We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Shirley Jackson's last novel (written three years before her untimely death at the age of forty-eight) is not what I expected. Yet, I loved it. Still I can see why many readers were left scratching their heads. Isn't Jackson supposed to write scary stories? But....wow....This is certainly unsettling. And there really ARE a lot of similarities to her other works, and her life. Jackson herself was a very private person, fought several internal demons (varying addictions, agoraphobia, psychosomatic illnesses, etc.), she preferred to live out in the country, away from the city. A few of her best works include women either losing, or having lost their grasp with reality...and, really, what could be scarier than that? Another theme would be the small minds of small village life....As in The Haunting of Hill House, In this short novel, we have a large estate on large grounds, far removed from the village.

As you can read in the book's synopsis, three out of seven Blackwell family members remain in their private country estate, having survived an after dinner dessert laced with arsenic. Constance, the oldest daughter, having been the cook of the family, was naturally accused--but acquitted--leaving the reader a very tiny bit of a mystery as to who put the arsenic in the sugar bowl meant for the blackberries that fateful night. She lives with her younger sister, Mary Katherine (Merricat), and disabled but still alive Uncle Julian. Merricat had been sent to her room without dinner, a common punishment it seems, Constance takes no sugar with her berries, and Uncle Julian simply didn't ingest enough of the poison to die. Everyone else was simply not as lucky.

This is a different type of 'horror' story, undoubtably... disturbing and unsettling are probably more fitting words. A story of a forced isolation, in a way, yet a content one...perhaps even a desired (planned??) one. We are led through this story by our very disturbed, unstable protagonist, Merricat. (Who, by the way, was named in the March 2002 issue of Book Magazine, to be the 71st best character in fiction since the year 1900--I can see why.) Merricat's opening paragraph let's us know we're seeing into a rather peculiar mind. Constance has not left the house for six years, happy to stay at home with her cooking and gardening; leaving the small errands of weekly grocery shopping and picking up library books to Merricat, who faces the taunting and outright hatred of the villagers, who have ostracized the remaining family, on each outing. And the villagers are only too happy to have a "real" reason to hate (what remains of) the wealthy Blackwells.

There are a few woman from the community that have made it their "charitable duty" (i.e.--to feed their curiosity) to drop in on the three outcasts occasionally, and this is when my favorite character in the book, Uncle Julian shines. He definitely brings the comic relief to this story....he just struggles so hard! His body and mind damaged by the arsenic-he has made it his goal in life to piece together that fateful night....constantly writing on papers any little detail that surfaces in his mind. Social norms have been completely lost to him and his odd behavior and ramblings about that tragic night are quite shocking and disturbing to these visitors, who are also quite funny about the homemade food they are offered that Constance has made.

Well, I guess the story can't JUST be these three contentedly living out their isolation in a grand old house, with plenty of funds to keep them living quite comfortably, and Merricat is a Sensitive....who knows something sinister is bound to interfere....

But, I don't wish to spoil the story any further, I'll only say that "Mr. Sinister" shows up--with a plan. It was bound to happen. After all, Constance is young, beautiful, and wealthy with quite a grand estate. Inevitably, some heads are going to butt, starting a final showdown between two very determined people.... that eventually leads to the townspeople having the wonderful opportunity to have their very own haunted house--what a lovely place for all their family picnics!

I, like the introduction to this novella predicts, am one of many who read "The Lottery" without knowing who the author was. I read confidently forward, sure that I was going to find as much deep, dark enjoyment in here as I did in the aforementioned title. I wasn't disappointed.

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is very dark, and I expect the reader must have at least a few macabre sparks in his or her heart to get all I did out of it. The synopsis reads as if we're supposed to consider the Blackwood sisters strange and/or neurotic, but I had a distinctly different experience as I turned the pages. There's an air of mystery around the family, and we never come to understand *exactly* what happened, or why it did, but we do get enough pieces to know that there's a reason the Blackwood sisters hardly ever go out. We get the sense that they are a compelling combination of polite and misanthropic; superstitious and self-aware; loving and dangerous. Merricat, particularly, is under no delusions about how the family is viewed.

There are so many nuances I don't want to ruin that I'm afraid I can't say much here. This is a tale with great appeal for the misanthropic introvert who wants to be locked away in a self-imposed exile. It may be fiction, but it's a great testament to the notion that people will persecute and hate in broad daylight, and attempt to ease their guilt (if they feel any) at night, when no one can see them.

This is a chillingly wonderful short book, at one and the same time mordantly funny, satisfyingly weird, and quite disturbing

I was pointed in its direction by fellow reviewer, FictionFan, who thought it would touch my `like a well written something on the edge of ODD' muscle.

Shirley Jackson was a gifted horror and things-that-go-bump-in-the-night writer whose first writing was published in 1949. By 1965 she was dead. It's no surprise to find she had a slightly troubled personal history, probably involving issues around food.

Her books (and this is by all accounts typical) are set in small town America, and though the protagonists may be distinctly disturbing and oddball - uncomfortable misfits, it is also clear that Jackson has sympathies with her dysfunctional main characters, and sees small-town, insular, intolerant mentality as being as - if not more - reprehensible, than the fragile, disturbed, central character.

In We Have Always Lives in the Castle, the central characters are two sisters Constance, and the narrator, Mary Catherine - Merricat. Indeed, Merricat is particularly cat like, and her closest companion IS her cat Jonas. And at times, she is a particularly merry cat, in her playfulness, her whimsicality, her fey, wild child appreciation of nature. She reminded me of an indelibly darker, deeply disturbed cousin to Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm's Elfine - but Jackson's novel has no Flora, creature of higher reason, to shed light into the darkness.

Constance, and Merricat live in dark and disturbing isolation on the edge of their community, shunned and feared by the village folk, and shunning and fearing of them, in return

Perhaps the best way of giving a flavour of Jackson's deliciously oddball, creepy imagination, and her economy of writing, is the opening paragraph:

"My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and amanita phalloides, the death-cap mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead."

Our unreliable narrator Merricat with her strange rituals is clearly unhinged, quite seriously so - but Jackson's skill and charm is to make this fragile, possibly deranged and even dangerous wild child also someone whom we sympathise with - and even, curiously, find immensely charming

The plot of the book involves the uncovering of a murder-fest which took place some years before, which Constance was accused and acquitted of, a weird uncle, a visiting cousin, some rubbernecking neighbours - and much more, which i will not say, for fear of spoilers. Even though it is the journey of the book which is its real delight, not any uncoverings. Savour every single step!

I must admit that the third sentence of the book, the werewolf one, hooked me immediately by the dark wit and unexpected imagination of the writer, so succinctly expressed, and turning on two phrases `with any luck at all' and `'I have had to be content with what I had'

I have now ordered Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Well, the nights are drawing in, and horror this stylish can't be resisted!

With all the charm and tripping lightness of a fairy dance, Shirley Jackson lures the unsuspecting reader through an enchanted garden into a world of insanity, witchery and murder. The author has taken the elements of Gothic and turned them on their heads, creating a world where the sun shines so brightly that it's only gradually the reader feels the chill seeping into her bones. No ruined mediaeval castle filled with cobwebby gloom here - this castle is a lovely house, tastefully decorated in white and gold, with interiors so clean that they sparkle in the endless sunshine pouring through the high and plentiful windows. Three people live here (though once there were more) protected not just by the fence that surrounds the grounds, but by the buried charms and magical words that Merricat, our narrator, uses to keep the world out.

Merricat survived the crime that is at the heart of the story - the wholesale poisoning by arsenic of most of her family when she was just 12. Now she lives with her sister Constance, who everyone assumes is guilty of the crime, even though she was tried and acquitted. The third member of the household is Uncle Julian, another survivor, although he has been left disabled by the experience. While Merricat, now 18, runs childlike and free in the grounds of the house with her constant companion, Jonas the cat, Constance is the homemaker, always cooking and baking, and caring for both Merricat and their uncle. Uncle Julian is writing a memoir of the day of the poisoning, a task made difficult by his failing and confused memory. It is through Uncle Julian's ramblings and Merricat's hints and suggestions that the reader gradually gets a picture of what happened.

But regardless of truth or proof, Constance has been tried and found guilty by the villagers. The family were never liked - they fenced themselves in and the villagers out - so now the villagers have an ideal excuse to vent their bitterness. On Merricat's twice weekly trip to the village for supplies, she is shunned by the adults and jeered at by the children. But once home, back in the enchanted space inside the fence, the little family is safe and happy. Until one day, Merricat's protections fail, and Cousin Charles comes to visit, bringing with him all the sanity and coarseness of the real world. And when Charles' arrival awakens new desires in Constance, Merricat's childlike superstitions turn towards something much darker...

Merricat is a unique narrator, though much in the Gothic tradition of the lunatic telling her tale. But though we are forced to recognise the insanity that lives within her imaginings, there is a charm and air of childish innocence about her that leads us to sympathise with her totally; the most disturbing thing about the story is that, though we know someone in the house has committed this awful crime, we can't condemn - we are firmly on the side of Merricat and her family and against the rest of the world. As the story progresses, the sunshine gradually fades into something very disquieting and truly spine-tingling.

A wonderfully written book that distorts and plays with the reader's expectations, this reads to me like the 'true' story behind the creation of the familiar 'witch' myths. We see the story from the inside, but if we look closely we also see how Merricat and Constance would have been viewed by the villagers - two strange women, one suspected of a horrific crime, the other, accompanied everywhere by her knowing cat, using talismans and magical words to ward off strangers. As I left Merricat's world and returned shivering to my own, it seemed when I looked backwards that perhaps the house was made of gingerbread after all...

I'm willing to bet that almost everyone who attended high school from the mid '50s on has read Shirley Jackson's 1949 short story "The Lottery." I know it was in my high school literature textbook, and it was still in the textbooks when I first taught in the '60s and when I returned to teaching in the '90s. I'll also be willing to bet that most who read it then can still remember it now, when much else has been forgotten.

This 1962 novel builds that same kind of tension and sense of dread, as the reader gradually realizes that something very bad is going to happen. This is a novel to be read twice: once to experience the impact and once to observe how skillfully Jackson introduces bits and pieces that hint that something very dark is going on which is outside the scope of the everyday experience of most people.

For example, here is the amazing first paragraph, which slyly and indirectly tells us so much:

"My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead."

Right away we know that the narrator must be what we might call "a little off." She is eighteen, yet sounds like a much younger person, although she is obviously not mentally challenged, knowing as she does both historical and scientific facts. She would consider it "luck" to be born a werewolf and twice mentions death. The most chilling phrase is "...I have had to be content with what I had." Instantly, we wonder, "So what does she have that would be just a step down from being a werewolf?"

As the plot develops, we gradually learn of the lives and history of the two sisters. They are isolated in their old mansion, with only Mary Katherine leaving to shop in the village twice a week. Soon we learn that Constance, the older one, who has been tried and acquited for the murder by arsenic poisoning of her mother, father, aunt, and brother, never leaves the grounds of the house. Their life of routine and restraint is guarded by Mary Katherine with little acts of sympathetic magic, such as nailing talismans to trees.

Then enters Cousin Charles, a formerly estranged kinsman, who Mary Katherine fears will upset everything. Events unforeseen yet seemingly inevitable upset the delicate balance of rationality that Constance has worked to maintain.

This is sometimes classified as a Gothic horror novel, but if so it is psychological horror, rather than horror of the supernatural. Mary Katherine's ritualistic magic has little to do with the developing action, except in her own mind. I am reminded so much of the Hitchcock movie 'Psycho,' which had been released a few years earlier. There, too, tension was gradually built by subtle hints that the affable motel owner was not quite as harmless as he would seem.

Something I missed the first couple of times I read this novel: Constance, the rational sister, is perhaps not so normal as she would first appear to be.

I highly recommend this short novel, as well as Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House.'

I listened to this classic Shirley Jackson story in its unabridged audiobook format and the narrator did a terrific job bringing the story of Merricat and the remaining members of her family to life, her voice drips with atmosphere of the gothic drama. If you're an audiobook fan and appreciate a dread-filled slightly creepy family drama I highly recommend checking this one out.

I don't want to give too much away because this is one of those character driven, slow burning, suspenseful stories that slowly reveals itself and is one you should really experience for yourself without knowing too much about its plot. When the story opens a young lady named Mary Katherine (Merricat) Blackwood is making her way through the village and you instantly know things are off-kilter. She is buying necessities for a sister who will not leave the house and is subjected to taunts, insults and/or fear from nearly all she encounters.

She lives a lonely existence with her agoraphobic sister Constance and their ailing Uncle Julian. Merricat spends her time burying things, following her own strict rules to keep safe and helping Constance keep their home spotless. The rest of their family is dead. I'm not telling you how or why it happened (actually I'm still unclear about the why but I think I have it figured out). They are perfectly content and set in their routines despite their seclusion but it all gets screwed up when a greedy male cousin arrives and stirs up no end of trouble for the little family teetering on the edge of sanity.

As little details are revealed through Merricat I really felt for her and understood her bouts of angry thoughts aimed at her neighbors, despite the fact that she seems to be quite happy to be the town outcast. She loves her kitty and her sister and they are all she seems to need in her world. The two however are keepers of dark secrets but I still felt for them to the very end.

Filled with darkness and dread this isn't a horror novel but the writing haunted me. It was written way back in 1962 but feels timeless and I highly recommend it.

Four members of the Blackwood family mysteriously die one evening. They are survived by Mary Katherine "Merricat" who was sent to her room without supper that night, her sister Constance and their Uncle Julian. Constance had been accused of poisoning the family and the surviving family members were outcasts in the community ever since. One day their cousin Charles arrives out of the blue and life as they know it changes forever.

I don't know why but this cover kept calling to me for weeks until I finally picked up this book. It's a short book, just 150 pages or so, and the story is captivating. The reading "flow" was a little bit of a challenge for me, but that may just be Shirley Jackson's style that I'm not used to because I've never read anything else by her. The story is mysterious and suspenseful. I recommend it if you like dark fiction.

Shirley Jackson was one of America's great, great writers of fiction, and "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is her bona fide masterpiece -- simply the finest thing she ever put on paper.

I say this, by the way, as a great fan of "The Haunting of Hill House," Jackson's beautifully written ghost story. I also hold in high regard "The Lottery," which collects that short story and two dozen others, including the masterful "Charles" and "After You, My Dear Alphonse."

But "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is her masterwork because it works on every single level it attempts: It is, at once, a deep character study, a social commentary, a (quiet) thriller, and a novel that is seductively macabre without being supernatural.

"Castle" is a tale of two sisters and their elderly, infirm uncle. Merricat, the younger of the two sisters, is the only one who leaves the house, or, rather, the mansion -- the Blackwood mansion. Uncle Julian is too ill and Constance, the older sister, seems to be suffering from a combination of what we moderns would reductively label agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder. So the regular task of shopping for groceries and household needs falls to Merricat, who despises the errand.

She despises it because the townspeople despise her and her family. Part of their hatred seems rooted in the Blackwood's wealth, but the other part of it has to do with the murders of several other members of the family, including the sisters' parents. Constance was charged with but acquitted of the killings. Despite that verdict, it is the townspeople's collective view that she got away with murder.

In the end, though, it is not the plot of the novel that compells so deeply. It is the voice of Merricat, who serves as our narrator. She is, at 18, both diabolically intelligent and peevishly childish -- a girl-woman who seems to have little interest in growing up fully. Jackson's sure writing makes Merricat nothing less than indelible; after reading this book, you will feel this is someone you have met personally.

The author herself died at age 48, which I always have thought was a terrible shame. Though she had been dealing with health problems, she was still writing, and I can't help wondering what other gems she would have completed had she lived a longer life.

I had high expectations because some of the people who attend my sci-fi reading group loved this book, but this time I was not disappointed because this short novel is seriously creepy and entertaining and I wonder how they would be able to screen this.

Avevo grosse aspettative perché parecchie persone che frequentano il mio gruppo di lettura sulla fantascienza me ne avevano parlato bene, ma stavolta non sono rimasta delusa perché questa breve novella é veramente spaventosa nel senso che fa venire i brividi, inoltre si legge in un baleno, soltanto mi chiedo come faranno e portarla sul grande schermo....

First, the title. The title is what originally caught my attention because it was so odd and weird. The second thing that caught my attention was the cover, which at the time was this really creepy image of a girl with long black hair hiding behind a broken wooden fence. Those two things got me in the front door of this book, and Shirley Jackson's deceptively simple lyrical prose made me stay.

WHALITC is not a mystery suspense novel. Nor is it a gothic ghost story or a horror novel. And yet it contains all of these elements (as well as a dash of Robinson Crusoe, as well), told in an sly, secretive voice. WHALITC is, in fact, a State of Mind. Specifically, the state of mind of one Miss Mary Katherine Blackwood, also known as Merricat; the diabolically imaginative, shy, perversely funny, clever eighteen year old Woman Child, who tells the story of the tragic Blackwood family and their house just outside of a tiny village.

Six years prior, most of the family was murdered by arsenic poisoning during their tea time. The eldest daughter, Constance, was tried and acquitted of the murder, during which time Mericat was placed in an orphanage, and their Uncle Julian, the only survivor of the poisonous meal because he didn't eat a lot, was crippled and confined to a wheelchair. Now the three Blackwoods live alone at the great house, but are completely cut off from the society of other people, who still regard them with suspicion and hate, believing that Constance has gotten away with murder.

The Blackwoods are not only trapped inside of their great big house, but they are also trapped inside of their tiny, quietly desperate lives. Constance is trying to forget about the family's tragic past, while Uncle Julian is obsessed with trying to remember and record its every detail. Merricat, on the other hand, simply does not want to grow up, and prefers to spend her day talking to her cat, Jonas, and playing in her weird little fantasy world in which she has strange magical powers over her home and family.

Merricat routinely has to venture out into town to buy groceries and check out books from the library, each time, though, she is met with ugly stares, hateful comments, and a general feeling that everybody is out to get her. The villagers are both appalled with the Blackwoods as well as secretively jealous of their beautiful house and wealth. And yet there is an unspoken truce between the Blackwoods and the villagers, one that seems to be growing more tenuous by the day.

One day, their lives are altered forever by the arrival of Charles, a distant cousin who's family at first shunned the tragic Blackwoods. But for some reason, Charles wants to reconnect with his wealthier cousins and he brings to them a feeling of reconciliation and hope to their troubled lives. Charles not only looks like their dead father, but also seems to want to take his place and assume the role of father-figure, taking Constance for the role of wife and mother to the others. Constance sees Charles as a way for her to truly put the past behind her, while Uncle Julian sees him as an obstruction to his erratic and desperate recovery of his past.

Merricat, on the other hand, regards Charles as a stranger, an enemy, a hostile demonic presence in her carefully constructed fairytale world. And she intends to stop him.

This is a very strange and wonderful book. It goes places you would not expect. Merricat's perceptions of things are morbidly cute. One has to wonder if Wednesday Addams was not in large part based upon the goth cherub character of Merricat.

The language of the book is deceptively simple, but incredibly evocative, bordering on the lyrical. The structure of the book, though, seems almost "stage like"...and as I was reading it I could almost imagine it as a stage play. I wonder if Jackson conceived of it as such, because it would work remarkably well on stage. The dialogue and structure really lends itself to what could be a very beautiful stage play if one were inclined towards such an adaptation.

All in all, it's a weird, wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

'We Have Always Lived in the Castle,' is the tale of Merricat, Constance, and old Uncle Julian, who are outcasts and live secluded in a big, gothic house near a small village. Constance spends her days tending the garden and cooking. Merricat plays with the Cat, Jonas, and wanders around the grounds burying things as she tries to keep bad things from happening while looking for omens. Uncle Julian takes notes and feebly writes a book he's been working on for years regarding an incident that occurred long ago which altered their lives inbetween meals and naps.

The villagers have bad opinions of the tiny family and children tend to taunt them, while a few of the villagers do try to be friendly the family stays hidden and guards themselves against the cruel outside world.

A cousin decides to visit them after the patriarch of his divided family dies. Cousin Charles is a fortune hunter looking for the family fortune when he heads up to the old house and tries to weasel into the family and change things, but sometime's change isn't good and routines are the way they are for a reason.

Shirley Jackson's writing is spellbinding and polished in this novel. Discovering the secrets of the dark house and it's inhabitants are well worth an afternoon's read. It's interesting to note that according to the biography, Private Demons, writing, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, was one of the reasons that Shirley became agoraphobic in the last years of her life. Also, in regards to this story, in it Shirley described that she was both character's in the novel, Merricat and Constance, and the two characters represented her daughters as well.

I've never heard of Shirley Jackson. I was on a blog that helped people who couldn't remember titles of books (a sort of online community for books that you vaguely remember and want to revisit) that a friend had passed on to me, and one of the first links I checked was where someone was vaguely describing We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Next thing I do is get a hold of the book and read it in almost one go.

18 year old Merricat lives with her sister Constance and Uncle in their mansion, secluded from the villagers. None of the mansion inhabiters leave the house except for Merricat who goes to the village twice a week to buy supplies. On her excursions she is usually met with nasty stares and snide remarks, with little kids throwing stones and calling her names. A few years ago, Merricat's entire family was poisoned, and the villagers have distanced themselves from this strange family.

Merricat sounds much younger than her proclaimed 18 years. She sounds like a 12 or 13 year old. She has concocted spells that will help protect her and her sister and buries things around their house as part of these spells. Her uncle Jullian, relives the day of poisoning daily, and recounts his perspective and what had happened almost every day.

The sisters and uncle live in their sheltered life, with Constance having what seems to be agoraphobia and fears leaving the house. No one visits the family save for an old family friend who comes once a week.

A cousin, Charles, appears out of nowhere and comes to live with them. He shows interest in Constance, and Merricat fears he is changing things. She openly dislikes him and plays pranks on him. One of them ending in a not so pleasant occasion.

**SPOILERS**
The reader can decipher that not everything is all right with Merricat, and I guessed that she was behind the whole crime, although she was quite young at the time. The book was creepy and disturbing, the way the narrative took place: deathly quiet but scary in an echoing way. You have two sisters, raised in almost the same way, while one seems normal enough and the other is a sociopath. I found myself wondering why Merricat wanted to kill her parents and family. She was punished and not allowed dinner, could the withholding of food make her want punish them? Since she also went and burned the house when Charles ordered her to clean up before eating. But it all seems so mediated. She wanted to kill her family and was not at the scene. She wanted Constance to live. I wish the author had explored the reasons, but I can't imaging the book having this much of an impact had she done that.
**END OF SPOILERS**

Every aspect of this book is superlative. Jackson's prose is beautiful and natural, her story is at turns chilling and touching and weird and all too real, her pacing is cold and deliberate and absolutely on point. Every chapter felt like something breathtakingly huge was about to happen, and while it didn't always, Merricat's narration makes even the smallest things feel as impactful as they would be to a child. I have literally nothing bad to say about this book.

What a strange, subtly unnerving book this is. Trying to describe the plot of We Have Always Lived in the Castle is challenging, partially because not much truly "happens" in the book, but mostly because so much of what makes the book effective and powerful comes from the method of the storytelling. As narrated by a young girl affectionately known as Merricat - whose 18 years don't often come through in her voice - Castle is the tale of the Blackwoods, a rich family who suffered a massive tragedy many years ago. Now, all that remain of the family are Merricat, her older sister Constance, and their Uncle Julian, who has never been the same since...well, that's to be discovered. What matters is that the surviving Blackwoods are figures of unease, hatred, scorn, and even terror in the village near their manor, and although Merricat is outwardly charming and girlish, her dark, even murderous thoughts make you realize that there are some truly unsettling undercurrents to be found in the Blackwood house, even as the family itself is one ruled by love and kindness toward each other. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a novel about isolation, in some ways (imagine any small town novel with the creepy outcast, only imagine that the book is told from the outcast's perspective), but it's also a strangely unsettling tale, made all the more so because it's difficult to put your finger on what, exactly, makes the book so unnerving. Much as in The Haunting of Hill House, Jackson tells her tale through implications and oblique characters, but the impact here is incredible; for such a seemingly simple tale, Castle has left me thinking and analyzing it in some great depth as I think on it. If all you know of Jackson is The Lottery and Hill House, you have to check this one out; on the other hand, if you just want an unsettling character study and a fascinating immersion into a deeply damaged family, this one should be near the top of your list.

“The last time I glanced at the library books on the kitchen shelf they were more than five months overdue, and I wondered whether I would have chosen differently if I had known that these were the last books, the ones which would stand forever on our kitchen shelf.”

Brilliant writing, interesting characters and story. Shirley Jackson is a master at slow burning stories that hook you and won't let go as well as the unreliable narrator, in this case Mary Katherine Blackwood. Eccentric characters, mysterious back story and a village that I can't imagine anyone wanting to live in, this is the story of 2 sisters, mental illness and even the effects of mob mentality. But it is so much more than that as well.

Judging a book by its’ cover, I picked up a copy of Shirley Jackson’s 1962 novel WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE because of the great graphic art cover and the introduction by Jonathan Lethem, an author I admire but have never read. Yeah, go figure. Like any other reader who ever took a lit survey class, I was quite familiar with THE LOTTERY and get chilled by it even now at my advanced age. Lethem refers to Jackson’s work as having “a vast intimacy with everyday evil,” which is true of THE LOTTERY as well as CASTLE. Set in New England, the Blackwood sisters and their uncle live a solitary life in a large out-of-the-way house. Six years ago the girl’s parents, brother and aunt all died from arsenic that was mixed in with the sugar. Uncle Julien survived, but is dotty and in a wheelchair, while Merricat, the younger sister, was in her room without dinner. Blame fell to older sister Constance, who was eventually acquitted of the crime. The townsfolk have a hatred of the sisters, which has isolated them from the world. Only Merricat goes into town twice a week for groceries and library books. The novel is beyond agoraphobic, and the hostility of the townsfolk, which reminded me of the film DOGVILLE, is perhaps out of proportion to the crime, but that could be the way modern eyes sees it. The book certainly has a gothic flair, but not sure I the more beautiful passages equaled the cruelty and “everyday evil.”

What made me want to read this book initially was the title. This was my first time reading or hearing of the author Shirley Jackson. I really enjoyed this "quirky" book.

The story is about the two sisters, Constance and Mary Katherine Blackwood, who live together with there somewhat senile uncle, Julian Blackwood. You learn early on that the rest of the family died due to arsenic poisoning. The arsenic was in the sugar that was sprinkled over the blackberries that was for desert. Uncle Julian survived the poisoning, Constance did not eat blackberries, and Mary Katherine was sent to bed without desert that night. Constance was accused of the murder but was later freed. We get the details of that night in bits and pieces from Uncle Julian because he is writing a book about the subject. The books has never been produced because he is always reviewing his "papers."

The story's narrator is Mary Katherine known throughout the story as, Merricat. The sisters along with their uncle live a very reclusive life. Merricat hates the very idea of having to interact with the townspeople. The townspeople are not very fond of the Blackwood family either because of their wealth. I really feel in love with Merricat's character. She suffered from anxiety and a mild form of OCD but she had a "snob" side that I loved. Constance was so motherly and protective of Merricat. Uncle Julian was hilarious.

Towards the end we meet their estranged cousin Charles Blackwood who Merricat immediately deems a ghost and a demon. Charles's greed disrupted the family and his presence brought on an awful tragedy. My favorite part of the novel was how when Charles said something to Merricat she would respond with the latin name of a poisonous mushroom! Every great novel has a cat and this one was no exception he was Merricat's constant companion, Jonas. (less)

I have heard great things about this book over the years, and it did not disappoint. The Blackwood family tragedy has forced them to live in isolation. The survivors, whom the villagers fear, are Mary Katherine, her older sister Constance, and their Uncle Julian. When an enterprising cousin comes to stay, Mary Katherine knows the change he brings will be disastrous. As the mystery of the family is slowly revealed, it becomes apparent that something isn’t quite right with Mary Katherine and why Constance always defends her. The atmosphere was great, the storytelling was superb, and I need to get my hands on more Shirley Jackson!

I had high expectations because some of the people who attend my sci-fi reading group loved this book, but this time I was not disappointed because this short novel is seriously creepy and entertaining and I wonder how they would be able to screen this.

Avevo grosse aspettative perché parecchie persone che frequentano il mio gruppo di lettura sulla fantascienza me ne avevano parlato bene, ma stavolta non sono rimasta delusa perché questa breve novella é veramente spaventosa nel senso che fa venire i brividi, inoltre si legge in un baleno, soltanto mi chiedo come faranno e portarla sul grande schermo....

First, the title. The title is what originally caught my attention because it was so odd and weird. The second thing that caught my attention was the cover, which at the time was this really creepy image of a girl with long black hair hiding behind a broken wooden fence. Those two things got me in the front door of this book, and Shirley Jackson's deceptively simple lyrical prose made me stay.

WHALITC is not a mystery suspense novel. Nor is it a gothic ghost story or a horror novel. And yet it contains all of these elements (as well as a dash of Robinson Crusoe, as well), told in an sly, secretive voice. WHALITC is, in fact, a State of Mind. Specifically, the state of mind of one Miss Mary Katherine Blackwood, also known as Merricat; the diabolically imaginative, shy, perversely funny, clever eighteen year old Woman Child, who tells the story of the tragic Blackwood family and their house just outside of a tiny village.

Six years prior, most of the family was murdered by arsenic poisoning during their tea time. The eldest daughter, Constance, was tried and acquitted of the murder, during which time Mericat was placed in an orphanage, and their Uncle Julian, the only survivor of the poisonous meal because he didn't eat a lot, was crippled and confined to a wheelchair. Now the three Blackwoods live alone at the great house, but are completely cut off from the society of other people, who still regard them with suspicion and hate, believing that Constance has gotten away with murder.

The Blackwoods are not only trapped inside of their great big house, but they are also trapped inside of their tiny, quietly desperate lives. Constance is trying to forget about the family's tragic past, while Uncle Julian is obsessed with trying to remember and record its every detail. Merricat, on the other hand, simply does not want to grow up, and prefers to spend her day talking to her cat, Jonas, and playing in her weird little fantasy world in which she has strange magical powers over her home and family.

Merricat routinely has to venture out into town to buy groceries and check out books from the library, each time, though, she is met with ugly stares, hateful comments, and a general feeling that everybody is out to get her. The villagers are both appalled with the Blackwoods as well as secretively jealous of their beautiful house and wealth. And yet there is an unspoken truce between the Blackwoods and the villagers, one that seems to be growing more tenuous by the day.

One day, their lives are altered forever by the arrival of Charles, a distant cousin who's family at first shunned the tragic Blackwoods. But for some reason, Charles wants to reconnect with his wealthier cousins and he brings to them a feeling of reconciliation and hope to their troubled lives. Charles not only looks like their dead father, but also seems to want to take his place and assume the role of father-figure, taking Constance for the role of wife and mother to the others. Constance sees Charles as a way for her to truly put the past behind her, while Uncle Julian sees him as an obstruction to his erratic and desperate recovery of his past.

Merricat, on the other hand, regards Charles as a stranger, an enemy, a hostile demonic presence in her carefully constructed fairytale world. And she intends to stop him.

This is a very strange and wonderful book. It goes places you would not expect. Merricat's perceptions of things are morbidly cute. One has to wonder if Wednesday Addams was not in large part based upon the goth cherub character of Merricat.

The language of the book is deceptively simple, but incredibly evocative, bordering on the lyrical. The structure of the book, though, seems almost "stage like"...and as I was reading it I could almost imagine it as a stage play. I wonder if Jackson conceived of it as such, because it would work remarkably well on stage. The dialogue and structure really lends itself to what could be a very beautiful stage play if one were inclined towards such an adaptation.

All in all, it's a weird, wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

'We Have Always Lived in the Castle,' is the tale of Merricat, Constance, and old Uncle Julian, who are outcasts and live secluded in a big, gothic house near a small village. Constance spends her days tending the garden and cooking. Merricat plays with the Cat, Jonas, and wanders around the grounds burying things as she tries to keep bad things from happening while looking for omens. Uncle Julian takes notes and feebly writes a book he's been working on for years regarding an incident that occurred long ago which altered their lives inbetween meals and naps.

The villagers have bad opinions of the tiny family and children tend to taunt them, while a few of the villagers do try to be friendly the family stays hidden and guards themselves against the cruel outside world.

A cousin decides to visit them after the patriarch of his divided family dies. Cousin Charles is a fortune hunter looking for the family fortune when he heads up to the old house and tries to weasel into the family and change things, but sometime's change isn't good and routines are the way they are for a reason.

Shirley Jackson's writing is spellbinding and polished in this novel. Discovering the secrets of the dark house and it's inhabitants are well worth an afternoon's read. It's interesting to note that according to the biography, Private Demons, writing, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, was one of the reasons that Shirley became agoraphobic in the last years of her life. Also, in regards to this story, in it Shirley described that she was both character's in the novel, Merricat and Constance, and the two characters represented her daughters as well.

I've never heard of Shirley Jackson. I was on a blog that helped people who couldn't remember titles of books (a sort of online community for books that you vaguely remember and want to revisit) that a friend had passed on to me, and one of the first links I checked was where someone was vaguely describing We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Next thing I do is get a hold of the book and read it in almost one go.

18 year old Merricat lives with her sister Constance and Uncle in their mansion, secluded from the villagers. None of the mansion inhabiters leave the house except for Merricat who goes to the village twice a week to buy supplies. On her excursions she is usually met with nasty stares and snide remarks, with little kids throwing stones and calling her names. A few years ago, Merricat's entire family was poisoned, and the villagers have distanced themselves from this strange family.

Merricat sounds much younger than her proclaimed 18 years. She sounds like a 12 or 13 year old. She has concocted spells that will help protect her and her sister and buries things around their house as part of these spells. Her uncle Jullian, relives the day of poisoning daily, and recounts his perspective and what had happened almost every day.

The sisters and uncle live in their sheltered life, with Constance having what seems to be agoraphobia and fears leaving the house. No one visits the family save for an old family friend who comes once a week.

A cousin, Charles, appears out of nowhere and comes to live with them. He shows interest in Constance, and Merricat fears he is changing things. She openly dislikes him and plays pranks on him. One of them ending in a not so pleasant occasion.

**SPOILERS**
The reader can decipher that not everything is all right with Merricat, and I guessed that she was behind the whole crime, although she was quite young at the time. The book was creepy and disturbing, the way the narrative took place: deathly quiet but scary in an echoing way. You have two sisters, raised in almost the same way, while one seems normal enough and the other is a sociopath. I found myself wondering why Merricat wanted to kill her parents and family. She was punished and not allowed dinner, could the withholding of food make her want punish them? Since she also went and burned the house when Charles ordered her to clean up before eating. But it all seems so mediated. She wanted to kill her family and was not at the scene. She wanted Constance to live. I wish the author had explored the reasons, but I can't imaging the book having this much of an impact had she done that.
**END OF SPOILERS**

Every aspect of this book is superlative. Jackson's prose is beautiful and natural, her story is at turns chilling and touching and weird and all too real, her pacing is cold and deliberate and absolutely on point. Every chapter felt like something breathtakingly huge was about to happen, and while it didn't always, Merricat's narration makes even the smallest things feel as impactful as they would be to a child. I have literally nothing bad to say about this book.

What a strange, subtly unnerving book this is. Trying to describe the plot of We Have Always Lived in the Castle is challenging, partially because not much truly "happens" in the book, but mostly because so much of what makes the book effective and powerful comes from the method of the storytelling. As narrated by a young girl affectionately known as Merricat - whose 18 years don't often come through in her voice - Castle is the tale of the Blackwoods, a rich family who suffered a massive tragedy many years ago. Now, all that remain of the family are Merricat, her older sister Constance, and their Uncle Julian, who has never been the same since...well, that's to be discovered. What matters is that the surviving Blackwoods are figures of unease, hatred, scorn, and even terror in the village near their manor, and although Merricat is outwardly charming and girlish, her dark, even murderous thoughts make you realize that there are some truly unsettling undercurrents to be found in the Blackwood house, even as the family itself is one ruled by love and kindness toward each other. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a novel about isolation, in some ways (imagine any small town novel with the creepy outcast, only imagine that the book is told from the outcast's perspective), but it's also a strangely unsettling tale, made all the more so because it's difficult to put your finger on what, exactly, makes the book so unnerving. Much as in The Haunting of Hill House, Jackson tells her tale through implications and oblique characters, but the impact here is incredible; for such a seemingly simple tale, Castle has left me thinking and analyzing it in some great depth as I think on it. If all you know of Jackson is The Lottery and Hill House, you have to check this one out; on the other hand, if you just want an unsettling character study and a fascinating immersion into a deeply damaged family, this one should be near the top of your list.

“The last time I glanced at the library books on the kitchen shelf they were more than five months overdue, and I wondered whether I would have chosen differently if I had known that these were the last books, the ones which would stand forever on our kitchen shelf.”

Brilliant writing, interesting characters and story. Shirley Jackson is a master at slow burning stories that hook you and won't let go as well as the unreliable narrator, in this case Mary Katherine Blackwood. Eccentric characters, mysterious back story and a village that I can't imagine anyone wanting to live in, this is the story of 2 sisters, mental illness and even the effects of mob mentality. But it is so much more than that as well.

Judging a book by its’ cover, I picked up a copy of Shirley Jackson’s 1962 novel WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE because of the great graphic art cover and the introduction by Jonathan Lethem, an author I admire but have never read. Yeah, go figure. Like any other reader who ever took a lit survey class, I was quite familiar with THE LOTTERY and get chilled by it even now at my advanced age. Lethem refers to Jackson’s work as having “a vast intimacy with everyday evil,” which is true of THE LOTTERY as well as CASTLE. Set in New England, the Blackwood sisters and their uncle live a solitary life in a large out-of-the-way house. Six years ago the girl’s parents, brother and aunt all died from arsenic that was mixed in with the sugar. Uncle Julien survived, but is dotty and in a wheelchair, while Merricat, the younger sister, was in her room without dinner. Blame fell to older sister Constance, who was eventually acquitted of the crime. The townsfolk have a hatred of the sisters, which has isolated them from the world. Only Merricat goes into town twice a week for groceries and library books. The novel is beyond agoraphobic, and the hostility of the townsfolk, which reminded me of the film DOGVILLE, is perhaps out of proportion to the crime, but that could be the way modern eyes sees it. The book certainly has a gothic flair, but not sure I the more beautiful passages equaled the cruelty and “everyday evil.”

What made me want to read this book initially was the title. This was my first time reading or hearing of the author Shirley Jackson. I really enjoyed this "quirky" book.

The story is about the two sisters, Constance and Mary Katherine Blackwood, who live together with there somewhat senile uncle, Julian Blackwood. You learn early on that the rest of the family died due to arsenic poisoning. The arsenic was in the sugar that was sprinkled over the blackberries that was for desert. Uncle Julian survived the poisoning, Constance did not eat blackberries, and Mary Katherine was sent to bed without desert that night. Constance was accused of the murder but was later freed. We get the details of that night in bits and pieces from Uncle Julian because he is writing a book about the subject. The books has never been produced because he is always reviewing his "papers."

The story's narrator is Mary Katherine known throughout the story as, Merricat. The sisters along with their uncle live a very reclusive life. Merricat hates the very idea of having to interact with the townspeople. The townspeople are not very fond of the Blackwood family either because of their wealth. I really feel in love with Merricat's character. She suffered from anxiety and a mild form of OCD but she had a "snob" side that I loved. Constance was so motherly and protective of Merricat. Uncle Julian was hilarious.

Towards the end we meet their estranged cousin Charles Blackwood who Merricat immediately deems a ghost and a demon. Charles's greed disrupted the family and his presence brought on an awful tragedy. My favorite part of the novel was how when Charles said something to Merricat she would respond with the latin name of a poisonous mushroom! Every great novel has a cat and this one was no exception he was Merricat's constant companion, Jonas. (less)

I have heard great things about this book over the years, and it did not disappoint. The Blackwood family tragedy has forced them to live in isolation. The survivors, whom the villagers fear, are Mary Katherine, her older sister Constance, and their Uncle Julian. When an enterprising cousin comes to stay, Mary Katherine knows the change he brings will be disastrous. As the mystery of the family is slowly revealed, it becomes apparent that something isn’t quite right with Mary Katherine and why Constance always defends her. The atmosphere was great, the storytelling was superb, and I need to get my hands on more Shirley Jackson!

I think most people read Shirley Jackson's The Lottery in high school; I know we did. After that though, I didn't come across her again for years, until one day I was on the store and saw that We Have Always Lived in the Castle was on sale. I loved The Lottery, so I figured I would give another one of her work's a try. I cannot believe I waited so many years to read her again!!

Simply put, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a classic for a reason! Merricat is possibly one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read. Wandering around the old house with her sister Constance and the cat, she seems to occupy a space that is her's alone. There is something faintly sinister about her polite facade, and you can just picture sharp teeth behind her sweet words and smile. Every word that comes out of her mouth is fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the tension during her interactions with her sister; there is a fine line between love and hate, which is never more present than in familial relationships!

I don't want to give away the secrets or ending, in case someone has waited to read it like I did. I will just say that the ending was shocking, and well worth the build-up. I cannot recommend this book more highly!

The story is very well told. It is skillful and the language and tone are just perfect. There is a VOICE. The characters are really well drawn. I love an unreliable narrator and here is such good one.

I had read "Hill House" and not been really impressed, but this one was something entirely different. It draws you in, and it does not disappoint. It is part fairy tale, for sure, and part witch story, part ghost story and all of that. And it is suspense, and mystery and dark and beautiful.

Magical.

I will remember this book fondly and am already passing the book to someone I can't wait to have read it.

My library book group discussed Shirley Jackson's psychological thriller 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle:' almost everyone liked the book and a lively discussion ensued - which if you are familiar with book group dynamics, you may know is a rare occurrence. The story: six years before the opening of the book, the entire Blackwood family save three, was murdered by arsenic at dinner. The surviving family members, Constance, the older sister who stood trial for the murder and was acquitted; Merricat, the younger sister who narrates the book; and Uncle Julian, who was poisoned but survives as an invalid, live in isolation in their big house on the edge of a village. The villagers shun and taunt the Blackwood family.
Most of the book group participants had read Jackson's well-known short story, 'The Lottery', in which a village annually chooses a victim to be ritually stoned to death, a story which has disturbed generations of high school students and caused widespread outrage when it first appeared in the 'New Yorker' magazine in 1948. From this common American reading experience, we all knew that Jackson's writing has a dark tone and that she writes about the potential for evil in people. 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' also explores that idea. The Blackwood household and the villagers mutually despise each other and are both capable of violence and cruelty towards each other in thought and actions.
The book falls into the horror genre, with the elements of the outsider personality which becomes violent and while there is the spooky mansion looming over a poor village, this is not really a haunted house mystery. There are also elements of witchcraft in Merricat's strange rituals and burying of talismans to ward of intruders and protect her house.
We wondered exactly what was the motive for the arsenic poisonings and although the book eventually reveals the poisoner, the author never explains why. We also wondered exactly what was the nature of the psychopathy of the narrator and hauled out the DSM but then decided a diagnosis didn't really matter to the overall understanding of the book.
I would recommend this book to reading groups looking for something other than recent bestsellers and "psychological fiction" that is so popular with today's reading groups. It is available in paperback and there is a considerable body of literary criticism about the works of Shirley Jackson. Jackson inspired Stephen King and many other horror authors, so I would recommend it to King fans and fans of the horror genre.

Note, added 2/13/2012 I changed the title of this review from "You Saw the Movie, Now Read the Book" because, as you can read in the comments below, this Shirley Jackson book was never made into a movie, although it would make a good one and it seems to be the prototype for so many horror movies about the weird family in the strange house in town. I was probably thinking of 'the Haunting of Hill House' when I wrote the review.

Spoiler Alert

I could not figure out what was really going on in the story until abt Chapter 3.I thought maybe Merricat and Constance were dead,maybe the villagers were all dead spirits. In actuality it is story of family with mental illness.Everyone in this family needed help! The townspeople for most part were wicked & certainly didn't help matters. Some townspeople genuinely cared abt Merricat and Constance.
Townspeople were quite guilt ridden after the trouble they had caused the 2 sisters.I love Jackson's portrayal of humans and their dark side. This story kept me engaged and wanting to know more. I had mixed feelings abt Charles Blackwood,but basically I htink he was just out for Constance's money. Interesting read. Although I was disappointed it was a family with mental illness. I guess I wanted more of a scare.
Interesting and keeps you guessing!"

This is a delightfully creepy story, in which Jackson reminds us that the most frightening tales need not rely on graphic violence, spilling blood, or similar. This is the story of Merricat Blackwood, who lives in the family home with her sister and uncle. The rest of the family is dead, having been poisoned at dinner years ago. The Blackwoods have become pariahs in town; Merricat is the only one who ventures out beyond the old, Gothic manse they call home. How the family came to be poisoned, and how the sisters have come to exist on the fringes of society are revealed as the book develops.

This book is pure weird, psychological suspense. I loved it for that very reason, and stayed up half the night so that I could read this in one sitting. I was shocked to discover that Merricat is supposed to be eighteen. She behaves more like a stunted child than an adult. As unique as the characters are, it's the house that remains seared in my memory. When I think of this book, I think of the house, the castle, such as it is. The castle is a character in this book. It has a life, presence, and personality of its own. I would definitely recommend this book, especially as a classic for those who generally don't care for classics.

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" came highly recommended by several people and for good reason. Jackson's short novel is tense and romantic with a Southern Gothic feel (I kept being reminded of Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily"). Anyone who has felt like an outsider can readily identify with the day-dream obsessed protagonist, Merricat (Mary Katherine), a "wandering" girl who cast spells, buries sacred objects and breaks things to protect her house and family, but more specifically to prevent any changes from entering her self-contained universe. When change enters her utopia in mud-covered boots her darker side blossoms and daydreams turn from flying to the moon on a winged horse to imagining everyone is dead except her sister. Death is a constant companion of this strange family. An unaccountable "accident" with arsenic killed the rest of their clan six years prior to the story, leaving the surviving sisters and their feebled Uncle Julian as social pariahs and suspected murderers in a small town which never forgives or forgets. Their large house becomes their own prison, an unchanging tomb that remains static from the day of the tragedy. This has been rewritten as a musical and a play, but I can easily see it as a film... anyone interested in working on the script?

You can't separate Shirley Jackson's life from the words in this amazing small novel of small town gossip and hidden secrets. The irony is chilling as much as the writing, which is among the best of the genre. It's an amazing piece of work. It is so incredibly visual, I think it would make a phenomenal film if handled properly. At the end, the crime of a capricious child seems far less than the crimes of a willful community. It has also so invaded our cultural lives, that the simple question, "Would you like a cup of tea?" has taken on many sinister overtones, thanks to author Jackson. In the day, she was shunned by the Bennington, VT community for being a woman who wrote about occult subjects. Now, she would feel right at home in the alternate community Bennington has become and in that way, she was a vanguard of change to come as well as a more psychological perspective in writing horror. This should be a must-read for everyone, especially those who live or come from small, insular towns.

I had heard for years I should read this iconic tale by Shirley Jackson. I’m glad I did, though it didn’t turn out to be the story I thought I would end up reading. By turns odd and creepy, it’s prose is smooth and the characters quirky and engaging and it makes the trip interesting. This is one of those reads you finish and just reflect on what you just completed, in a good sense. I’d recommend it.

Atmospheric and suspenseful, We Have Always Lived in The Castle is an exploration of the human psyche placed in the context of personal evil vs. collective evil, and by the end of the day it’s up to us to decide which one is the bigger evil. My bet is always on the mob, which are often prone to recreate a medieval witch-hunt or inflict aggression in the name of justice. The individuals we single out as ‘monsters’ might be atrocious and perplexing in their own rights, but the real destruction has always been unleashed in the consent of the mass public, time and again demonstrating that the institution of collective evildoing is an inexplicable phenomenon. However, the focal point of the story isn’t about the mob at all, but that most of my awe was channeled at them was the proof for the carefully crafted deception of the narrative, in which the implications are more chilling than the explicit revelations. For me, the mystery isn’t who-dun-what, but rather why-they-did-it. The characters effortlessly got under my skin, easily demanded my concern and sympathy, and I was reluctant to alter my perception of them, in spite of what has transpired.

I'm no stranger to the genius of Jackson's mind after reading The Haunting and she certainly didn't disappoint in this novel, there is strength but also perfect restraint that keeps it from being gauche. The writing is simply exquisite as it skillfully wraps the reader like a cozy blanket, sometimes when I read it I felt as if I was struck by a moment so beautiful that it made time stop, I would re-read it again and picture it in my head almost smelling the heady swaying grass and the sun shimmering in the morning breeze as Mary Katherine Blackwood and her feline companion wandered through the beautiful nature surrounding their decaying house. This book was written in the sixties but it's still felt refreshing in its own refined way, it's a literary treasure that should be read about and discussed because it's simply wonderful and it reads a bit like a period piece but it only adds to its charm ( and it's definitely easy to read). I love gory horror books but this was just as good as the most intense and popular thrilling read from the past few months, so trust me, this is a good book!

The Blackwood house is no longer the social gathering of great minds but a leftover with living ghosts, people who were once a part of a family until a fatal dinner laced with arsenic put the end to the festivities leaving behind only a handful of surviving family members. Sick and ailing uncle Julian, his niece Constance along with her younger eighteen year old sister Mary Kate (playfully called Merricat) and her black cat. They are left to their own way of life taking it one day at a time which means going into town only when they find it absolutely necessary and they are not bothered by what is happening in the world. The Blackwoods are busy eating delectable things in the privacy of their own garden as they seem to have dropped out of the society and time itself by living a suspended life on their own terms with their own secrets and ceremonies, especially those upheld by Merricat. Normal in general form doesn't hold place in the Blackwood mansion, people who live in it do whatever they want anytime they please, perhaps that is why the arrival of handsome cousin Charles stirs the household so hard of its axis, his family connections enable him to get in but when the wants to take over the fortune his future isn't too bright when it comes to accomplishing it, Merricat is a smart kid and she won't let anyone even if they are admired by older Constance to take over her world no matter what! People form the near by town want to know what is going on in the mysterious house at the same time as old demons come to the surface and that final arsenic laced dinner rears it's ugly head again revealing the mystery behind the strange deaths. The struggle between different worlds is apparent and the conclusion is incredible, anyone reading this will have their favorites and their villains and will probably be surprised to see who they end up rooting for. A great tale that takes it to another lever that is sure not to be missed, I loved it!

- Kasia S.

I saw this book recommended as one of the 'most creepy' you'd ever read. Well I can't for the life of me fathom why that's the case. Perhaps that reader came to some conclusions that I (and the book, at least overtly) did not. I wondered a few times about Merrikat - was she real, was she a ghost, was everyone else imaginary... but the book just didn't give me enough to work with so my imagination never really went too far. It was also hard to get a grasp on how much time had passed through the telling of the story, which could have had some bearing on interpreting the events and characters.

Overall, I felt somewhat disappointed, although it was well written (technically speaking). Enough that I would seek out other works by Shirley Jackson.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a classic horror novel by the great Shirley Jackson. This is the story of two sisters that live in the Blackwood House with their ailing uncle. Both sisters seclude themselves from the rest of the neighborhood and feel judged constantly by the townsfolk. Everyone is aware of one fateful night at the Blackwood House when most of the family was murdered during dinner.

I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be reading it again at some point. Shirley Jackson is a must-read for all horror buffs and this is a great place to get started. It was definitely one of the eeriest stories that I’ve read in a long time and kept me guessing throughout the entire story.

When it comes to books with which I am unfamiliar, the opening paragraph is usually my means of deciding whether or not to read it. Well - try this on for size:

"My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live withmy sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenent, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead."

From its enigmatic title to its unnerving final word, Ms. Jackson's WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE finds its way under your skin. Like her well-known and highly regarded "The Lottery" and "THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE," this novella is unique and gripping. It deals not with the supernatural (as in THE HAUNTING OF...) but with human relationships and their peculiar psychological twists and turns.

It's hard to discuss the book without giving away aspects of the plot that may spoil your enjoyment. Just know that if you are a fan of psychological horror, this is one of the sleepers. Not as well known as the classic Jackson works but nonetheless surprising and gripping.

I hope the opening paragraph is also enough to get you started on this wonderful, perplexing tale.

Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle has become a talisman for me. It was the first book I read without stright tthrough with no break as a child and I return to it each year and my love for it only grows deeper. Merricat Blackwood is a hero for anyone who has felt different (and let's face it, that's everyone) who narrates the story of her sister and herself, the wonderful Cosntance, with humour, heart, and a little bit of magic. The opening paragraph seduced me as a child and its power still holds: "My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead." The story is haunting and, ultimatley, sad but the connection the reader will have with these isolated sisters is very strong and makes for a potent reading experience. Shirly Jackson has created a minor masterpiece that will speak to anyone who likes to read and imagine and does not quite understand a world where those are not the most valued things.

Shirley Jackson is, of course, best remembered for The Lottery , one of the great short stories of all time, and for The Haunting of Hill House, which has twice been made into a movie. But this terrific novel is every bit as good as those others and may in fact be the best thing she ever wrote.
From what I've read, it seems that Ms Jackson's work may well have been an expression of her own psychological problems. If that's true, this story is even more frightening. It is about two sisters, the older one meek and shy, the other assertive and nearly demonic, who barricade themselves inside a gutted mansion to escape the local townsfolk who torment them because they suspect that the girls were involved in the mass killing of four family members.
The psychological overtones are plentiful and troubling. There is, first of all, the sense in which it appears that it is only when together that the two sisters form one complete personality. Second, the crime involved is not merely murder, but murder of the family, that ancient taboo. Third, the two are completely alienated from the society around them, even ignoring the few friendly neighbors who come by to try and help. Jackson apparently had a horrendous relationship with her mother and with the people of Bennington, where she lived. Local legend even had it that The Lottery was based on an incident where local boys threw stones at her. Finally there is a strong indication that not only are the girls happier in their isolation, they may truly be better off by themselves and they may be more "normal" than the people in town.
At any rate, the story is creepy and sly and a great deal of fun. This is one of the truly great gothic horror novels of all time.
GRADE: A+

Time has stopped at Blackwood house, refusing to progress since the dark day arsenic found its way into the communal sugar bowl, killing four of seven family members. All that remain are sisters Constance- who was tried and aquitted of the murders- and Merricat, and wheelchair bound Uncle Julian. Aging in body but not in mind, the three live a quiet life of exile and ostracism, away from the accusatory looks and taunting rhyme: Merricat, said Connie, would you like a cup of tea?/ Oh no, said Merricat, you'll poison me.
Though eighteen, Merricat still thinks and behaves as a child, burying charms and making up spells to keep her family safe from the outside world. She is intensely protective of her sister, innocently contributing to Constance's agoraphobia and other anxiety problems, but is not without a gleefully dark sense of humor. When the local gossip drags someone along for an unwelcome visit, visibly upsetting her sister, Merricat pertly offers the frightened woman some sugar for her tea. She is not slow or retarded, as has been previously suggested, her mental development is simply in stasis from years of living in an unchanging vacuum. She is treated as a child and so she remains.
Julian, still suffering from the effects of the poisoning, relives the same few days over and over, oblivious to his declining health and mental lapses. Constance, on the other hand, seems completely aware as to how unhealthy all this is but is simply too frightened to take a first step until her cousin Charlie arrives with ulterior motives that will eventually shatter what little sanity is left.
The horror label is misleading, as this is neither the orgy of sex and gore nor the mindless splatterfest typical of the genre. 'Castle' is more of a pschological dissection containing elements of the Gothic. Within, Jackson has crafted a truly unique narrator and a spectacular tale of human cruelty and the fragility of the human psyche. It is a tale of quiet ordinarity and the damage that can be wrought on the human mind through small actions, both well-intentioned and spiteful. In short, it is one of the few books in a very long time that had me salivating for more and blissfully satisfied at the end.

WHAT is this book about?

The Blackwood family (what is left of them) live in a large estate outside a village. The gates leading to their home are always shut, secured by padlocks. The villagers don't like the Blackwood family very much. In fact, it would be safe to say they despise them. Perhaps even hate them. The only member of the Blackwood family who ventures into the village is 18-year-old Mary Katherine (known as Merricat). Her trips to the village are done only out of necessity. After all, Merricat and her family need groceries and the occasional library book. But one day, Charles (a long-lost relative) comes for a visit, and his presence starts to change things around the Blackwood house with disastrous and unexpected results.

WHO do we meet?

* Merricat is our narrator and is quite unique. From the moment you meet her, you know she is a bit different. Consider the opening paragraph:

My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all, I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead.

* Constance is Merricat's older sister. She never leaves the estate and is quite the object of curiosity around the village for reasons you'll discover when you read the book. Constance loves to cook and dotes on Merricat like her own child.
* Uncle Julian is the only other member of the Blackwood family living in the house. He's in poor health and occasionally confused about where and when he is living. He is obsessed with his project, which involves writing about a fateful night in the Blackwood family history.

WHEN and WHERE does the book take place?

The story takes place in and around the Blackwood estate in an unnamed village, probably in the early 1960s.

WHY should you read this book?

Merricat is an unforgettable narrator, and I doubt you'll soon forget her. I found her simultaneously amusing and creepy. Jackson does a brilliant job of presenting Merricat's world view (and her own special brand of magic). I suspect you'll be drawn into Merricat's world, which is a different place indeed. At just 214 pages, We Have Always Lived In The Castle is a short read, but Jackson manages to create a memorable story filled with atmosphere and an unforgettable narrator. This was my last book for the RIP Challenge, and it was the perfect way to end.

As a fan of Shirley Jackson, I think I might be a bit biased. Still, I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. This is gothic storytelling perfection! Don't be mislead by its low page count because this novel packs quite a punch!!

Living in almost complete isolation outside of a small town is the Blackwood family. Though they have lived in the same town for generations, they are now shunned because of a tragic event years ago. Mary Katherine, or Merricat, lives with her troubled sister Constance and their slightly delusional uncle Julian. When Merricat makes her journey into town, it becomes clear that she is the only family member willing to show her face outside of the house. The three relatives live in a well-developed rhythm that limits their interactions with others and therefore limits their need to talk about the tragic event from years past. When a long lost cousin appears at their house, it throws the whole family for a loop as they must confront their demons before it is too late.

Jackson has never been light on the action or intrigue and this book is no exception. The family relationship is incredibly interesting and well developed. Though it took me two tries to get into the novel, I think it is only because Merricat's character is so brilliantly created that I did not figure out she was an unreliable narrator until my second attempt. If you're looking for mystery...here it is! If you're looking for drama...here it is! If you're looking for a quick and enthralling read...here it is! Here is the complete package. Go read it!

The book appears under the "horror" title but it is not really horror. I would say that it is more bizarre then horror - it may be horrible in the sense that the thoughts that go through people's minds do not stay in the form of "thoughts" but get carried out. The book is presented from the eyes of Merricat and the reader is left to guess if she is retarded, slow, or someone with witchcraft powers as she would like to think - but however "weird" Merricat is, the reader can identify and even sympethize with her feelings, with the whole spectrum of her feelings: her love and loyalty to Constance and her hatred and anger towards other people. The reader recognizes that what goes on in Merricat's head is not totally unfamiliar.... Also, however "weird" the castle may be it is still a home and a very secure loved home and this feeling comes out of the story - so there is also something very surprisingly cozy about this castle and this comes from the portrayal of constance's cooking, the stored food, daily routine. I think I love this book because it shows you CAN live in a bubble you create and that you make your own reality... Also a very good portrayal of human flaws.

I came back to work 20 minutes late from lunch because the book was too good to put down. That was a dozen pages in. Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a whirling, magical read that takes its readers into the mind of a half-mad girl named Merricat. Through her strangely beautiful, sometimes frightening mind, we learn the story of the Blackwood family and Jackson's incredible skill and a suspense author. Make sure you wear a decent shawl while reading this, because-between Merricat's quietly frightening mind and Jackson's simple but eloquent writing-We Have Always Lived in the Castle will give you chills.

Read the full review here: [...]

We Have Always Lived in the Castle takes place at the Blackwood House which was the scene of a multiple murder, when a family save for three died of ingesting poison. The residents of the home that survived include the eldest daughter, Constance, who made dinner that night, Uncle Julian, the elderly and morbidly ill survivor of the fatal meal, and Merricat, the younger sister, who was sent to her room and not allowed dinner that eve. They live in the mansion that there family once shared closed off from the town people who bully them, ransack their house, and treat them cruelly. Since there was never anyone charged with the arsenic tainted dinner, the townspeople pinpoint Constance, who is terrified of leaving the mansion.

They settle into a routine of hiding away from the villagers, except for Merrikat who does errands. They try and live quietly day to day until a greedy cousin Charles visits, and begins disrupting their lives. In the course of his visit the family secret of what really happened is revealed and shatters the already fragile lives of the young girls.

Jackson is an amazing character writer and we have some eccentric ones in this novel- Merricat, a macabre character who uses charms and hexes to tune out the hatred of others, Uncle Julian whose mind is so warped as he tells aloud to anyone who is listening, the events of that night trying to come to a whodunit conclusion, and cousin Charles who wants the house out of greed.

This book examines what happens when a family is shattered and the truth is held back too long. The fear and anxiety of the sisters combined with the hostility, blunt rage, and inhumanity of the villagers makes this a compelling novel. Add in murder, magic, and suspense you have a perfect Shirley Jackson thriller.

"Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate."

This book has such a sinister feeling to it and I loved it! It is a story of two reclusive sisters who live in their own little world, their uncle who experiences fleeting dementia (and totally cracks me up), and a greedy, good-for-nothing cousin. Throw some small-minded townspeople and death in the mix and you have one quirky story. The writing is dark and eccentric; I wish I read this a long time ago.

This story revolves around a family that has sustained a major tragedy. Apparently, most of the family was murdered at supper one day via the introduction of arsenic into their food. Only three family members survive, sisters Constance and Mary Catherine Blackwood, and their elderly Uncle Julian. Constance, who always cooked for her family, was charged with their murder but aquitted at trial. The surviving three Blackwoods now live in splendid isolation in their mansion, as they are reviled by the villagers.

Mary Catherine, the younger sister known affectionately as Merricat, is a strange girl. Bright, imaginative, and compulsive, she has an assortment of rituals that she carries out in her daily activities, which are somewhat limited. She rarely ventures beyond the curtilage of her stately home, except for trepidaciously entering the village to get necessary supplies. Her sister Catherine, however, never ventures beyond the immediate perimeter of her home, though this is clearly something that she wishes to do. Uncle Julian is an invalid, living out his remaining days trying to figure out the mystery behind what had happened to his family that caused them all to be poisoned.

They are truly alone, except for the rare visitors who knew their family prior to the tragedy that took place. Even these few visits are almost too much for them. Still, Constance does her best to entertain them, although Merricat clearly wishes they would not come. Their highly structured world, however, is slowly torn apart, when Charles, a cousin, comes to visit them. He inveigles and tantalizes Constance with visions of having a normal life. Needless to say, Merricat and Charles do not get along, as she perceives him to be the enemy, seeking to disrupt her orderly, though dysfunctional, world.

The writing style is spare, taut, and, at times, quite compelling, as well as darkly humourous. Still, what happens to Constance and Merricat is no real surprise. What is problematic is one never really understands what makes Constance tick nor what makes Merricat do what she does. There is no resolution in the book, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks.

While I admit that I am in the minority, as I found this book to be a little disappointing, I do I find it hard to believe that Time magazine, at one time, had named it one of the ten best novels of the year. While this a moderately enjoyable work, readers would do better to seek out Ms. Jackson's dazzling novel, "The Lottery", a much better, and more satisfying, book.

Today Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) is best recalled for the story "The Lottery," originally published in 1948, and the novel THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, published in 1959. But although these two works are indeed among the finest of her work, they are not her only work; during her short lifetime Jackson produced a seemingly endless stream of stories and essays, two memoirs, four books for children, and six novels--of which WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE, published in 1962, was her last. It is an astonishing work, perceptive, deceptively simple, remarkably artful, and both disturbing and terrifying in a way that defies easy description.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Mary Katherine Blackwood, an eighteen year old, and begins with what would seem a commonplace event: Merricat, as she known, has gone to town on a series of errands. But the trip soon acquires an ugly tone. She is afraid; she is angry; the town is ugly; the people in it are openly hostile to her. She returns as quickly as possible to the Blackwood property, a large, heavily wooded tract of land accessible only through padlocked gates--and to the Victorian mansion in which she lives with her sister Constance and their invalided uncle Julian.

As the novel progresses it becomes apparent that Uncle Julian cannot leave the house and Constance will not leave the house--and although the reasons are different for each the actual cause is the same. Six years earlier the Blackwood family sat down to a meal that included blackberries served with arsenic. Uncle Julian survived, his health destroyed and his mind clouded; Mary Katherine, having been sent to bed with supper for a childhood misdeed, escaped the poison; and Constance, who prepared the meal and who never took sugar, was accused of the crime. Although acquitted in court, she was deemed guilty by the town--and the trial was so traumatic she has since been unable to bring herself to leave the house.

Although they occasionally receive visits from old friends who knew the family before the tragedy, the three live in isolation, and the sense of paranonia that pervades their lives warps and twists each in unexpected ways. Mary Katherine in particular has fancies and imaginings, often engaging in childhood acts of magic that would seem more appropriate to a child than a young woman. But the lure of the family's wealth is very strong, and it draws a relative to their door--cousin Charles.

Constance finds Charles appealing and takes seriously his urging that she throw off her isolation, but Mary Katherine recognizes his motives as purely mercenary. The battlelines are quickly drawn, Mary Catherine on one side and Charles on the other, with delicate Constance caught between the world in which she feels safe and the life she might have outside it. Charles will find that a family in which an infamous and unsolved murder has occurred does not necessarily enjoy intrusion from the outside, and the nightmare is soon upon them all.

Mary Katherine is hardly an unbiased narrator, and her perception of the town and its people, cousin Charles, Uncle Julian, and her adored sister Constance is colored by her clearly abnormal thinking--but Jackson plays a truly unexpected card, drawing a sharp comparison between the more attractive qualities of Mary Katherine's abnormality and the singularly disasterful normality of Charles and the outside world he represents. The result is moody, disquieting, and quietly terrifying, and Jackson is careful to leave many key questions unanswered, thereby driving a sense of ambiguity ever deeper into the reader's mind.

If your taste runs to the like of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, you may find Shirley Jackson a shade too delicate for your liking: there will be no ghosts, no vampires, no overtly evil people doing overtly evil deeds. But to my mind Jackson is all the more effective precisely for that, a brilliant writer who has no need of the obvious in order to chill you to the bone. WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE is a masterpiece, and I strongly recommend it.

GFT, the store Reviewer

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson is the odd, but enthralling, story of two sisters living with their uncle after the rest of their family is poisoned at dinner. The story is narrated by Mary Katherine Blackwood, the younger of the sisters. She is the only one of the family to venture into the village where she must endure the taunts of the townspeople. Things change drastically for Mary Katherine when cousin Charles comes for a visit and exerts his influence over Constance, the older sister.

I don't always read the introductions to books but in this case I'm very glad that I did. Knowing that Shirley Jackson is the author of the short story "The Lottery" gave me a little better idea of what to expect from this story. I really knew nothing about it when it was chosen as the December selection by the Reading with Tequila Book Club on Goodreads. While the author's name clearly didn't stick with me, I do remember reading "The Lottery" in high school and the impact the story had on me. If you haven't read this short story, I highly recommend it!

I'm honestly not quite sure what to say about We Have Always Lived in the Castle. The story, as Mary Katherine tells it, drew me in completely even though it seems that very little actually happens. I do not think the story would have been nearly as interesting if another of the characters had told it. Being in Mary Katherine's head and seeing how she thinks about her situation is exactly what makes the story so compelling. The other characters seem a bit flat but I think that is because we only see them as Mary Katherine sees them and she is quite wrapped up in her own vision of the world.

As far as what actually happens in the book, it isn't much. While there are a few key events, the girls' situation at the end of the story is very similar to the beginning. Their dependence on each other has only increased along with their self-imposed isolation. The strength of We Have Always Lived in the Castle is in the characters and the writing rather than the plot. Had it been written in another style or by another author, I do not think it would be nearly as successful in capturing the reader.

Sisters Merricat and Constance live isolated in their family home, ostracized by the town, their entire family dead--until a cousin comes to visit, endangering their way of life and shoving their secrets into the open. It's impossible to completely convey my passion for this book: I loved every moment of reading it, from the first paragraph down to the final page, and I cannot recommend it enough. Unexpectedly atmospheric, rich with dark humor, and rendering larger-than-life figures with empathy and subtlety, Castle turns many gothic tropes on their head while remaining a rich contribution to the genre. At once a delightfully dark investigation of a family's skeletons in the closet and a perceptive study of normalcy and alienation, this is a vibrant, engaging, truly unique novel. It's become a personal favorite, and I recommend it with all enthusiasm.

I somehow missed on reading this when I was a spooky kid. That may be for the better, since it seems to be one of those books that is about kids, but might not exactally be for kids. A good read for an adult though.

This was my first book/audio by Shirley Jackson and I was a little disappointed.

It was a nice story of a family bond after two tragedies. Even with the torment from the towns people, some eventually saw themselves to do some good deeds. A good 3.25 stars for me.

The other major novel from Shirley Jackson. It doesn't have the devastating impact of _The Haunting of Hill House_, but that is like saying getting hit by a speeding van is less devastating than being run over by a eighteen-wheeler.
This is an aching, tragic novel of psychotic decline and clinging human dependence. Narrator Merricat is an amazing character, both repulsive and sympathetic as she tries to protect her sister and their life together from the villagers and the encroachments of cousin Charles. As in _Hill House_, the protagonist is obsessed with location and a need to belong, and it drives her ultimately to insane actions. Like Eleanor Lance, the main character in _The Haunting of Hill House_, Merricat continually removes herself from the rest of humanity.
Although the novel contains nothing overtly supernatural, it is filled with "living ghost" and haunts the reader the same way real ghosts would. Shirley Jackson was a stunning talent, and she dares you to forget he dark, stirring, psychological worlds she builds. Read _We Have Always Lives in the Castle_ for a trip into character you will never forget. (And if you haven't done so yet, read _The Haunting of Hill House_.)

The book appears under the "horror" title but it is not really horror. I would say that it is more bizarre then horror - it may be horrible in the sense that the thoughts that go through people's minds do not stay in the form of "thoughts" but get carried out. The book is presented from the eyes of Merricat and the reader is left to guess if she is retarded, slow, or someone with witchcraft powers as she would like to think - but however "weird" Merricat is, the reader can identify and even sympethize with her feelings, with the whole spectrum of her feelings: her love and loyalty to Constance and her hatred and anger towards other people. The reader recognizes that what goes on in Merricat's head is not totally unfamiliar.... Also, however "weird" the castle may be it is still a home and a very secure loved home and this feeling comes out of the story - so there is also something very surprisingly cozy about this castle and this comes from the portrayal of constance's cooking, the stored food, daily routine. I think I love this book because it shows you CAN live in a bubble you create and that you make your own reality... Also a very good portrayal of human flaws.

I came back to work 20 minutes late from lunch because the book was too good to put down. That was a dozen pages in. Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a whirling, magical read that takes its readers into the mind of a half-mad girl named Merricat. Through her strangely beautiful, sometimes frightening mind, we learn the story of the Blackwood family and Jackson's incredible skill and a suspense author. Make sure you wear a decent shawl while reading this, because-between Merricat's quietly frightening mind and Jackson's simple but eloquent writing-We Have Always Lived in the Castle will give you chills.

Read the full review here: [...]

We Have Always Lived in the Castle takes place at the Blackwood House which was the scene of a multiple murder, when a family save for three died of ingesting poison. The residents of the home that survived include the eldest daughter, Constance, who made dinner that night, Uncle Julian, the elderly and morbidly ill survivor of the fatal meal, and Merricat, the younger sister, who was sent to her room and not allowed dinner that eve. They live in the mansion that there family once shared closed off from the town people who bully them, ransack their house, and treat them cruelly. Since there was never anyone charged with the arsenic tainted dinner, the townspeople pinpoint Constance, who is terrified of leaving the mansion.

They settle into a routine of hiding away from the villagers, except for Merrikat who does errands. They try and live quietly day to day until a greedy cousin Charles visits, and begins disrupting their lives. In the course of his visit the family secret of what really happened is revealed and shatters the already fragile lives of the young girls.

Jackson is an amazing character writer and we have some eccentric ones in this novel- Merricat, a macabre character who uses charms and hexes to tune out the hatred of others, Uncle Julian whose mind is so warped as he tells aloud to anyone who is listening, the events of that night trying to come to a whodunit conclusion, and cousin Charles who wants the house out of greed.

This book examines what happens when a family is shattered and the truth is held back too long. The fear and anxiety of the sisters combined with the hostility, blunt rage, and inhumanity of the villagers makes this a compelling novel. Add in murder, magic, and suspense you have a perfect Shirley Jackson thriller.

"Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate."

This book has such a sinister feeling to it and I loved it! It is a story of two reclusive sisters who live in their own little world, their uncle who experiences fleeting dementia (and totally cracks me up), and a greedy, good-for-nothing cousin. Throw some small-minded townspeople and death in the mix and you have one quirky story. The writing is dark and eccentric; I wish I read this a long time ago.

This story revolves around a family that has sustained a major tragedy. Apparently, most of the family was murdered at supper one day via the introduction of arsenic into their food. Only three family members survive, sisters Constance and Mary Catherine Blackwood, and their elderly Uncle Julian. Constance, who always cooked for her family, was charged with their murder but aquitted at trial. The surviving three Blackwoods now live in splendid isolation in their mansion, as they are reviled by the villagers.

Mary Catherine, the younger sister known affectionately as Merricat, is a strange girl. Bright, imaginative, and compulsive, she has an assortment of rituals that she carries out in her daily activities, which are somewhat limited. She rarely ventures beyond the curtilage of her stately home, except for trepidaciously entering the village to get necessary supplies. Her sister Catherine, however, never ventures beyond the immediate perimeter of her home, though this is clearly something that she wishes to do. Uncle Julian is an invalid, living out his remaining days trying to figure out the mystery behind what had happened to his family that caused them all to be poisoned.

They are truly alone, except for the rare visitors who knew their family prior to the tragedy that took place. Even these few visits are almost too much for them. Still, Constance does her best to entertain them, although Merricat clearly wishes they would not come. Their highly structured world, however, is slowly torn apart, when Charles, a cousin, comes to visit them. He inveigles and tantalizes Constance with visions of having a normal life. Needless to say, Merricat and Charles do not get along, as she perceives him to be the enemy, seeking to disrupt her orderly, though dysfunctional, world.

The writing style is spare, taut, and, at times, quite compelling, as well as darkly humourous. Still, what happens to Constance and Merricat is no real surprise. What is problematic is one never really understands what makes Constance tick nor what makes Merricat do what she does. There is no resolution in the book, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks.

While I admit that I am in the minority, as I found this book to be a little disappointing, I do I find it hard to believe that Time magazine, at one time, had named it one of the ten best novels of the year. While this a moderately enjoyable work, readers would do better to seek out Ms. Jackson's dazzling novel, "The Lottery", a much better, and more satisfying, book.

Today Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) is best recalled for the story "The Lottery," originally published in 1948, and the novel THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, published in 1959. But although these two works are indeed among the finest of her work, they are not her only work; during her short lifetime Jackson produced a seemingly endless stream of stories and essays, two memoirs, four books for children, and six novels--of which WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE, published in 1962, was her last. It is an astonishing work, perceptive, deceptively simple, remarkably artful, and both disturbing and terrifying in a way that defies easy description.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Mary Katherine Blackwood, an eighteen year old, and begins with what would seem a commonplace event: Merricat, as she known, has gone to town on a series of errands. But the trip soon acquires an ugly tone. She is afraid; she is angry; the town is ugly; the people in it are openly hostile to her. She returns as quickly as possible to the Blackwood property, a large, heavily wooded tract of land accessible only through padlocked gates--and to the Victorian mansion in which she lives with her sister Constance and their invalided uncle Julian.

As the novel progresses it becomes apparent that Uncle Julian cannot leave the house and Constance will not leave the house--and although the reasons are different for each the actual cause is the same. Six years earlier the Blackwood family sat down to a meal that included blackberries served with arsenic. Uncle Julian survived, his health destroyed and his mind clouded; Mary Katherine, having been sent to bed with supper for a childhood misdeed, escaped the poison; and Constance, who prepared the meal and who never took sugar, was accused of the crime. Although acquitted in court, she was deemed guilty by the town--and the trial was so traumatic she has since been unable to bring herself to leave the house.

Although they occasionally receive visits from old friends who knew the family before the tragedy, the three live in isolation, and the sense of paranonia that pervades their lives warps and twists each in unexpected ways. Mary Katherine in particular has fancies and imaginings, often engaging in childhood acts of magic that would seem more appropriate to a child than a young woman. But the lure of the family's wealth is very strong, and it draws a relative to their door--cousin Charles.

Constance finds Charles appealing and takes seriously his urging that she throw off her isolation, but Mary Katherine recognizes his motives as purely mercenary. The battlelines are quickly drawn, Mary Catherine on one side and Charles on the other, with delicate Constance caught between the world in which she feels safe and the life she might have outside it. Charles will find that a family in which an infamous and unsolved murder has occurred does not necessarily enjoy intrusion from the outside, and the nightmare is soon upon them all.

Mary Katherine is hardly an unbiased narrator, and her perception of the town and its people, cousin Charles, Uncle Julian, and her adored sister Constance is colored by her clearly abnormal thinking--but Jackson plays a truly unexpected card, drawing a sharp comparison between the more attractive qualities of Mary Katherine's abnormality and the singularly disasterful normality of Charles and the outside world he represents. The result is moody, disquieting, and quietly terrifying, and Jackson is careful to leave many key questions unanswered, thereby driving a sense of ambiguity ever deeper into the reader's mind.

If your taste runs to the like of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, you may find Shirley Jackson a shade too delicate for your liking: there will be no ghosts, no vampires, no overtly evil people doing overtly evil deeds. But to my mind Jackson is all the more effective precisely for that, a brilliant writer who has no need of the obvious in order to chill you to the bone. WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE is a masterpiece, and I strongly recommend it.

GFT, the store Reviewer

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson is the odd, but enthralling, story of two sisters living with their uncle after the rest of their family is poisoned at dinner. The story is narrated by Mary Katherine Blackwood, the younger of the sisters. She is the only one of the family to venture into the village where she must endure the taunts of the townspeople. Things change drastically for Mary Katherine when cousin Charles comes for a visit and exerts his influence over Constance, the older sister.

I don't always read the introductions to books but in this case I'm very glad that I did. Knowing that Shirley Jackson is the author of the short story "The Lottery" gave me a little better idea of what to expect from this story. I really knew nothing about it when it was chosen as the December selection by the Reading with Tequila Book Club on Goodreads. While the author's name clearly didn't stick with me, I do remember reading "The Lottery" in high school and the impact the story had on me. If you haven't read this short story, I highly recommend it!

I'm honestly not quite sure what to say about We Have Always Lived in the Castle. The story, as Mary Katherine tells it, drew me in completely even though it seems that very little actually happens. I do not think the story would have been nearly as interesting if another of the characters had told it. Being in Mary Katherine's head and seeing how she thinks about her situation is exactly what makes the story so compelling. The other characters seem a bit flat but I think that is because we only see them as Mary Katherine sees them and she is quite wrapped up in her own vision of the world.

As far as what actually happens in the book, it isn't much. While there are a few key events, the girls' situation at the end of the story is very similar to the beginning. Their dependence on each other has only increased along with their self-imposed isolation. The strength of We Have Always Lived in the Castle is in the characters and the writing rather than the plot. Had it been written in another style or by another author, I do not think it would be nearly as successful in capturing the reader.

I was pulled in right away, but there were certain elements of the plot that pulled me out and kept me on the sideline. I like Shirley Jackson’s writing and think she’s incredibly creative. Overall a good creepy classic.

Sisters Merricat and Constance live isolated in their family home, ostracized by the town, their entire family dead--until a cousin comes to visit, endangering their way of life and shoving their secrets into the open. It's impossible to completely convey my passion for this book: I loved every moment of reading it, from the first paragraph down to the final page, and I cannot recommend it enough. Unexpectedly atmospheric, rich with dark humor, and rendering larger-than-life figures with empathy and subtlety, Castle turns many gothic tropes on their head while remaining a rich contribution to the genre. At once a delightfully dark investigation of a family's skeletons in the closet and a perceptive study of normalcy and alienation, this is a vibrant, engaging, truly unique novel. It's become a personal favorite, and I recommend it with all enthusiasm.

I somehow missed on reading this when I was a spooky kid. That may be for the better, since it seems to be one of those books that is about kids, but might not exactally be for kids. A good read for an adult though.

This was my first book/audio by Shirley Jackson and I was a little disappointed.

It was a nice story of a family bond after two tragedies. Even with the torment from the towns people, some eventually saw themselves to do some good deeds. A good 3.25 stars for me.

The other major novel from Shirley Jackson. It doesn't have the devastating impact of _The Haunting of Hill House_, but that is like saying getting hit by a speeding van is less devastating than being run over by a eighteen-wheeler.
This is an aching, tragic novel of psychotic decline and clinging human dependence. Narrator Merricat is an amazing character, both repulsive and sympathetic as she tries to protect her sister and their life together from the villagers and the encroachments of cousin Charles. As in _Hill House_, the protagonist is obsessed with location and a need to belong, and it drives her ultimately to insane actions. Like Eleanor Lance, the main character in _The Haunting of Hill House_, Merricat continually removes herself from the rest of humanity.
Although the novel contains nothing overtly supernatural, it is filled with "living ghost" and haunts the reader the same way real ghosts would. Shirley Jackson was a stunning talent, and she dares you to forget he dark, stirring, psychological worlds she builds. Read _We Have Always Lives in the Castle_ for a trip into character you will never forget. (And if you haven't done so yet, read _The Haunting of Hill House_.)

Desperate for a satisfying fiction read, I went to my public library to revisit some of my favorite authors of old. The Library of America's selected collection of Jackson's writings included "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," with which I was not acquainted. Once started, I could not put it down. There is a mysterious and dark secret at the heart of the story. Readers of Jackson's works know that often, what appears to be an accepted truth or appearance proves to be something altogether different. In this case, two young sisters alone know the real truth about the murders that ostracized them from their small-minded neighbors in a very small town. Don't mess with these girls.

As a fan of suspense and horror novels, I went through a Stephen King phase in my teens and twenties. As thrilled and chilled as I was by King's earlier work such as 'Salem's Lot and The Stand, I found his later entries more gory and less gripping. Wanting to move on, I didn't know whom to read next. Enter Shirley Jackson! Having read "The Lottery" in grade school, I was delighted to find "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" at my local library--a deservedly well-worn copy!

I can't remember which writer coined the phrase "the banality of evil", but after meeting Mary Katherine Blackwood, I understand where it came from. "Merricat", as she is called, is the sister of an acquitted murderess--or so everyone thinks. The people of the village in the book demonize and scorn the Blackwoods, but do all three of the Blackwood kindred deserve their hatred? I warn you: only one might...

What makes this book different and far more engaging than other horror novels is the way Shirley Jackson presents its story. Village life is presented in a sweetly ordinary and almost naive way by Merricat, despite the fact that the Blackwood family history is so terrifying. You won't forget the "Castle" easily after a visit!

The second thing I read by Jackson, and I was even more impressed with her. She does an excellent job of showing "otherness" by pitting the main characters against the town. The oddness of her characters are endearing, but at the same time you're not sure if you should trust them. Jackson is brilliant with her usage of the townspeople react to the neighbors they don't understand. It was a fairly short book, but extremely well done.

This was my first Shirley Jackson book and I was a bit confused about her style and if this was perhaps a precursor to what we now call Young Fiction? I think what really threw me off a bit was the 'child-like' language used between Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood and Constance, the two sisters who are the main protagonists in this story, and how it contrasted with the plot itself. Since this book was published in the early 1960s and touches on the topic of human persecution usually experienced when people find you to be "different than the norm", the dialogues between "Merricat" and the other characters made it all sound like she was a younger girl than she really was (she's supposed to be 18-years-old if I'm not mistaken). There's also a string touch of what I am going to loosely call "weird fiction", as for instance when she keeps talking to her pet cat as if it were a real person capable of not only understanding her but also making intelligent comments and replies that only she could hear. Or how, despite all the weird things going around them and how they live completely isolated from everyone, everyone in the Blackwood household goes on about their day as if everything was normal.

Anyhow, I think what really captivated me about this book (and made me go back for more later on) was, funny enough, this mix of dark and weird and I think I also got my first glimpse at the way most of Shirley Jackson's stories end, hanging you out there and wondering "WTF?" :)

In the aftermath of the murder of family, Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood attempts to carry on her life on the family estate with her sister, Constance, acquitted of putting the arsenic in the sugar bowl that killed the family, and her uncle Julian, the only member to survive the poisoning, although with great physical and mental damage. With Merricat as her narrator, Shirley Jackson tells the tale of a family conscientiously living apart from the world, as Merricat uses various magicks to protect her surviving relatives from the outside world, particularly from the villagers who hate the Blackwood family. Constance cooks and cleans and Uncle Julian flits in and out of reality, to the satisfaction of all. That is, until their estranged cousin Charles appears to assert his will over Constance and what he sees as his rights in the Blackwood estate, all the while meeting resistance from Merricat.

Shirley Jackson, best known for "The Haunting of Hill House," weaves a macabre tale in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle." Although, this book isn't exactly a "tale." Jackson sets up many enticing plot threads: who did poison the family? ; why do the villagers hate the Blackwoods so much? ; and why has Charles come and why does he exert such influence over Constance. The most important issue Jackson raises is the character of Merricat: how trustworthy is this girl who buries things in the grounds around the house in the belief that doing so will keep out harm? However, when these issues are resolved (and, truthfully, not all of them are), they are anticlimactic. Indeed, it more likely than not that, upon reaching the last page, the reader will probably be disappointed with the overall plot of the novel, and perhaps feel that the novel is a little pointless.

I suspect that this initial response was part of Jackson's intent. For upon further reflection, the reader may realize that this is not really a novel interested in plot but rather in character and mood. And even then, the novel is concerned with WHAT people do, but cares not a whit for WHY they do these things. Merricat is an excellent vehicle for Jackson's exploration. When we first meet Merricat, she is shopping for the household in a town full of people who hate her for the family she belongs to. Nonetheless, she is strong, defiant, and sympathetic as she takes abuse but is not cowed. As the novel progresses, the reader's sympathy and trust in Merricat as a narrator erode simultaneously. Merricat is childish, narcissistic, and paranoid. She reports events, but her interpretations of these events are suspect. The more Merricat reveals of herself, the reader cannot help but wonder if so much of the misery hanging over the Blackwoods stems from Merricat's efforts to keep the world out, and that her indulgent sister is doing her no favors.

Mood is the other critical element in this book. The inevitability of tragedy hangs over every word and deed. It draws the reader along, keeping us firmly entrenched in Merricat's unhealthy mind until the very end. It should come as no surprise that Jackson provides no satisfactory answers. As long as the Blackwoods refuse to come to terms with the cancer within, they cannot be happy.

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is a peculiar book. It is simultaneously substantial and elusive. While the plot may not be completely gratifying, the unhappy character Merricat Blackwood is a powerful draw, and plays on the reader's mind long after the book is done. Thus, Jackson has created a creepy tale of family despair.

This is a much better book than The Haunting of.... The story just works better. I wasn't a big fan of Haunting. It wasn't "horror" and the movie versions weren't any better. A few things bumping in the night do not a horror story make, nor are they particularly engaging. However, these characters definitely are. Don't expect anything supernatural but the story is creepy. Also, having grown up in a town similar to that in the book, it's frustratingly realistic. I only gave it a 4 because of the end, which was something of a disappointment. It isn't an ending. It just ends. But, I could not really think of a more appropriate one.

I should be clear that I've never read Shirley Jackson and didn't know what to expect. Also, be warned that this version (for Kindle) contains an introduction that has a huge spoiler in it, with no warning. It's not that this is poorly written - it is very well written - it's just SO dark and SO depressing and sad and just morbid that I did not enjoy it at all. There's never a satisfying moment of explanation for the behaviors of these characters (other than insanity, which is hinted), nor any understanding of the motivation for the crime around which the story revolves, or the forgiveness of the guilty character by the other character.
I read dark stuff - mysteries, thrillers - but I just could not like this. I'm not sure what you'd call this genre, but I'll try to avoid it in the future.

I had to let this digest a little before writing a review. It wasn't an edge of your seat something is going to jump out at you scary, but a psychological what the heck creepy! It gave me a kind of hitchcock or twilight zone feel. Reminded of a small town with the creepy haunted house up on the hill. The women in the story read younger for me than they were, like they were caught up at a young age. I also was thinking of that twilight zone episode with the kid that sent people to the corn field. Excellent!

'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' has the classic hallmarks of a Shirley Jackson novel - gothic weirdness, and exposure of unflattering underbelly of human/societal behavior. And the book is delightfully compact. Excellent prose and characterizations make for a very enjoyable read of less than two hundred pages.

The story? We have a rather imaginative (..to a disturbed extent) teenaged girl living with her older sister and invalid uncle in her "castle", a large estate home. Several years earlier the rest of their family were poisoned at the dinner table, with the older sister being the accused. Most of the neighbors view this family with extreme distain, encouraging a reclusive existence of the two young women. However this fragile ecosystem becomes unbalanced when a cousin arrives at the door. ... and that's about all I should say. The ending is very unexpected, and we learn a bit more about human behavior when the neighbors become restless.

Bottom line: a highly recommended story. Not scary, but a very well-observed look at a twisted family and the 'kindness' of neighbors.

The Lottery is one of my all-time favorite short stories, but I'd never read any of Jackson's other works. We Have Always Lived in the Castle has a similar tone, balancing its unsettling atmosphere with an unreliable narrator to great effect, for a story that's delightfully open to interpretation while defying easy categorization.

I'm planning to read all of Jackson's novels and collections now!

NOTE: Lethem's introduction is better read as an afterword, lest his own interpretation spoil and color your own reading.

Two sisters and their uncle are all that remain after the deliberate poisoning of their entire family. The courts could not prosecute any of them because of lack of evidence. The uncle is not really a suspect because he almost died with the family and is now bound to a wheelchair. Because there was not any kind of conviction the sisters are relentlessly harassed by the local residents and therefore do not go into town unless absolutely necessary. Both sisters are strange, the oldest is too eerily kind and over the top, peaches and cream, the younger sister is similar to a wild animal with bizarre actions and screwball ceremonial rituals. They live in a home outside of town for years before a distant cousin, with an agenda, comes to live with them to see just what he can swindle from the estate. The strange goings on become even more warped and elevated when the devious cousin try's to step in and relegate all actions and decisions that are made. Eventually a not so accidental tragedy strikes and the sisters are thrown into an even more demented and isolated existence.

Agorphobia is just one of their defects. I could not decide, "psychopath or sociopath". A creepy story made even darker by Shirley Jackson's ability to spin a good spooky yarn. No gore or terrifying moments, just weeeird. It's perfect for Halloween.

This is the story about Mary Katherine (Merricat) who lives with her siser Constance and her uncle Julian after the rest of their family died because someone had put arsene into the sugar bowl. Merricat tries her best to protect Constance from the world behind the fence, a world where the villagers still belive that Constance murdered her family, even if noone could proof her guilt. So the three live quite happy in their isolation with their own weekly routine till that day when cousin Charles appears. He doesn't only change things and the routine in the house but also tries to talk Constance into taking uncle Julian to a hospital and to start educating Merricat, including punishments. But Merricat is aware of his plans and she has to react if she wants everything to stay the same.
I really liked this book. The story is told from Merricat's point of view so I always knew what she was thinking, even if her dreams, like taking Constance to the moon, seemed strange for an 18 year old girl. I red this book very quick. It is written so fluent and also it has only about 200 pages. So if you are looking for something to read quickly or something to read on the train etc. or maybe you just want to read something without getting bored, then this book is ideal. Still, I give this book only four stars because it's not a book that kept me thinking about it everytime I put it away and because I didn't miss the characters after I closed it.

I've read this book four times in the past ten years, and each time I read it it only gets better, each new layer filtering down to add to and compact the older layers in the deeper part of my memory; and this is a good thing, this building up of literary sediment, because CASTLE, with its air of involuted familial weirdness, with its charmingly twisted narrator (the 17-year-old Merricat Blackwood), with a warped insider's view of what it means to feel like one is always on the Outside, with the deliciously macabre grrl perspective. . .We Have Always Lived In The Castle is a goth kitten's wildest dreams and nightmares come true. (And BTW, if you like this book, you MUST see Peter Jackson's movie HEAVENLY CREATURES!) And drop ME a line, too. . . :)

Fifty years on and this novel is as fresh and creepy as ever. The narrator (18 year-old Mary Katherine Blackwood) runs wild outside the confines of middle-class sensibility in an amoral world peopled only by her sister Constance, her Uncle Julian and her cat, Jonas. In the first paragraph we learn that 'Merricat' believes she could have been born a werewolf, dislikes dogs and washing herself and is particularly fond of the deathcup mushroom. Everyone else in her family is dead.
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And it is those deaths that lie at the heart of this story -- their impact and continuing influence on the sisters who live outside of town in the fabulous old house they lovingly care for.

Shirley Jackson's fiction (The Lottery being her most famous) tends to snowball from mundane beginnings into catastrophic disasters. She specialises in outrageous acts committed by ordinary people. She also gives us a glimpse of worlds ordered differently from our own, which I find refreshing.

This is a book that I go back to again and again, and each time I come up with new conclusions. If you must have all loose ends tied up, this book is not for you!
My favorite thing about this book is that each and every word seems to have been chosen very carefully by the author. The writing is superb. It's perfectly detailed, but not overly so, you don't get bored reading it.

I thought it would be more engaging. The story was OK and I finished the book, however, I did find it a bit underwhelming. Maybe I was expecting more because of the reputation of the author or the reviews. The story was interesting but didnt really go anywhere for me.

I am afraid that I am in the minority, as I found this book to be a little disappointing. Moreover, I find it hard to believe that Time magazine, at one time, had named it one of the ten best novels of the year.

The story revolves around a family that has sustained a major tragedy. Apparently, most of the family was murdered at supper one day via the introduction of arsenic into their food. Only three family members survive, sisters Constance and Mary Catherine Blackwood, and their elderly Uncle Julian. Constance, who always cooked for her family, was charged with their murder but aquitted at trial. The surviving three Blackwoods now live in splendid isolation in their mansion, as they are reviled by the villagers.

Mary Catherine, the younger sister known affectionately as Merricat, is a strange girl. Bright, imaginative, and compulsive, she has an assortment of rituals that she carries out in her daily activities, which are somewhat limited. She rarely ventures beyond the curtilage of her stately home, except for trepidaciously entering the village to get necessary supplies. Her sister Catherine, however, never ventures beyond the immediate perimeter of her home, though this is clearly something that she wishes to do. Uncle Julian is an invalid, living out his remaining days trying to figure out the mystery behind what had happened to his family that caused them all to be poisoned.

They are truly alone, except for the rare visitors who knew their family prior to the tragedy that took place. Even these few visits are almost too much for them. Still, Constance does her best to entertain them, although Merricat clearly wishes they would not come. Their highly structured world, however, is slowly torn apart, when Charles, a cousin, comes to visit them. He inveigles and tantalizes Constance with visions of having a normal life. Needless to say, Merricat and Charles do not get along, as she perceives him to be the enemy, seeking to disrupt her orderly, though dysfunctional, world.

The writing style is spare, taut, and, at times, quite compelling, as well as darkly humourous. Still, what happens to Constance and Merricat is no real surprise. What is problematic is one never really understands what makes Constance tick nor what makes Merricat do what she does. There is no resolution in the book, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. While this a moderately enjoyable work, readers would do better to seek out Ms. Jackson's dazzling novel, "The Lottery", a much better, and more satisfying, book.

WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE is a book that walks through the walls of genre to a place that defies definition. 18-year old Merricat Blackwood lives with her sister Constance in an isolated house. Seven years before the Blackwood family was larger . . . until a dose of arsenic found its way into a bowl of sugar. Under constant cruel ridicule of the local villagers, the sisters manage to create an odd, eerie contentment, tending their gardens and caring for the surviving uncle Julian. But when their cousin Charles reappears, threatening to steal Constance from Merricat and break apart the happiness she has fought to built, Merricat decides that Charles must be a demon, and is determined to drive him away.

I am a big fan of Shirley Jackson. I first became interested in her after stumbling across a collection of her short stories, and since then, I have been hooked. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is my favorite Shirley Jackson novel. The Haunting of Hill House has generated much more speculation and interest world-wide than did We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but in my opinion, there is much more to be said for this book. There is much more to this novel than it seems when you first start reading it. Many things throughout the book will appeal to you, and simultaneously tear your heart in two, like the villager's hatred of Merricat (the narrator and main character) and their horrible, shameful treatment of her.
This is a complex novel. It is not for everyone. It is a difficult read, because if you aren't into the book, then you won't understand what's going on. It reminds me of J.D. Salinger's. His books, especially if you've read his short stories, are to be puzzled over, yet never completely understood.
The story is about Merricat and Constance, two sisters who live isolated on the edge of town at Blackwood Manor. They seldom venture out of their home, and when they do are subjected to abuse at the hands of the villagers, who particularly enjoy throwing rocks at Merricat and calling her names. Readers come onto the scene of the story years after a poisoning during supper at Blackwood Manor, which killed most of the family. For years Merricat, their uncle, and Merricat's older sister Constance have lived in solitude until Charles, a distant cousin, comes calling. He plays upon Constance's desire for a normal life, telling her how unnatural her life is at Blackwood Manor, while at the same time displaying to the reader a strong interest in the family fortune. Merricat sees him as a threat to her lifestyle of comfort and solitude, away from those who revile her and her family. Merricat is also disturbed by the way Charles seems to be tantalizing Constance with visions of how her life could be if they left Blackwood Manor. Suddenly everything important to her is threatened.
I felt particular sympathy for the character of Constance. She was locked in a world she couldn't get out of. She loved her sister Merricat, (even though Merricat was strange and a bit crazy) and didn't want to desert her, but at the same time, as demonstrated by her quickness to come around to Charles's way of thinking, she wished to have a normal life. She didn't want Merricat to be so wild, and she strove for normalcy at every turn. She was constantly doing motherly activities like baking and cleaning, and generally taking care of everyone around her.
What I liked most about the book was that it left me with the same feeling I got from reading Jackson's famed story "The Lottery". It leaves you with that kind of horror at humanity "The Lottery" did with such deftness.
All this book needs is someone who is willing when he or she sits down with it to take the time to figure out what's REALLY going on here, and to understand the characters and their plights. If you read this book, go into it with an open mind. You will be rewarded for it.
This novel is not for everyone. But it may be for you.

A good read, though not as definitively in the realm of horror as Hill House. Many questions go unanswered, and Jackson leaves things for the reader to interpret.

I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a literary American gothic novel.

Two young sisters and their ailing uncle live in a grand old house after the rest of the family has been murdered by arsenic. The sisters are bizarre (think Miss Havisham) and rarely see outsiders, yet when they do, they are taunted by a sing-song rhyme detailing the murders. When a visitor comes to their home to stay, their lives become tumultuous, ending in disaster. This slender (214 page) classic was a gloriously creepy read, and appropriate for ages 10 and up.

I thought I had read this before. I was wrong. But this was a great story to stumble upon in the search for a book I keep thinking of but can't find. Shirley Jackson is right up there with Ray Bradbury on good, creepy, eerie stories. There was a lot of repetitiveness though. And I didn't really like the narrator's voice on the audiobook. But the story was good!

The more I read of Shirley Jackson, the more she has proven herself again and again to be a master of creepy, emotionally unsettling situations. With that said, do not read this book if you don't want to be unsettled.

The novel follows two sisters, 18-year-old Mary Katherine (Merricat) Blackwood, and her agoraphobic older sister, Constance. Though the story centers around the poisoning of Merricat and Constance's family, the true horror is psychological, as we spend more time in Merricat's head and little bits of information about her world are revealed to us in small fragments. Though Merricat is 18, her voice reads like a young child, swinging back and forth from dreamy fantasies about living on the moon to dark, murderous thoughts toward the people of her village. Constance's portrayal is equally terrifying, a woman indulgent to Merricat's destructive behavior and freakishly obsessed with domestic duties. What is horrifying, to me, is the way these characters are depicted as being so resistant to change and self-reflection that they inevitably seal themselves up in their house like a tomb, sitting at the heart of a village that hates them. And yet still, somehow, you feel emotionally attached to the sisters and are totally caught up in the way the manipulative Merricat tells her story.

The Jonathan Lethem introduction is insightful in this edition, but I would suggest reading it after you read the novel so that you can garner your own interpretation, and then read Lethem's take on the two sisters afterward. "Castle" is a quick read (I wolfed it down in a day or so), but it is not a novel soon forgotten. Prepare yourself to let these characters stick in your mind.

I strongly believe that this is the greatest, most powerful horror novel ever written, and I would go so far as to rank it among the top five pieces of literature the world has ever known. It truly is the most disturbing, original, heartbreaking story I have ever read. It is almost impossible to describe, as are the emotions I feel having read it--it taps virtually every emotion I know of. Merricat is the most unusual, utterly tragic heroine in the universe of fiction. She lives happily with her older sister Constance, her uncle Julian, and her cat Jonas. The rest of the family died several years earlier, murdered with arsenic during the family's evening meal. Although Constance was suspected of the deed, she was acquitted. Nevertheless, the three Blackwoods live in total isolation, and Merricat's twice-weekly trips into the village for groceries are horribly taxing on her because the villagers all laugh at her and tease her mercilessly about the family's tragic history. Merricat likes to bury things and play with her cat and hide near the brook; Constance is perfectly content cooking for her family and keeping the house immaculately clean, and Uncle Julian devotes himself to writing a book about the murder of most of his family. The strange trio is happy and safe in their self-isolation until a cousin shows up at the door and brings ruin, despite Merricat's magical safeguards. The interrelationships of the sisters and uncle is often nonsensical yet very real and adorable. Cousin Charles is a greedy beast, yet only Merricat seems cognizant of this fact initially. The really despicable people are the villagers, however. Never tiring of their constant teasing and harassment of Merricat on her few public appearances, the utterly black heart of the mob is vividly shown toward the end of the book. The end of the novel is incredibly emotional and touching and brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could truly describe this novel, but the only words that can accomplish that are those of this mesmerizing book itself.
On the back of my older copy of this novel, the book is described as an item of black magic that will cast a spell upon the reader; never were truer words written. The psychology underlying all of Jackson's fiction is deeply complex, unique in literature, and maddeningly compelling. But there is also much tenderness to be found here alongside the pain and horror of the Blackwood family story. This is tragedy surpassing even the best work of Sophocles. Anyone who reads this novel and is not deeply affected emotionally is simply not human. If I could have reached into this fictional world and pulled Merricat, Constance, Julian, and Jonas out, I would have done so. The powerlessness I felt as a reader, quite unable to protect and comfort the characters, was truly agonizing, and it was sometimes all I could do to keep myself from getting up and running around the room in exasperation. Anyone feeling at all depressed really should not read this book; it is a form of magic or a drug that can potentially threaten your very sanity. I know how silly this sounds, but I am quite serious. There is so much emotion stored in these pages that it really should come with a warning label.

If you had to read "The Lottery" in high school, you have had a taste of Shirley Jackson. If you liked that short story, this novel is an excellent follow-up. This copy in particular captures the tone well. Highly Recommended.

To read this tale you must forget all you were expecting from The Lottery (though it's a great story if you haven't done it...just click the link to read!). This does not have a surprise ending. No horrific shock to be found. Instead this is a tale of death - of living in a haunted house - with two sociopaths. One will be your guide. One will turn out to be her family's murderer.

Merricat (Mary Katherine) will lead you down this journey. She and her sister Constance are at a cross-roads. A few years away from the horrific death of the bulk of their family. Constance has been tried and found innocent of the crime involving arsenic in the sugar bowl. You see, Constance never takes sugar, though she does cook all of her family's meals. Her innocence looks fishy to say the least. The only other survivors of the evening meal were the girls' Uncle Julian, who didn't consume as much sugar and thus not as much arsenic and Merricat, who had been sent to her room without dinner that evening. Constance has lived through the spectacle of the trial and is, as the years pass, becoming mentally stronger - considering rejoining the society outside the family home. For that is where Constance has lived all these years, in the home where her family died, never moving one tea-cup or hair brush out-of-place, never moving beyond the garden gate. If Constance decides to move out into the world of the living normalcy may return.

Merricat on the other hand moves beyond her home and into town. She bravely grocery shops amongst the townspeople enduring their insults and cruel stares. Merricat worries for Constance. She knows what it's like to wander outside the garden gate she worries for Constance's mental state to do so as well. However, we're never quite sure if Merricat is more worried that Constance will find life outside the home difficult, or if Constance will begin to enjoy it.

To say much more about the sisters and their intimate relationship with death would ruin the tale for anyone wishing to enter into their decidedly macabre world. But in the end I think that the true horror of the tale isn't these two girls. It's not `who done it' or even `why'. As a reader once you're used to living life through their eyes...Once you're used to the death, and the creepiness...you too will become scared of the `normal' population. Watching those who are a stranger to the occult, strangers to murder and the assumed violence that goes along with it you realize that this unknown makes them terrified of the unknown. The mob mentality of people who are both scared and jealous is horrific. What a group can accomplish - disgustingly amazing. You'll end up realizing that to accept the macabre and to not just dole out death but live with it produces a kind of sociopathic happiness. And causes the mentally competent become unhinged.

This is a tale of that house you held your breath in front of as a child. The place in your town you walked faster past - knowing that there were watching eyes. It's the home the you're never quite sure someone occupies. The place where friends dared you to tread. It's the story of that house before it became that house.

Rating: 3.5/5 It's a well written and creepy tale...marred because I was expecting something different...

I am afraid that I am in the minority, as I found this book to be a little disappointing. Moreover, I find it hard to believe that Time magazine, at one time, had named it one of the ten best novels of the year.

The story revolves around a family that has sustained a major tragedy. Apparently, most of the family was murdered at supper one day via the introduction of arsenic into their food. Only three family members survive, sisters Constance and Mary Catherine Blackwood, and their elderly Uncle Julian. Constance, who always cooked for her family, was charged with their murder but aquitted at trial. The surviving three Blackwoods now live in splendid isolation in their mansion, as they are reviled by the villagers.

Mary Catherine, the younger sister known affectionately as Merricat, is a strange girl. Bright, imaginative, and compulsive, she has an assortment of rituals that she carries out in her daily activities, which are somewhat limited. She rarely ventures beyond the curtilage of her stately home, except for trepidaciously entering the village to get necessary supplies. Her sister Catherine, however, never ventures beyond the immediate perimeter of her home, though this is clearly something that she wishes to do. Uncle Julian is an invalid, living out his remaining days trying to figure out the mystery behind what had happened to his family that caused them all to be poisoned.

They are truly alone, except for the rare visitors who knew their family prior to the tragedy that took place. Even these few visits are almost too much for them. Still, Constance does her best to entertain them, although Merricat clearly wishes they would not come. Their highly structured world, however, is slowly torn apart, when Charles, a cousin, comes to visit them. He inveigles and tantalizes Constance with visions of having a normal life. Needless to say, Merricat and Charles do not get along, as she perceives him to be the enemy, seeking to disrupt her orderly, though dysfunctional, world.

The writing style is spare, taut, and, at times, quite compelling, as well as darkly humourous. Still, what happens to Constance and Merricat is no real surprise. What is problematic is one never really understands what makes Constance tick nor what makes Merricat do what she does. There is no resolution in the book, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. While this a moderately enjoyable work, readers would do better to seek out Ms. Jackson's dazzling novel, "The Lottery", a much better, and more satisfying, book.

WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE is a book that walks through the walls of genre to a place that defies definition. 18-year old Merricat Blackwood lives with her sister Constance in an isolated house. Seven years before the Blackwood family was larger . . . until a dose of arsenic found its way into a bowl of sugar. Under constant cruel ridicule of the local villagers, the sisters manage to create an odd, eerie contentment, tending their gardens and caring for the surviving uncle Julian. But when their cousin Charles reappears, threatening to steal Constance from Merricat and break apart the happiness she has fought to built, Merricat decides that Charles must be a demon, and is determined to drive him away.

I am a big fan of Shirley Jackson. I first became interested in her after stumbling across a collection of her short stories, and since then, I have been hooked. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is my favorite Shirley Jackson novel. The Haunting of Hill House has generated much more speculation and interest world-wide than did We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but in my opinion, there is much more to be said for this book. There is much more to this novel than it seems when you first start reading it. Many things throughout the book will appeal to you, and simultaneously tear your heart in two, like the villager's hatred of Merricat (the narrator and main character) and their horrible, shameful treatment of her.
This is a complex novel. It is not for everyone. It is a difficult read, because if you aren't into the book, then you won't understand what's going on. It reminds me of J.D. Salinger's. His books, especially if you've read his short stories, are to be puzzled over, yet never completely understood.
The story is about Merricat and Constance, two sisters who live isolated on the edge of town at Blackwood Manor. They seldom venture out of their home, and when they do are subjected to abuse at the hands of the villagers, who particularly enjoy throwing rocks at Merricat and calling her names. Readers come onto the scene of the story years after a poisoning during supper at Blackwood Manor, which killed most of the family. For years Merricat, their uncle, and Merricat's older sister Constance have lived in solitude until Charles, a distant cousin, comes calling. He plays upon Constance's desire for a normal life, telling her how unnatural her life is at Blackwood Manor, while at the same time displaying to the reader a strong interest in the family fortune. Merricat sees him as a threat to her lifestyle of comfort and solitude, away from those who revile her and her family. Merricat is also disturbed by the way Charles seems to be tantalizing Constance with visions of how her life could be if they left Blackwood Manor. Suddenly everything important to her is threatened.
I felt particular sympathy for the character of Constance. She was locked in a world she couldn't get out of. She loved her sister Merricat, (even though Merricat was strange and a bit crazy) and didn't want to desert her, but at the same time, as demonstrated by her quickness to come around to Charles's way of thinking, she wished to have a normal life. She didn't want Merricat to be so wild, and she strove for normalcy at every turn. She was constantly doing motherly activities like baking and cleaning, and generally taking care of everyone around her.
What I liked most about the book was that it left me with the same feeling I got from reading Jackson's famed story "The Lottery". It leaves you with that kind of horror at humanity "The Lottery" did with such deftness.
All this book needs is someone who is willing when he or she sits down with it to take the time to figure out what's REALLY going on here, and to understand the characters and their plights. If you read this book, go into it with an open mind. You will be rewarded for it.
This novel is not for everyone. But it may be for you.

A good read, though not as definitively in the realm of horror as Hill House. Many questions go unanswered, and Jackson leaves things for the reader to interpret.

I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a literary American gothic novel.

Two young sisters and their ailing uncle live in a grand old house after the rest of the family has been murdered by arsenic. The sisters are bizarre (think Miss Havisham) and rarely see outsiders, yet when they do, they are taunted by a sing-song rhyme detailing the murders. When a visitor comes to their home to stay, their lives become tumultuous, ending in disaster. This slender (214 page) classic was a gloriously creepy read, and appropriate for ages 10 and up.

I thought I had read this before. I was wrong. But this was a great story to stumble upon in the search for a book I keep thinking of but can't find. Shirley Jackson is right up there with Ray Bradbury on good, creepy, eerie stories. There was a lot of repetitiveness though. And I didn't really like the narrator's voice on the audiobook. But the story was good!

The more I read of Shirley Jackson, the more she has proven herself again and again to be a master of creepy, emotionally unsettling situations. With that said, do not read this book if you don't want to be unsettled.

The novel follows two sisters, 18-year-old Mary Katherine (Merricat) Blackwood, and her agoraphobic older sister, Constance. Though the story centers around the poisoning of Merricat and Constance's family, the true horror is psychological, as we spend more time in Merricat's head and little bits of information about her world are revealed to us in small fragments. Though Merricat is 18, her voice reads like a young child, swinging back and forth from dreamy fantasies about living on the moon to dark, murderous thoughts toward the people of her village. Constance's portrayal is equally terrifying, a woman indulgent to Merricat's destructive behavior and freakishly obsessed with domestic duties. What is horrifying, to me, is the way these characters are depicted as being so resistant to change and self-reflection that they inevitably seal themselves up in their house like a tomb, sitting at the heart of a village that hates them. And yet still, somehow, you feel emotionally attached to the sisters and are totally caught up in the way the manipulative Merricat tells her story.

The Jonathan Lethem introduction is insightful in this edition, but I would suggest reading it after you read the novel so that you can garner your own interpretation, and then read Lethem's take on the two sisters afterward. "Castle" is a quick read (I wolfed it down in a day or so), but it is not a novel soon forgotten. Prepare yourself to let these characters stick in your mind.

I strongly believe that this is the greatest, most powerful horror novel ever written, and I would go so far as to rank it among the top five pieces of literature the world has ever known. It truly is the most disturbing, original, heartbreaking story I have ever read. It is almost impossible to describe, as are the emotions I feel having read it--it taps virtually every emotion I know of. Merricat is the most unusual, utterly tragic heroine in the universe of fiction. She lives happily with her older sister Constance, her uncle Julian, and her cat Jonas. The rest of the family died several years earlier, murdered with arsenic during the family's evening meal. Although Constance was suspected of the deed, she was acquitted. Nevertheless, the three Blackwoods live in total isolation, and Merricat's twice-weekly trips into the village for groceries are horribly taxing on her because the villagers all laugh at her and tease her mercilessly about the family's tragic history. Merricat likes to bury things and play with her cat and hide near the brook; Constance is perfectly content cooking for her family and keeping the house immaculately clean, and Uncle Julian devotes himself to writing a book about the murder of most of his family. The strange trio is happy and safe in their self-isolation until a cousin shows up at the door and brings ruin, despite Merricat's magical safeguards. The interrelationships of the sisters and uncle is often nonsensical yet very real and adorable. Cousin Charles is a greedy beast, yet only Merricat seems cognizant of this fact initially. The really despicable people are the villagers, however. Never tiring of their constant teasing and harassment of Merricat on her few public appearances, the utterly black heart of the mob is vividly shown toward the end of the book. The end of the novel is incredibly emotional and touching and brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could truly describe this novel, but the only words that can accomplish that are those of this mesmerizing book itself.
On the back of my older copy of this novel, the book is described as an item of black magic that will cast a spell upon the reader; never were truer words written. The psychology underlying all of Jackson's fiction is deeply complex, unique in literature, and maddeningly compelling. But there is also much tenderness to be found here alongside the pain and horror of the Blackwood family story. This is tragedy surpassing even the best work of Sophocles. Anyone who reads this novel and is not deeply affected emotionally is simply not human. If I could have reached into this fictional world and pulled Merricat, Constance, Julian, and Jonas out, I would have done so. The powerlessness I felt as a reader, quite unable to protect and comfort the characters, was truly agonizing, and it was sometimes all I could do to keep myself from getting up and running around the room in exasperation. Anyone feeling at all depressed really should not read this book; it is a form of magic or a drug that can potentially threaten your very sanity. I know how silly this sounds, but I am quite serious. There is so much emotion stored in these pages that it really should come with a warning label.

If you had to read "The Lottery" in high school, you have had a taste of Shirley Jackson. If you liked that short story, this novel is an excellent follow-up. This copy in particular captures the tone well. Highly Recommended.

To read this tale you must forget all you were expecting from The Lottery (though it's a great story if you haven't done it...just click the link to read!). This does not have a surprise ending. No horrific shock to be found. Instead this is a tale of death - of living in a haunted house - with two sociopaths. One will be your guide. One will turn out to be her family's murderer.

Merricat (Mary Katherine) will lead you down this journey. She and her sister Constance are at a cross-roads. A few years away from the horrific death of the bulk of their family. Constance has been tried and found innocent of the crime involving arsenic in the sugar bowl. You see, Constance never takes sugar, though she does cook all of her family's meals. Her innocence looks fishy to say the least. The only other survivors of the evening meal were the girls' Uncle Julian, who didn't consume as much sugar and thus not as much arsenic and Merricat, who had been sent to her room without dinner that evening. Constance has lived through the spectacle of the trial and is, as the years pass, becoming mentally stronger - considering rejoining the society outside the family home. For that is where Constance has lived all these years, in the home where her family died, never moving one tea-cup or hair brush out-of-place, never moving beyond the garden gate. If Constance decides to move out into the world of the living normalcy may return.

Merricat on the other hand moves beyond her home and into town. She bravely grocery shops amongst the townspeople enduring their insults and cruel stares. Merricat worries for Constance. She knows what it's like to wander outside the garden gate she worries for Constance's mental state to do so as well. However, we're never quite sure if Merricat is more worried that Constance will find life outside the home difficult, or if Constance will begin to enjoy it.

To say much more about the sisters and their intimate relationship with death would ruin the tale for anyone wishing to enter into their decidedly macabre world. But in the end I think that the true horror of the tale isn't these two girls. It's not `who done it' or even `why'. As a reader once you're used to living life through their eyes...Once you're used to the death, and the creepiness...you too will become scared of the `normal' population. Watching those who are a stranger to the occult, strangers to murder and the assumed violence that goes along with it you realize that this unknown makes them terrified of the unknown. The mob mentality of people who are both scared and jealous is horrific. What a group can accomplish - disgustingly amazing. You'll end up realizing that to accept the macabre and to not just dole out death but live with it produces a kind of sociopathic happiness. And causes the mentally competent become unhinged.

This is a tale of that house you held your breath in front of as a child. The place in your town you walked faster past - knowing that there were watching eyes. It's the home the you're never quite sure someone occupies. The place where friends dared you to tread. It's the story of that house before it became that house.

Rating: 3.5/5 It's a well written and creepy tale...marred because I was expecting something different...

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is a typical finely crafted effort by the late Shirley Jackson. As always, Jackson carefully builds her atmosphere and the world of characters and, through indirection, suggestion, and the careful compilation of detail, she sucks us in. Her story here concerns a never solved murder and an outcast family living amoung secrets and mysteries on an isolated estate. One day, an unknown cousin arrives, asking questions, and the past comes back to disturb the present. Subtly told, and a good yarn to while away some time on, this novel doesn't carry the punch of the author's "The Haunting of Hill House", but it is a worthwhile, diverting read

I loved the creepy mysterious feeling I got from the book. I was a little disappointed that I figured out what was happening quite a bit before it was revealed. Wanted there to be a bit more bite than it turned out having but overall a fast read which kept me interested.

This story revolves around a family that has sustained a major tragedy. Apparently, most of the family was murdered at supper one day via the introduction of arsenic into their food. Only three family members survive, sisters Constance and Mary Catherine Blackwood, and their elderly Uncle Julian. Constance, who always cooked for her family, was charged with their murder but aquitted at trial. The surviving three Blackwoods now live in splendid isolation in their mansion, as they are reviled by the villagers.

Mary Catherine, the younger sister known affectionately as Merricat, is a strange girl. Bright, imaginative, and compulsive, she has an assortment of rituals that she carries out in her daily activities, which are somewhat limited. She rarely ventures beyond the curtilage of her stately home, except for trepidaciously entering the village to get necessary supplies. Her sister Constance, however, never ventures beyond the immediate perimeter of her home, though this is clearly something that she wishes to do. Uncle Julian is an invalid, living out his remaining days trying to figure out the mystery behind what had happened to his family that caused them all to be poisoned.

They are truly alone, except for the rare visitors who knew their family prior to the tragedy that took place. Even these few visits are almost too much for them. Still, Constance does her best to entertain them, although Merricat clearly wishes they would not come. Their highly structured world, however, is slowly torn apart, when Charles, a cousin, comes to visit them. He inveigles and tantalizes Constance with visions of having a normal life. Needless to say, Merricat and Charles do not get along, as she perceives him to be the enemy, seeking to disrupt her orderly, though dysfunctional, world.

The writing style is spare, taut, and, at times, quite compelling, as well as darkly humourous. Still, what happens to Constance and Merricat is no real surprise. What is problematic is one never really understands what makes Constance tick nor what makes Merricat do what she does. There is no resolution in the book, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks.

While I admit that I am in the minority, as I found this book to be a little disappointing, I do I find it hard to believe that Time magazine, at one time, had named it one of the ten best novels of the year. While this a moderately enjoyable work, readers would do better to seek out Ms. Jackson's dazzling story, "The Lottery", a much better, and more satisfying, book.

There is Stephen King, and then there is Shirley Jackson! Forget King! You don't know what unspeakable horror is until you have read We Have Always Lived In The Castle! During the reading of this story, I entered the mind of a madwoman, and I was emotionally exhausted by the time this incredible tale was over. Shirley Jackson knows how to weave a web of terror. She is THE master of horror stories, and in my opinion, this is her masterpiece; her crowning achievement! The ending is so pathetic, it truly broke my heart. Open this book on a stormy night, and prepare for your blood to turn to ice!

Just finished this book and I am still not quite sure how I feel about it. It wasn't amazing in the way of plot or story line, but at the same time it is one I can't stop thinking about. This book to me seemed to raise more questions than were answered.

In this book Merricat and Constance are the two remaining members of a family who fell to suspect circumstances. The towns people are in tolerably mean to Merricat when she leaves to run errands, and they have become the subject of home spun nursery rhymes. The premise and description really grabbed me and I was expecting so much more from it. Still, it was enjoyable and at times creepy, just not as much as I had expected.

Like so many others who have reviewed this book I have my own theories and solutions to the book and was either mistaken, or confused to draw my own conclusions. I have poured through several reviews, some with spoilers, since I finished and I agree with all of the theories that have been ventured. I tend to stray from spoilers so if you are interested in my thoughts read it and then ask. I think what is most intriguing about this book is the fact that it is confusing and unanswered. The story does resolve at the end but through out the novel there are things said or done that make you think, "Did it really happen?" I had to go back several times to reread passages and sections to try to answer some of the questions I had. Not always was I successful, but I did seem to have a better understanding of where the story might be heading.

Not one of my favorites, but I feel that maybe a few years from now I will want to give this a reread and see if there is anything I might have missed. I think that fact alone makes this book interesting; there is the possibility of learning more each time you read it. So I guess I will give it 3.5 stars, and maybe in a future reread I will change my mind.

to me, she captures perfectly that sense of isolation the outcast feels. I love Katherine and her sister and I love the relationship between the heroine and her cat, Jonas. I loved Raising Demons and Life Among the Savages, Ms. Jackson's non-fiction writing, but for me, this story resonates more than The Haunting of Hill House, though that is a good story as well.

This is a strange story full of strange characters who do strange things. I grew to care about and sympathize with Constance and Merricat, even if I never completely understood them. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

The book, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson is an excellent but disturbed mystery with a little dark humor. In 214 pages, this book makes the reader realize how lucky they are that they have a loving and caring family. Nobody, not even Merricats family loved her, well that is when they were alive. One night while the Blackwood was having their usual tea after dinner, they were all mysteriously poisoned with the sugar they put in their tea. The person who did it must have known the Blackwoods pretty well, because they all loved sugar and always put it in their tea. Constance 28, Mary Katherine (Merricat) 18, and their great uncle Julian were the only survivor. They now struggle to keep their small family together. Merricat is off in her own world. She hates people and everything else in the world. Constance has never step beyond the gates of their property and Julian is very ill and handicapped. When their long lost cousin or so he says, Charles steps into their lives, everything turns ugly. Merricat does not trust him and is very suspicious of him. Put your feet in her shoes: As it is your life is tough, everyone in the world hates you, and you are locked up in an old castle for your whole life. Then this stranger, who says he is your long lost cousin and wants to be part of your family now. Then starts putting awkward thoughts into your sisters head, like "normal life" and "boyfriends". Your sister is your only hope for your life to continue and this Charles guy is trying to change everything. I would be a little nervous and suspicious around him.
That's all I am going to tell you about the book. Now you need to go out and get the book, and read it. I think you will really enjoy it. I know I did.
I would recommend this book to girls and boys of the ages 13 to 19, because those are usually your teenage years. Teenagers could definitely relate to this book because the main character is 18 years old. Some teens have family and friend problems and insecurities with themselves just like Mary Katherine, the main character in the book. I would rate this book four stars out of five stars, because this book was a wonderful mystery for teens, although the beginning was a little confusing and weird at times.

For me, this is much scarier than "The Lottery" or "The Haunting of Hill House." Very plausibly, Jackson puts us inside the mind of a very disturbed girl. The most frightening thing is, Jackson makes us identify with her and see parts of ourselves in her. Merricat is sort of a female version of one of Jim Thompson's monsters. This is a wonderful book to read when you've had a very bad day.

Shirley jackson, famous for "The Haunting of Hill House" delivers another winner, albeit a more restrained one. This time, no haunted house, no paranormal activities. Just small town pettiness and a creeping sense of paranoia. Well written, eloquent, this would make a fascinating on-secreen psychological drama. The book is not dated at all, but on the contrary acts as a still relevant and poignant indicment of intolerance and meanness. What emerges in the end is the utter alienation of the main protagonists. There is a pervading sense of loneliness in Miss Jackson's writing that is absolutely compelling. I won't reveal the ending, but rest assured: this book is a wonderful addition to any booklover library. This Penguin edition cover is also nicely designed and features a very enlightening foreword penned by Jonathan Lethem, author of "The Fortress of Solitude". A true gem!

Short book, short review: This is a terrific read. Jackson is a master in creating well-drawn characters and a haunting and still beautiful atmosphere. I have to mention the beginning of this book, which I consider one of the best I have ever read. Just try this: Open the book and read the first paragraph. I don't think you will be able to stop reading. I dare you. There is magic at work here. It's a shame that Jackson's body of work is so small.

This is a very special book. I know of no other book like this. I've re-read it several times, and given it as a gift to many people. All I tell them is "just read it". I guess it's a horror story, but there are no victims, no blood, no screams. There's talk about a spider. Shirley Jackson could tell a story about shopping for tomatos at a vegetable stand that could scare you to death.

Wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL. Beautiful characterization on par with "Potrait of an Artist As a Young Man" and "Catcher in the Rye." Excellent exercise in a modern gothic tale. Will be reporting on this for "Horror 101"...

Shirley Jackson is one of my favorite authors. This book is sad and beautiful. I fell in love with the characters and have revisited this story many times. This is a book about love, acceptance, and mental illness. The author tells the story through the eyes of a girl who is "not all there". Most of the ideas this girl has are very strange which makes for a wonderful read. This book is very well written. I was sad to be finished with it. I wanted to flip right back to the first page and start over again! This is a book that will haunt you long after you put it down.

Once again Shirley Jackson has shown how to hold the reader spellbound, with a narative about what could be anytown U.S.A. She has drawn the reader
through an intricate interpersonal family web of what is normal and what is fantasy. I have alwaysed enjoyed Ms. Jacksons work and only regret that there will be no more. However her collections of fiction are readable again and again.

Merricat, the disturbed and disturbing teenage narrator of _We Have Always Lived in the Castle_, is a great invention. By turns shocking, ironic, and funny, she will have you thinking about her during work. Read the book.

This is the best work from one of the best literary artists of all time. Shirley Jackson is a master story teller, her dark and forbidding works have given her a massive following. I reccomend all things from this under-appreciated author, she has an amazing range from the hilarious to the truly terrifying. This book is quite possibly her very best work and deserved to be read again and again.

I agree with all the glowing reviews of this book. Merricat is the best of Jackson's narrators and the most alluring and colorful of all her characters. The writing is beyond superb. The dialogue is lyrical and haunting. The only point on which I disagree is the "shocking revelation" of the true murderer. Anyone who didn't know after the first chapter the identity of the true killer is just engaging in wistful self-deception. Yet in spite of its unshocking plot, it is still a beautiful tale.

I am a voracious reader, and was never able to choose a single 'favorite' book until I read 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle.' I was immediately captivated by the ethereal narrative of the haunted and haunting Mary Katherine Blackwood, and the eccentricities of Constance and Uncle Julian add depth, humour, and sorrow to the book. Mary Katherine's perspective makes Cousin Charles a thoroughly despicable and intrusive presence, and it is enjoyable to speculate on how she might have dealt with him had circumstances not thankfully driven him away. 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' is a bewitching novel.

One of my all time favorites that deserved another 5-star rating. Amazing story and wonderfully written with characters types you probably won't find anywhere else.
What Annika said, because her review was perfect.

This is a very special book. I know of no other book like this. I've re-read it several times, and given it as a gift to many people. All I tell them is "just read it". I guess it's a horror story, but there are no victims, no blood, no screams. There's talk about a spider. Shirley Jackson could tell a story about shopping for tomatos at a vegetable stand that could scare you to death.

Wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL. Beautiful characterization on par with "Potrait of an Artist As a Young Man" and "Catcher in the Rye." Excellent exercise in a modern gothic tale. Will be reporting on this for "Horror 101"...

Shirley Jackson is one of my favorite authors. This book is sad and beautiful. I fell in love with the characters and have revisited this story many times. This is a book about love, acceptance, and mental illness. The author tells the story through the eyes of a girl who is "not all there". Most of the ideas this girl has are very strange which makes for a wonderful read. This book is very well written. I was sad to be finished with it. I wanted to flip right back to the first page and start over again! This is a book that will haunt you long after you put it down.

Once again Shirley Jackson has shown how to hold the reader spellbound, with a narative about what could be anytown U.S.A. She has drawn the reader
through an intricate interpersonal family web of what is normal and what is fantasy. I have alwaysed enjoyed Ms. Jacksons work and only regret that there will be no more. However her collections of fiction are readable again and again.

Merricat, the disturbed and disturbing teenage narrator of _We Have Always Lived in the Castle_, is a great invention. By turns shocking, ironic, and funny, she will have you thinking about her during work. Read the book.

This is the best work from one of the best literary artists of all time. Shirley Jackson is a master story teller, her dark and forbidding works have given her a massive following. I reccomend all things from this under-appreciated author, she has an amazing range from the hilarious to the truly terrifying. This book is quite possibly her very best work and deserved to be read again and again.

I agree with all the glowing reviews of this book. Merricat is the best of Jackson's narrators and the most alluring and colorful of all her characters. The writing is beyond superb. The dialogue is lyrical and haunting. The only point on which I disagree is the "shocking revelation" of the true murderer. Anyone who didn't know after the first chapter the identity of the true killer is just engaging in wistful self-deception. Yet in spite of its unshocking plot, it is still a beautiful tale.

I am a voracious reader, and was never able to choose a single 'favorite' book until I read 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle.' I was immediately captivated by the ethereal narrative of the haunted and haunting Mary Katherine Blackwood, and the eccentricities of Constance and Uncle Julian add depth, humour, and sorrow to the book. Mary Katherine's perspective makes Cousin Charles a thoroughly despicable and intrusive presence, and it is enjoyable to speculate on how she might have dealt with him had circumstances not thankfully driven him away. 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' is a bewitching novel.

One of my all time favorites that deserved another 5-star rating. Amazing story and wonderfully written with characters types you probably won't find anywhere else.
What Annika said, because her review was perfect.

This is a captivating and hard to put down book. Needless to say I read it in one sitting. The writing transports you to a world that's almost upside down....twists and turns. Dark corners. You're not quite sure what's real and what isn't. It was an enlightening journey, don't miss it!

Shirley Jackson...when she's good.....she's GRAND. Check out her other works as well.

I love Ms. Jackson's comedy, she has a wonderful eye for it but I really found this book dull, primarily because I saw through it very quickly. Dull characters make for dull books, and strange or not these characters plodded along on a well worn path, both lifeless and unimaginative(and I mean that). Strange or diseased is not always that imaginative because it's too easy. Jackson is always a good writer but she needed something with a bit more meat on the bone to flourish.

This is my favorite book, and I read 1-3 books a week. I've read the classics and I've read the "up and coming" modern authors, and still I say, this is my favorite book. If the right person for the job is out there: this book would make a fantastic movie.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a haunting and oddly unique novel. What makes it so special is the fact that it's so---strange. Almost like you actually see what's going on in the main characters heads! Both funny and frightening, this one is a must-read!

This book took Shirley JAckson's writing skill to many people because of the power in the writing.Weird book cover on the 1965 publication. I definetly reccommend this book. Strange, melodramatic tone with a suprise twist at the end. A suprisingly entertaining book. Fairly short, though, like most of Shirley Jacksons books, more suited for weekend reading

I heard about this book through a book club. I have never heard of Shirley Jackson before but I did see a movie "haunting of hill house", which i had no idea that Shirley wrote.
I started by reading the text. I got through about 1 chapter when I was finally able to take out the audiobook from my library. I then started the audiobook from the beginning and finished it in about one week. The audiobook is from Blackstone Audio, narrated by Bernadette Dunne (unabridged) (5 disks).

Not very much happened in this story so I don't want to give too much away. It's about 2 sisters, one older, who live together, in a really big old house, with their ailed and dying uncle Julian. We don't know what's wrong with the uncle. Suffice it to say, he is in a wheelchair, forgets things a lot and relies on the girls for meals and his schedule.

The girls come from a really rich family. But at point, not too long before the story began, there was a murder in the house and the older sister, Constance, was accused. They put her on trail but acquitted her of all charges. The reputation, in this small town, persists.

The younger sister, Mary Catherine aka "Merricat", spends all day either in the house, or on their big property. Every once in a while she'll go into town to by groceries or to the library, but she hates going into town and the people are mean to her. Merricat is very focused on routine, rules, and has compulsive rituals. To ward off evil, she believes that if she avoids saying certain words, then no evil will come.

Neither of them like interacting with the outside world, or want to make friends, or to go out. They just want to stay at home, in private.

And then something comes along that changes everything, as they say "the change in coming."
At this point, we're about half-way into the book.

There is a strong per-occupation in this book about death, dying, poisons, the ground, as well as a need for privacy, silence, solitude, and to be far from strangers. In a way, even though the girls are alive, they lock themselves in the house like it's their own tomb. Silent, and far from the outside world. Even after "THE CHANGE" they still refuse to go out, and in fact, it just causes them to shut in even more. To me, this behavior is totally illogical. I don't think any normal person would do that, and would probably want to do the opposite.

But then not very much of their behavior makes sense. They don't go to school, they don't work, they don't talk about paying bills, or needing things, or ever having friends. They're a world apart from everyone else. Even for the 50's when Shirley probably wrote this story, their behavior would be very unusual. No wonder all the town people are talking; you can't really blame them.

It is a very strange story. It is not particularly scary or dramatic, just odd. Reading the text was a bit difficult because there was a lot of repetition, for example "And then he stepped outside and closed the door, and needed his shawl. And after the door was closed, he placed the shawl and his lap and was happy to be outside." This is not a direct quote, but an example of the type of circular repetitive, looped thinking and wording that is constant throughout the entire book. It makes readying difficult because you feel like you're read and reread the same sentence over and over. You think YOU are the one going slightly mad.

However, on the audiobook, it was much clearer and easier to understand, and to follow along, and you KNEW you were NOT rereading the same sentence by accident. Bernadette did a really good job of reading all the characters well. She was easy to understand and tell apart. The pace and volume were both good as well. I really enjoyed the audiobook more.

Did I like the story? Not really. It was odd, but nothing that I loved. Did I like the writing? Not particularly, nothing except the repetition really stood out and I don't like repetition in general. Did it cause me to stop and think? Yes, all along I was wondering why these women are cooped up in the house like crazy people. And the entire time I really thought something was mentally wrong there. Perhaps it really was, but not specifically stated in the story.
Is it different? Yes, it certainly is odd, unusual, etc. The general feel of the story was annoyance intermingled with creepiness. At times, I really wanted the girls to DO something and of course, they didn't.

I can't say I would really recommend it to others. It's a curious story, different. But is it worthwhile of classical or dramatics standing? I don't think so.

I'm sure there are tons of literary critics who would think otherwise. But I just don't see any major reasons for this, other then, it's a very different type of story about really strange, ritualistic, lonely, and slightly mad sisters.

I have read this book 6 times in 6 years and I will read it many more times in the years to come. Every page is not only suspenseful and intriguing, but every word drips with the delightful venom that can only come from the pen of Shirley Jackson. Thrilling, unnerving, awakening, and ohh so pleasing in the most evil of ways. I can't say enough...

My first Shirley Jackson book was the Haunting of Hill House. After reading some positive reviews about We Have Always Lives in the Castle I decided to purchase it. I must say this was one great story. Read this book.

This bone-chilling story revolves around a teenage girl, Mary-Kat, and her family; the town outcasts. They are outcasts for good reason, though. Mary-Kat is demonic, evil, and maybe a little bit crazy, as are her living family members. Murder, poison, spiteful cat-calling all add to the character of this book. But also, much goes unsaid, which is why many people fail to understand its true meaning. Enjoy, because it doesn't get any better than this.

He pressured me into reading this book. "No, no," I objected, "I know about this Shirley Jackson; she's the one writes those scary books. I'd like to sleep tonight, thank you." Finally I gave in and picked it up. I didn't put it down until I had read the last word, and then only for long enough to get a glass of apple juice and demand to know why there wasn't more of it. Two weeks later, as I was reading it for about the ninetieth time, he suggested perhaps I ought to get some sleep, or some fresh air, or at least, if it wasn't too much to ask, a different book. "Fine," I snarled, "I'll try this HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE." But that's another review, and I still haven't gotten around to why I loved this book so much. It's been said, I believe, that Shirley Jackson was incapable of writing a bad, or poor, sentence. More accurate, I think, would be to say that she cannot (could not) write an imperfect one. Every word of every sentence on every page of WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE drew me in, captivated me, and made it impossible for me to not believe everything I was reading. It was as if, while reading the words of Merricat Blackwood, I was her; her "madness", if that is the word for the way she thought, felt, and acted, consumed me and I thought as she did. I cannot imagine a more magical book, a more fascinating story. I urge you to read this book if you care one shred for literature. It is, truly, a masterpiece.

Just weird. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about over this book. It's twisted and not awesome in the least. Merricat is 18 but acts about 10. The way she is coddled by Connie is disturbing. "Silly Merricat!". Merricat is not silly, she is spoiled and awful.

Imagine if I wrote a review and it went something like this:

"I sat down with my book and my pipe and my mug of tea and there was a footstool in front of me and a dinner plate and a table and a bag of chips and and and and..."

'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' just goes on like that. Dry as a damned bone. The middle section of the book had me convinced that things were ramping up to something exciting but there is no gratifying conclusion regarding the protagonist and antagonist, the ending seems to hint at a revelatory twist that never comes, and various motivations, mainly Constance's, are never explained. This was a waste of my time.

I read this book in the sixth grade. It left an indelible impression on me. After rereading The Animal Farm and 1984, I have decided to read it again, after 43 years. I wonder what kind of impression it will make now. Will keep you posted!

This book exemplifies how outcast she felt in their suburban life in the fifties. She didn't fit in and she never managed to fit in. Thankfully people do not go to the extremes that she depicts in her novels.

Although most readers seemed to really enjoy this book and the author is obviously talented, I did not like it. Many of the characters are underdeveloped and some are also contradictory. Alma, the person around whom the story is built, is brilliant in many ways. For example, the degree to which she excels in academics from a very young age is quite remarkable and she independently formulates the theory of natural selection. However, she also exhibits incredible stupidity - thinking she could wander around one of the many Tahitian islands and find a specific individual. This goes on for months before it dawns on her it may not be possible. But wait! Just before she is scheduled to leave he practically lands at her feet. She longs so much for a physical relationship with her husband that when it is clear that will never be she banishes him but, in the end, she eschews intercourse and is fulfilled by taking a man's "member" in her mouth. The first part of the book is far superior to the rest but,overall, reading it was time wasted.

Yet again with Ms. Jackson, she has moments of incredibly interesting prose, but then too much filler. Too much silly dialogue that could be cut quite a bit. It seems as though just to make it novel length she fattens it up. The engaging parts however, are wroth the read

I did not enjoy this book. Weird. Bizarre. Freaky. I wanted to eat arsenic so the book would end or I wanted someone to leave them an arsenic pie so I wouldn't have to listen to them anymore. I know this book received high marks by readers, but it didn't do it for me. I have read so many beautiful books lately and this was not one of them. Possibly groundbreaking when it was written in 1962; however, I believe the prose has not weathered with time.

I purchased a collection of Shirey Jackson's short stories a few years ago because it contained my favorite "The Lottery". "We Have Always Live in the Castle" was one of the stories included. I had not read it before, but it is now being done as a play and after reading a review of the play thought I should read the story.

It took several attempts and I still couldn't get that interested in the characters or story. However, I decided I had to finish it. I did on a damp and dreary Sunday afternoon which was the wrong time because I had trouble getting asleep last night!

I like most everything else this author has written, but not this story.

I dont usually write reviews but feel like i must on this one...I don't have much time to read, so when i get the opportunity to, I truely cherish it. To save those in the same boat, dont waste precious 'reading time' on this. Not to say it is a bad book, as it is well written and atmospheric, and it started off with my full attention for these reasons. However, too much description, too much repetition and the plot line never became fully realized. Some others have suggested this is mystery novel, but if you read a lot of mysteries or if you are older than the age of thirteen, you basically *know* who is the 'murderer'. With that being said, I'm not sure the book is even really about the murders, they seem a bit secondary to the "plot". Half way through, you get kind of excited by something and think that maybe this is a ghost story after all, but that, too, is apparently simply thrown in to make you believe that this book is about something. There are some things that never get explained, which wouldn't really bother me except for the fact that the book comes to an abrupt end and it seemed like the loose ends could have been used more effectively to make this more of a book rather than what ended up feeling like a short story that took entirely too long to tell...and really, there is no point to this book. I honestly started skimming paragraphs at the end because, despite only being 131 pages, it seemed incredibly long. But others seem to have enjoyed this, so maybe i did miss something. Anyways, usually after the last page of a novel I sit for a few minutes and think about the whole thing and somewhat miss the characters and the world they live in....with this one, I was just glad to be free but very disappointed in the waste of time.

Here is a book that is hard to review. I know that most of the other reviews are glowing, as Ms. Jackson has a fervent fan base and a brilliant writing style. However this story was not really to my taste. First of all, I did not find this to be a horror story, more of a darker drama, perhaps something you would see on the Lifetime network. The tale is of Constance and Merricat Blackwood two girls of 28 and 18 respectively. Merricat is the voice of the book and all is told from her perspective. Merricat is not entirely sane so her perspective and the voice of the book is not always truthful or even realistic. Mentally she is very young for her age, and after a tragedy that befell the house (the poisoning of all of her family save herself, her sister, and a dying uncle) it is clear that the two sisters have locked themselves away from society and in doing so, reality. Constance stood accused of the murders however was acquitted by the legal system, but not the minds or memories of the townspeople. Taunted and harassed by all but their Uncle they shut themselves in and live a strange, ritualistic life. Throughout the story the truth of what happened that evening makes itself apparent, however the oddness of the women makes the truth obvious from the beginning.

When their money grubbing cousin appears and tries to take the girls estate, the truth about all involved comes to light, but it is expected from the beginning. I guess after reading Jackson's other works, I was disappointed at how simple and unexciting this book turned out to be. Rather than being a story, this is a character study of three deeply disturbed individuals whose grasp on reality has been shaky for years. The book itself is beautifully written, and I can see it being a made for TV movie, or perhaps an old black and white film. Unfortunately I was happy this book was so short because I don't know that I would have wanted to read much more about the characters.

He pressured me into reading this book. "No, no," I objected, "I know about this Shirley Jackson; she's the one writes those scary books. I'd like to sleep tonight, thank you." Finally I gave in and picked it up. I didn't put it down until I had read the last word, and then only for long enough to get a glass of apple juice and demand to know why there wasn't more of it. Two weeks later, as I was reading it for about the ninetieth time, he suggested perhaps I ought to get some sleep, or some fresh air, or at least, if it wasn't too much to ask, a different book. "Fine," I snarled, "I'll try this HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE." But that's another review, and I still haven't gotten around to why I loved this book so much. It's been said, I believe, that Shirley Jackson was incapable of writing a bad, or poor, sentence. More accurate, I think, would be to say that she cannot (could not) write an imperfect one. Every word of every sentence on every page of WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE drew me in, captivated me, and made it impossible for me to not believe everything I was reading. It was as if, while reading the words of Merricat Blackwood, I was her; her "madness", if that is the word for the way she thought, felt, and acted, consumed me and I thought as she did. I cannot imagine a more magical book, a more fascinating story. I urge you to read this book if you care one shred for literature. It is, truly, a masterpiece.

Just weird. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about over this book. It's twisted and not awesome in the least. Merricat is 18 but acts about 10. The way she is coddled by Connie is disturbing. "Silly Merricat!". Merricat is not silly, she is spoiled and awful.

Imagine if I wrote a review and it went something like this:

"I sat down with my book and my pipe and my mug of tea and there was a footstool in front of me and a dinner plate and a table and a bag of chips and and and and..."

'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' just goes on like that. Dry as a damned bone. The middle section of the book had me convinced that things were ramping up to something exciting but there is no gratifying conclusion regarding the protagonist and antagonist, the ending seems to hint at a revelatory twist that never comes, and various motivations, mainly Constance's, are never explained. This was a waste of my time.

I read this book in the sixth grade. It left an indelible impression on me. After rereading The Animal Farm and 1984, I have decided to read it again, after 43 years. I wonder what kind of impression it will make now. Will keep you posted!

This book exemplifies how outcast she felt in their suburban life in the fifties. She didn't fit in and she never managed to fit in. Thankfully people do not go to the extremes that she depicts in her novels.

Although most readers seemed to really enjoy this book and the author is obviously talented, I did not like it. Many of the characters are underdeveloped and some are also contradictory. Alma, the person around whom the story is built, is brilliant in many ways. For example, the degree to which she excels in academics from a very young age is quite remarkable and she independently formulates the theory of natural selection. However, she also exhibits incredible stupidity - thinking she could wander around one of the many Tahitian islands and find a specific individual. This goes on for months before it dawns on her it may not be possible. But wait! Just before she is scheduled to leave he practically lands at her feet. She longs so much for a physical relationship with her husband that when it is clear that will never be she banishes him but, in the end, she eschews intercourse and is fulfilled by taking a man's "member" in her mouth. The first part of the book is far superior to the rest but,overall, reading it was time wasted.

Yet again with Ms. Jackson, she has moments of incredibly interesting prose, but then too much filler. Too much silly dialogue that could be cut quite a bit. It seems as though just to make it novel length she fattens it up. The engaging parts however, are wroth the read

I did not enjoy this book. Weird. Bizarre. Freaky. I wanted to eat arsenic so the book would end or I wanted someone to leave them an arsenic pie so I wouldn't have to listen to them anymore. I know this book received high marks by readers, but it didn't do it for me. I have read so many beautiful books lately and this was not one of them. Possibly groundbreaking when it was written in 1962; however, I believe the prose has not weathered with time.

I purchased a collection of Shirey Jackson's short stories a few years ago because it contained my favorite "The Lottery". "We Have Always Live in the Castle" was one of the stories included. I had not read it before, but it is now being done as a play and after reading a review of the play thought I should read the story.

It took several attempts and I still couldn't get that interested in the characters or story. However, I decided I had to finish it. I did on a damp and dreary Sunday afternoon which was the wrong time because I had trouble getting asleep last night!

I like most everything else this author has written, but not this story.

I loved this book (though not as much as The Haunting of Hill House). It had everything any discerning reader could ask for: realistic yet quirky characters, suspense and that indescribable magical way w/ words that is so Shirley Jackson and so unlike any other author I've ever read. Wish she could've written more novels!

I dont usually write reviews but feel like i must on this one...I don't have much time to read, so when i get the opportunity to, I truely cherish it. To save those in the same boat, dont waste precious 'reading time' on this. Not to say it is a bad book, as it is well written and atmospheric, and it started off with my full attention for these reasons. However, too much description, too much repetition and the plot line never became fully realized. Some others have suggested this is mystery novel, but if you read a lot of mysteries or if you are older than the age of thirteen, you basically *know* who is the 'murderer'. With that being said, I'm not sure the book is even really about the murders, they seem a bit secondary to the "plot". Half way through, you get kind of excited by something and think that maybe this is a ghost story after all, but that, too, is apparently simply thrown in to make you believe that this book is about something. There are some things that never get explained, which wouldn't really bother me except for the fact that the book comes to an abrupt end and it seemed like the loose ends could have been used more effectively to make this more of a book rather than what ended up feeling like a short story that took entirely too long to tell...and really, there is no point to this book. I honestly started skimming paragraphs at the end because, despite only being 131 pages, it seemed incredibly long. But others seem to have enjoyed this, so maybe i did miss something. Anyways, usually after the last page of a novel I sit for a few minutes and think about the whole thing and somewhat miss the characters and the world they live in....with this one, I was just glad to be free but very disappointed in the waste of time.

Here is a book that is hard to review. I know that most of the other reviews are glowing, as Ms. Jackson has a fervent fan base and a brilliant writing style. However this story was not really to my taste. First of all, I did not find this to be a horror story, more of a darker drama, perhaps something you would see on the Lifetime network. The tale is of Constance and Merricat Blackwood two girls of 28 and 18 respectively. Merricat is the voice of the book and all is told from her perspective. Merricat is not entirely sane so her perspective and the voice of the book is not always truthful or even realistic. Mentally she is very young for her age, and after a tragedy that befell the house (the poisoning of all of her family save herself, her sister, and a dying uncle) it is clear that the two sisters have locked themselves away from society and in doing so, reality. Constance stood accused of the murders however was acquitted by the legal system, but not the minds or memories of the townspeople. Taunted and harassed by all but their Uncle they shut themselves in and live a strange, ritualistic life. Throughout the story the truth of what happened that evening makes itself apparent, however the oddness of the women makes the truth obvious from the beginning.

When their money grubbing cousin appears and tries to take the girls estate, the truth about all involved comes to light, but it is expected from the beginning. I guess after reading Jackson's other works, I was disappointed at how simple and unexciting this book turned out to be. Rather than being a story, this is a character study of three deeply disturbed individuals whose grasp on reality has been shaky for years. The book itself is beautifully written, and I can see it being a made for TV movie, or perhaps an old black and white film. Unfortunately I was happy this book was so short because I don't know that I would have wanted to read much more about the characters.

The Good: It's a classic and paved the way for female horror writers to more widely acknowledged and accepted.

The Bad: Maybe I just don't appreciate subtle tension and a large build-up, because We Have Always Lived in the Castle dragged for me. I couldn't get into it, couldn't get excited about it, and was pretty pleased it was short so that it wouldn't continue to dead forever. Mary Katherine is always scared and for a protagonist, really didn't know much. Constance is always scared, to the point you want to put her out of her misery. Uncle Julian is annoying. And sadly, the slowly moving plot was no better than the characters. I wanted to love this, I really did. I appreciate it's place in horror history. But, it so did not work for me.

This is my favourite Shirley Jackson novel. I've read it numerous times, and my copy is in BAD condition, with the pages beginning to fall out (you know a book is pretty old when the price on the cover is sixty cents). I'm so glad that I can finally get a new copy!

In my usual perusal of the thrift shops for 25 cent novels, i came across this interesting find summer of 2005.

from the very first page, the book had me hooked. merricat blackwood is a girl i could relate to on first degree. in her family, she's a bit of a misfit, and as a consequence, finds herself and her older sister constance locked away in their large old house as the town freaks after the *mysterious* death of their entire family at dinner on night.

everyone hates them and wants them gone. merricat braves walking to town to buy groceries for her sister with cash from the vast amount of wealth they keep hidden in the house. the towns people sneer at merricat and ask her to leave and she, head lifted, tries bravely to remain unafraid.

it is an all together marvelous book for anyone who enjoys the cryptic events that go on behind the scenes of creepy old houses.

This book, at many times, seemed to be leading to some big climax. Unfortunately, it never happened. There were some great moments in the story but they were few and far between. I felt as though this were just a first draft of this book, and after a few drafts, it could be great. It has wonderful potential, but even with its short length, it was hard to get through. Pick another book.

This book had a great build up and then a TOTAL let down with a super weak ending. It's almost like Jackson's publishers called her and asked, "Is the book finished yet?" and she had only five minutes left to write the ending. The ending made NO sense.

This book is one of the most boring books I have ever read. I guess it's possible that for some people madness is intriguing, however for me it gets old after a while. Another problem with this book is that there is no character to believe in. When I don't believe in one of the main characters it drives me crazy. People may say it was good that this book was short, but it wasn't over soon enough. This book drove me crazy to no end and I would have stopped reading it after the first 10 pages if it had not been assigned to me. For people saying it's scary, it's not. It's just a little creepy but mostly annoying. If you like suttaly creepy things, you may like this book but if suttaly creepy just sounds weird than I recommend not wasting your time.

This book was terrible. So terrible that after 100 pages I gave up on it since it wasn't going anywhere. I skimmed through the rest then read the last few pages and was extremely thankful I didn't waste more time reading the whole thing. The way the dialogue is written is just unnatural and annoying which is a real problem since most of the book is dialogue between the same three people over and over. I thought with this being a 'classic' and seemingly good reviews I would at least be able to get through it since it's so short, but man, this book was just plain bad. The writing was dry and dull to say the least, the plot was nonexistent, the characters were incredibly boring. I can't say a single good word about it, honestly.

Although it explores some creepy psychological depths, "We Have Always Lived In the Castle" never really rises to great storytelling - or great story, for that matter. It's a very inward, and at times repetitive, tale about a family that has, for better or for worse, become isolated from its own community. One problem is that after a short while, it generates little interest in the reader for people living in this doomed, backwards household - nor of the people living outside it.

I don't understand the high reviews. Shouldn't there be a climax in storytelling???If you like a little girl sitting at the table talking about tea with her sister and giving subtle remarks every 20 pages about the fact that her family was killed by her sister's poison and having this be the spoiler and I'm not spoiling the book since this is purposefully revealed by pg.20 and continuously referenced.Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you about the little girl narrator's constant reference to "living on the moon." There is no plot to the story, there is nothing to hold the reader to make me want to say i'm waiting to see if this happens. The only thing that would have saved the story was if the girls were ghosts, but no they're not. I'm still wondering why I finished reading the book, so I have to give Shirley credit for that; she made me read a book when I wasn't even interested in the plot. That's a good writer, bad story though.

I like Shirley Jackson. The Lottery is a classic. House on the Hill very creepy. This book? Boring. Very boring. Doesn't work. Don't waste your time; there are a lot of better books out there to read.

This is an AWFUL book. Two sad sisters with a disturbed Uncle hiding in one home with only the one poor sister going out to town to the store and having townfolk who hate and tease her each time she does so.

The secret comes out at the end - about the murder - but the whole book is a real downer. It is sad, Pathetic and show how cruel people are.