nglofile's review against another edition
5.0
Clever and dreamy. One of the most unaffected and charming protagonists I've ever read. An absolute favorite to which I will return often.
First line: "I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."
audiobook note: Emilia Fox is pitch-perfect.
re-read: April 2010
First line: "I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."
audiobook note: Emilia Fox is pitch-perfect.
re-read: April 2010
ktxx22's review against another edition
3.0
What a sweet little book. Made my heart happy and it was a nice aside from my typical reading. Very much reminded me of Austen, and the Bronte sister’s classic works. For me there is nothing profound going on but it is a very sweet story and I appreciate that. I’m giving it 3/5 because despite the comparisons to the classics it didn’t profoundly affect me like a few of those works did. I would still recommend.
piiiesk's review against another edition
4.5
such a witty read. I was engrossed into the story of Cassandra, her family and the Cottons. It has been a long time since I have felt giddy about a book but this book made me just that. It is clearly an honest and intelligent depiction of growing up and teenage naïvety and love. The plot twists made sense and were surprising - I gasped aloud numerous times. would recommend to everyone who wants an enjoyable and calming read and enjoys imagining the English countryside.
guerra_sio's review against another edition
3.0
Cassandra wants nothing to do with romance. Living in a rundown castle and relying on her father (and his writer's block) to provide for the family has taught her pragmatism is the way to go, until...
tiffyofthemonts's review against another edition
4.0
Charming and still so sad in its own way. Cassandra Mortmain is such a whimsical narrator with the dreamiest voice. I watched the film just days after finishing this book - to me, it doesn't do it justice.
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I did not know what to expect from this book, but I had to keep reminding myself it was written in the 40’s. It felt so modern and the sarcasm and dry humor was perfection. I really love this book and am shocked I didn’t know about it until recently.
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those coming-of-age books that is written as a journal. England in the 1930's. Cassandra Mortmain and her family live very humbly (i.e. pennilessly) in an old castle that is quickly becoming more of a ruin than a residence. Her father wrote a book once, but also went to jail once, and since then has been a bit mopey. To the point that I was pretty bothered by him, to be honest.
I really enjoyed reading things from Cassandra's perspective as she does what she can to keep the family functioning, even though she is only a teenager. Her dad, called Mortmain, is a hermit who doesn't want to be disturbed. Topaz, her step-mom, is a rather eccentric, artsy person but really loves Mortmain. Rose, the older sister, is a dramatic romantic who can't be pressured to help out with much (think Amy from Little Women or Marianne from Sense and Sensibility). Thomas is the little brother going to school and helping out where he can - he's a good kid, no qualms there. Cassandra's also dealing with the puppy love of Stephen, another teen who lives with them because his mother was their maid before she passed away.
And then they get new neighbors who are also their new landlords. A family with two bachelor sons from America who upon their arrival reminded me that the story took place in the 20th century, not the 19th (reading about people living in a crumbling castle really challenged my awareness of the timing of the story). Not only do they bring with them funny American accents and vocabulary and riches they are willing to share with the Mortmain family, they also bring about change and questions and nothing will be the same again.
I really enjoyed reading things from Cassandra's perspective as she does what she can to keep the family functioning, even though she is only a teenager. Her dad, called Mortmain, is a hermit who doesn't want to be disturbed. Topaz, her step-mom, is a rather eccentric, artsy person but really loves Mortmain. Rose, the older sister, is a dramatic romantic who can't be pressured to help out with much (think Amy from Little Women or Marianne from Sense and Sensibility). Thomas is the little brother going to school and helping out where he can - he's a good kid, no qualms there. Cassandra's also dealing with the puppy love of Stephen, another teen who lives with them because his mother was their maid before she passed away.
And then they get new neighbors who are also their new landlords. A family with two bachelor sons from America who upon their arrival reminded me that the story took place in the 20th century, not the 19th (reading about people living in a crumbling castle really challenged my awareness of the timing of the story). Not only do they bring with them funny American accents and vocabulary and riches they are willing to share with the Mortmain family, they also bring about change and questions and nothing will be the same again.
lisaloulaa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0