I felt it was really easy to read and, like it said in the introduction in my edition, you could really live in it because the imagery was so vivid. Dodie Smith had excellent descriptive talent. The characters are completely believable.

Initially I couldn't work out how old Cassandra was - precocious child or young woman - and I think this must contribute to the fact that people of all ages can read this story and love it. I loved the bit where they lock their father up -brilliant! He was starting to annoy me. Initially I thought he might be writing detective stories, what with all the random stuff he'd been doing.

This story was not predictable in the slightest which always cheers me up And the ending felt liek several endings. A happy one for the family in general with father making money again, and for too Rose I suppose. Cassandra's ending wasn't sad exactly, but it felt subdued. And that has no be one of the best last lines in any book ever.

I loved the castle setting and how they were so resourceful because they had no money. They made the best of their situation - like when they made a dining table and covered it with a cloth for the a visit from the Cottons. I loved Cassandra's sense of adventure and how she captured the beauty of nature in her writing, even though she wrote she couldn't find the right words to do it justice. In doing that, she described it perfectly.

I loved how Stephen developed into a gorgeous adonis!! I'd be interested to know who played his role in the film version. I wished he and Cassandra had gone out together, but I knew that her heart wasn't in it. It was so sad when he left his room in the castle. I gather that Stephen got it on, so to speak, with quite a few women! Ivy and the greasy Leda Fox Cotton - ew! Would like to know how he got on in his career and whether it changed him.

Loved Topaz too and could hear her affected voice fluctuating to suit the drama! Brilliant. Really liked Mortmain & his unpredictable and eccentric ways too. Although I imagine he was a nightmare to live with.

I had trouble working out Cassandra's age at the beginning as well. I thought she was brave wandering around the mound and tower at night though. I couldn't do it without my mind imagining allsorts.

The fur coat/bear incident really tickled me. It worked well as we'd just been told that the Cottons didn't want to associate with the Mortmains fearing they'd show them up. It was funny that they believed Rose was a bear and how it escalated so's everyone on the train got involved.

Loved the day out they had where Cassandra and Simon described summer sounds and smells. The descriptions were really fresh.

The whole story and the anguish Cassandra suffers reminded me of myself at that age and losing my heart. Definitely a story we can all relate to. She was a wise 17 year old though! She felt with her heart but she listened to her mind and didn't make a fool of herself.

Loved the ending too. I filled up when she wrote, 'he said he'd come back'. Bless her. I also felt for her missing Rose and accepting things had changed. The image of her saying goodbye to Miss Blossom in her mind was profound and sad. And knowing that year was the last of the rites was too.

I had no idea Rose and Neil were in love. The book wasn't predictable at all. I'm pleased Rose found happiness with Neil, but sad things didn't turn out as Cassandra would've hoped. However I'm glad Dodie Smith didn't pair Cassandra with Simon or Stephen to create a happy ending. It's perfect as it is.