I Capture the Castle

The most underrated novel I've ever read. Not even my english teacher's have ever heard of this book. Its a great read and such a romantic novel.

I have mixed feelings about defining myself with what I read. IS this my favorite book? Would I recommend it? Does anything I say mean anything? Am I selling this book through facebook? Does it boost sales? What is literacy? Why so many questions? If I don't put a book, am I boring? Why are they prompting me to put books on a shelf? Can I put a porcelain cat there? Is there a box to check for 1950's chalkware? Can I put a note from Helen Frankenthaler there that I found at Strand bookstore in a book that was a book mark? I would tack it to the corner. Of course I have books. Sure. Isn't that great?

Very easy to read; convincing. At turns funny, heart-wrenching, angering, and always clever. Loved the journal technique...loved the one-line "quotables" (like about herbs and bathtubs) and there are so many "clues" to the ending and themes that resurface upon a second reading. Would HIGHLY reccommend this to just about anyone. I haven't enjoyed a book by a non-believing author this much in a long time.

definitely one of the best books i have ever read :] it starts off a little slow though, but towards the middle i couldnt put it down. smith really captures the feeling of growing up.

Delightful, charming, entertaining. I would have adored this book as a young adult, but found it quite moving as a "regular old" adult. Remarkable portrait of a family provided by a (mostly) reliable and likable young woman who narrates from her own journals. Ah, true love.

Mid-twentieth-century English novel, easily compared with Jane Austen. Narrator (author?) is as introspective and motive-questioning as Austen (or, e.g., Elizabeth Bennett) and the knotty issues of this book involve love, class, marriage within society, and societal expectations of women. The ending feels right but isn't a tidy bundle of the virtuous receiving their just rewards the way it would be with Austen. Imperfect people who have behaved imperfectly continue on their imperfect paths, some of 'em happily and some of 'em less so. Given that the book was written 100 years later, the semi-unsettled ending is more than appropriate.

Just about my favorite book. I have probably read this over 200 times since I first discovered it at age 14 or so.

dodie smith's style of writing is satisfying to me because i am very visual and she sustains my ability to "see" what she writes throughout the novel. she develops characters the reader can get emotional about...one way or another....good and bad....it's a book i read every summer to visit my "friends".

Love this book. The narrator is charming. I, however, do not like the cover shown and own the older cover version. (pet peeve-movie covers)

A bit slow and I agree somewhat lacking in content. However, the writing is good and can be insightful, and on those grounds I would recommend it for anyone in the mood for a good young adult love story.