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.

Eloquently disturbing

Completely defies definition. Not really a thriller, mystery or horror story. No violence or gore, nothing overtly supernatural, and yet from the very beginning you feel unsettled, disturbed. You know something is just wrong, but have no choice but to take the grand tour of the Blackwood’s home and life with Merricat as your tour guide. No other perspective is provided, and as the tour progresses you kind of want to escape, but remain mesmerized in spite of yourself (like one guest who comes to tea uninvited). The family fears the outside world, the villagers fear the family, and the reader watches transfixed as inevitable forces ignite those fears into horrible actions/reactions. Humans really are the scariest of all creatures. Perfectly read by Bernadette Dunne.

Chilling and Thrilling

This is another re-read for me. I read the paper version as a child, and all I could really remember was that I loved it. Wow! What a story. Bernadette Dunne has a very young sounding voice, which was perfect for narrating as Mary Kat, the sociopathic girl at the heart of this story.

What I hadn't remembered was the suspense. The slow reveal of what had happened, and how Shirley Jackson was able to surprise me at so many turns by going a different direction than I expected and still thrilling me.

The genius is in how she can play on your sympathies. The main character is an unreliable narrator and a frightening person, and yet she has my sympathy. I'm on her side.

Wonderful!

Skillful Presentation of Contemporary "Scary" Tale

If you could sum up We Have Always Lived in the Castle in three words, what would they be?

Flipside Fairy Tale

What did you like best about this story?

Shirley Jackson is an amazing yarn-spinner - her deliberate slow display of telling details and wonderful way of evoking an atmosphere is unparalleled.

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

Merricat - the first person narrator of the story - Bernadette Dunne does an amazing job!

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

No - I wanted to stretch out the enjoyment!

One of my favorite books

I love this book! If you're a fan of dark, creepy, gothic tales this is for you! Shirley Jackson is magical with her words, I adore this story and feel like it should have been the prequel for an even darker chapter, I didn't want it to end. Fantastic.

Beautifully Disturbing!

What made the experience of listening to We Have Always Lived in the Castle the most enjoyable?

Shirley Jackson writes such a beautiful story. Her sentences are perfectly crafted. Bernadette Dunne then spins the web with her narration that lures the listener in and ensnares them in this strange place.

What did you like best about this story?

The writing is excellent. After reading "The Haunting of Hill House" and her short story "The Lottery", I think this is her best work. The writing is like peeling the layers on an onion. Each sentence reveals just a little bit more of Constance and Mary Catherine.

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

She found every nuance in the Jackson's wonderful narrative. She brought a richness to each character and her narration was haunting.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reveals are expected but hearing the way they are presented is sad and moving.

Any additional comments?

The characters are rich, the writing is flawless and the narration brings the story to life in way that will haunt your dreams.

A strange tale of mental illness

I really didn't know anything about this book but I really enjoyed it. Shirley Jackson is an interesting write with a unique narrative and beautiful imagery. It's worth a read if you like Shirley Jackson.

Thrilling, Chilling to the Bone

I’ll admit this book was hard to get into at first, but once the plot developed a bit more and the mystery became clear, I couldn’t stop listening.

More than once I had chills simply from the voice Shirley Jackson has given Mary Catherine Blackwood. Highly recommended for thrill seekers!

A haunting tale

A tale of mental illness and murder. Brilliant writing. One of the happier Audible daily deals. Glad I got it.

Not my cup of tea

Decent prose, but ultimately a wandering story that never quite hits the mark. Perhaps some like these kinds of books but I am definitely not a fan of a book that has very little pay off.

Engrossing Story

The narrator really impressed me, she made the book better than if I had just read it without narration.