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.

Excellent Narrator

This classic book has been on my "to be read list," for ages. I finally got the chance to read it this year around Halloween and I was not disappointed. This book is haunting and eerie in a unique way. It taps into primal fears of "the other." In this book, Jackson shows that monsters aren't under our beds, instead, the truly monstrous things in this world are other people. A sense of agoraphobia permeates the writing and made me give my own neighbors the side-eye for a few days. This was the type of book that became creepier and more eerie as I allowed it to percolate in my subconscious. I recommend it to other fans of suspense.

Not What I Expected

I didn't dislike this book but I was underwhelmed. I wanted to read it before watching the film & both didn't connect with me. I found the ending left me wanting & seemed unearned.
It's worth a shot since it's very short but keep your expectations low.

A bit disappointing

I really wanted to like this book, and had been looking for some time for a good Halloween listen. Everyone raves about Shirley Jackson. I didn't find this book particularly scary or creepy or anything. It was rather charming, pretty language and descriptions. I did like the main characters, but nothing really happens...even when events happen, they don't seem to matter. Just a sort of flat story. I felt like it could have been so much more.

Haunting and thought-provoking

This is haunting! I could hardly wait to get back to it each evening and listen some more. It's an eerily familiar look at small-town bigotry. I say "familiar" because anyone who grew up in a small town or rural setting will recognize the prejudices of the townsfolk against anybody who seems "different." And boy, are these characters different. The narration by Bernadette Dunne is perfection. She embodies the quirky narrator, Merricat. Highly recommended.

The narrative form of Mary Kat’s perspective. So intense!

Shirley Jackson’s amazing vernacular immerses the reader into the mind of young girl who is relentless and malevolent. Definitely worth a listen, especially for a second time!

Creepy and beautiful

It is not at all the horror story I thought it was. It is a creepy, affectionate and beautiful story of insanity, loneliness and hatred. Merricat is one of the most fascinating literary characters I've met. It's very hard not to like her and feel sorry for her and at the same time there is an uncanny feeling about her. A must read!

Dark Gothic Horror

If you enjoy dark stories of slowly creeping madness, give this one a listen. I couldn't turn it off.

Highly recommend

Phenomenal story and great narration! I would highly recommend this story. It’s a short one, but still very good.

THIS BOOK WAS A WASTE.

Would you try another book from Shirley Jackson and/or Bernadette Dunne?

I DOUBT IT. DEPENDS ON THE SUBJECT. I HESITATED BUYING THE BOOK, BUT I BASED MY PURCHASE ON REVIEWS OF OTHER PEOPLE.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I AM LISTENING TO BITTER ALMONDS ABOUT STELLA NICHOLS THE EXCEDREN KILLER.

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

SHE WAS NOT BAD. I FIND I LIKE MOST OF THE READERS.

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

NO BUT IT MITE BE A GOOD MOVIE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE -- LIKE MY COUSIN.

Any additional comments?

I AM NOT SAYING NOT TO BUY THIS BOOK. BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKED IT. I FOUND THE STORY STRANGE AND THE CHARACTERS UNDERDEVELOPED.

An Unreal Reality

Which character – as performed by Bernadette Dunne – was your favorite?

Mary Kat

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

A bizarre and quirky rendition of a child's/woman's? daydreams and her outlook on reality. Her mind is definitely unstable and her sister isn't altogether there either, but they care for each other deeply and the cruelties of the strangers seem unfair. This story has an eerie quality to it, but it's all presented in a light, delusional atmosphere that doesn't really help with the creepy factor. You find yourself almost agreeing with some of the thoughts the main character has throughout the book. But, like I said, bizarre. I feel like there are a few questions the author purposefully didn't answer in the book, to keep the reading either guessing or formulating their own thoughts, but it would be awesome to have an "extra" section that explains some of the behavior and thoughts of the characters.