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Books Read in May

37. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith



I Capture the Castle wasn't what I expected: it was better. It's the British version of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, set in a castle, featuring a significant dog character. Cassandra is an imperfect quirky protagonist coming of age in a world that hasn't been fair to her or her family. Her English bulldog Heloise is my favorite character. I've rarely noticed a dog that's written so well, and it turns out that Dodie Smith is also the author of 101 Dalmations, so no wonder.

Recommended to weird, romantic readers. You know who you are.

38. Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter



I already had plenty to say about Ship of Fools, and though I did finish it, my first impressions proved consistent. Ship of Fools has wry third person narration, sweeping views of an enormous cast of characters, and possibly the most stereotypes and racial epithets I've ever seen gathered in one place.

39. The 100: Day 21 by Kass Morgan



Continuation of The 100 introduces new elements to the story but very much feels like an ongoing saga that hasn't gotten as far as the TV show. Still, language is tight, plot is rolling, characters intriguing, ethics smoldering.

Comments

Rudejasper said…
Ha, HA! I'm a weird romantic weirdo because I loved I Capture the Castle! I love how it ends though it's a little melancholy.
I'm a weird romantic weirdo too, obvs. I just don't know how else to describe it, because it's not really romantic, but it's not not romantic---a little melancholy is apt.

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