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

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.