We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
★★★★✰ (4.5 stars)
A second reading of this short and beautifully odd novel has made me even more appreciative of Shirley Jackson’s capabilities. The first time I read We Have Always Lived in the Castle I was propelled into an increasingly puzzling yet utterly compelling story. During my second reading, I payed more attention to all of the novel’s components, rather than just getting swept along into focusing on the bigger picture.
I have revised my original review as to acknowledge my deepened appreciation of this book.
There are many different layers to We Have Always Lived in the Castle . One the one hand, it is exactly what its reputation promises it to be: an incredibly eerie and compelling short story. On the other hand, it also addresses many challenging and unsettling subjects, such as paranoia, persecution and violence. Shirley Jackson does not shy away from portraying the darker corners of human nature, in fact, she delves right into the darkest parts of the human mind.
Shirley Jackson’s style is perfectly attuned to Merricat’s unnerving mind. Her obsessive and impulsive nature is fluidly conveyed by Jackson’s repetitive and rhythmical writing.
Jackson also evokes a surrealisms reminiscent of fairy tales through the Merricat’s childlike urges and morbid fascination. Merricat…she is a beguiling narrator. Her playful fantasies are juxtaposed against the most violent and animalistic thoughts. Her devotion to her sister borders on the obsessive yet it is through this puzzling relationship that we see a more genuine side to Merricat’s character. In spite of her megalomaniac nature her palpable fears render her sympathetic. Once the stability of the sisters’ purposevely reclusive existence is threatened, Merricat turns completely to her delusions. She retreats into the deepest parts of her made-up world. And it is her increasingly desperate attempts to retain control over both Constance’s and her own life that make her into such a stupefying character. Even in those instances where she ‘simply’ observes others, Merricat is always ‘there’, her presence unmissable to the readers. Her unpredictability makes into a wild card, someone who consistently shocks us the readers.
Her sister Constance also demonstrates worrying behaviour. She too is initially in complete denial over the family’s status. She was in some things, rather controlling, while in other instances, she seemed completely uncaring. Constance is a cypher. Yet, we see her through Merricat’s skewed perspective, and certainly can’t believe all that Merricat thinks. Uncle Julian was a truly witty character. His ramblings were endearing and his sharp remarks were a pleasure to read. Cousin Charles…well. He is perceived as a threat right from the start. The scenes featuring him are brimming with tension: Merricat’s apprehension is all too real, and I found myself viewing him as she does.
The underlying suspense, the growing unease, make this uncanny tale hard to put down. The vivid descriptions are simply tantalizing, the surreal quality of the characters’ conversations is darkly amusing and the atmospheric setting is almost tangible.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle makes for a lush and macabre read.
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