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)

delightful

What an unexpected delight... I enjoyed every minute and did not want it it to end...Superb narration by Jenny Agutter. I never imagined I would like to read a journal of a 17 year old girl, but I was utterly "captured" by this literary gem. I am disappointed by only one thing - there are no more adult books written by Dodie Smith...

Loved it at thirteen revisited at sixty

Still a good story and well read. Great for teen readers but not separate from adults. Written in a style that is like reading the author's diary. Her insights of life and growing up are still timely. Great romance as well.

Well written and "captured" my attention!

Although it was more of a character study and no big storyline, the quality of the writing kept attention and the progression and development of the characters was slow but kind of beautiful...like a beautiful Sunday afternoon lazy river ride.

Excellent

Not a book I would normally choose. But it was written very well, preformed well and just thoroughly enjoyable.

Magnificent

An absolutely beautiful rendition of this classic book. I understand why it is the favorite of so many great authors