- We Have Always Lived In The Castle
A strange and uncomfortable read. Narrated by a socially maladroit eighteen year old, Merricat, who following the death of almost her entire family lives alone with her agoraphobic older sister who looks after her and her elderly ailing uncle, the three of them the sole survivors of the incident that wiped out the rest of the family.
Merricat is an unreliable narrator - flitting from beautiful poetic descriptions to wild, child-like rages. She is obsessive, illogical and wildly superstitious - burying objects for protection and seeing omens everywhere. Her sister, Constance, is very much the voice of passivity and unquestioning obedience. They are ostracised by the nearby villagers and live in fear of intrusion to a greater or lesser extent.
I won't go into any more of the plot as it would be difficult to do so without revealing any spoilers, one of which is key to the readers perception of the characters in question.
This was my first Shirly Jackson book, and I know she is a highly regarded writer, and reading this, I can understand why. The book is very atmospheric, and whilst not a horror story in the sense of the supernatural, there a some genuinely creepy moments.
It's a short read, which is probably a good thing - I don't think it would have worked well as a longer book. I will certainly read more of Shirly Jackson I think.