You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
We Have Always Lived in the Castle is eerie, unsettling, and completely engrossing. Shirley Jackson is brilliant at creating atmosphere, and here she builds a world that feels both claustrophobic and strangely enchanting. Merricat’s voice, with its unique blend of childlike innocence and chilling undertones, is oddly endearing and carries the whole story, leaving you intrigued and captivated.
It’s a short novel, but it lingers long after you finish, its eerie atmosphere and haunting themes leaving a lasting impact. The isolation of the Blackwood sisters, the creeping hostility of the village, and the dark undercurrent of family secrets all combine into something haunting. Not quite perfect for me, but absolutely a classic of Gothic fiction and one I’m glad I finally read.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Little baffled as to why our resident retired German in book club didn't consider this horror, but I guess I will discuss with him...!
overall really appreciated the sense of dread with Mary Katherine, or Merricat as our first person narrator. She declares she's 18 but feels much younger, and I wonder how much of that is from the mass death of most of her family six years prior. It's short, and there's something here about ostracization by the town followed by remorse after the third act Thing happens.
I've now read something of Jackson's besides The Lottery; maybe I'll get around to Hill House at some point??
overall really appreciated the sense of dread with Mary Katherine, or Merricat as our first person narrator. She declares she's 18 but feels much younger, and I wonder how much of that is from the mass death of most of her family six years prior. It's short, and there's something here about ostracization by the town followed by remorse after the third act Thing happens.
I've now read something of Jackson's besides The Lottery; maybe I'll get around to Hill House at some point??
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Murder
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes