We Have Always Lived In The Castle is superb novel from Shirley Jackson, author of the classic short story The Lottery.
It was a pleasure to find an author whose novels are not only original and engrossing, but so well written you want to enjoy each and every line.
It begins with the routine chore of going to town for groceries. Eighteen year-old Mary Katherine does this twice a week, although she finds the local villagers hostile towards her. Living in a large old house well outside town with her older sister Constance and her wheelchair-bound Uncle Julian, her family creates gossip and interest for not socializing - there are rumours something tragic happened in that house. As the days go by, we find Mary (nicknamed Merricat) lives in her own world of fairies and strange rituals - she must bury certain items to cast a protective spell over the family, nails a book to a tree to keep strangers away, or choose three words that must not be spoken that day, lest an evil happen. I have heard this novel described as dealing with insanity, but there must be a less harsh word for someone with mental difficulties. She seems more psychotic or schizophrenic in her behaviour.
Her sister Constance is a continual support, indefatigable in placating Merricat and her Uncle. When long unseen Cousin Charles visits, he is surprised and tries to convince Constance that the Uncle and her younger sister should be hospitalized, it's really too much for one person's care. He has a point, but also, thinks about the valuables in the house a little too much.
Merricat is having none of it. She longs for the time when Charles is gone and she can leave with Constance on her winged horse, for the moon where they will live together. Things change drastically when there is a house fire, and the memories of the time when their father, mother and brother were all poisoned to death resurface.
I found the writing fantastic. Each sentence seems to touch on the right mood and emotion, a pleasure to read and to really enjoy the story. The emergence of Merricat's ill thinking was slow and gradually deepened in a subtle way, making you understand and agree with her rather than see outright she is unstable. There are themes from The Lottery as well, as the villagers are portrayed as a mob - large, unthinking and violent.
An excellent book I thoroughly enjoyed. What a pleasure to read this author.
1962 / Tradeback / 214 pages
Thanks for sharing this Eden. What a wonderful book this is! A Five-Star read. I liked everything about it but the scene that haunts me to this day is poor Constance hiding her face with a scarf/shawl when the mob surrounds the sisters. Many people have mentioned that Constance is weak while Merry is strong. I am bewildered by it. I think Constance is one strong courageous young woman. Who else would bear the hostility with such equanimity? I wish I could write more but don't want to spoil it for others.
Neeru