Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

81 reviews

maddalenacesco's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

hardcore goth girl goes through a phase when she meets her cousin. (not in an alabama way)(it's not a phase)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Bullying, Death of parent, Murder, and Mental illness

yolanda_h's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Death of parent

Moderate: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury

kyrstin_p1989's review

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. 

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Content Warnings

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

takarakei's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

I'm not much of a classics or horror reader (even tho it wasn't scary horror imo), so this wasn't really for me. But I think I can definitely see the influences of this book into modern horror media.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent and Mental illness

Minor: Child abuse

jficele's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is stuck in my head, replaying scenes over and over trying to find meanings to them.  The symbolism and character development also has kept me thinking.  Exactly what I look for in a book.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Dementia, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Confinement, Death, Toxic friendship, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

bambicat234's review

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

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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

lambclown's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Confinement, and Death

Moderate: Mental illness

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

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Content Warnings

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

Minor: Mental illness

vilmuska's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Dementia, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, and Murder

Minor: Injury/Injury detail

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

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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