I Capture the Castle

By: Dodie Smith

Narrated by: Jenny Agutter

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)

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.

A keeper

I have always loved this book and the narrator is brilliant, may never read it again, only listen to it

Delightful!

Any additional comments?

This book is imaginative and a delight from beginning to end. If only Dodie Smith turned out more of these - I would buy each and every one.

Great performance and charming story

Truly wonderful narration. Hats off to Jenny Agutter. Calm and engaging.

The story is reminiscent of a Jane Austen, but 100 years more modern. The plot is intriguing, the characters are interesting, if not entirely developed, and the moral is uplifting, particularly for anyone in that early and unsure stage of life.

Overall, a great listen.