4 Comments

Loved reading about your experience with it. A book like that is so rare, so precious; it sounds like it came at just the right time that summer.

Expand full comment

Alison!!! It was because of something you'd said last year about 'I Capture the Castle' last year that had turned me on to seeking it out, and I couldn't believe my luck on the day I found it in a phone box library! I was gripped throughout, and it really kept me guessing, which was lovely. It was such a paradox of a read - in places I found I identified closely with Cassandra, and in others she absolutely maddened me! And actually, both of those at once, too!

Your exploration of a book so very close to your heart has been such a beautiful read - I loved everything about this post! I think I may have said this before, but I would thoroughly recommend Dodie Smith's 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians' - the writing is an absolute joy from start to finish, and - I count this as a good thing - the story is nothing like either of the films! (And I am absolutely NOT a dog person, but still loved it.) I wish she'd written a sequel to 'I Capture the Castle'. Where are they now, I wonder?!

Expand full comment

I still haven’t given in and read One Hundred and One Dalmatians, though I know the writing will be beautiful - I just can’t get past the Disney association in my head!

And I’m glad you found it and loved it too!

Expand full comment