I Capture the Castle

By: Dodie Smith

Narrated by: Jenny Agutter

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

In this coming of age story, Dodie Smith introduces the visionary and eccentric character of seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain. The youngest daughter in a family of impoverished artists, it is her imagination and writing that takes us away from the ramshackle old English castle where they live, and towards an intriguing tale of husband-hunting and light-hearted sibling rivalry.

With the arrival of their new landlords, the impossibly handsome and wealthy American brothers, Neil and Simon Cotton, the Mortmains are roused from their stupor and moved to action. Despite developing feelings for the younger of the two brothers, Cassandra's beautiful sister, Rose, plots to marry the eldest heir in a desperate attempt to escape the poverty which surrounds her.

When Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the very first time with the same man as her sister, she explores her mixed emotions through her writing, making this a story which revels in irony and ambiguity.

A deceptively complex and intelligent story, I Capture the Castle is Smith's first published work and one which will undoubtedly and simultaneously make listeners tut, laugh and reminisce.

Narrator Biography

Jenny Agutter is a celebrated English stage, film and TV actress who was first brought to the attention of British audiences as a child, starring in East of Sudan and The Railway Children. She made her Hollywood debut in the critically acclaimed film Walkabout, in 1971, followed by Logan's Run, An American Werewolf in London and Child's Play 2.

Her TV career includes appearances on Spooks, Call the Midwife and The Man in the Iron Mask. Alongside this, Jenny is also considered one of the best classical actors of her generation and has performed with both the Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theatre. She is an Emmy and BAFTA award winner and was awarded an OBE on the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours List for charitable services.

Jenny's other Audible audiobook narrations include Jane Austen's Emma, Anne Brontë's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and E. Nesbit's The Railway Children.

©2000 Dodie Smith (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A good story, flourishing characters, and the most persuasive narrative voice." (Guardian [London])
"This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met." (J.K. Rowling)

Very Masterpiece Theater

Charming little British story that reminds me of something you'd see on Masterpiece or BBC. Would be a great book to study in class in terms of narrative voice and whatnot. I enjoyed it.

Quite Wonderful

I loved this book ! Have you ever read a novel that was so enjoyable and so vivid that, even while wanting to find out what will happen, you try not to read it too fast because you don't want it to end ? That's how I felt about these characters and the story. It is a book to savor for its unique setting, quirky characters, and observations. Quite wonderful !

Fabulous Story

This is a poignant, hilarious, unforgettable story from the author of "101 Dalmatians". My daughter and I have read the book and listened to it multiple times. My only complaint is it ends leaving you wanting more.

How?

Great story filled with "Affluent ", persons who have never gone without. Add one with a great need to know people in high places, writers, actors...the well known! Add in some who are at the opposite end of the social ladder, very poor.
The story is full of feelings ...
those in love and the lovelorn, those " Needing to be needed" and those needing nothing and one who craves everything.
This book is quite a representation of human kind.
I enjoyed every bit!
I am now on to the next book, since one story has no end and I must find out what happens next! Sadly there is no next book.
A well written and an enjoyable read. It's Full of characters with depth and interesting personalities.

Enter the mind of a young woman!

I Capture the Castle was a delightful read - very satisfying. It is a character driven story, quirky and tender. I'm

enamored

Absolutely loved every minute of it. A story about the complications of young love and so so much more than that too.

I Capture the Castle

Romantic but not soppy coming
of age story. A bit of an updated Pride and Prejudice and a very English story.

Mesmerizing

From the first sentence, I was captivated. Jenny Agutter as the narrator is pure perfection for this story. I don’t know how I’ve lived so many years on the planet without having read this book, and I’m grateful to Audible for bringing it into my life. I will be listening again and again!

I liked it very much

What did you love best about I Capture the Castle?

I found this book easy listening and engaging, with interesting characters and wonderful scenery descriptions.

Charm me!! Enchant me! IT DID

What did you love best about I Capture the Castle?

A crumbling castle purchased by a one hit wonder author.. Story by his young daughter who is full of enjoyment of life even though they are out of money and eating from the garden

Any additional comments?

Love longing choosing love over overly thing else love triangles. Settling and not settling. This story speaks to all of us as who we can love is chosen for us.