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I Capture the Castle
- Narrated by: Jenny Agutter
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
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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 BiographyJenny 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.
Critic reviews
"This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met." (J.K. Rowling)
What listeners say about I Capture the Castle
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- Iain Crockett
- 07-12-20
perfect narration
A beautifully written diary from a beautiful 17 year old in the midst of an eccentric engliah family, beautifully read. loved it
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-09-19
Beautifully Nostalgic
I was lost in the life of the characters, so beautifully written and read, and such a captivating story.
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- Anonymous User
- 25-01-19
Consciously bookish
This book gave me mixed feelings. First, I was intrigued; the style of the opening pages seemed unusual, though in a slightly deliberate way. I’d say, whatever the narrator claims, it’s obvious that right from the start her writings were meant to become a real book, not merely a journal. And luckily hers is a very characteristic family to ‘capture’, even if it takes just a second look to call it properly dysfunctional. Whether young Cassandra really is a most charismatic narrator, I’m not sure. It makes you think of Jane Austen but without her quick-wittedness and social insight. See what’s left?..
I don’t know why, but the moment when Cassandra lists off her considerations about having refused a walk with Stephen and if he would have kissed her and if she really wished that back then and if she would really mind that now, annoyed me so much that I nearly dropped the book. It sounded so girlish and pretentious and I did not feel in the least connected with the heroine. By that point, I really thought she could find a better use for her time than keeping journals, given that Stephen is the only one who brings money for the household. Anyway, it never looked like diaries of a 17-year-old girl as much as memories of a 50-year-old woman longing for her youth and her native land – which the book is, in fact. However dramatic are the events towards the end of the book, the pace, the choice of words, the distant, nostalgic tone remains the same. I simply don’t believe anyone would put down phrases like “only the margin left to write on now”, but as an audiobook somehow it works better. It’s very English of course, and what matters is the atmosphere, even the hackneyed stereotypes made lovely by time and distance.
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-04-13
very enjoyable
Beautifully read by jenny agutter. Really bought the era to life. A gentle story well worth a listen
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- Jonesy
- 25-07-20
Beautiful, descriptive, Rich
Such wonderful writing. The characters, the place, the story. And Jenny Agutter’s reading - so perfect!
I was there with the family. Their eccentricities, the poverty and angst and the love, fun, and passions. Loved it!
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- Jan
- 05-10-22
Wonderful!
Highly recommend this engaging story. At times out loud laughing funny at others poignant and moving. Superb narration.
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- Customer
- 28-09-22
Simply Wonderful!
Jenny Agutter beautifully gives life to the characters in this entrancing story. Told in diary form, the reader tags along on Cassandra's journey into young womanhood amidst her very unusual family and lifestyle. It is a circle of unrequited loves and self discovery for more than one character.
A riveting tale. I loved it.
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- Kindle Customer
- 13-02-23
Memorable
One of my favourite books read by the wonderful Jenny Agutter. I loved it.
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- Old Rose
- 04-01-23
Postwar Austen-esque
On the surface this is a classic coming of age romance, but it is packed with insight about class and gender relations and the process of writing, and it does not have a sugary ending. It is also very, very funny. All writers and friends of writers should read (or listen to) this story. The performance does full justice to this old favourite.
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- mfr
- 09-10-23
Beautiful
Witty, sad, moving, eloquent, atmospheric, she not only captured the castle but a moment in life so beautifully. So well understood by Jenny Agutter.
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