We Have Always Lived in the Castle

library binding, 214 pages

English language

Published 1984 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:
978-0-14-007107-8
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OCLC Number:
1088141937

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4 stars (2 reviews)

Merricat Blackwood lives on the family estate with her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian. Not long ago there were seven Blackwoods—until a fatal dose of arsenic found its way into the sugar bowl one terrible night. Acquitted of the murders, Constance has returned home, where Merricat protects her from the curiosity and hostility of the villagers. Their days pass in happy isolation until cousin Charles appears. Only Merricat can see the danger, and she must act swiftly to keep Constance from his grasp. (back cover)

33 editions

Review of 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Just consider the opening of the book:

"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."

Tell me you didn't fall in love with Mary Katherine, even a little bit? Mary Katherine is one of the cutest and most charmingly eccentric protagonists I've ever met, and carries the short book splendidly.