51 pages • 1 hour read
Shirley JacksonWe Have Always Lived in the Castle
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1962A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson follows Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood and her sister Constance, who live in isolation following a family tragedy involving arsenic poisoning. Their secluded life is disrupted by the arrival of their cousin Charles, leading to conflict and further calamity. The novella explores themes of family, isolation, and societal judgment. Includes themes of murder.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle is widely praised for its gripping atmosphere and rich character development, particularly the protagonist, Merricat. The novel's gothic elements and psychological depth are frequently highlighted. Some readers, however, find the pacing slow. Overall, it's regarded as a captivating and eerie read.
Who Should Read We Have Always Lived in the Castle?
Fans of gothic fiction and psychological thrillers will relish We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. If you appreciate the eerie atmospheres of The Haunting of Hill House or the unsettling family dynamics in Rebecca, this captivating story of isolation and dark secrets is for you.
RecommendedReading Age
16-18yearsLexile Level
920LBook Details
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Gothic Literature
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Class
Mental Illness
Bullying
Emotions/Behavior: Revenge
Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness
Emotions/Behavior: Love