Reviews with content warning for Death - We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Reviews tagging 'Death'

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

201 reviews

chananya's review

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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lancemama's review

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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clovetra's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

first classic of the year and i am thoroughly impressed!

i think this is also my first time reading a gothic? and tbh don’t ask me what defines a gothic but all i know is that i loved this.

i’ll say the only reason this isn’t a 5 star is simply due to a pet peeve. the introduction by jonathan lethem should’ve been an afterword. not only did it lowkey spoil some plot elements to me such as the culprit of the arsenic poisoning, but it also spoiled the introduction of charles and the two girl’s personalities. i read the introduction before i began the novel and i’ve just gone back to reread it and although some elements should’ve been in a foreword, like background about shirley jackson’s life, i think things directly related to the plot should’ve been placed at the end.

other than though how i adored this book!

my favourite part was easily seeing merricat. i’ve never seen any story in any form ever with such a unique character as merricat. she is whimsical yet terrifying, and i loved seeing the book from her point of view. constance was beautifully characterised as well, although i will say she left me with a lot of questions! uncle julian was probably my least favourite character as he was the least fleshed out and was kind of filler i felt, but he still served his purpose. charles can go jump off a bridge sorry i love merricat and he had it out for my girl!!!!!!!! death to charles blackwood.

the way shirley jackson writes in this book was so spectacular, i was transfixed. i almost didn’t want to read this book not because i was bored, but because i knew the more i read the less i would have to enjoy. sometimes i’d be starring up at my ceiling just reimagining past chapters i’ve read, which honestly not many books have had me pondering them that deeply. i love the characterisation of the town as well, i just wish there was a tad more explanation as to why they hated the blackwoods (although ngl i could’ve just missed that, or it’s just because they think they’re murderers and/or weird).

anyways i really enjoyed this book and could defo see myself dabbling in some more gothic books in the future!

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staghunters's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

SUPERB READ!
I liked The Haunting of Hill House very much, but would put this one above it. It is short, the tension is expertly woven, and so much is implied with each character and how they respond. The three Blackwood's feel both threatening and welcoming, Cousin Charles is an immediate interloper in their midst despite the family connection, and the villagers are a mixed bag that only shows remorse when the worst has already been done. By the end of the book, one supposedly feels conflicted about Merricat's assumption that they are oh so happy now

in their half-burned house, living as hermits that new generations treat as urban legends.

But the message is clear: how much does one need to be happy? Charles is eager to point out with frustration how the wealth that remains in the house is wasted on the Blackwood's sober lives. They don't make any use of it to live lavishly, but why would they? Content with weekly grocery trips and produce from the garden, there is no need to involve themselves more in the outside world. Not even the destruction of their trust and home can destabilize the bond that Merricat and Constance share.
One wishes them all the best, and may hopefully look at them for inspiration in hard times.

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