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Jackson's characters here, as usual, are different from other people -- and I mean that in a not-good way. More than misfits, they are morbidly abnormal. Here, the dark interior world of two secluded sisters unwinds like a journey down a labyrinthine maze. Needless to say, no one ever leaves the maze.... it's all very unsettling and neurotic, in the best Shirley Jackson tradition.
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She is an amazing writer. It's the perfect little scary story.
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My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead.
That's an openin ...more
It was a bit too old-fashioned for me although it was well-written by the beloved Shirley Jackson. The characters, were eccentric and lovable. I finished it bc it is a short thriller, but I almost stopped a few times and questioned whether I should finish it. I listened to it on audio and the narrator's voice made it even more old-fashioned. If you want to create your own time period, read it instead. If you like to step away in time, you can choose either audio or book.
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Although the twist was not so twisty for me, I enjoyed this one, and the anticipation of the twist finally being acknowledge. Merricat is a fantastic narrator: opinionated, sympathetic, whimsical, and deeply terrifying. Constance and Julian are strange people, but also so familiar, reflections of some of our deepest fears writ on the page (Constance and her fear of others; Julian and his obsessive loss of memory). And Charles, oh Cousin Charles, what an ultimate prick; how much you wish that he
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Aug 26, 2018
Astrid Lim
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
literature,
thriller-mystery,
classic,
dysfunctional-family,
gothic,
america,
twist,
psychology,
novella
A modern classic from one of the most distinguished American writers. This book reminds me a bit of some Agatha Christie stories, especially Crooked House. The main character and narrator, Mary Katherine (aka Mericat), is very unreliable that you really want to strangle her sometimes LOL. But couldn't help to sympathize with her as well.
The twist could be told since the earlier part of the book, but still, the way it's unfolding (very very vaguely), will shock you until the book ends- and stays ...more
The twist could be told since the earlier part of the book, but still, the way it's unfolding (very very vaguely), will shock you until the book ends- and stays ...more
A great, twisted tale. The narrator, Mary Katherine, aka Merricat, is one awesome character study!
This was super-weird and not exactly a pleasant reading experience, though the merit of the writing is undeniable.
Two sisters live together with their slightly demented uncle in a big house. The rest of their family is gone - murdered quite a number of years ago (six, if I remember correctly). The older sister, Constance, the cook in the family, had been accused of the crime, but was later acquitted. The story is told in the voice of the younger sister, 'Merricat' (Mary Katherine), who clearly h ...more
Two sisters live together with their slightly demented uncle in a big house. The rest of their family is gone - murdered quite a number of years ago (six, if I remember correctly). The older sister, Constance, the cook in the family, had been accused of the crime, but was later acquitted. The story is told in the voice of the younger sister, 'Merricat' (Mary Katherine), who clearly h ...more
Jul 13, 2010
Katy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-that-will-add-to-my-paranoia
This book seemed like nothing compared to the blood-soaked forensic mysteries I like to read. However, after finishing it I laid down for a little nap and woke up in a blind panic when a fire truck went past my house (a common thing, I live down the block from the fire station). It took 2 minutes to get my heart rate back to normal - I thought I was gonna die! And it was related to this book...
Jun 14, 2009
Isabel
marked it as to-read
May 28, 2011
Ching-In
marked it as to-read
Oct 02, 2013
Grace
marked it as to-read
Jun 18, 2018
Annika
marked it as to-read
Oct 12, 2018
Lisa Rosen
marked it as to-read
Dec 31, 2019
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Apr 25, 2020
Jen
marked it as to-read
Dec 12, 2020
superawesomekt
marked it as bibliocurious
Oct 02, 2021
Jillian
marked it as to-read
Nov 17, 2021
Sivan
marked it as to-read-non-classics
