Kat reviewed We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Creepy, dated take on mental illness and fading old-money families
4 stars
Content warning Spoilers ahead!
Written in 1962, We Have Always Lived in the Castle tells the story of sisters Constance and Mary Katherine after the most horrific event has already happened - the poisoning of their entire family. Narrator Mary K (or Merricat) is 18 and naïve and spends her time setting and tweaking her own version of magic - at once childlike and dangerous. Constance gardens, cooks and preserves with skill. A few things become apparent. The family (past and present) are defined by selfishness and superiority that has caused them to rot. Merricat is unaccountable to her actions, and Constance's life is dedicated to both keeping Merricat safe and fed, and placating her, to the point where Constance is entirely in service and Merricat is in control. When their cousin Charles arrives out of the blue, the balance of power is upset - Charles starts dictating terms and Constance is both too passive to do anything, and starts to see an opportunity to live her own life. Merricat, however, would rather burn everything down than accept life with Charles in charge. In some ways, WHALITC becomes an origin story for the creepy house at the edge of town. It's hard to see The Addams Family being made without books like this setting the scene. It's an account of when old money fails to stay in the present and turns in on itself. It's also a dated perspective which asks and expects us to fear the mentally ill. It's interesting, and I recommend it, but I'm also glad that we have moved on from this type of horror fiction.
