Scan barcode
A review by keysmashhh
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Plot: 4.5/5
Character: 5/5
Relationships: 4.5/5
World-Building: 4/5
Genre: 5/5
things i liked
- the narrative voice, it was so funny and relatable - the 'teenage-ness' of it was perfect, I felt really sold on the MC being 17 (as I also am 17, and she just sounded so real)
- the audiobook!!!!! it was done like a radio play and it was perfect - the actors/actresses had such good expressions in their voices and they sounded so real and comforting
- the plot - nothing happens but in a good way. some classics focused on domestic life are so dull but this one had cheekiness and real-life simplicity that i loved
- romance - it was not the centre of the book but also not, like the main change in the book was the romantic pairings but at the same time it wasn't a romance book - idk how to describe it but it just worked
- also the romance wasn't like.... romantic - it was understated and left vague which is good (especially with the slightly dubious ages)
- the quirkiness of each character was so comforting to read - a slightly dysfunctional family with each their own thing was so nice to read (and v. relatable) - the little things that make each character unique really added a level of personalisation to each of them that made them more than just 2D
- the funny moments, like the MC and her brother locking their dad in the celler to get him to write and the drama with how many towels they own - it just had such a nice anecdote-like style to it.
- THE FORMAT!!! i usually hate "experimental" styles (like the diary format) but this did nothing to take away from the overall effect
- Poppy...liking a classic?????? what sort of world are we living in haha - but honestly it worked, the classic-ness of it was actually not as overwhelming as I thought it might be
things i was meh on
- honestly, i just wish this was longer, I could happily read double the length of this book - the little stories and funny moments were just so comforting to read - v. simple and i loved that
- perhaps I wouldn't have liked it as much if I was reading it physically, the performance aspect of the audiobook definitely made it close to perfection
- the ending was a bit rushed, and the tying up of the romance plotlines could have been a little bit smoother - but honestly, this is just nit-picky stuff
- i think this is one who my love for would fade over time - especially as i grow up (and out) of the coming-of-age genre
things i didn't like
- stephen... baby, you deserved better <3
- like i said before, the ages of the characters did make any sort of relationship with the MC a bit... meh - i think she's supposed to be 17 so... idk, bit weird how she was a child to him for half the book but then a romantic prospect in part 2
Character: 5/5
Relationships: 4.5/5
World-Building: 4/5
Genre: 5/5
things i liked
- the narrative voice, it was so funny and relatable - the 'teenage-ness' of it was perfect, I felt really sold on the MC being 17 (as I also am 17, and she just sounded so real)
- the audiobook!!!!! it was done like a radio play and it was perfect - the actors/actresses had such good expressions in their voices and they sounded so real and comforting
- the plot - nothing happens but in a good way. some classics focused on domestic life are so dull but this one had cheekiness and real-life simplicity that i loved
- romance - it was not the centre of the book but also not, like the main change in the book was the romantic pairings but at the same time it wasn't a romance book - idk how to describe it but it just worked
- also the romance wasn't like.... romantic - it was understated and left vague which is good (especially with the slightly dubious ages)
- the quirkiness of each character was so comforting to read - a slightly dysfunctional family with each their own thing was so nice to read (and v. relatable) - the little things that make each character unique really added a level of personalisation to each of them that made them more than just 2D
- the funny moments, like the MC and her brother locking their dad in the celler to get him to write and the drama with how many towels they own - it just had such a nice anecdote-like style to it.
- THE FORMAT!!! i usually hate "experimental" styles (like the diary format) but this did nothing to take away from the overall effect
- Poppy...liking a classic?????? what sort of world are we living in haha - but honestly it worked, the classic-ness of it was actually not as overwhelming as I thought it might be
things i was meh on
- honestly, i just wish this was longer, I could happily read double the length of this book - the little stories and funny moments were just so comforting to read - v. simple and i loved that
- perhaps I wouldn't have liked it as much if I was reading it physically, the performance aspect of the audiobook definitely made it close to perfection
- the ending was a bit rushed, and the tying up of the romance plotlines could have been a little bit smoother - but honestly, this is just nit-picky stuff
- i think this is one who my love for would fade over time - especially as i grow up (and out) of the coming-of-age genre
things i didn't like
- stephen... baby, you deserved better <3
- like i said before, the ages of the characters did make any sort of relationship with the MC a bit... meh - i think she's supposed to be 17 so... idk, bit weird how she was a child to him for half the book but then a romantic prospect in part 2