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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was amazing. Shirley Jackson, the well know author of The Lottery and The Haunting of Hill House, has such a knack for delivery. Mary Katherine, the younger sister, is the narrator of this novel and I think that was the main key to made this so eerie. Acceptance is such a major theme to this. These few remaining family members have been persecuted by an entire town for a tragedy they had endured. And it only ever seems to get worse for them. It was beautifully delivered with the bluntness of a child’s thoughts that make you really think about the way you treat others or may have been treated. I think everyone can relate to Jackson’s writing and I believe that’s what makes it so special. She may have written this in a time when life was a lot harder if you were labeled “different” but this is a literary classic that still can stand true today. Persecution and what it can do to people can be devastating and ever lasting, causing life long trauma. This tale really delves into that ideology as well as giving you an alternate perspective into how one can struggle with problems such as this but by having acceptance elsewhere, all the difference can be made to allow one to cope. Then there’s the bond. What these two sisters share is both touching and terrifying at the same time. Parts of information revealed can be seen coming, while other parts of that same information is somewhat startling but really makes you ponder what you might do in the same situation with the same information. This story is beautifully written, keeping you captivated the entire time. It held morality viewpoints that show different sides and how it relates to what we do as a group or individual. It was sad, aggravating, and horrifying all a the same time. I want to go into details about key points from this book because they were so lovely but it would be a disservice to anyone who wants to read this. The roller coaster of information from the characters as well as plot points they endure is just way to much fun to experience first hand. I don’t know how she does it, but Shirley Jackson can really make you take a hard look at how you treat others and how you let yourself be treated and still give you hope that there is always a way to have happiness, it’s just all a matter of perspective.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Violence
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it took me awhile to get into this, but now shirley jackson is hands down my new favorite author
Rumor had it that We Have Always Lived in the Castle was eerie, unsettling, a slow-burn gothic masterpiece.
But for me? I was just... bored. The suspense never landed, the “twist” barely twisted, and the atmosphere felt more meh than menacing.
Not for me. 🤷🏻♀️
But for me? I was just... bored. The suspense never landed, the “twist” barely twisted, and the atmosphere felt more meh than menacing.
Not for me. 🤷🏻♀️
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Creepy in the best ways. The way our narrator makes us think they were Trying their best to live this idyllic life after tragedy had me feeling so sorry for her. Boy was I wrong