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  • I Capture the Castle

  • By: Dodie Smith
  • Narrated by: Jenny Agutter
  • Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,727 ratings)
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I Capture the Castle cover art

I Capture the Castle

By: Dodie Smith
Narrated by: Jenny Agutter
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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)

What listeners say about I Capture the Castle

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

funny and well written

An excellent story, well-read. Sharp observations and wit.
Entertaining characters set in a fascinating period. Great-value audiobook.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

90%

Captivating story and narration. The essence of the period well captured. The characters well drawn and observed. While the first half was excellent , for me the second half got a bit mawkish but overall definitely recommmended

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A breath of fresh air.

Delightful story, charmingly told by Cassandra, young, inexperienced, introspective and as wonderfully candid about her own flaws and feelings as she is about those around her. The book is full of colourful characters, most of whom are extremely likeable. You find yourself willing the down-at-heel Mortmain family well, and yet you are constantly aware that their well-being hangs by the flimsiest thread. The story rewards virtue and as such was a great introduction to 'proper' literature to my 12 year old, who LOVES this, and has listened to it six times and read it as well. Highly recommended.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I capture the castle

A delightful story, and Jenny Agutter's narration is absolutely perfect.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A truly life-enhancing experience

Where does I Capture the Castle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listened to this while I was walking, washing up, working. The voice of Cassandra got into me in unexpected ways, such that I felt more emotionally honest, more attuned to the detail of my surroundings, and utterly nostalgic for a period I've never known. This young girl is unwittingly a mindfulness practitioner - her experiencing of her inner and outer world is exquisitely attentive, as well as very funny. Jenny Agutter captures it so well. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I couldn't bear to leave it and began it again as soon as I had listened to the last, painful page; I missed Cassandra, I missed her vivid and unspoilt world! Her striking insights. It enriched my days.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Not just for teens!

I read this about ten years ago having missed it as a child/teenager. I gave it to my own daughter to read and she loved it too. Listening to it now, it has lost none of it's charm and is beautifully read by Jenny Agutter - no-one else could have done it justice. Listening to this is like sitting on a deck chair on a sunny day in a lovely garden with the bees buzzing gently. Many worlds away from the lifestyles that most of us lead, but utterly charming and engaging.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Far too narrowly celebrated masterpiece

What made the experience of listening to I Capture the Castle the most enjoyable?

Ostensibly the diary of 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain, it is the delightfully honest account of an eccentric family fallen on hard times, and their trials and tribulations living in a decrepit castle.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cassandra is what the novel is about - her frustrations, desires and fears, and, beautifully read by Jenny Agutter, it is a gem.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It definitely is one of those give yourself another task, just to keep listening, sort of book. It's a complex and moving piece of literature, and really, a joy!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Charming

This book transported me back in time to when life was simpler. I loved the eccentricity of some of the characters and wanted to meet them!

The setting was original & romantic, I could really picture it.

Beautifully read from beginning to end.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • H
  • 29-11-08

Superb

This was a quite marvellous audible book - beautifully read by Jenny Agiter - I felt I was actually in the castle throughout it. Be aware though it is incredibly sad and as I came to the end I was sitting in my car stopped by a pavement listening to it on my i-pod with tears streaming down. Superb - thank you for making this possible

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really great actress but wrong for this book

What disappointed you about I Capture the Castle?

I love the story but the voice is completely wrong for the book and although I wanted an unabridged reading, I have compromised and returned this for the Emilia Fox version which is very abridged but the voice - to me - is right for the book. The book is all in Cassandra's voice which in my head is light, sometimes flippant and has a young yet old teenage perspective. I have had other books read by Jenny Agutter and loved them as she personified those books brilliantly.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the precision of writing and the balance of the story that Dodie Smith worked so hard to achieve.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jenny Agutter’s performances?

Yes definitely.

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8 people found this helpful