Reviews

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

merbears's review

dark funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

An enthralling, funny, heartbreaking trip to the moon.  

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Content Warnings

Minor: Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Death

lturriani's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ssj1993's review against another edition

dark mysterious

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

psoglav's review against another edition

3.0

My rating: ★★★

blaineduncan's review

5.0

Though the pace is deliberate—and even dilatory in the beginning—We Have Always Lived in the Castle exemplifies Shirley Jackson’s ability to craft. It opens with Mary Katherine, the narrator, explaining her age and her familial situation. From there, she lays out the story of her days, none of which sounds particularly fascinating. It’s that lull that Jackson uses to sneak the notion that things aren’t quite right with Mary Katherine, her sister, and her uncle. Once a visitor arrives, the story throttles. This was my Halloween read for the year and while it isn’t scary, it is good.

sandra_buckwell's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

laurendark's review

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

fozlandgirl's review

dark emotional mysterious fast-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

Oof. This was a hard hitting novel in just a few chapters. Loved it.

h_scarf's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

wardcl86's review

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

3.5