I Capture the Castle

I Capture the Castle
By Dodie Smith
Boston, Little, Brown, 1948. 343 p. Historical Fiction

Managing your family is difficult under the best of circumstances, but when you’re merely the daughter of the household and your family consists of the quirkiest members imaginable, you’ve got a bigger job than most. Cassandra and her family have been reduced to a life of gentile poverty and been forced to move into an old, tumbling little castle in England. Her father was a one-time, superbly famous literary critic, but has lost his knack for writing. Her stepmother is a vaguely airy-headed, ex-portrait model with a surprising gift for housekeeping and her dear sister takes the role of the beautiful heroine destined for…something grand to be sure. Her younger brother is good for adventures and such and the servant boy is more a family retainer than true hired help. With such an assortment of characters the comedic element is ripe and when circumstances force the family to lock up father in the castle tower until he agrees to begin writing again a grand hullaballoo ensues. Moreover, when a duo of wealthy brothers moves into the village the possibilities for romance become ever more likely.

I Capture the Castle takes place during the period between the two world wars and is told in semi-journal format from the point of a truly endearing young woman. It has to be one of the most delightful, charming books I’ve read in years. I laughed myself silly and was utterly captivated from beginning to end. The veritable J. K. Rowling herself said, “This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I’ve ever met.” It’s a superb choice for any selective reader and the library recently purchased a Book Club set for everyone’s enjoyment. Highly Recommended.

DAP