3.5k reviews for:

I Capture the Castle

Dodie Smith

3.98 AVERAGE

jgtruesdell's review against another edition

4.0

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I really enjoyed this book. It is a quaint coming of age story and was a nice read. It didn't end all tied up happy, but it ended appropriately for the book.

funny_bunny_reads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

chrys_marin's review against another edition

3.0

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"I Capture the Castle" is a coming-of-age story set in rural England during the 1930s. A cute story, and somewhat original in the way it is narrated and developed, but somehow I felt dissatisfied by the way it ended. Nobody seemed really happy (I guess that was the point), and I did not relate to most characters. I think it is worth reading, and would definitely consider recommending it to young adults and teenagers.

_felix's review against another edition

2.5

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This book gives strangely similar vibes to Little Women, except Little Women did it much better

heather_boo's review against another edition

5.0

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I love the presentation of this book through the first person narration of Cassandra Mortmain’s detailed journal entries. They are so detailed that third person narration slips in unnoticed.
Cassandra is one of those unforgettable characters in literature, so I understand the popularity and longevity of this book. A lot of depth is included in this 17 year old’s dairy because she is mature and introspective for her age. It is a coming of age story, and when she is in a younger moment she is whimsical and free spirited in a way that even she herself recognizes upon reflection during her writing.
I love the realistic bittersweetness throughout the book including its conclusion.

dadandmom12's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thebeab's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

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- absolutely delivered on premise of YA coming of age story e.g. Mrs Button the mannekin becomes an embarrassing relic of her childhood once she takes on an adult mindset - great!
- Brilliant twists I didn't see coming
- Fantastic characters, loved the MC, her father, sister, the Americans, the MC was so witty and funny and smart but made stupid and interesting "heat of the moment" mistakes that sent the plot in interesting and unanticipated directions
- beautiful descriptions and gorgeous prose
- insanely satisfying ending -

I love that she DOESNT end up with Simon (who was a cad!) You know they're in love with each other BUT he has quite some making up to do so I love that they don't neatly end up together -

so forward thinking considering this book was written in the 1940s.

venealosille's review against another edition

3.0

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

cxppatee's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 59%

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Boring, nothing really happened 

kelspeth's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes