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.

classic tale

these character’s drama is realistic and intimate. easily too 3 readers i’ve heard on audible

I am still trying to figure out what is going on

This is very confusing, very interesting, and very, very entertaining. I’m trying to unravel the unspoken messages, and this book causes you to think a lot. Overall, this is a new spooky favorite that I will be rereading a lot!

Delightfully creepy

People can be cruel when they don’t know anything about you. The reader goes on a journey with the unreliable narrator Merricat who is childlike, strange, superstitious, and misunderstood. She just wants to be left alone with her sister Constance and cat Jonas. But change comes and threatens their sisterly bond. The tension unfolds slowly. Can you have both revenge and redemption?

Boring and pointless

I rarely come across a book that I do not like, but this is one of them! I am a big fan of scary/creepy stories, and was really looking forward to this one being part of that genre. This story never developed and definitely left me wishing There was more to it. I kept expecting something creepy to happen or some thing. Frightening but it never did happen. I am blown away at all of the great reviews this book received, because between the characters, being dull and the storyline never developing, I would recommend to anyone to pass on this book.

Absolutely amazing

After listening to countless horrible audiobooks and even more mediocre ones it's a rare pleasure to encounter such a gem. As a former Literature Major a found myself analyzing the novel, looking at online interpretations etc. Definitely a piece of literary art to be enjoyed and savored.

Eerie but not what you expect

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not really, its a story that takes a long time to get to its point. You have to really enjoy listening to stories and have a dedicated imagination to stick with this story.

What does Bernadette Dunne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice helps draw you into a story that would otherwise be painful to follow

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes to compare to my own vision

creepy

This was well done and an excellent story, but I can't give it more than a three because I thought it was kind of scary and a little disturbing. If you like kind of scary and a little disturbing, this is an excellent listen.

Full of suspense

The whole time got me so stressed and curious, I almost ended it in a day. The story seems simple at first, but it's not, it's captivating.

Not my favorite

Definitely not my favorite audiobook. I kept waiting for a twist or something to perk up my interest but it was mostly slow and confusing at times.

Pleasantly disturbing.

This is an interesting story that does remind me of The Lottery in the way it portrays towns folk. The entire story I sat listening feeling disturbed by and sorry for the main characters.