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.

You have to read between the lines

Weird but atmospheric tale of of two sisters, Merricat and Constance who live in agoraphobic isolation in a large old house with their senile old wheelchair bound uncle Julian. All of the rest of their family is long dead. Poisoned with arsenic six years ago. Constance stood trial for the deaths but was acquitted. Still the towns folk taunt and bully them. Thinking Constance killed her family with poisoned food. So the sisters stay at home. With money in a safe instead of a bank.

Eighteen year old Merricat is the only one who ever leaves the house, going out twice a week for food. Dodging the stares and condemnation of the towns folk. Merricat, the narrator of the story lives in a fantasy life. Wishing to be on the moon when people get to close to her. When ever they make fun of her she retreats into her fantasy world.

Her older sister Constance watches over every one constantly cooking, cleaning, gardening and baking and making tea. The entire story is a conversation in Merricat's warped brain. Child like fantasy life of an 18 year old. The unreliable narrator. The best parts of the book are what is not said but implied. Is Constance afraid to leave the house or is there something else going on? This is where Jackson's writing excels. But you have to have the patience to worm out the the unsaid from the silly babbling of girl who refuses to grown up. The implied but not spoken. Mericat buries objects in the garden. She has adventures in her head. Plays and talks to her cat. She secretly wishes people dead or disappeared. She places talisman all over their garden to ward off evil. Then one day a book she nailed to a tree falls and she thinks it is a bad omen. Something bad will happen. And it does.

Excellent writing but such a depressing story of cruelty, manipulation and mental illness. Not at all a horror story but very atmospheric. Leaving more mystery behind. This story is haunting without being a horror story.

Odd and Odder

Two sisters and their uncle are all that remain after the deliberate poisoning of their entire family. The courts could not prosecute any of them because of lack of evidence. The uncle is not really a suspect because he almost died with the family and is now bound to a wheelchair. Because there was not any kind of conviction the sisters are relentlessly harassed by the local residents and therefore do not go into town unless absolutely necessary. Both sisters are strange, the oldest is too eerily kind and over the top, peaches and cream, the younger sister is similar to a wild animal with bizarre actions and screwball ceremonial rituals. They live in a home outside of town for years before a distant cousin, with an agenda, comes to live with them to see just what he can swindle from the estate. The strange goings on become even more warped and elevated when the devious cousin try's to step in and relegate all actions and decisions that are made. Eventually a not so accidental tragedy strikes and the sisters are thrown into an even more demented and isolated existence.

Agorphobia is just one of their defects. I could not decide, "psychopath or sociopath". A creepy story made even darker by Shirley Jackson's ability to spin a good spooky yarn. No gore or terrifying moments, just weeeird. It's perfect for Halloween.

Oddly Amazing and A New Favorite

A whimsical, creepy, and twisted gothic tale full of psychological suspense, eccentric characters, and a dark family secret!

Narrator made this book amazing

Classic Shirley Jackson horror, creepy and atmospheric. The narrator was excellent, really brought the book to life.

Something out of a nightmare

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not unless they were a psychology major or needed a book to report on/pick apart, in which case, definitely do read. There is nothing uplifting about this book and pretty much no reason to read it for leisure. It's VERY well written, but it is sad, black, bleak, and morose.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My stomach was in a knot the entire time I was reading it. There was nothing uplifting about this book.

Any additional comments?

Again, it's VERY well written, but it is sad, black, bleak, and morose. I don't know why anyone would read this for leisure.

Unexpected and wonderful

Didn’t quite know what to expect but pleasantly surprised by this book. It leaves an eerie feeling of a open ended story.

Exquisite spine-tingling blend of reader & tale

Not always is a story read by the right reader. And often that’s ok. But with a psychological thriller , the voice is essential. Dunne embodies Merricat Blackwood to the hilt, perfectly complementing the nuances and complexities of Jackson’s tale. Excellent pairing.

Excellent Chilling Book for those whistling nights

Bernadette Dunne narrates this book with excellent tempo and the melody of her voice gives you chill that last throughout the night. Shirley Jackson's novel is an excellent chilling read! Mary Cat leaves you wondering and questioning and falling for her magic. I found myself agreeing with her mentality and then wondering about my own. All around a great book!

Creepy, funny, deliciously gothic.

This book hit the spot. It had everything, dark humor, an old house with several generations' worth of old things, a feeling of being barricaded against a hostile and uncaring world, and an aching longing.

So Bummed Out

Tells the story of eccentrics who survived the family poisoning. Your main character is delusional, her sister is down trodden and the surviving uncle is obsessed with documenting what happened the day of the poisoning. It is a depressing book and ends with no redemption or solutions. It totally bummed me out.