Reviews

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

bengel17's review against another edition

dark medium-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

3.5

julietem08's review against another edition

2.0

this was so weird and kinda boring... school read

natstarkkk's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

juniperx's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.5

booksonthefloor's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love this book. I ADORE the premise and the cover artwork. But the book itself was not my favorite. Merricat, the unreliable narrator of the story, is a confusing character to me. At 18, she is in a state of arrested development, reading much more like a child of 11 or 12. Her sister, Constance, appears afraid of her from the very beginning, which makes the "twist" not much of one midway through the book. Charles, the cousin tasked with moving the plot along with his unexpected visit and charming of Constance, seems an almost unnecessary character. He is so flamboyantly selfish and Constance's interest in him is surprising.

This book would only get 2 stars from me, save for the ending, which I found really powerful. Boarded in their home, Merricat has finally gotten everything she wants. And Constance is stuck there. That ending was the creepiest bit of all.

emilyspex's review against another edition

dark medium-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

4.0

ct_orris's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

agrajag159's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

4.0

alexxtholden's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad slow-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

5.0

rottendespicablegirl's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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