We Have Always Lived in the Castle

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is a novel by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1962. The story is narrated by Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood, an 18-year-old girl who lives with her sister Constance and their uncle Julian in a secluded mansion on the outskirts of a small town. The Blackwoods are shunned by the townspeople following the mysterious poisoning deaths of the rest of their family six years earlier, for which Constance was accused but acquitted. The novel follows the sisters' daily lives, routines, and interactions with their hostile and suspicious neighbors, as well as Merricat's magical thinking and rituals aimed at protecting their fragile existence. The book explores themes of isolation, persecution, guilt, and the power of superstition and tradition. Jackson's masterful writing creates a haunting and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps the reader hooked until the shocking and satisfying conclusion.