Don’t just read We Have Always Lived in the Castle…Experience it. 

I picked up We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson after browsing must read YA horror titles. Her name stood out to me because a few years ago I had watched The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix. I enjoyed the show, unaware that it was based on a book by Jackson. Since a copy of that particular story was unavailable, I decided to pick something else written by Jackson to read. 

Here goes: All Merricat wants to is to live her days in peace without ridicule from the people of her town. But that’s no easy task when her sister was accused of murdering the majority of her family. Even when she was found innocent, people treated her, and Merricat by extension, as if they were both guilty. So when a distant cousin arrives threatening the routines the survivors have managed to create, Merricat isn’t grateful for the intrusion. Which means she must decide what she’s willing to do to keep control of her world, and the town will have to decide if they are willing to put up with her choice. 

Reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle often had me contemplating some of the other characters who distanced themselves from the world: Miss Havisham, Boo Radley, Sheila Jackson, Edward Fairfax Rochester. Each of them had different reasons for becoming a recluse. Great Expectations’ Havisham, brokenhearted from being left at the alter, lives in her mansion trying to make someone else experience heartbreak to appease her sorrow. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Radley is rumored to have been a troublemaker as a teenager and is said to have been kept inside as punishment, which eventually led to long term seclusion. Sheila Jackson may be the least recognizable name on the list, but she is no doubt entertaining. She’s also the only character I included that is from a television show instead of a book. However, in Shameless she is so wildly entertaining, I had to include her. Joan Cusack does a remarkable job of playing the woman pulled into the Gallagher’s shenanigans despite being secluded in her home as a result of agoraphobia. Of course this list wouldn’t be complete without my favorite hermit, Rochester. In Jane Eyre, he’s unable to live a public life because of the guilt he feels over his past choices. I have so many thoughts about these choices, and a few other similarities between Rochester’s fate and Merricat’s. However, I won’t take the time to explain them, because I detest spoilers. I would sooner be vague than ruin the journey that awaits you in these books and shows. Ultimately, on thing became clear: recluses make dynamic characters for a variety of reasons, and Merricat is no exception. 

There you have it. Do yourself a favor and read We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Maybe reflect on other recluses you know from books, movies, or television and see how they compare to Merricat. If you have a particular insight, I’d love to hear what you’ve discovered in the comments section! 

If you haven’t already read the We Have Always Lived in the Castle what are you waiting for? If you already have, why not pick it up again? Either way, take my advice when you do—don’t just read it, experience it! 

Want information about purchasing this book from Neighborhood Reads, a local Washington, MO book store? Click the book cover above!