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I Capture the Castle

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I Capture the Castle

By: Dodie Smith
Narrated by: Jenny Agutter
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About this listen

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.
Classics Romance Celebrity Heartfelt Funny Feel-Good

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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)
All stars
Most relevant
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.

Charming

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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

Superb

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It's many years since I read this book and was not sure whether I'd still like it. I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed it even more than I did all those years ago. The story's coming of age and first love theme draws you in and carries you along.

Great classic brilliantly read.

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This is a very class conscious story that really gives insight into the necessity of keeping up appearances - and not minding whether you are successful at it! Social attitudes are illustrated but it is not a history lesson - it is a charming story of a family brought to poverty because the father has writers' block all described by the developing diary of one of the daughters. Jenny Agutter is the perfect choice as narrator.

Interesting and insightful

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Delightful narration. Bittersweet. Held me till the end. Ended a little melancholy and somewhat unexpectedly. Glad I listened .... It had a lot of charm.

Enjoyable

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