We Have Always Lived in the Castle

De: Shirley Jackson

Narrado por: Bernadette Dunne

Duración: 5 h y 32 m

Resumen del Editor

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.

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.

Ms. Jackson proves her worth

Simultaneously puzzled, intrigued, delighted, and mildly repulsed by these characters. Highly recommend, especially to those who love psychological mysteries and who enjoy a bit of magical realism. Great stuff!

Superb story

The author clearly (to me) is manipulating readers emotionally with open glee in this macabre story! Is someone actually guilty of a crime, or not? It takes awhile before the listener is sure. With whom should our sympathies lie? Is an inborn feral nature automatically evil? (We had a neighborhood cat with a pronounced sweet nature; nonetheless, I also saw him slaughter many birds and mice! I fed him often with tidbits of fried chicken....)

Of course, small town natives are infamous for their aroused feral natures whenever a resident is 'different'. Do two wrongs....etc etc etc.

Narration is excellent. This book is a good listen.

Shirley Jackson is a genius!

Such a strange, unique story. Merricat’s head is a simultaneously wonderful and unsettling place to be! I loved this story. It’s great to analyze, too – Merricat’s struggle for power, control over her home and herself, and the lengths she goes to in order to acquire it - it’s intriguing. Bernadette Dunne also did a lovely job of narrating. I definitely recommend it.

Wonderful

The story is truly fabulous and I can't imagine a better reading. Thank you Bernadette!

An Unsettling Story

A good psychological horror story of two sisters living in isolation and fear. The plot slowly unfolds as we find out the circumstances of their lives. There is an aura of impending doom that hangs over the narrative as we listen and untangle this back story. The novel is narrated by Mary Katherine who is paranoid and lives in a fantasy world where she thinks magic can protect her and her sister Constance. This book leaves the listener with a spine-chilling reaction.

Bernadette Dunn's reading is perfect - her voice has an undertone of fear and barely surpressed panic.