Reviews tagging 'Child death'

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

44 reviews

vanyas's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Child death

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

In traditional Gothic horror fashion, this story by Jackson makes just enough sense to keep you engaged. The characters are just this side of realistic. The story is believable, yet horrifying. The fact that they continuously discuss the day that the entire family was murdered via arsenic poisoning (by one of the sisters discussing it) is morbid and disturbing. And yet, I found myself in full adoration of the sisters in this story. I loved how well they took care of one another. I also found the story to be full of humor. I liked "The Lottery" better, but I really enjoyed the macabre this story has to offer. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Death, Dementia, Murder, Ableism, Child death, Misogyny, Bullying, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Child abuse

bambicat234's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent, Dementia, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Child death, Classism, and Confinement

toastrats's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Murder, Death, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Confinement, Child death, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, Classism, and Emotional abuse

arayo's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder

Minor: Mental illness

aandromeda's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent

thatchickengirl23's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Bullying, Chronic illness, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Dementia, and Mental illness

Moderate: Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent

fiz23_'s review

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Child death

Moderate: Classism, Dementia, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Confinement, Deadnaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Violence

meliemelo's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I am fascinated by how masterfully Shirley Jackson manages to create such an eery atmosphere, making you feel so much when so little happens. Merricat is a mesmerising heroine and I was equally intrigued by Constance and Uncle Julian. I found the last few chapters harrowing, more so than I had anticipated, mainly because of how deeply invested I was in Merricat and her feelings.

On a side note, I wasn't too keen on the analysis provided at the end of my edition, but it did not make me like the story any less. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Bullying, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Murder, Dementia, Confinement, and Violence

maresuju's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Dementia, Bullying, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder

Minor: Child death