We Have Always Lived in the Castle: Minireview

Mini-reviews: Spend less time reading reviews and more time reading books!

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Reason for Reading: Christmas loot!
Rating: 5/5

Shirley Jackson's deliciously atmospheric book is told by a narrator we slowly begin to realize, is not particularly reliable. Merricat loves her sister Constance, whom she lives with in an old manor. They both care for Uncle Julian, who is the only survivor of a horrific accident that wiped away the rest of her family.

Their life revolves around the house. Constance does not leave, but Merricat must trudge out twice a week for books and food, and must put up with the stares of the townspeople she desperately hates.

Why does she hate them? Why do they hate her? And what happened to the rest of her family? Those are the kind of questions you'll be asking yourself immediately after starting the book. What I like about Jackson's writing is that this book presents a story and leaves the reader to connect the many threads. Also, did I mention that the same thing drove me crazy too? I really wanted to have someone else to talk to who had read the book recently so I could exchange ideas.

Anyhow, I'm going to leave my review at that, because this book is best experienced without any foreknowledge.

Should I read it? Yes.