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

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

Shirley Jackson is the queen of subtle creepiness, and wow does she deliver in this short book!

This is a fascinating character study, and one that will definitely stick with me. I recently decided to add this to my 9th grade English curriculum for next year, and I cannot wait to unpack it with my students (and of course we’re going to read it in October for the vibes.)

Mary Katherine is such a strange, well written character, and the subtle mystery of what really happened to her family truly had me hooked!