Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Deluxe)
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Deluxe) | Shirley Jackson
Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate. This edition features a new introduction by Jonathan Lethem. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators."
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
LocalTXLibrarian
post image

I usually try to watch a spooky movie every night during the month of October, but here are the 10 I'm most excited to watch! I always love doing a Halloween re-watch each Spooky Season 🎃👻 🧡

#scarathlon #scarathlonwatchlist #scarathlon2023 #mischiefandmayhem @PuddleJumper

+20 points for sharing my Watch List
+1 point for participation post

= 21 early bird points 🌸

PuddleJumper Some good classics in there 1w
18 likes1 comment
review
Addison_Reads
post image
Pickpick

This is a reread for me, and I think I loved it more this time around.

Shirley Jackson is a goddess of her craft, and the way she spins a story, building the atmosphere and suspense, is pure perfection.

The dysfunction of this family and the relationship between the sisters makes this a great read that will mess with your head in all the best ways.

59 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Clare-Dragonfly
post image

Fall vibes 🍂🍁🎃

review
guidosophia
Mehso-so

Could only be described as creepy in a whimsical way. Kinda boring and I did expect something scarier or spookier to happen bc of the creepy cover. But I liked the relationship between the sisters, it redeemed the book for me

review
emmaturi
post image
Pickpick

This is a great read, quite creepy and chilling. The sisters Constance and Mary Katherine are both great characters. From reading it feels like Mary Katherine is 12 or 13, but she is 18, I think. The sinister feelings of the villagers to the Blackwood family are great, and the cover really tells you all you need to know about it. This is my second Shirley Jackson book and definitely will read more.

blurb
vivastory
post image

In June for the past couple of years I have started posting my favorite reads so far of the year. For the rest of the month I will be posting my 15 favorite reads that I have read so far. These will be posted in the chronological order in which I read them.
With the completion of We Have Always Lived etc, there is only 1 unread title in Jackson's bibliography for me. I have said for years that she is a favorite & this is Jackson at her (cont)

vivastory best. Merricat is one of the most fascinating characters that I have encountered this year & I have often thought about this novel & the mutual enmity that is so memorably portrayed in it. Highly highly recommend.

4mo
Leftcoastzen I‘ve been meaning to get to this for years ! Can‘t wait to see your other picks. 4mo
vivastory @Leftcoastzen You will 💙 it! 4mo
See All 12 Comments
BarbaraBB Looking forward to your choices!! 4mo
sarahbarnes Yes! I loved this one so much. I have several of her short stories left that I haven‘t read yet. 4mo
vivastory @BarbaraBB Thanks! It has been fun reviewing my reading log 4mo
vivastory @sarahbarnes I think I might have a few short stories remaining. I *really* wish a publisher would release a Collected Stories volume! 4mo
sarahbarnes I have a collection that Library of America published - Novels and Stories. I think it‘s all in there! 4mo
Branwen I love this one too! Everything and everyone is just so unsettling! 😱 I'm thinking of rereading Hill House this fall! 🎃 3mo
vivastory @sarahbarnes For some reason I was under the impression that this volume was her selected stories. Thanks so much for the info! 3mo
vivastory @Branwen That's def a favorite of mine! 3mo
73 likes12 comments
blurb
emmaturi
post image

These are two books I bought today! #books

dabbe Loved Jackson's Castle. Can't wait to read what you think about it! 😊 5mo
39 likes1 comment
blurb
vivastory
post image

Book: Tagged*White Teeth*Who Will Run the Frog Hospital*White Is For Witching*White Noise*What We See When We Read*War of the Worlds*Wind-Up Bird Chronicle*Wind in the Willows*Wuthering Heights
Author: V. Woolf*J. Wyndham*J. Winterson*J. Williams*C. Whitehead
Movie/TV: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane*Wages of Fear*Westside Story (Spielberg)*Walker (starring Ed Harris)*Wicker Man ('73)
Singer/Band: Wilco*Warpaint
Song: (cont.)

vivastory Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere (Nick Cave*Wrong Train (Psychedelic Furs)*Who By Fire (Leonard Cohen)*What's the Frequency, Kenneth (REM)*Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Nirvana)*Waltz #2 (Elliott Smith)*Way To Blue (Nick Drake)*Waiting Around to Die (Townes Van Zandt*Wandering Star (Polica)*Winter (Tori Amos)*We Hovered With Short Wings (Vic Chesnutt)*Weird Goodbyes (National/Bon Iver)*We'll Be Alright (Grace Potter)
A late #manicmonday @cbee
8mo
Megabooks I haven‘t listened to What‘s the Frequency Kenneth or much REM in awhile, but it was the soundtrack to college! Nice choices! 8mo
CBee NICE 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8mo
See All 8 Comments
vivastory @Megabooks Thanks! Monster is probably my second fave REM album after New Adventures in Hi-Fi 8mo
vivastory @CBee Thanks for your dedication with posting these! Hard to believe it is almost over!! 8mo
Megabooks Of course I just had to listen to it. “You said that irony was the shackles of youth” is such a fantastic lyric. Their music was so smart. 8mo
vivastory @Megabooks I recently read that Losing My Religion is one of the few songs to make the charts that doesn't have what is considered a traditional chorus. I thought that was really interesting. 8mo
CBee @vivastory you‘re welcome ☺️ I might do it again in a year or so if there‘s still interest - or maybe something different 🤷‍♀️ 8mo
43 likes8 comments
review
Maeve1
post image
Pickpick

😳Jan 7th 2023

review
wideeyedreader
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I think Jackson is becoming a favorite author; her stories never let me down!

Cathythoughts Sooo good 👍🏻♥️ 9mo
jlhammar Amazing book! 9mo
45 likes2 comments
review
Rissreads
post image
Pickpick

What a perfect start to the year with a perfect little book. This was fabulous! Even better that I only picked it up a few days ago at a secondhand book shop for $3. It‘s been on my tbr list for sooooooo long.
I loved everything about this one and was so relieved that Jonas was not harmed, anything but that! 🐈‍⬛
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

rajithr Sisters! Aren‘t they marvellous 🤩 9mo
jlhammar It really is a perfect little book! So glad you enjoyed it. 9mo
Rissreads @rajithr I wish I had one. 9mo
Centique I loved it too - and what an awesome find! 8mo
39 likes4 comments
quote
Bibliobear
post image

“I was pretending that I did not speak their language; on the moon we spoke a soft, liquid tongue, and sang in the starlight, looking down on the dead dried world.”

Remembering Shirley Jackson on her birthday today. Honoured to share a birthday with such a brilliant mind.

suvata You tagged on of my favorite books 9mo
14 likes1 comment
review
Ididsoidid
post image
Pickpick

Perfect Halloween reading. Great writing ensures a sense of something sinister on its way, a constant building of ominous energy. The ending was unexpected but it wasn‘t the explosive conclusion I think it deserved. 7/10

13 likes1 stack add
review
dabbe
post image
Pickpick

Another haunting story where the house is an integral part (character) of the story. Merricat and Constance are bigger introverts than I am! #whoknew And, to top it off, one's a murderer! Or is she? The stuff that hauntings are made for.“

Favorite Quote: “I'm going to put death in all their food and watch them die.“

blurb
Jenofur
post image

Time for the annual rereading of this unsettling gem by Shirley Jackson, one of my favorites.
🖤🖤🖤

vivastory I love this cover 11mo
17 likes1 comment
review
peanutnine
post image
Pickpick

This was my first time reading this classic horror. It was very creepy and atmospheric. Merricat's narration is unnerving as she describes the life she lives with her sister and uncle after the rest of her family was poisoned years ago and the villager's reaction to their presence.
#Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious #31by31 @Catsandbooks #Spookoween2022 @TheSpineView #Pointsathon @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES #AutumnAtoZ W @Texreader

AnnR 🎃🍁 Good choice for you Gothic square and a nice review. I just finished this book and felt much the same about the story. 11mo
DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 11mo
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🐈‍⬛🧡 11mo
TheSpineView Excellent 11mo
43 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
SomedayAlmost
post image

This strange gem of a book, one of my favorites, features a sugar bowl one should avoid! #poison #scarathalon22 #photoprompt #TeamSlaughter

blurb
Lizpixie
post image

#OminousOctober #Day13 #Orange A creepy family story in a classic Penguin edition. #Scarathlon #TeamSlaughter 6pts

Eggs 🧡🍊🧡 12mo
46 likes1 comment
review
CogsOfEncouragement
post image
Pickpick

Sad and creepy, yet darkly funny at times.
Perfect for October.
#TeamSlaughter #scarathlon

blurb
Cazxxx
post image

🦇 These are my top picks of must read books for spooky season. What would you add? 🦇

49 likes1 stack add
blurb
jlhammar
post image

One of my favorites (and a perfect October read, in my opinion). I love the cover art on this edition with Merricat holding Jonas. 🐈‍⬛

#OminousOctober #Cat
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love it 🖤 12mo
LeahBergen A favourite of mine, as well! 🖤 12mo
IamIamIam Love this book!!! I listened to it recently & it was spectacular!!! 12mo
Eggs Great choice! Great book! 🖤🐈‍⬛🖤 12mo
65 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
bthegood
post image

My September #2022ReadingBracket pick @chasjjlee -

Moving on to October reads now -

Make a great day everyone 🎃

review
mollyrotondo
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was my second time reading this favorite! I read the Penguin Vitae edition this time. Just an amazing story about small town communities and a major insight into the two halves of Shirley Jackson‘s own personality. Very much recommend this one!

Palimpsest ♥️♥️♥️so much love for this book 12mo
mollyrotondo @Palimpsest I will read this over and over it‘s so good! 12mo
53 likes2 comments
review
BookMaven9
post image
Mehso-so

🌟🌟 I have always loved Shirley Jackson‘s style is dark and atmospheric much like her other books. I found Merricat an interesting character study in someone who suffers from mental health from abuse. The reactions from the townsfolk who were really the true monsters here was appalling. That‘s is where the true horror lies in this reading.

However this one didn‘t drop the jaw as her other books have for me.

17 likes1 stack add
blurb
avila_ashland
post image

fav book @ my fav spot

review
bthegood
post image
Pickpick

#BookSpinBingo
#ReadSpooky2022 @teebe
Perfectly written story. There was a tension throughout the story (what will happen next) and a creepiness, not scary but creepy - Merricat and Constance and Uncle are a family that loves one another but must work around each others psychological issues (see below for the rest)

bthegood Cousin Charles is unkind and has no idea how tight their world is and his aim to break into that world for money cannot be successful due to that, the towns people (even their friends) are cold, cruel and ignorant of how to deal with women with mental health issues - I listened to this (audiobook) and it was fantastic - could not stop listening - just a very good story!! 13mo
AnnR So glad you liked the story and the audio version! This is one of the books I'm considering listening to in October. As a comparison, have you read The Haunting of House Hill? (I haven't read any books by Jackson yet.) 13mo
bthegood @Ann_Reads yes - I read Haunting of Hill House and liked it but I liked this one better - I really liked the audiobook too - I hope you enjoy it (not long about 6 hours I think). 🙂 13mo
See All 7 Comments
AnnR @bthegood Thank you for the recommendation. 🙂 13mo
bthegood @Ann_Reads I cannot respond to your posts that you tag me in until you accept my request 🙂 12mo
AnnR @bthegood Sorry about that. The requests don't show up on the web version of Litsy, which is what I usually use instead of the App. I just took my profile out of the 'private setting' as it just seems to be causing too many issues. Thanks for letting me know. 12mo
48 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
bthegood
post image
wanderinglynn Great goals! 🙌🏻 13mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 13mo
melissajayne What does BFC stand for? 13mo
See All 6 Comments
bthegood @melissajayne Books, Fitness Challenge - you make a goal each month for reading books, for fitness (like working out or eating healthy) - @wanderinglynn is the host - have a good day 🙂 13mo
23 likes6 comments
blurb
bthegood
post image

Here is my #BookSpinBingo for the month - thanks for hosting @TheAromaofBooks

I don't re-read often - some Stephen King, Harry Potter series (but one re-read of this will be enough) and occasionally a classic (one that I haven't read since high school or college - like Jane Eyre or To Kill a Mockingbird) - #littenswanttoknow Thanks for the tag @Eggs

Make a great day everyone 🙂

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Looks great!! 13mo
Eggs Welcome 🙏🏻 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 13mo
27 likes3 comments
quote
mollyrotondo
post image

#FirstLineFridays

“My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood.”

ShyBookOwl One of my all time faves!! 🖤 13mo
mollyrotondo @ShyBookOwl mine too! I‘m rereading it now for a book club and so excited! Lol 13mo
35 likes3 comments
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
post image


I have skipped letter V and for #letterW another shoutout to Shirley Jackson.

#AlphabetGame

batsy Brilliant book. 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 🙌🏻📚 13mo
54 likes2 comments
blurb
Cazxxx
post image

#alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

📕 One of my favourite books of all time, Jackson is a favourite author of mine, her books never disappoint 📕

batsy Excellent choice! 13mo
Cazxxx @batsy It‘s a good one! 13mo
jlhammar Great choice! Love this book. 13mo
See All 7 Comments
TheLudicReader Such a great book, which I only read for the first time a few months ago…even though it had been on my tbr shelf for eons. 13mo
Cazxxx @jlhammar It‘s a real favourite of mine 😊 13mo
Cazxxx @TheLudicReader I‘ve read it twice and would happily read again, it‘s so good! 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 🙌🏻📚 13mo
35 likes7 comments
review
EverydayImReading
Pickpick

My first Shirley Jackson novel and I loved her writing. Thank you for recommending it Cathy. The story and characters were so well drawn I felt I was living in the castle. Such an unusual story too. Rare to find something that surprises.

Cathythoughts Great review Sinead! Yes very unusual, I loved this one too. 👍🏻 14mo
16 likes1 comment
review
Freespirit
post image
Pickpick

Wow We Have Always Lived in the Castle is such a powerful short novel! An atmospheric Gothic thriller..with 2 young women left alone after all other members of the family are murdered..disliked by the community they live in..tragic, strange, and fascinating to read about the author who who suffered from agoraphobia and other physical and mental conditions..and died at 48!
And onto a book about the wife TS Eliot written by a great Aussie author!

Freespirit @jlhammar @LeahBergen loved it girls..brilliant!! 1y
CarolynM I might pick up Goodnight Vivienne next and read with you. Have you read his other TS Eliot books? They‘re so good. 1y
LeahBergen Great review! And I‘m so glad you liked it as much as I did. 😊 1y
See All 6 Comments
LeahBergen @CarolynM I must get to the Carroll novel you bought for me soon! 1y
Freespirit No I haven‘t Carolyn. I did see this was the last of his TSE books but was ok as a stand-alone. Love to read it with you! I‘m slow..but steady😊 @CarolynM 1y
CarolynM I read the first 3 out of order, I don't think it matters because there's no sense in which it's biography. The one I sent to @LeahBergen is the first of the quartet. 1y
48 likes6 comments
blurb
Freespirit
post image

A sunny reading spot this morning. I‘m starting this Shirley Jackson classic which has been on my reading pile for so long. Hope you are getting some reading time today🤞🏼🙂📖
#autumndayinaustralia

jlhammar Absolutely adored this book. Hope you enjoy! 1y
LeahBergen A favourite of mine! 1y
erzascarletbookgasm Hope you‘ll enjoy the book. What a lovely spot to read. 1y
See All 8 Comments
Freespirit Thank you @jlhammar @LeahBergen I will let you know my thoughts..so far 👍🏼xx 1y
Freespirit Hi @erzascarletbookgasm it‘s a lovely sunny spot on my verandah ❤️ 1y
Jeg Great spot you have there. 1y
Jeg Great spot you have there. 1y
Freespirit Thanks @Jeg it‘s perfect with a good book👍🏼 1y
56 likes8 comments
review
Ambl1966
Pickpick

A quietly disturbing book with some unsettling home made witch craft. Merricat and Constance have their own world, full of rules and regulations, that at least make sense them. Constance cooks for safety and to preserve their sensibilities. Merricat protects by leaving totems buried in the ground. Cousin Charles appears and upsets their own world as well as the apple cart, glorious.

review
IamIamIam
post image
Pickpick

I've read this spooky little walk down Unreality Lane before but listening to it is so much more satisfying! These two remind me a little of the Beales of Grey Gardens, especially towards the end. How are haunted houses created? Step into Blackwood House and find out....

Nute Whoa! That‘s a creepy looking place even in broad daylight!😱 1y
IamIamIam @Nute Lol!!! I thought about using a more accurate picture that replicated what happens to the sisters, but I thought it might be a spoiler! I love old abandoned buildings! ❤ 1y
32 likes2 comments
review
Picaveli
post image
Pickpick

🤩

review
anniebannanie
Pickpick

Those poor sisters!

AmandaBlaze There's a movie,too, that's pretty good. 2y
8 likes1 comment
review
Centique
post image
Pickpick

Listened to this on audio and loved it. Narrated by Bernadette Dunne who had the perfect voice for it IMO. I didn‘t realise it was such a short book - only 5 and 1/2 hours audio. Jackson does a great job of creating perfectly formed and peculiar characters and setting, and then ratcheting up the tension. Constance and Mary Kat are unforgettable and Constance will forever be saying “Silly Mary Kat” in my brain 💕💕 5 stars.

sarahbarnes Love this one! 2y
jlhammar Adore this book! 2y
Littlewolf1 I loved this one 2y
See All 15 Comments
readordierachel I really need to read (or listen) to this one! I like that narrator, too 2y
AmandaBlaze Loved the book, and there is also a good movie made from it! 2y
LeahBergen A favourite of mine. 👌 2y
batsy Brilliant book 🖤 2y
Megabooks I have this audiobook on hold at the library! Very excited. 2y
Centique @Megabooks oh yay! It is such a great little trip 😍 2y
Centique @batsy @LeahBergen warms our dark little gothic hearts! 💕🖤💕 2y
Centique @readordierachel I think you‘ll like it! 2y
Centique @AmandaBlaze oooh I‘ll have to go find that! 2y
Cathythoughts Great review Paula! Definitely 5 stars , I loved this too 2y
AmandaBlaze @Centique I watched it on Netflix. 2y
BiblioLitten My favourite book by Jackson 🖤 2y
82 likes1 stack add15 comments
blurb
itsjustme40something
post image

review
magyklyXdelish
post image
Pickpick

I really adored Merricat even if she was a little nuts. This was such a weird and increasingly uncomfortable read. Definitely didn‘t expect where it ended. I really enjoyed this though. Has anyone seen the Netflix movie? Is it worth seeing?

This was my #DoubleSpin

Also completed one of my goals for #joyousreadathon

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
MrsReads1
post image
Pickpick

No matter how many times I read this book I always find something new to love. 5/5 stars.

23 likes1 stack add
blurb
GidgetsTreasures75
post image

11-24-21: My 119th finished book of 2021! The sad story of the Blackwood sisters, Mary Katherine and Constance, who live with their ill uncle, Julian. The rest of their family is dead, poisoned, but by whom? The villagers despise the girls, who live a quiet life outside of town, but the sisters adore each other. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍🏼📖#️⃣1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣

review
MsRadioSilence
post image
Pickpick

I‘m not exactly sure what I read but I enjoyed it the whole time!!

Cathythoughts It‘s so good !! 2y
37 likes1 comment
blurb
MsRadioSilence
post image

For a grand total of 2100.6 points earned over the whole month of October, and I believe that‘s a new record for me!

#scarathlon #scarathlon2021 #teamhendrix

StayCurious You did so well! 2y
14 likes1 comment