This has been in my ‘To Read Tower’ for a while and it seems fitting to read it now that ‘Go Set A Watchman’ is released (I must get that one too!).
I bought the 50th anniversary edition of TKAM which also seemed a good thing to do, rather than what I usually do, which is look on Amazon for pre-read books sometimes. You can get some absolutely perfect editions of books, even if they say they are ‘used – good’ or ‘used – acceptable’. I’ve often received books in these conditions but actually are pretty perfect in condition. OK, sometimes you might get the odd dog-eared book but for the price of a couple of £’s… hey, it’s worth it.
However, I guess there’s nothing like the feeling of buying a new version of a book in a book shop – totally un-read; fresh and just waiting to be read!
Gabriel Garcia Marques – One Hundred Years of Solitude.
As some may know I have a book tower which I am currently reading my way through…
…currently I have ‘The Book Thief’ on the go at the moment, but I kind of came across this book by Gabriel Garcia Marques – One Hundred Years of Solitude.
I read another blogger’s reading collection blog where they had one or two of Marques’ books and couldn’t rate them high enough. Also, curiously, It was part of a question on UK game show ‘Pointless’ and I thought ‘I’ve heard of that book recently’ Intrigued, I had a look around and discovered it was a book which is a MUST read for anyone and everyone.
The New York Times says “It should be required reading for the entire human race” Mmm? That good huh?!
The Guardian says “Enormously, kaleidoscopically, mysteriously alive”
and even Salman Rushdie says “The greatest novel in any language of the last fifty years”.
OK, so you got me! Long story short – quick click around Amazon, and bang! There it is in my ‘To Read Tower’
It was a good deal!
(Don’t know when I’ll get around to reading it tho!)
Set in 1930’s England, Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere. Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fadingly glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother, Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from writer’s block. However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time. Only it’s not that simple as Cassandra fights with her emotions. Being only 17, she is so confused at these ‘first feelings’ but at the same time she is aware of influences around her which beckon better times for her and the family. (‘Consciously naive’) at times, she isn’t quite sure what is happening to them, as a family, why it’s happening to them and how to deal with the impending changes. She constantly updates her journal to try and rationalize her feelings and those of Rose, Topaz, Stephen, the two Cotton brothers and of course her ever worrisome Father!
First of all, a bit of background: The book took four years to complete and was first published in 1948. Dodie Smith, at that time, was already a successful playwright who had made her way to Hollywood writing screenplays for movie studios. After writing the first few pages, MGM wanted to by-pass the book and turn it into a script. The only thing was that Dodie would have to dictate the rest to a secretary. I am so glad she refused; how was she going to dictate such a wonderfully written book? *shudder*. Many were convinced that it should be a film after its publication and during the 1950’s it was adapted for the stage but it was the wrong time for it to be received in the way that was predicted. ‘Castle’ was actually so good, that it was practically unfashionable for Britain during the 50’s.
Disney eventually owned the rights but it never seemed the right time for them to adapt the book. (Maybe a blessing!). By the time Disney wanted to produce the film version of 101 Dalmatians in the 1990’s (Also written by Dodie Smith in the 50’s), the executor of Dodie’s estate (She had passed away in 1990), Julian Barnes, successfully negotiated a return of the ‘Castle’ rights. (Thank heavens!).
So, to the movie itself:
Having read the book and loving it, I was fortunate enough to have a friend who let me borrow the film so I could see the movie adaptation, which I did with some hesitance. I say that because the way the book unfolds is literary genius and is a classic. I was hoping the movie version wasn’t going to dissolve the images in my head which Dodie Smith had put there with her words.
My thoughts on the movie:
As I said, I absolutely love the book, but, I have to say this movie is a brave adaptation. It’s from 2003, and I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it at the time or since it was recommended to me as a novel at the beginning of this year! (Where have I been?!).
Although it is excellent work, It does leave out some details, and I’m not surprised at that considering the wonderful detail in the book. I was waiting for certain parts to come… but for me they didn’t seem to arrive. I realise that to keep to a time schedule for a movie, some crucial and personal moments seem to have been generalised for the film. That’s just my personal view, however, I did enjoy it as a whole. You know that feeling, when you know something so well, and you see an adaptation play out in front of you; the familiarity makes you want to shout out at what happens next out of excitement. (I found myself doing that). Then you start pulling it to bits out of mild disappointment when things seem to be missed out or out of sequence – but at the same time you don’t really want to because you love it and are enjoying it. It left me feeling a little like that, but at the same time applauding the whole thing anyway!
If you love the book, and have read and re-read it for years, please be patient and gentle with it. Having said that, you will enjoy it as a film/movie, whether you know the book or not. It is a very good adaptation and an amazing story. It’s brilliantly written as a screenplay, considering Heidi Thomas had Dodie Smith looking over her shoulder, as well as generations of ‘Castle’ fans. The movie’s redeeming features are the wonderful performances by Bill Nighy, Tara Fitzgerlad and Romola Garai (this was her first lead role), as well as the settings, photography and direction.
Romola Garai plays Cassandra perfectly; so much so that I’m pretty sure I had her in my head whilst reading the book, and before I knew she was in the film. Maybe the book reminded me of Attonement – (Romola played the grown up Bryony) And just like Stephen and Simon in ‘Castle’, I have to admit that I fell a little bit in love with Cassandra too!
In my ‘To Read Tower’ post I have outlined the books I have piling up and thus creating a tower. I like having ‘the tower’ around, just sitting there, as it reminds of the books I am longing to read. They aren’t hidden on the bookshelf, they are sitting on a table which I pass everyday. This keeps them in my mind for what I am to read next. However, as I mentioned in the book tower post, books get added, more than get taken out and read at the moment – but I’m getting better at saying ‘NO’ to my inner self when books ‘call’ to me in shops or more worryingly too conveniently, Amazon!
So The Book Thief is my next read and I’m really looking forward to this one. A friend recommended it and has let me borrow it so I’m glad I’m starting it, as I don’t like to hang on to things which are not mine… I’ll get it back to her as soon as I can, and once I’ve read it, I’ll review it.
This book was recommended to me by a fellow blogger (Bluebookbelle – A World Of Randomness). I have to say I am Sooo glad she did!
There are times in your life when something comes along and you just know it will stay with you for life. In book terms, I already have this in Gavin Maxwell’s Ring of Bright Water. I can honestly say now that in ‘I Capture the Castle’, I have this book too.
Right from the get go – the first line “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.” And that first description of the weather, the gloom, the kitchen, the castle and the people in it and the mood at the time, sets you off on a page turning experience which is truly captivating.
Set in 1930’s England, Cassandra Mortmain lives with her bohemian and impoverished family in a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere. Her journal records her life with her beautiful, bored sister, Rose, her fadingly glamorous stepmother, Topaz, her little brother, Thomas, and her eccentric novelist father who suffers from writer’s block. However, all their lives are turned upside down when the American heirs to the castle arrive and Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the first time…
…only it’s not that simple as Cassandra fights with her own emotions. Being only 17, she is so confused at these ‘first feelings’ but at the same time she is aware of influences around her which beckon better times for her and the family. (‘Consciously naive’) At times, she isn’t quite sure what is happening to them, why it’s happening and how to deal with the impending changes. She constantly updates her journal to try and rationalize her feelings and those of Rose, Topaz, Stephen, the two Cotton brothers and of course her ever worrisome Father!
There are some lovely moments when she turns to her journal to describe her feelings and theories as well as lying in bed at night having conversations, to help her, with a dress-makers dummy she calls Miss Blossom. The descriptions of the castle and its interiors, exteriors and everyday moments transport you right there, with Cassandra, as she narrates her way through their lives. You really feel you know her so we’ll, right from the start.
Truly, a great read – I totally recommend it. 5 stars! And J. K Rowling is quoted saying “This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I’ve ever met.”
Ironically at the time I decided to buy the book, another friend of mine, who I’d mentioned it to, (and enthused rather dramatically about it – another recommendation!), suddenly thrust the 2003 DVD film adaptation into my hands! Now I’ve read the book, I can watch the film and give it back to her.
Mmm… I can feel a film review coming on… watch out for it soon. 🙂
Ok, just quickly – there is a fire and you are allowed go back in to grab/save only 5 books of your choice.
Bear in mind you’ve only got 60 seconds so quickly peruse your bookshelves and acting on instinct and impulse, don’t think too hard, take out 5 books you want to save (I know, it’s so hard!!!). Once safe, and you’ve had a cup of tea – for the shock – post your photo’s and tell us why you chose them.
Ok, Go!
I saved these 5 almost at random but like I say, with an impulsive, yet instinctive mind:
1. My Tate Gallery book of Salvador Dali which I’ve had since I was 16 or 17. I bought this in London at the Tate Modern. Dali’s paintings & images were mesmerising when I saw them up close and they have always been amazing to me – although my photo’s here are most certainly not!
2. My Guitar Handbook which I’ve also had for a long time, probably since about age15 but it was always my constant companion when I was learning guitar, especially for the chords! I still refer to it now after many years – you never stop learning!
3. My copy of I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith. I felt I wanted to save a ‘classic’ so I chose this one. I’ve heard so much about it recently from various people around me. They say it’s a beautiful and uplifting story of first love, self discovery and family relationships – I haven’t read it yet, but is my next read! Hence that’s why I thought it was worth grabbing it to save it.
4. The first Harry Potter book – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I guess you could call this a ‘classic’ – a modern classic – but never the less, it was worth saving J K Rowling’s first ‘Harry’ adventure. It sets the stall out for an amazing series of books which are a masterpiece in modern literature.
5. My 1960 hardback of Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell. Simply because this story, Scotland, the film, the real location (Sandaig), Otters, wildlife and Maxwell’s beautiful writing seem to have always been with me throughout my life. It’s actually my first, impulse ‘grab’ from the ‘fire’ – no hesitation!
In response to Bluebookbelle’s Bookish Photo A Day Challenge – February 2015 #AWORphotoaday
My beautiful coffee-table book is this lovely hardback beast of a book by Orla Kiely.
Synonymous with retro 1970’s design, Orla Kiely’s style and patterns are unmistakeable, Including the classics we have all seen such as ‘Multi-Stem’
Orla Kiely is an Irish fashion designer based in London. She began her career designing hats, and moved on to design work on handbags and a variety of other items including kitchenware and cars!
A truly inspirational book to have out on display and one which is guaranteed to be picked up regularly, feasting the eyes on wonderful designs, colours and ideas. Evocative of the 1970’s but in a modern day classic trend, I feel her style is determined to stand the test of time.
In response to Bluebookbelle’s Bookish Photo A Day Challenge – February 2015 #AWORphotoaday
Not Your Book – I could have taken this as literally, ‘a book that is not mine.’ However, I have interpreted ‘not your book’, as a book that I maybe wouldn’t ordinarily have chosen to read. Therefore – ‘not my kind of book’.
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith.
When I first started blogging I looked at other people’s blogs and noticed that Bluebookbelle had mentioned this book on two occasions and I was curious. When I looked it up I realised it was a classic, first published in 1949 and (how did I not realise) Dodie Smith wrote one of my favourite children’s stories One Hundred And One Dalmatians (1956). So, not ‘my’ book, I had to purchase it immediately from Amazon.
The only thing is, I have so many books to read just now, that it is residing in a pile waiting to be read. I will be slightly sneaky though and bring it forward as my next read!
The reason for this is simple: It is a recommended read (thank you Bluebookbelle) and on the back of my copy there are two enticing sentences…
…the first line: ‘I write this sitting in the kitchen sink’
…and: ‘This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I’ve ever met’ J.K Rowling.
Two great reasons to read great a book If I ever saw them!
mikeytbull 
