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Original poster

I've just read I Capture The Castle for the first time...

41 replies

punygod · 15/11/2014 15:46

...at the ripe old age of forty, solely due to seeing it mentioned so often on these boards.

How did I miss it for all those years? It was so beautiful.

Thank you, Mners, I now have a new favourite book. I just wish I'd read it when I was younger.

OP posts:
TurboTheChicken · 15/11/2014 20:31

How about The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy or A Wreath for an Enemy by Pamela Frankau?

Or any Nancy Mitford?

Or The Go Between by LP Hartley?

tshirtsuntan · 15/11/2014 18:30

I absolutely love it, the first read is the best, never quite so exciting once you know what happens. Any recommendations for similar books?

AnnOnymity · 15/11/2014 18:20

I read it a few years ago, after reading a rave review on MN. Wonderful book.

AmeliaPeabody · 15/11/2014 18:10

I loved it. I first read it when I was a teen.

SpringHeeledJack · 15/11/2014 18:07

I read it as a teen first (present from Granny- THANK YOU Granny-I'd never have found it myself) and have re read so many times I now know huge chunks off by heart

Possible disadvantage of reading at early age-reinforced my romantic notion that unrequited love was in some way positive, and not a shocking waste of time

That said, it's my very favourite book in the world. Apparently Dodie Smith rewrote each sentence over and over and polished the whole thing till it shone. Frankly don't know why anyone else bothered to write anything afterwards Grin

Original poster
punygod · 15/11/2014 17:58

I loved the set pieces - the part where Rose climbed up the fireplace, and when Cassandra was stranded in a Lyon's Corner House hiding a dog under the table, and the Midsummer Eve rites. Wonderfully atmospheric.

I did find the ending very sad, though.

OP posts:
Trills · 15/11/2014 17:20

I found it a bit dull, TBH.

Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood.

LittleBairn · 15/11/2014 17:13

Venus not quite in the same vein but I found Atonment quite similar in the sense of capturing a time period that's passed and the atmospheric feel of the book.

LittleBairn · 15/11/2014 17:11

Timewarp I would try it again, its one of those books that you just need to be in the right mood for I'm not sure I would have appreciated it at a younger age.

ThursdayLast · 15/11/2014 17:02

I didn't read it until I was in my mid 20s maybe?
I love it now.
Topaz - what a woman Grin

VenusRising · 15/11/2014 17:01

I adore that book.
It's lovely if you find it again after 20 years or so

Any other recommendations?

LittleBairn · 15/11/2014 16:59

I loved it too and I agree so beautiful , I was in my early 20's when I read it. I must be due a re-read.

TimeWarp · 15/11/2014 16:56

I wonder if I should try it again? I read it because so many people here had loved it and thought it was so-so.

Original poster
punygod · 15/11/2014 16:50

I wasn't expecting it to be quite so funny. I just adore the narrator.

OP posts:
Allalonenow · 15/11/2014 16:31

Oh yes it's delightful, must be even more so if read for the first time as a young teen. Smile

IsabellaofFrance · 15/11/2014 16:24

Its lovely isn't it - definitely one of my favourites.

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