We Have Always Lived in the Castle Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

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Summary

We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson's 1962 novel, is full of a macabre and sinister humor, and Merricat herself, its amiable narrator, is one of the great unhinged heroines of literature. Merricat has developed an idiosyncratic system of rules and protective magic, burying talismanic objects beneath the family estate, nailing them to trees, and ritualistically revisiting them. She has created a protective web to guard against the distrust and hostility of neighboring villagers. Or so she believes. But at last the magic fails. A stranger arrives—cousin Charles, with his eye on the Blackwood fortune. He disturbs the sisters' careful habits, installing himself at the head of the family table, unearthing Merricat's treasures, talking privately to Constance about "normal lives" and "boy friends." Unable to drive him away by either polite or occult means, Merricat adopts more desperate methods. The result is crisis and tragedy, the revelation of a terrible secret, the convergence of the villagers upon the house, and a spectacular unleashing of collective spite.

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Jamaal D.
•September 14, 2023 at 6:20 pm
This audiobook, "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," tells the story of two sisters and their uncle who are left as the sole survivors after their family is intentionally poisoned. The lack of evidence prevents any legal action, and their uncle, who was also affected, now uses a wheelchair. Despite the absence of a conviction, the local residents continuously harass the sisters, causing them to avoid going into town unless absolutely necessary. Both sisters exhibit peculiar behavior - the older one appears overly kind and saccharine, while the younger sister resembles a wild animal with strange actions and unconventional rituals. They reside in a secluded home outside of town for several years until a distant cousin, who has ulterior motives, comes to live with them, hoping to exploit the family's estate. The already strange occurrences take an even more twisted turn when this cunning cousin attempts to take control of all decisions and actions. As the story unfolds, a tragedy strikes, not entirely by accident, which plunges the sisters into an even more deranged and isolated existence. Apart from their agoraphobia, the sisters display other peculiarities that make it difficult to determine whether they are psychopaths or sociopaths. Shirley Jackson masterfully weaves a chilling tale, without relying on graphic violence or jump scares, but instead creating a sense of unease and the uncanny. This audiobook is a perfect choice for Halloween, providing a dose of weirdness that will keep listeners engaged throughout.
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Carrol D.
•September 9, 2023 at 6:48 am
I initially checked out the reviews and thought this audiobook would be intriguing, but I was mistaken. Contrary to my expectations, it isn't a ghost story. The main plot revolves around the murder of the Blackwood family, with only two sisters and their unwell uncle surviving the ordeal. They face constant mistreatment from the villagers, have limited friends, and their relative manipulates their lives in a terrible manner. From beginning to end, I found it to be extremely unsettling. Furthermore, I felt that it was somewhat predictable. Although you eventually discover the identity of the murderer, there is no sense of justice or resolution. Overall, it's a decent story, but not exceptional. On the other hand, Bernadette Dunne does an incredible job voicing the characters and capturing their emotions. Hats off to her! She certainly deserves five stars for her performance. While I wouldn't revisit it, it could be a valuable read for psychology students.
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Oralia Pichette
•September 8, 2023 at 7:51 am
I decided to revisit this book again, having read the printed version when I was younger. All I could recall was that I adored it. And let me tell you, what an incredible story it is. Bernadette Dunne's youthful voice was the perfect fit for narrating as Mary Kat, the sociopathic girl who lies at the core of this narrative. What caught me off guard this time around was the suspense. The gradual revelation of what had transpired, and how Shirley Jackson constantly surprised me by taking unexpected turns that still managed to thrill me. The brilliance lies in Jackson's ability to manipulate your emotions. The protagonist is an unreliable narrator and a truly unsettling individual, and yet I found myself sympathizing with her. I'm rooting for her. Absolutely fantastic!
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