Krista Reviews: Shirley Jackson—"We Have Always Lived in the Castle"

‘Merricat’, said Connie,’ would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Oh no’, said Merricat, ‘you’ll poison me’. ‘Merricat’, said Connie, ‘would you like to go to sleep? Down in the bone yard ten feet deep!‘

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is the haunting story of Mary Katherine Blackwood, her Uncle Julian who is on the cusp of death, and her sister Constance, who cares for them and the house. They are the only people left residing in the old Blackwood home. Merricat, as she is called, is not allowed to do the dishes or the cooking; but, she is the only one who is sent into town to get the groceries. And this is where the story begins.

We see a solemn Merricat, dreading her trip into town for food and necessities. All the while, she is wishing them all dead and mentally picturing awful things happening to the people in the town as she passes them by. She plans the least conspicuous way of completing her shopping and getting back home in peace. As many times in the past, however, she is harassed by the men with badgering questions, and stared at and whispered about by the women. On her way home, kids follow her, chanting “Merricat’, said Connie, ‘would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Oh no’, said Merricat, ‘you’ll poison me’. ‘Merricat,’ said Connie, ‘would you like to go to sleep? Down by the bone yard ten feet deep!”. Merricat does make it home in one piece, and is met by Constance at the edge of the garden (as she will go no further).

The story continues with its melancholy theme and we hear, through the ramblings of old Uncle Julian, the story of how they came to be so lonely, living quietly and contentedly with no company. Uncle Julian reminisces about the house which was once full of people,until four of them were tragically poisoned by arsenic in the sugar bowl. Uncle Julian was the only one of the four who survived. Constance had been put on trial but was acquitted of the crimes. But the deaths never seem to be able to escape those left.

The story eventually takes off when cousin Charles shows up on their doorstep, causing strife in their otherwise content and sombre house. This starts a domino effect of events that, once experienced, the family can never fully recover from.

Shirley Jackson is a master storyteller. Her writing can draw you in completely. This story is full of superstitions, paranoia, and anxiety, portrayed through Merricat. You cannot disagree with the fact that this is truly one of the classics–a fantastic mix of gothic and horror that most of us love. And at less that 150 pages, it is a fast and fascinating read.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle — Shirley Jackson

Published 09/11/2009, by Penguin Books

Paperback, 158 pages

ISBN 13: 9780141191454

ISBN 10: 0141191457