in this case.
There is a movie based on the book, but the movie makes the story seem more pessimistic and unhappy than the tone of the book. Of course, since they are different mediums for storytelling, it's always hard to compare a book and a movie. But I always hope that the movie can at least capture the overall tone and purpose of the book, which wasn't well-done in this case.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A really long but enjoyable book.
3.5
I was reading the bits at the back about how the story will be received differently by different people, depending on what they each bring to the table as readers. It got me thinking.... I don’t think I liked any of the characters I was supposed to like.
- Cassandra read more like a 12 year old than an 18 year old. She was frustratingly naïve.
- Rose was absolutely vapid and detestable. I disliked her the most.
- I didn’t like Stephen. I got really creepy vibes from him. He seemed like a bit of a simpleton yet was also strangely predatory. There was something a bit too intense about him.
- Neil was more interesting than Simon.
- Leda Fox-Cotton: yuck!
- Cassandra’s father was infuriating. He was so lazy and (to steal from the discussion questions at the back) I don’t think he was a “genius”. I think he was a one-hit wonder. HIs children and wife suffered as a direct result of his arrogance.
- I really liked Topaz! She was such a breath of fresh air. She wasn’t a parent figure but more like an older sister.
- I didn’t understand why Cassandra was enamoured with Simon. I can only assume it was puppy-love infatuation. I was really pleased with the ending of that storyline.
- Thomas was far more endearing and interesting than his sisters.
- I adored the dog.
I was considering it’s length as I read it... I am not sure it would have appealed to me as a teenager given its length and meandering pace though.
3.5
I was reading the bits at the back about how the story will be received differently by different people, depending on what they each bring to the table as readers. It got me thinking.... I don’t think I liked any of the characters I was supposed to like.
- Cassandra read more like a 12 year old than an 18 year old. She was frustratingly naïve.
- Rose was absolutely vapid and detestable. I disliked her the most.
- I didn’t like Stephen. I got really creepy vibes from him. He seemed like a bit of a simpleton yet was also strangely predatory. There was something a bit too intense about him.
- Neil was more interesting than Simon.
- Leda Fox-Cotton: yuck!
- Cassandra’s father was infuriating. He was so lazy and (to steal from the discussion questions at the back) I don’t think he was a “genius”. I think he was a one-hit wonder. HIs children and wife suffered as a direct result of his arrogance.
- I really liked Topaz! She was such a breath of fresh air. She wasn’t a parent figure but more like an older sister.
- I didn’t understand why Cassandra was enamoured with Simon. I can only assume it was puppy-love infatuation. I was really pleased with the ending of that storyline.
- Thomas was far more endearing and interesting than his sisters.
- I adored the dog.
I was considering it’s length as I read it... I am not sure it would have appealed to me as a teenager given its length and meandering pace though.
A very very delightful summer read. Sort of reminiscent of Jane Austen...the castle setting, eccentric father, mishaps in love, and engaging narrator make it a total treat.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes