This is a lovely book, and I remember it as very funny? There's an interesting comparison with Diana Tutton's 'Guard your Daughters' although that becomes much darker. But both share that genteel poverty middle class dilemma, of what happens to 'nice girls' for whom marriage is the only acceptable future, as they are poorly educated, pre Women's Lib, aware of sex but pre contraception...what a nightmare.
Thanks, Sarah, and yes, it is very funny! And eccentric and slightly bizarre in places. I haven't come across the Diana Tutton book, so shall look into it. And yes - a nightmare indeed...
This brought back some happy memories of childhood reading! I enjoyed ‘I Capture the Castle’ when I first read it - it’s definitely got a comforting and nostalgic feel, but there are some interesting undertones too :)
This is a novel I have never read, yet somewhere along the way I have conceived the idea that the title represents a kind of wordplay on the family's living in a castle, with the 'Castle' of the title referring to a personal aspiration or goal that Cassandra attains in the end. Clearly I need to read Smith's work and find out for myself!
Thank you for this, I have now learned about an author I didn't know and about a book I need to add to my list!
I often joke with a friend that there's something about mid-century British women authors that is sorta indescribable in the way they create funny takes of some miserable situations--and this seems to be a good entry to this catalog!
This sounds wonderful - love the Jane Austen mashup it all points to! In the states I think this author and book must be less known, I have never heard of it but would love to check it out (and explore the Austen connections of course!) Thank you for this lovely essay, Kate!
Yes, I'm getting that impression as a lot of folks are saying they haven't come across it before, yet I thought it was a real modern classic! Maybe it is a niche British thing. Either way, I think you might find it fun and Austen-adjacent ;)
Ah, I really enjoyed this - I Capture the Castle is one of my favorite books and one that I find can be reread many times. I discovered it as a teenager living in a very rural place and it was really comforting to me then. I’ve always wished it was better known and am constantly recommending it to people!
Thankd, Kelsey. Yes, it seems to be one of those elusive books that people either love or have never come across before! It's interesting that you read it in a rural location as a teenager.
Thanks for this lovely investigation, Kate. I would now like to read this "entertaining romp." You caught me with this fine succinct summary: "an eccentric English family living in genteel poverty in a decaying castle." And I like the idea of being inspired in new places. Sounds truly imaginative and romantic.
Glad you enjoyed it, and I think you'll enjoy the romp! Especially as I know you've mentioned your love of British TV in the past. There has been a film of the book that was quite good (I think my daughter used to have it on video...) which caputured the essence of the English countryside. The characters and situations are quite eccentric!
This is a lovely book, and I remember it as very funny? There's an interesting comparison with Diana Tutton's 'Guard your Daughters' although that becomes much darker. But both share that genteel poverty middle class dilemma, of what happens to 'nice girls' for whom marriage is the only acceptable future, as they are poorly educated, pre Women's Lib, aware of sex but pre contraception...what a nightmare.
Thanks, Sarah, and yes, it is very funny! And eccentric and slightly bizarre in places. I haven't come across the Diana Tutton book, so shall look into it. And yes - a nightmare indeed...
This brought back some happy memories of childhood reading! I enjoyed ‘I Capture the Castle’ when I first read it - it’s definitely got a comforting and nostalgic feel, but there are some interesting undertones too :)
Yes! I thought you would enjoy this piece :) I love it when a book makes you feel nostalgic for the first time you read it :)
Thanks for this wonderful essay, Kate. I’ve never read the book, but will certainly add it to the list!
Thanks Victoria!
This is a novel I have never read, yet somewhere along the way I have conceived the idea that the title represents a kind of wordplay on the family's living in a castle, with the 'Castle' of the title referring to a personal aspiration or goal that Cassandra attains in the end. Clearly I need to read Smith's work and find out for myself!
I hope you enjoy it if you check it out! :)
Thanks! ❤️
Thank you for this, I have now learned about an author I didn't know and about a book I need to add to my list!
I often joke with a friend that there's something about mid-century British women authors that is sorta indescribable in the way they create funny takes of some miserable situations--and this seems to be a good entry to this catalog!
That is a very true assessment, I would say haha!
Thank you for your comment and I hope you enjoy the book :)
This sounds wonderful - love the Jane Austen mashup it all points to! In the states I think this author and book must be less known, I have never heard of it but would love to check it out (and explore the Austen connections of course!) Thank you for this lovely essay, Kate!
Yes, I'm getting that impression as a lot of folks are saying they haven't come across it before, yet I thought it was a real modern classic! Maybe it is a niche British thing. Either way, I think you might find it fun and Austen-adjacent ;)
Ah, I really enjoyed this - I Capture the Castle is one of my favorite books and one that I find can be reread many times. I discovered it as a teenager living in a very rural place and it was really comforting to me then. I’ve always wished it was better known and am constantly recommending it to people!
Thankd, Kelsey. Yes, it seems to be one of those elusive books that people either love or have never come across before! It's interesting that you read it in a rural location as a teenager.
Another high level piece. I have never read this so will have to give it a go. Thank you for the detailed insight.
Thank you 😀
Thanks for this lovely investigation, Kate. I would now like to read this "entertaining romp." You caught me with this fine succinct summary: "an eccentric English family living in genteel poverty in a decaying castle." And I like the idea of being inspired in new places. Sounds truly imaginative and romantic.
Glad you enjoyed it, and I think you'll enjoy the romp! Especially as I know you've mentioned your love of British TV in the past. There has been a film of the book that was quite good (I think my daughter used to have it on video...) which caputured the essence of the English countryside. The characters and situations are quite eccentric!