We Have Always Lived in the Castle Review

Summary

In this engaging review of Shirley Jackson's *We Have Always Lived in the Castle*, the reviewer shares their excitement after reading the book in one sitting. The story revolves around Mary Katherine 'Merricat' Blackwood, who lives in isolation with her sister Constance and disabled uncle Julian after the rest of their family dies under mysterious circumstances. The book explores themes of isolation, tragedy, and village prejudice, creating a suspenseful, eerie atmosphere. The reviewer highly recommends the book, especially as a spooky, Halloween read, and expresses a strong desire to explore more of Shirley Jackson's works.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer received *We Have Always Lived in the Castle* by Shirley Jackson as a birthday gift from their friend Cassie.
• 😀 The reviewer finished the book in one sitting, as it is a short read (around 150 pages).
• 😀 The book was highly praised by the reviewer, who was previously encouraged by Cassie to read Shirley Jackson's work.
• 😀 The story follows Mary Katherine 'Mary Cat' Blackwood, an 18-year-old living in isolation with her sister Constance and their uncle Julian.
• 😀 The Blackwood family was mostly poisoned by arsenic six years prior, and Constance was acquitted of the crime, but the villagers remain suspicious.
• 😀 The villagers constantly bully Mary Cat, who faces prejudice due to her sister’s alleged involvement in the family’s death.
• 😀 The reviewer describes the novel as haunting, with a sense of isolation and a sinister atmosphere.
• 😀 The book reminded the reviewer of *I Capture the Castle*, but with a darker, more psychological tone.
• 😀 The Penguin Modern Classics edition was praised for its added essay, which helped explain the themes and unanswered questions in the book.
• 😀 The reviewer recommends the novel as a spooky, Halloween-worthy read for fans of gothic and psychological suspense.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the book *We Have Always Lived in the Castle*?

The book centers around the Blackwood family, particularly Mary Katherine 'Merricat' Blackwood, who lives in isolation with her sister Constance and their uncle Julian, after a tragedy in which most of the family members died from arsenic poisoning.

How does the protagonist, Merricat, deal with the tragedy that occurred in her family?

Merricat is depicted as emotionally scarred from the tragic event and has grown up somewhat feral. She goes into town to collect food for her family and faces bullying from villagers who believe her sister Constance killed the family.

Why is the Blackwood family isolated from the rest of the village?

The Blackwood family is ostracized by the villagers due to the mysterious deaths of most of the family members, caused by arsenic poisoning. The villagers suspect Constance, who was acquitted of the crime, but they still harbor resentment and fear toward the Blackwoods.

What is Merricat's role in her family, and how is she different from her sister Constance?

Merricat is the more active and independent member of the family. She is responsible for going into town and getting supplies, while Constance is more reclusive and struggles to face the outside world due to the trauma from the poisoning incident.

What aspect of the novel did the reviewer find particularly haunting?

The reviewer found the overall atmosphere of the novel to be haunting, particularly the eerie isolation of the Blackwood family, the psychological tension between the characters, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the poisoning incident.

What is the significance of the Penguin Modern Classics edition of the book?

The reviewer appreciates the Penguin Modern Classics edition for its bonus content, including an essay that explains some of the novel's mysteries and provides further insights into the plot, especially concerning the unresolved nature of the events.

How does the reviewer describe their experience with Shirley Jackson's writing?

The reviewer expresses a deep appreciation for Shirley Jackson's writing, describing it as captivating and atmospheric. They also mention being eager to explore more of Jackson's works after reading *We Have Always Lived in the Castle*.

What makes *We Have Always Lived in the Castle* a good choice for a Halloween read?

The novel’s spooky, sinister atmosphere, its exploration of dark themes, and the psychological tension between the characters make it an ideal choice for a Halloween read.

What other book does the reviewer compare *We Have Always Lived in the Castle* to?

The reviewer compares *We Have Always Lived in the Castle* to *I Capture the Castle*, noting that while both books feature family dynamics, Shirley Jackson’s novel presents a far more sinister and unsettling tone.

What is the reviewer’s hope regarding their book purchases during the holiday season?

The reviewer hopes that their family will buy them new books for Christmas, as they have a habit of not buying new books and the reviewer wishes to add more of Shirley Jackson's works to their collection.