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I Capture the Castle - Epistolary Novel
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I Capture the Castle

description I Capture the Castle Overview

I Capture the Castle is a 1948 novel by British author Dodie Smith, written in the form of journal entries by seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain. The protagonist lives with her eccentric family in a crumbling English castle, where her father, an author suffering from writer's block, struggles to provide for his wife and children. The narrative centers on the family's financial difficulties and romantic complications when the castle's new American landlords arrive. The novel has been praised for its coming-of-age themes, wit, and authentic adolescent voice, and was adapted into a 2003 film of the same name.

help I Capture the Castle FAQ

Who wrote the novel 'I Capture the Castle'?

The coming-of-age epistolary novel 'I Capture the Castle' was written by British author Dodie Smith. It was originally published in 1948, long before she gained widespread fame for writing 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians.'

What is the narrative format used in 'I Capture the Castle'?

The novel is written as a series of journal entries maintained by the 17-year-old protagonist, Cassandra Mortmain. Through her episodic writings, Cassandra chronicles her family's eccentric lives and her own personal growth while living in a decaying English castle.

What is the main plot of Dodie Smith's 'I Capture the Castle'?

The plot centers around the impoverished Mortmain family living in a crumbling English castle in the 1930s. The story kicks into motion when two wealthy American brothers inherit the nearby estate, leading to romantic entanglements with Cassandra and her older sister, Rose.

Has 'I Capture the Castle' been adapted into a movie?

Yes, the beloved novel was adapted into a feature film in 2003, directed by Tim Fywell. The movie stars Romola Garai as Cassandra, alongside Henry Cavill, Bill Nighy, and Rose Byrne in prominent roles.

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