August 2017 Group Read - We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson

[SherryRose]

Tom wrote: "Sherry wrote: " I was hoping for a scary book when I checked it out of the library a few years ago. Okay, MerriKat is scary but not supernaturally so. ."

Having read [book:The Haunting of Hill Hou..."

I thought there was more psychology than supernatural in both stories. In fact, to me they're all psychology.

[Franky]

I liked the quote in the intro "supernatural without being supernatural." An apt way to describe this read, at least for me.

However, if I read again, I might not see it that way, and certainly it did have so much psychological aspects to the point of view, family issues, conflict with the villagers, etc. So, yeah, totally see that angle of the plot too.

[Patricia]

Just finished the story. Quite fantastical. I think it will take awhile to process but I am really impressed with the writing. I really appreciate everyone's comments here. You keep me thinking along lines that I might not come up with on my own. I do think that Merricat was a sociopath and acted out for Constance. They acted in concert with each other and as some have said before, they were mirrors of each other.
The mob scene was quite frightening and I believe once people woke up from the mob mind they were horrified by the way they acted and so provided the food as a way to relieve their quilt.
Loved the book.

[Michelle]

We Have Always Lived in the Castle
I have been reading all of the comments previous. I'm new to this group; I started reading from this group with Black Water Lilies and The Devotion of Suspect X, and I've been hooked ever since.
I LOVED this book, and not because it was a feel-good book...or because of the strength of the characters. The author brought me totally into the story, but little by little, just like you meet someone in real life. At first, I was intrigued with MerryCat, without even understanding the backstory...I just wanted to read more. The more I read, the more I couldn't put it down. Without the author having to go that far, I pictured these two old women living in the house far into the future, and how the children of the town would make it into a urban legend...since no one would ever see them. This was my first introduction to this author, and now I'm seeking more stories by her. Thanks to whoever recommended this one!

[Eva]

Readingslump! I haven't even started it yet.... it's just sitting there, beside my bed, calling my name. I'm still ignoring it :p :o

[Bill]

Michelle wrote: "We Have Always Lived in the Castle
I have been reading all of the comments previous. I'm new to this group; I started reading from this group with Black Water Lilies and The Devotion o..."

You might like The Bird's Nest, a fascinating book...

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Hi all. I just joined this group. This book is one of my favorites. I've read it twice. I could read it every year I think. I'm gonna look around at the comments. I just skimmed a few before I decided to post my comment. Looks like a fun buddy read.

[SherryRose]

Hello and welcome Enchantress debbicat!

[Tom]

Enchantress debbicat ☮ wrote: "Hi all. I just joined this group. This book is one of my favorites. I've read it twice. I could read it every year I think. I'm gonna look around at the comments. I just skimmed a few before I deci..."

We're glad you could join us. I'd love to hear why this belongs on your favorites list.

[Dan]

Love this book, and I've really enjoyed the commentary here.

Jackson is a brilliant writer, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle is packed with beautiful phrasing and characters whose depths are glimpsed but never laid out in a way that is preachy or over-simplified.

So glad this was an August selection!

[Eva]

Started it 2 days ago. Loving it so far! I love the writing and the characters!

[Franky]

So, I heard that there was going to be a film adaptation. Here's the IMDB page:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5952138/

Just wondering, do you think this is a book that can't be successfully captured as a film? (in it's true spirit). I'm not so certain.

Anyhow, I see it says releasing this year, but not sure if it is stalled in production. It would be interesting to see how the actors and actresses play the characters.

[Tom]

Good question, Franky. I'm not going to say that it can't be made into a good movie but it would require a talented production team. I also think that the best movie production sometimes means not adhering too strictly to the events in the book. To be true to this book is more a matter of capturing the mood than the action.

[Michael]

I agree with Tom. I'm very curious about the film, but so much of the book is about mood and tone--and the off-kilter lens through which we see everything--that it would take a special filmmaker to pull it off.

[Tom]

Michael wrote: "I agree with Tom. I'm very curious about the film, but so much of the book is about mood and tone--and the off-kilter lens through which we see everything--that it would take a special filmmaker to..."

Well said.

[Bill]

I can see this working as a movie. Most of the back story gets told in dialogue, and early scenes such as the confrontation at Stella's could be used to set up the hostility between sisters and town folk. Those things would be very transferable, but I tend to think a movie would require voiceovers by Merricat to explain certain elements (her ward system, her resentment of neighbors who keep insisting on dropping by, her immediate dislike of cousin Charles, etc.). I can see that working with the right actress, but it's going to be a delicate dance to keep from getting too heavy handed. I suspect it's very easy for screen writers to fall into the trap of letting voiceovers go from being necessary explanation to lazy shortcut.

[Franky]

Great points about a possible adaptation with some flexibility, and needing the appropriate mood and the right tone. I think if you followed this literally it would be hard to achieve, as there is so much open for interpretation.

Not sure if or when it will be released, but it is an interesting idea.

[Eva]

Finished! Interesting :) Definitely not what I expected.

But turning it into a movie... they'd better pick a fantastic and mysterious looking lady for the part of Merricat. And I think Constance isn't that easy to cast either. I see her as a bit of a classic looking woman but with a mild psycho-stare in her eyes... :p

[Tom]

Eva wrote: "a classic looking woman but with a mild psycho-stare in her eyes... :p"

A girl with faraway eyes?

[Suki]

I read this book for the first time about 8 months ago, and loved it. The first time I read it, I was in constant dread that (view spoiler)[ someone from the town was going to do something terrible to Jonas. I am glad they didn't, because he is my favorite character in the story. (hide spoiler)] I was so happy to reread it with this group.

I found the depiction of the townspeople to be very accurate. I grew up in a small town in the 1960s/70s. When I started school I could not speak or understand English, and people were horrible to me and my family. I would never give up city life to move back to a small town.

I liked both the Merricat and Constance characters. I felt quite sympathetic towards Merricat-- (view spoiler)[ she was definitely mentally ill, but I think her family's treatment of her drove her over the edge into murder. I think that maybe Constance felt guilty for not standing up for Merricat against her family, and she took the blame for the murders because she knew how fragile Merricat was. Constance is the quiet, careful sister, but I think that she is actually the strong one. I also believe, as someone mentioned in a previous comment, that both sisters had agoraphobia to some degree. (I am agoraphobic, and I found it very comforting when Merricat closed the shutters over the front windows and blocked out the world.) I think both sisters were psychologically damaged by their family, and their weaknesses and strengths complement one another. They need each other. (hide spoiler)]

Cousin Charles was evil. I hated the way he treated Uncle Julian and Merricat, and tried to separate Constance from them. (view spoiler)[ I am so glad he never got the chance to marry Constance and send Uncle Julian and Merricat away. I think her life with him would have been hell. (hide spoiler)]

[Michael]

Interesting comment, Suki. I had the same experience of not speaking English when I was a kid even though I grew up in the States. Jackson's depiction of the townspeople really resonated with me because of that.