I Read That Movie @ the Library: I CAPTURE THE CASTLE

For November, our "page-to-screen" book club, I Read That Movie @ the Library, is reading the 1948 coming-of-age novel I Capture the Castle, written by English author and playwright Dodie Smith, who also wrote the immensely popular children's book The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

The story is told in the first-person through the journal of 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, who lives in a romantic but decaying castle with her two siblings, older sister Rose and younger brother Thomas, their widower father James, and his youngish second wife Topaz. The household also includes 18-year-old Stephen, the loyal son of the family's late maid, who serves as an unpaid handyman (and who is deeply in love with Cassandra). James, an author, gained international fame from his first novel but has long suffered writer's block, so the family survives on his ever-dwindling book royalties. When two wealthy young American brothers who have inherited the castle from their English father arrive on the scene, romantic intrigue develops among the two sets of siblings, leading to a series of relationship twists and turns.

Participants are invited to read the book, then come for a screening of the 2003 BBC Films adaptation directed by Tim Fywell, featuring performances by a stellar cast including Rose Byrne, Bill Nighy, Henry Thomas, and Henry Cavill.

Copies of the book are available at the Humanities Reference Desk on the 2nd floor of the Central Library. Thanks to a generous grant from the Memphis Library Foundation, a limited number of new copies will be given away to participants, and additional copies are available to borrow.

The screening (including popcorn, drinks, and other snacks!) will take place on Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. in Room L-56, followed by a discussion about the book and the film. Even if you haven't read the book, you are welcome to join us to watch the movie and participate in the conversation!