Cassandra Mortmain lives in a dilapidated castle with her extraordinary family. They are used to better times. The father was a hugely successful author, until he suffered from writer's block. The step-mother is glamorous, bohemian and delightful but impractical and ineffectual. They cannot buy new clothes, they struggle with heating and lighting, and food. But when two Americans arrive in the nearby village, life has a new distraction and everything is turned on its head. Cassandra and her sister Rose experience first love.

This is the most glorious coming-of-age story full of atmosphere, romance, sadness and humour. Written by Dodie Smith, better known for 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians', it has many memorable moments - including the opening line, 'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink'.

It has been turned into a similarly wonderful film with a cast including Bill Nighy, Tara Fitzgerald and Romola Garai, and is a book which has been cherished by generations of teenage and adult readers.

Dodie Smith was inspired by the ruins at Wingfield, near Eye, Suffolk to create her castle.