We Have Always Lived in the Castle

By: Shirley Jackson

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Shirley Jackson’s deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family takes readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, macabre humor, and gothic atmosphere.

Six years after four family members died suspiciously of arsenic poisoning, the three remaining Blackwoods—elder, agoraphobic sister Constance; wheelchair-bound Uncle Julian; and eighteen-year-old Mary Katherine, or, Merricat—live together in pleasant isolation. Merricat has developed an idiosyncratic system of rules and protective magic to guard the estate against intrusions from hostile villagers. But one day a stranger arrives—cousin Charles, with his eye on the Blackwood fortune—and manages to penetrate into their carefully shielded lives. Unable to drive him away by either polite or occult means, Merricat adopts more desperate methods, resulting in crisis, tragedy, and the revelation of a terrible secret.

Jackson’s novel emerges less as a study in eccentricity and more—like some of her other fictions—as a powerful critique of the anxious, ruthless processes involved in the maintenance of normalcy itself.

©1962 Shirley Jackson (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Amazing interpretation

To simply read a story like this, one could miss out on emotion and intent both from the time period but from the perspective of people who have lost touch with society. Shirley Jackson was an influencer in her story telling but the voice of this story will be difficult for modern readers. Bernadette Dunne is simply amazing at telling this story. She puts plausibility in Marycats estrangements and magical wishes. Emphasis on words such as “our house” and “Charles” and “Mother’s Drawing Room” help you see the importance of Jackson’s use of words. There are many monsters in this story and its difficult to know where to place your empathy. Dunne just brings the whole story to the top. Amazing!

Amazing Book

I loveed this book. There were lots of memerable parts. And I think I might lision to it again. Bernadette Dunne is a very good narrator.

It was Slow for Me

I found that the voice performance was to my liking. You coyld tell the difference between each character. The story was a bit slow for my liking. It was just alright but I managed to get through it.

interesting...

Listening to this story was not a total waste of time. i was kept interested in it. wondering where it was going. You will just have to listen to it to understand.

Gothic fiction at its finest

Proof that the best gothic fiction need not stick to the horror tropes often associated with it, this novel may be Shirley Jackson’s finest work. With a narrative voice that is as delightful as it is unreliable, Merricat Blackwood weaves the sinister tale of her family’s uneasy relationship with the small Vermont town, over which their mansion looms, the shadow and scapegoat for its own violent, superstitious nature. A must read for lovers of dark fiction.

My favorite Shirley Jackson's book

I always love Shirley Jackson's stories. Before this, my favorite was the short stories collection, the lottery and other stories. On the other hand, the narration is very good. I finished this audiobook in two days.

Sweet lord? what a story.

Usually I can see the twists coming a mile away, this one took me a bit longer, but even when it's the book hold its pull just as strong as before knowing I was right.

Amazing

This book is fantastic, outright.
Shirley Jackson captivates the reader/audience the entire way through this book.

A VERY STRANGE BOOK FROM START TO FINISH

I remember other students carrying this book around when I was in high school. It must have been required (or selective) reading in one of their classes, but it wasn't in any of mine. So, after all these years of knowing about this book and knowing that it was a contemporary book that my high school sanctioned, I decided to find out what was so great about it. The answer is, not much. It's just plain weird! And the more I read, the weirder it got! The ending was the weirdest of all. For me, this book was really a waste of time. I'm glad I have an echo dot in every room so I can have Alexa read me the book no matter what room I'm in. That way, at least I could get other things done while I listened to this book. I recommend multitasking while listening to this book.

Bittersweet but captivating

If you aren’t into more gothic storylines it may not be for you, but I had myself making up chores so that I could finish the audiobook. All of the characters are unusual and interesting, and there’s multiple levels of suspense and mystery throughout the book. It’s a ghost story without ghosts- unsettling and a little creepy. I’ll be checking out Shirley Jackson’s other works with high expectations