Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Beautiful, charming, lovely book! I only read it a month ago, due to Miss Tweety's constant pushing, but since, my daughter and her two best friends have also read it. And LOVED it! Not at all dated despite being a "classic".

I loved the book, too. I loved how you could feel how sweet and innocent Cassandra was. Actually, all the characters were very well developed. It's a classic coming of age story. There was one quote I loved but I will have to look it up later and post it.

I have a copy of this book. I'll be reading it soon.

I loved the language in this book, but it was a little slow for me. Which is okay. I'm more of an action/adventure lover, but it was nice to read something so literary that's considered YA.

I felt it was a bit slow in the middle but then halfway through -- whoooosh! So much going on. It was a terrific read.

Thanks to Kandice, I now have this sitting on my computer desk awaiting my completion of "The Long Walk". I really can't wait to read this.

I just got this book thanks to Allison. I will be reading it soon. whoohooo!

As soon as my copy comes in the mail, I will be reading it. I can't wait!

I have this book sitting in my basket to read...I need to get through Fool first and Angels and Demons then I may pick that one up. :~)

Lisa wrote: "I have this book sitting in my basket to read...I need to get through Fool first and Angels and Demons then I may pick that one up. :~)"

Skip Angels and Demons... Read ICTC instead. I'm sure it's better. So much is.

I really loved the writing and the quirks of the characters. They did fit into their gender roles very well, which bugged me. Cassandra's naivety also annoyed me at times. But I still love this book.

I think it's interesting because one of the reasons that you liked ICTC and disliked TGDT is the exact opposite reason I liked TGDT. I liked that it felt contemporary. I also liked in ICTC how it felt very much like you were in that time, but the gender roles drove me mad.

I haven't read this one either, but it is definitely near the top of my TBR pile! It sounds great!

While I thought Smith's writing was really good, I didn't really enjoy the story itself very much. I thought it just kind of dragged along. It was very different from what I'd expected, too.


*POTENTIAL SPOILER*
I'm a sucker for a happily-ever-after ending, if you know what I mean. I loved Stephen (and wished Cassandra did as well), so I found the story absolutely heartbreaking. I guess the possibility is there that she and Stephen could have a chance later on, but I didn't really get a sense that this actually would happen.

I am reading this book right now. It's been slow getting into it, so we will see how it turns out.

I have to read this...

Everyone should read this lovely book.

She'll just push you down with it! Our fearless co-leader is a scandalous book pusher and this is her forever favorite. It really is beautiful, and has aged very gracefully. Not at all dated.

I thought I was familiar with most historical/classical YA fiction with a female heroine but I came upon this purely by accident about two months ago. I LOVED reading it and wish I had found it years ago. It's a great read...very Jane Austin-ish, doncha think?

It is a lovely book. I loved Cassandra. She's one of those characters who feels like a friend. Whoever hasn't read it, should pick it up.


***************SPOILERS**************************



Jamie, in the other discussion I've seen (were you part of that?), I think most of us agreed with you. But once I got away from it a little, I'm glad that the ending was left open. Cassandra's future is pretty wide-open at that point. She can write, marry Stephen, marry Simon, anything. It's her choice. And now I think I like that. But when I read it at first, I was terribly disappointed in the ending.

*Spoiler*

That's another part that broke my heart, Fiona. Stephen never would've become an actor if not for his love for Cassandra, since he'd only taken the opportunity to sit for his portraits in order to make money for her gift. I think being in that business would end up changing him too much to believe that he'd hold out for Cassandra indefinitely. See, I'm getting sad again just thinking about it. Imagine how much she hurt him, too. She kind of threw herself at him and then promptly broke his heart. I guess it's a good thing that the book made me feel as much as I do...I just don't like these particular feelings!!

Fiona wrote: "*******SPOILER***********




I loved Stephen as a character, I'd have married him though I can see why she'd be a good match with Simon as he's a dreamer and loves reading and books and things as much as she does."

****************SPOILER**************************





I think they would be a bad match since they're both dreamers. Someone has to buy food and clean the house. Simon and Cassandra together would probably end up living like her father and Topaz! We don't want more of that for Cassandra! Stephen's already shown that he can take care of Cassandra, so I'm not giving Simon any free points for being a dreamer. I do know that you like Stephen, I just had to say that I don't think the other two are a good match.

Who says him being actory is a bad thing? He'd be more worldly and sophisticated, and Cassandra might be attracted to that. Perhaps he won't become full of himself.

You guys got me! I've added it to my TBR and I'm using it in the challenge. It sounds like a great book, but I have to admit, I always overlooked it on the shelf at my store because of the bland cover. Guilty as charged of judging a book by its cover.

This is also one of my favorite books. The movie based on it is also wonderful.

Do you realize this is the same author that wrote 101 Dalmatians?

Okay I REALLY REALLY REALLY loved this book. I can't believe I never read it before, but I'm glad I did and I will be sure to tell others about it

I finally finished I Capture the Castle last night and loved most parts of it.





*****************SPOILER*********************


Okay. I really enjoyed this book up until the point where the American guys showed up. After that, it was just a little too much drama for me. I would have preferred a much happier ending and a whole lot less "poor me" vibe. I will tell you this though, I woke up this morning thinking, "I should keep a journal"... haha

I finally finished I Capture the Castle. I echo Linda Grace's sentiments of the book, with anything in-between was dragged out way too long. I just didn't like it.

I loved this book so much. Fiona - THANK YOU for the rec. My mom loved it, I loved it, and I keep telling all of my friends who read to go out and get it. It's actually on my top ten list now.

~SPOILERS~


The overarching theme about make-believe and growing up really hit me. I talk about it in my review of the book b/c it was so similar to my childhood. I was really glad that she didn't end up with anyone. Stephen annoyed me a little bit, mostly b/c I have a best friend that's a guy, and, well, I know what it's like to have people push you towards someone that you don't want, or that you aren't truly compatible with. I'm going to have to reread this book at some point b/c I feel like there are a lot of things that I could get out of it through a second read. I've actually been thinking of doing a paper for a class on this book, if I ever have a class that is a little lenient with assignment topics haha.

I just watched this movie the other night (fantastic cast), and now I HAVE TO READ THIS!

I just watched it last night too, Misty. I was surprised by how true it stayed to the book. I did find myself wishing that the first line of the movie had been the same as the first line of the book.

Man, I'm going to have to get a hold of this movie

Fiona wrote: ". I only lately discovered that Simon is played by the actor chappy who played Elliot in ET though."

Oh my god! That's why he looked familiar!

And I know, I know I should have read it first. But they had the movie at my library, so...

If you liked Romola Garai's portrayal of Cassandra in I Capture the Castle, try As You Like It (2006) and Scoop (2006). I think she's a fine actress.

Yeah, she's pretty fabulous.

I have yet to read this book, but I've heard it's great, so I plan to read it soon.

I just got this from the library. I am going to switch out the book I had planned for the Top Ya Reads task in the challenge, and read this instead. So thanks, Fi, for adding it to the list!

I just reread this for the third time. I discovered it just book-browsing in London during a trip there in summer of '07 and I regret not reading it earlier. It hit a real nerve with me, an aspiring author. The allusions to the classics, and the timeless feel of it appealed to me. I love the change that we see in Cassandra and in the world around her. Brilliant book.

Hi.. I have seen the movie. The girl looks so squeaky clean, was it her features??/ Is it the same girl from Atonement? I secretly feel my Dad is a bit like the father in the movie...(Spoiler!..
sorry don't remember the plot, I think someone , sister?, was getting married and the mom is rich and lives in London.And there were boys, don't know for what purpose?? :)

Yep, Romola Garai was in Atonement as the teen Briony.

I just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it, but I did feel it was a bit slow in the beginning. It was well worth the wait after it got started! Thanks for the suggestion. So many people commented and posted about it, I had to read it!

Summer wrote: "If you liked Romola Garai's portrayal of Cassandra in I Capture the Castle, try As You Like It (2006) and Scoop (2006). I think she's a fine actress."

Romola Garai (and what a romantic name) was wonderful in Amazing Grace. I am itching to see her in Daniel Deronda but I must read the book first.

I read I Capture the Castle at school.

My first reaction was 'Don't be ridiculous girl just sign on for benefits and then you won't starve.'(it was England in the 1980's and it felt like half the country was unemployed)
Then I checked for the copyright date :0) and settled right in as the 1920 was my grandmother's time period so I knew a lot about it.

I became emotionally engaged in the book and wanted to slap their father. By the last page I was in tears and despite my mother sneering at my teenage romanticism the book has always been a favourite.

Fiona wrote: "...BBC are making a new Emma - and I believe she is playing Emma. I can't wait - I imagine it'll be out at around Christmas time."

I'm not a greayt fan of Gwyneth Paltrow so I am excited about the idea of a new Emma especially with Romola Garai

Esther wrote: "Summer wrote: "If you liked Romola Garai's portrayal of Cassandra in I Capture the Castle, try As You Like It (2006) and Scoop (2006). I think she's a fine actress."

Romola Garai (and what a roma..."

She was good in Daniel Deronda (and ohhh, Hugh Dancy)

Fiona wrote: "despite my mother sneering at my teenage romanticism ."

Aww. :(

I have seen Scoop and I don't remember seeing Romola in it

She played Vivian. I don't remember her part all that well. I don't think it was huge.

I have a feeling I heard the name Vivian, although the character had disappeared by the time I started viewing Scoop.

Ooo, having read the book I should see if Netflix has the movie.

I loved this book. I loved Cassandra as a narrator. I never really considered this book YA though...

My favorite part was the end. I don't want to give anything away, but I just loved it. Sometimes I go back and read the last few pages when I think about it.