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kbkittyb's review against another edition
5.0
I love this author!
I just love the way she writes! Beautiful, yet relatable.
I quite often hate a book if I dislike the characters - well, in my experience, this author writes the most unlikeable characters in such a way as to make them intriguing enough for me to care.
The theatre setting, the 20s atmosphere, starving artists: I loved it all. Its a world that wouldn't suit me at all...but I loved being a part of it temporarily.
If you are going into this for a happy, well rounded story, this isn't the one for you. I am left with so many questions! And regrets! And nostalgia!
Would strongly recommend.
I just love the way she writes! Beautiful, yet relatable.
I quite often hate a book if I dislike the characters - well, in my experience, this author writes the most unlikeable characters in such a way as to make them intriguing enough for me to care.
The theatre setting, the 20s atmosphere, starving artists: I loved it all. Its a world that wouldn't suit me at all...but I loved being a part of it temporarily.
If you are going into this for a happy, well rounded story, this isn't the one for you. I am left with so many questions! And regrets! And nostalgia!
Would strongly recommend.
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
This is something of a genre - looking back on being young people wanting to be in the theatre in the big city. This is the British version circa 1925 or so (and interestingly was written in the 1960s in such a way that for a while I thought it was the 60s rather than the 20s). The central character is a specific kind of girl, fully recognizable but not a type that you normally see in novels.
suebarsby's review against another edition
4.0
Essentially the same tale as I Capture the Castle, though the heroine not quite so good as Cassandra, but not bad. As before, male characters are not blessed and it's all splendidly sorted by the women. Fun and just the right amount of sparkle for a dark evening's read.
misajane79's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps my expectations were too high--after all, I think I Capture the Castle is practically perfect. And it started out great--young girl off to London to try to break in to the Theater. Complete with fun actress friends and an almost dorm-like home situation.
But then she falls in love with the Wrong Man, and she knows it, and she still does it, and it's never clear why he's so fabulous (besides being the leading man and all). And there was a big lead up to a Pivotal Event, whic wasn't really that big a deal.
So, it's still Dodie Smith and old-fashioned London, but I'll take Streatfeld's theater memories over this any day.
But then she falls in love with the Wrong Man, and she knows it, and she still does it, and it's never clear why he's so fabulous (besides being the leading man and all). And there was a big lead up to a Pivotal Event, whic wasn't really that big a deal.
So, it's still Dodie Smith and old-fashioned London, but I'll take Streatfeld's theater memories over this any day.
annebrooke's review against another edition
4.0
I've loved Dodie Smith novels for a long time and consider her to be one of the most underrated novelists of the twentieth century. Here she's on top form, with the story of the very quirky 'Mouse' and her friends trying to make names for themselves in the world of theatre.
Yes, it took me a while to get into the story, but once I'd realised the sheer uniqueness of the heroine and her friends, I loved it. This is a book mainly about female friendships, how love complicates and changes everything, and how women deal with the passing of time. I have to admit I didn't like the central 'hero' at all and had no idea why he had the effect on women that he seemed to have - as to my mind every single one of them could have done a hundred times better, but honestly the love entanglements aren't the most important thing.
It's a classic in every sense and I highly recommend this book, and the wonderful Dodie Smith.
Yes, it took me a while to get into the story, but once I'd realised the sheer uniqueness of the heroine and her friends, I loved it. This is a book mainly about female friendships, how love complicates and changes everything, and how women deal with the passing of time. I have to admit I didn't like the central 'hero' at all and had no idea why he had the effect on women that he seemed to have - as to my mind every single one of them could have done a hundred times better, but honestly the love entanglements aren't the most important thing.
It's a classic in every sense and I highly recommend this book, and the wonderful Dodie Smith.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful as all Dodie Smith books are. Arch and thoughtful at the same time, interesting characters and a beautiful sense of time and place. Loved it.
katyla's review against another edition
4.0
I fell in love with characters and the humour of this story, 1920s London and the world of the theatre was brought to life, a glimpse into the past and a world I wish I could experience first hand. Smith writes loveable, absurd and hilarious characters!
charlielovesbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
halfcentreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Interesting first-person narrative of a 58-year-old woman recollecting her youth as an 18-year-old who aspired to be on the stage, of her living at a woman's club, and landing a job in the office of a small theatre company. This is the story of the women she met that first year, their friendships, her coming of age and a leap forward to what everyone looks like and has accomplished after 40 years.
This book came from a high school library donation. And after reading it I wonder how a girl of eighteen would find this book. Relevant? or do you need to live a fuller life (like a woman in her 50's to appreciate the retrospective. I thought Smith did a fabulous job depicting the later years effect on the individuals. I am not sure, but I am betting that this was partly autobiographical, because these women had personalities that were believable and realistic.
Dodie Smith is similar to Rosamunde Pichler and D.E. Stevenson in creating relatable relationships and characters.
Interesting first-person narrative of a 58-year-old woman recollecting her youth as an 18-year-old who aspired to be on the stage, of her living at a woman's club, and landing a job in the office of a small theatre company. This is the story of the women she met that first year, their friendships, her coming of age and a leap forward to what everyone looks like and has accomplished after 40 years.
This book came from a high school library donation. And after reading it I wonder how a girl of eighteen would find this book. Relevant? or do you need to live a fuller life (like a woman in her 50's
Dodie Smith is similar to Rosamunde Pichler and D.E. Stevenson in creating relatable relationships and characters.
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
Generally adored this and feel like talking about the bits that I didn't are a bit spoilery, so. It's not the classic that Castle is, but still quite charming and entertaining and just made me feel happy. Pretty much the epitome of comfort reading for me.