We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Shirley Jackson
We Have Always Lived in the Castle Cover

We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Badseedgirl
3/27/2013
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I was tricked by this book. After reading the bookflap, I thought I was going to be reading a "gothic Mystery". I mean all the makings were there, an old ancesteral home, a mysterious and unsolved murder of almost an entire family, odd family dynamics of the remaining members, and a daughter who was aquitted for the crime, but a community that is sure she is guilty. Imagine my suprise when this book turned into a horrific story about a group of very psychologically disturbed characters.

This was a very short novel, almost novella in size. The writing style was descriptive, without being overdone, and there are some truely horrific scenes in this novel, especially the community's actions after the fire. I found myself squirming in my chair, feeling uncomfortable, horrified, and strangely unable to put the book down, similar to the feeling I get when passing two people arguing on the street, unsure if I should just avert my eyes and walk quickly away, or stop to make sure it does not goany further.

This is the first novel of Ms. Jacksons I have read, and I would consider reading some of her other works, but will do so with a better knowledge of her subject matter.

Oh Yeah and we do find out who killed the family, but there is so much going on at that point that it ends upo being 2 lines, and than is never mentioned again.