A review by skylarkblue1
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

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? No

2.5

Still honestly not too sure what this book is meant to be about. To me, it seems like it's a rather depressing book about a rather unlucky autistic child. It's not explicitly about autism, but goddamn if it's not perfectly (mostly) accurate I don't know what is. 

There isn't really a plot, it's just about Merricat and Constance and a series of very unfortunate events that take their quiet and sheltered life alone into disarray and ruin - shattering any sense of security and hope they might have once had.

I did quite like Merricat as a character, mostly because I could relate to how she views the world a lot. Her special interests being a place of comfort and what she uses to calm herself, her love of animals, etc. I loved her and the cat Jonas' relationship especially!

The writing did confuse me though. It was very loopy and "bouncy" kinda like a poem in a way? I can see why some might like it but for me it wasn't until like halfway through where my brain could actually process what it was reading properly aha..

I think if you're wanting horror, a plot and a mystery you'll be very disappointed. If you (for some reason) want a depressing story of an autistic girl just trying to survive then this'd be for you.

If you're concerned about the fate of the cat, check the content warnings for what's there/what's not there. 
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