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This is a lovely story told in journal format from the point of view of a young girl. Their family - Cassandra the narrator, her older sister Rose, their eccentric and reclusive father, their stepmother, and the son of their former housekeeper, Stephen - live in genteel poverty in a run-down castle in England. They are desperately trying to find ways to make money, since their father, a famous author, seems unable to write anymore. When the castle's owner dies and his distant heirs, Simon and Neil Cotton, come from America to inspect their inheritance, Rose is determined to snare Simon in marriage to escape poverty.

I was a bit taken aback at first at the absolute uselessness of the girls, who can't seem to do anything useful. However I found out this novel was written in 1948, so it makes more sense, though I still think a girl of 17 even in the late 1940s should be able to learn how to do a bit of gardening when that is their main source of food.

The story started out a bit slowly, but once the pace picked up and the characters developed a little, I felt a little more sympathy for Cassandra and became quite invested in her character. Rose was mostly annoying, although understandable, and their father even more so. I loved their pet dog and cat, Heloise and Abelard. The ending, which was obviously meant to be a bit of a twist, was one that I easily saw coming although I wasn't sure how the author would bring it about. Very delightful story.

It was a 4-star read for me as well. An homage to Jane Austen.

This is my ultimate 'to be read book'. I borrowed a friends copy in 7th grade, and still have it sitting on a shelf to read! One day....

Read this a long time ago. Loved it. Also enjoyed the movie.