Kathryn's comments (member since Sep 26, 2008)

Kathryn's comments from the YA Book Club group.

I totally second the Airborn series! They are among my favorite YA books, PERIOD! But the audio series is really great, it's a full cast audio and it's very engaging and nice blend of action with more thoughtful/character-driven parts, so it's good to keep up your interest if you listen while you drive.

I've also heard Jim Dale does a great job with
Peter and the Starcatchers

And, as for abridged versions, ICK! I don't like to read them so certainly won't listen to them. My husband travels a lot for work and has been desperate a few times so resorted to abridged versions and he says they are, on the whole, way too choppy.

Harry Potter (!!!)

Larklight A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space and series

Airborn and series

I came across this chart and found it hilarious! :-) Who would have thought that "glowy magic" is so much more popular than "completely dark cover of meaninglessness"

Enjoy!

http://www.timholman.net/posts/the-chart...

I think that the American/English difference was definitely hinted at, both in the women and in the men (i.e., how Cassandra thought Neil was so "different" for his time in America on the ranch)

Well, the Emily books by LM Montgomery (starting with Emily of New Moon) feature a budding writer and it is part journal entries and part narrative. There are lots of observations about her family life, and later, some romance, etc. though it is generally a much happier story. This is by the author of "Anne of Green Gables" and takes place in about 1920 on up (there are three in the series) on Prince Edward Island. They are some of my favorite novels ever!

That's a great question and I'd be eager for more suggestions!

Oh, Celeste, I loved the novel!!! Just wasn't that taken with some of the characters, but overall I really, really enjoyed reading it and it was definitely memorable!

Yeah, that was a bit odd and never fully explained. I guess he was supposedly gathering ideas for his book? A mark of his eccentric genius? I don't think an affair was really hinted at in the end?

And, that's a great idea for the Simon-devil character, Delanie. Thanks!

Delanie, thanks so much for offering your impressions on the book. It was great to hear from someone who is a Neil and Simon fan! ;-> I do think it's great how the characters are portrayed with flaws and yet most are still very likable. I love Cassandra, even if I don't always agree with her! ;-> I agree that the relationship themes are timeless, too. I also thought it was really brave and wise of Cassandra NOT to let Simon propose to her at the end; I think this is where we see that she really did love him in a mature way and wanting the relationship to have solid ground. I was especially glad that Rose and Cassandra made up at the end because I thought their sister-friendship bond was really special and one of the highlights of the book.

I guess I'm still puzzled by the scene with Simon's shadow looking like the devil. What do you guys think of that and how should we look back on it after everything that happened???

I don't think Airborn by Kenneth Oppel has been mentioned yet. That is a FANTASTIC book! One of the best I've read recently. Victorian air-ship adventure complete with pirates and deserted islands. There's a little romance, but it's very clean. The hero is probably the most honorable and good-hearted that I've come across in ages--yet he manages to seem very real and even flawed, no goodie-two-shoes here. There is a spunky, smart girl, too. I think they are about fourteen. There are some tense action sequences and a few sad parts, but overall it's just a rollicking adventure and good fun.

I would also recommend stories by L M Montgomery--they are exquisite though might be considered a bit "old fashioned" by today's standards. Anne of Green Gables is of course the best known but she has many others.

So, I'm just curious... Do you guys think we are SUPPOSED to like Neil and Simon??? I mean, usually in these sorts of YA romances we are supposed to be swooning over the guys just as the protagonist is doing. I'm wondering if the author had that intent with this book and we are just bringing modern sensibilities to the reading? Of course, it's only a few of us who have weighed in on the subject so maybe there are some Neil and Simon fans out there? And, if so, what makes you a fan?

I agree! She really used him badly. He was definitely a true gentleman--I hope he found wild success in Hollywood and a woman who would finally appreciate him for more than just his good-looks or his devotion to her.

Yes, I, too was confused about the terms "making love" and whether that means the same thing as it does today.

I think that Stephen and Cassandra were going to have sex--especially owing to his reaction and that he was so concerned about her reaction and also implying that they were going to get married. I am more confused at his motives for doing it with Leda--I thought that was rather out-of-character for him. I think we are to assume she was a mere substitute for Cassandra but, still... EWW!

Great observations, Angie! I think, so, too!

I thought it odd that Topaz, who did have a bit of career and name for herself in the art world, still sacrificed herself, in some ways, for her husband.

The plight of Cassandra and Rose makes me think a bit of some of Jane Austen's novels, how the father hasn't provided enough for the family or the daughters don't have fortunes of their own so they have to marry for money if they don't want to be poor. Except, at least I could respect most of the Austen men and I really had zilch respect for Neil or Simon. Bleh.

Any other Stephen fans out there??? I thought he was the only one who really seemed to have an honest sort of love and even then it was turned sour. Not really the most optimistic love story, IMO. Still, I really enjoyed Cassandra's character/voice.

I, too, thought all the relationships were rather complex and a bit odd and surprising. I mean, it seemed that Cassandra and Rose had such a good relationship... Of course, I suppose she wanted to make sure Rose didn't love Simon and then if she really did love Simon then she perhaps could have thought it was not fair to him or to herself if Rose married him without love.

Speaking of Simon, what did you all think of him??? I found it really hard to like him, or Neil (I thought Simon's behavior with Cassandra on Midsummer's Eve was terrible!) and it was hard for me to think that Cassandra REALLY loved him in terms of a long-term relationship sort of way vs. just a first love. Though, she got mad at Rose for thinking that, so I suppose I oughtn't to! I thought all the relationships were really--erm, not ones I would wish to model. Like Topaz and Mr. Mortmain, eeek!

I agree with you guys about Miss Blossom being a bit of a stand-in motherly figure.

I thought that the fur coat incident was hilarious and I totally felt for Rose. I think the story does a remarkable job of capturing that transition from youth to adulthood--it's interesting how, in that day, Rose and Cassandra were still very full of imagination and "play" and then the next thing they know they are off falling in love and getting engaged... I have a full review that I will post soon.

As for the time period, I don't remember there being any talk of WWII so I'm guessing it was in the mid-30s?

As for the title, I think it pertains to Cassandra's attempts as an author, trying to "capture" her surroundings in writing. Thus, she feels she has finally succeeded in "Capturing the Castle" by the end.

Yes. I saw the movie several years ago and, at the time, had no interest in reading the book. But, yes, I do prefer reading the books first!

I saw it before I read the book, which I totally regret now. I liked the book much better. The movie was okay but for me it seemed to have some rather odd overtones and I didn't really think the actress who played Cassandra was "right" for the role even then--now, I especially don't. But, it's a nice little period piece with some good scenery but I strongly suggest waiting to finish the book first!!!

A lot of her books are out of print now, except for this and the Dalmations ones. So, I'm guessing it came back based on the comments by other authors on the back of my book, too.

Ann wrote: "Wait a minute... um... isn't that pic from HP7? Or am I missing something...? I mean, AWESOME of course, *a new pic!* But, I'm getting my books confused!!!! Good thing the movie is coming out ..."

YES!!! It IS!!! Are they already posting photos from the NEXT film? That is quite exciting!