We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

ISBN-13: 9780141191454
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2009
158 pgs

My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live withmy 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 Plantagenent, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead. (Pg 1)

After having read Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and loving her writing style (and I loved the atmospheric setting), I knew I have to read her other books, thus this is where We Have Always Lived in the Castle comes along.

As in The Haunting of Hill House, this story is written in first person from a female point of view. From the very first opening line (please see above in italics), I knew Mary (also affectionately called as Merricat by her elder sister, Constance) would be an extraordinary heroine, and a creepy one to boot. She lives in a secluded house of a small village, together with Constance and Uncle Julian, who sits in his wheelchair all the time. All of them are outcasts, and the people in the village hated (and fear of) them due to an arsenic incident that happened years ago.

Constance spends most of the time tending the garden and cooks for the family, while Merricat will plays with her cat, Jonas, and wanders around their garden. She is the only one who would leave the house twice in a week to do the grocery, otherwise she stays in the house all the time. All seems to be peaceful until the day their cousin, Charles, step into their house and walk into their life.

I wish I could say more about the plot but like what other bookbloggers who had read this book said: it is best read without knowing too much from the beginning, as the author had a knack for building the suspense and you just could not help but to be led by her superb storytelling. Yes, her stories are creepy, but yet I find myself reading away because you just have to read more about her characters and know what happened. Speaking of characters, I think Shirley Jackson wrote the most intriguing heroines and most often it makes me wonder if there are anything peculiar about them, though at times I find myself sympathize with them too, which is such a contradicting reaction. The best part about reading them is you will find yourself questioning their motives, and wonder what had drove them apart from the others.

After reading this book, I realize I did not really care for any of the characters (well, maybe except for Uncle Julian because he is the only character I feel who has no motives, plus he is old and sick) because I do not know how I should feel towards the two sisters, and as for the others they are just simply a bunch of heartless and unsympathetic people. I wish I am able to tell more about the true feelings between the two sisters because though they are very close, sometimes the way they talk or interact made me wonder if there are more besides the close-knit sisterhood.

I loved how the story is wrapped up towards the end, and I could understand why Shirley Jackson had named this story as 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle'. I would recommend this book to you if you have not read it, but first you have to read The Haunting of Hill House because that remains my favourite Jackson's book thus far. And oh, if you have the same edition as mine (the first cover of this post), don't forget to read an Afterword by Joyce Carol Oates after reading the last page; I always find it interesting to read from another author's perspective.

Have you read this book? What do you think of it?

Other reviews:
A Book Blog. Period.
A Striped Armchair
Bending Bookshelves
Bold. Blue. Adventure.
Book-a-holic
Book Addiction
Booknotes by Lisa
books i done read
Care's Online Bookclub
Fizzy Thoughts
Jenny's Books
Nothing of Importance
Regular Ruminations
Save Ophelia
So Many Books
Stuck in a Book
The Bookling
Things Mean A Lot
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

2009 Reading Challenges Update

I am glad to say I have completed another two challenges, yay! Many thanks to MizB and Rhinoa for hosting the TBR Lite Challenge and Manga Challenge respectively! I have so much fun reading all the books for these challenges!

Reviews for TBR Lite Challenge (6/6):

• We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (coming soon!)
• The House on Tradd Street by Karen White
• The Ghost Writer by John Harwood
• Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
• Goodbye Tsugumi by Banana Yoshimoto
• Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

Reviews for the Manga Challenge:

Strobe Edge #2 & #3 by Io Sakisaka
Strobe Edge #1 by Io Sakisaka
Momoka Typhoon #1 by Fujita Kazuko
Note: I have finished reading Momoko Typhoon #2 and Strobe Edge #4 - #6 but just have not got around to reviewing them. My apologies!


And now, here are some of the challenges which I did not complete or have decided to give them up: The Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge, Buy One Book and Read It Challenge and Book Buddy Blogger Challenge.

Reviews for the Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge (2/5):

• Tangled Lies by Anne Stuart
• Her Real-Life Hero by Trish Wylie

Reviews for Buy One Book and Read It Challenge (there's no limitation of books required for this one):

• Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises
• Ash by Malinda Lo
• The Heights by Brian James
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• No One You Know by Michelle Richmond
• Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
• Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

Reviews for Book Buddy Blogger Challenge (3/5):

• Heartsick by Chelsea Cain
• The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
• Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Despite I could not complete these challenges, I still want to thank the hostesses - Yvonne, Amy and Wisteria for hosting these fun challenges!

The House on Tradd Street by Karen White

ISBN-13: 9780451225092
Publisher: New American Library
Published: November 2008
339 pgs

It's a piece of history you can hold in your hands. (pg 10)

Some people have that special 'gift' to be able to see dead people, and Melanie Middleton fits in that category although she does not really appreciate this psychic capability or the fact that she could also communicate with them, not that she could help it in any way. She is also a well known realtor in Charleston and she deals in historical properties though she hates to admit to anyone that she dislike them.

Nevertheless, she came upon an old property on Tradd Street owned by a Nevin Vanderhorst and she is more intrigued with his past than the property after she has learnt that her grandfather and Nevin's father were once good friends and business associates. Nevin could not find answers in regards to the disappearance of his mother when he was a boy and he thinks Melanie might be able to find the answers for him given her special ability.

Unfortunately, Nevin died a few days later before Melanie has the chance to learn more about him or his history. And she could not understand why he left the historic estate in her name, with a condition that she has to have lived in the house for a year before she is allowed to put it on the market. Nevin had already established a trust to ensure that money is spent on the restoration of the house and Melanie is able to draw an amount for living expenses as long as she live in the house. So Melanie moved into the house, along with a housekeeper and a dog she has also came to inherit. But strange things start to happen and Melanie could sense she is not alone in the house.

Author Jack Trenholm has a passion for research and writing true history's mysteries books and he is adamant about making his next book works considering the last one was a flop. He is interested in Melanie's estate as he believes some diamonds that went missing from the Confederate treasury century ago are hidden in her property. Though Melanie does not like the idea of having a stranger walking into her property (not to mention into her life as well), everything about him intrigues her and the next thing she knew, they are working together in restoring the property as well as unravelling the secrets of the Vanderhorst family.

However, someone knew about the missing diamonds too and so it seems Melanie has to be constantly on guard against any threat not only from the supernatural but from that person as well.

Reading The House on Tradd Street was a delightful treat to me because there are supernatural, mystery and a bit of romance in this story, and they happen to be my favourite genres. Aside from this, I loved Melanie's attitude towards her work and her determination in solving the mysteries despite the danger she sometimes put herself in. While her ability to communicate with the dead fascinated me, I do not wish to have this 'gift' because it is creepy and definitely not fun seeing dead people all the time.

Nevin is an interesting character and I was most intrigued with his relationship with his mother. Apparently there are reasons why his mother abandoned him and like Melanie and Jack, I got sucked into the Vanderhorst mystery and find myself flipping through the pages quickly as I was eager to get to the end so I would know what happened and why.

And alas, I should mention Jack because he is such a witty and a charming person. I liked 'watching' how the sparks fly between him and Melanie, considering their acquaintance did not start off well in the beginning and Melanie seems to be a strong-minded and independent woman who thinks she could do well without another man in her life, after all she has some issue with her father after her mother had walked out of their life and she felt he could have done better instead of drinking most of the time. It is good to see him making the efforts to mend his ways and trying to reconcile with his daughter.

I wish I could say more about this wonderful story but my post is getting longer and plus, I would rather you read it yourself. Anyway I have the next book, The Girl on Legare Street, on my reading list and I am thrilled to see Melanie and Jack are back with another new adventure. I wonder what they have in store for us readers. I cannot wait.

Other reviews:

Bibliophile By the Sea

Cafe of Dreams

Devourer of Books

Diary of an Eccentric

Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Peeking Between the Pages

S. Krishna's Books

Savvy Verse & Wit

Stacy's Books

The Book Czar

The Tomb Traveller's Weblog

The Movieholic & Bibliophile's Blog

(Let me know if I missed yours.)

The Ghost Writer by John Harwood

ISBN-13: 9780156032322
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Published: June 2005
369 pgs




How could I turn down this book with a title like that? I am a sucker for gothic tales and ghost stories so when I first read about this book from Wendy of Musings of a Bookish Kitty, I knew I just have to have it!

Like any other boys his age, thirteen-year-old Gerard Freeman is always curious about things in general. So when he stumbled upon a photograph of a woman in his mother's locked drawer one day, he knew he would not let his questions go unanswered till he got to the bottom of it. His mother used to share with him some stories about her childhood days in Springfield, England, but after she had caught him rummaging through her drawers she never shared those tales with him anymore. Suddenly, it seems like there is a gap between them and Gerard could never understand what is in his mother's mind and it does not get any better even he has reached adulthood. However, he could not help thinking about the woman in the photograph.

One of the things that made him happy and his mind occupied is his friendship with Alice Jessel, a penpal he corresponded through emails when he was thirteen. Gerard confides most of the things with her and it is no surprise that they fell in love with each other as the time passes by.

Without Alice's letters, life at home would have been intolerable, but without Alice I wouldn't have been living there. (Pg 63)

Gerard wishes to meet her in person but Alice declines whenever he bring up the issue, stating reasons that she is bound to a wheelchair and any other inconveniences such as hospital trips and so forth. He also share with Alice about the manuscripts written by his great grandmother Viola Hatherley he found in his mother's dresser, and this made him wonder about Viola and his mother's past but Phyllis refused to delve into it, and she seems uneasy whenever Gerard asks about her past or Viola. But Gerard did not put a stop there, he decided to dig more as he find more ghost stories from Viola , for he is both intrigued by her and her stories as well. And this begins his journey to England where he hopes to seek some answers and to meet Alice along the way. Gerard soon discover an eerily connection between Viola's manuscript, a diary and a mystery of his family history and this leads him (as well as yours truly) wondering if fantasy has got into its way with reality or vice versa.

The Ghost Writer is a remarkable horror novel (or should I say thriller? I couldn't seem to differentiate these two in The Ghost Writer because it read as a horror and a thriller to me) about family secrets, obsession and revenge. I especially loved the ghost stories Viola written in between the story, they are all so creepy and I felt they deserve a full novel of its own. I loved John Harwood's prose besides the characterization and that it is a plot-driven story; and personally I feel this book leans more towards the literary due to his writing style. I wish I could elaborate more on the characters but I fear I might spoil the story without realizing so myself. This is one of those books which you will have to read it and it will make you stay till the night to finish the last few chapters (which I did!). And this goes without saying that this book will be one of my favourite reads this year. I cannot wait to read his next novel, The Seance.

Note: Have you read The Ghost Writer? What do you think of the ending? Drop me an email so we can discuss more about it without spoiling the story here.

Other reviews:
A Striped Armchair
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
S. Krishna's Books
So Many Books
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

---

I always enjoy reading Wendy's (Musings of a Bookish Kitty) "A Page in the Life of..." posts whereby she will feature fellow booklovers' blogs and ask some questions about life in general as well as books and reading. This is a great way of getting to know more about other bookbloggers and so when Wendy asked for some volunteers to do a guest post for her during her absence, I emailed her and told her I would be glad to be the interviewee for this feature. (Please click here if you wish to read her interview with me.)

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

ISBN-10: 0451456718
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 1998
Black Jewels, #1
412 pgs

She has come. (Pg 39)

Seven hundred years ago, a Black Widow witch by the name of Tersa wove a tangled web to see the dreams and visions. What she saw both shocked and terrified her, for she forseen a new witch would have the power of controlling the Realms, where the land of the living coexists with the land of the demon dead. Now the Realms are ruled by the Blood whereby each individual is ranked accordingly to the colours of their Jewels (for example, a Black Jewel is the most powerful and highest rank among the Jewels, and Opal is the dividing line between other lighter and darker Jewels. However, when one makes the Offering to the Darkness, that person could descend a maximum of three ranks from his/her Birthright Jewel).

Jaenelle, the witch-child with sapphire-eyes is what Tersa had foreseen in her vision. At age twelve, she already possessed some unique powers but still there is a sense of naivety in her. On the other side of the Realm, three men (Saetan, the High Lord of Hell and his two estranged sons, Lucivar and Daemon; both are Warlord Prince and wore Ebon-gray Jewels, the second powerful Jewels in the hierarchy) knew of the powerful witch that will descend to the universe soon but have no idea she is still a child. Afraid that Jaenelle might fall into the wrong hands, Saetan acts as her mentor and taught her some crafts, but Jaenelle has the ability to do some amazing stuff through her power though Saetan has no idea why a simple craft stumped her.

As for Lucivar and Daemon, they are one of the most interesting characters I came across in this story, besides Jaenelle that is. Though they are warlord princes, they are by no means powerful as they deem more of a sexual slaves to the Black Widow queens and priestesses as these witches rule some of the territories in the world of the living. Daemon has endured the suffering and humiliation for centuries, but what kept him sane is his dream of serving the Witch and to be her soulmate one day. Though there is nothing wrong with his intention, I find his attraction to Jaenelle a little disturbing considering she is a child, but yet I also find there is tenderness between them and that is the beauty of it. I see Anne Bishop has taken great care on writing their relationship so beautifully. You can tell there is great chemistry between them through their conversations; and some of the things Jaenelle said made me smile. She is such a bright and intelligent girl, and despite being a child she could be so wise and courageous on most occasions. This is one reason why I was fascinated by her. I cannot imagine what she would turn out to be if she has fully grown up but I know she would be someone very, very powerful aside from the abilities she possessed.

I wish I could go on and on about this installment but oh there is so many things to say that I do not know where to start. I am most fascinated by the characters (though it takes a while to memorise all of them and some of the names are so interesting!), and I like the naivety in Jaenelle because this is what makes her so real and intriguing. As for the plot, let's just say the story keeps getting better the more you read it but I have to warn you that there are some issues on abuse, violence and sexuality but they are all significant attributes to the story so it does not bother me much.

And oh, how could I miss the exchanges between Saetan and Jaenelle? Some of them cracked me up due to Jaenelle's naivete about the things around her and Saetan's attempts to answer her simple yet bold questions. And mentioning of Saetan reminds me of his estranged relationship between Lucivar and Daemon. The father and sons definitely have some issues going on but I liked how their relationships has changed gradually due to Jaenelle. Can you tell there is a lot of things going on in this book?

Daughter of the Blood is one of the best fantasy I have read. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the sequels in the near future.

Other reviews:
Errant Dreams Reviews
Hypatia's Hoard of Reviews
Novel Reflections
Saving My Sanity
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

Goodbye Tsugumi by Banana Yoshimoto

ISBN-13: 9780802139917
Publisher: Grove Press
Published: 2002
186 pgs
(Translated from the Japanese by Michael Emmerich)



If you read my last Teaser Tuesday post, you might have remember I had posted two sentences about a girl being wilful and sneaky. She is none other than Tsugumi, the cousin of the narrator, Maria in this story.

Maria Shirakawa is raised from a single family; her mother is never married as she is mistress to Maria's father. Despite the circumstances, Maria is actually a thoughtful and matured young lady. She has grown up at the seaside with her cousin, Tsugumi Yamamoto, whose parents owned a small inn and both Maria and her mother live with them.

Since young, Tsugumi developed an unnamed illness and this has caused her to be mean and getting away from whatever things she has done. Fearing for her illness, her parents gave in to her wilfulness but it is only Maria that is able to see through and tolerate her behaviour. Though sometimes Maria is resentful of Tsugumi, there are times that she actually admires her younger cousin's outrageous attitude and staying true to herself.

Thereafter, Maria's mother reunited with Maria's father and they have to leave the inn and move to Tokyo. Maria attended a university there and it is only through her visit to the Yamamoto Inn during summer before its closure that begins this bittersweet, nostalgic story between the two cousins and how everything that happened has somewhat changed Maria's view on Tsugumi and life in general.

Goodbye Tsugumi is one excellent story about bonding and friendship between two teenaged girls. Once again, I find myself being swept away by Yoshimoto's prose because her writing is simply lyrical and beautiful. Her stories always ignite a feeling in me, be it happy or sad and this will often lead me pondering about the issues she had put into her books. In this case, it made me think about one's inner strength (Tsugumi's strong attitude despite her sickness) and the old saying about how one never judge a person by his looks.

Goodbye Tsugumi is more than saying goodbyes as the title suggests, it is also about finding love and seeing through the changes in one's life. If you are looking for a well written character-oriented story, this book is for you.


Other blogs reviews:
Biblio File
Katrina's Reads
Ready When You Are
Things Mean A Lot
(Let me know if I have missed yours.)

Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

ISBN-13: 9780765319111
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: September 2007
176 pgs

The year is 1963 in a small Midwestern town setting. Everyone in that town knew about the October Boy (otherwise known as Ol' Hacksaw Face, or Sawtooth Jack). Every year towards Halloween, he will rise from the cornfields and make his way towards town with his tattered jacket full of candies.

The boys in town are ready for this because they have been going through this ritual for years. It goes like this: each year the boys will be locked in their rooms and left without food for five days before their hunt for the October Boy begins so as to escalate their hunting frenzy. These boys will be on the "Run" and whoever win gets to find and kill the October Boy. If he succeeded in killing him, his family will entitle to some fame and he will be given a ride out of town - it is the only way of leaving the small, sleepy unambitious town.

How this ritual comes about will be explained in the story, but I am not going to spoil it for you. So every Halloween, the October Boy will resurrect and with a butcher knife in hand, he will make his way to town and towards the church before a boy gets him. That is the rule and this is how it always played.

However, things will be different this year as Pete McCormick is going to figure out this 'ritual' and its secret it seems the town is keeping all these years. Moreover, he is sick of his alcoholic father and their life. And he is prepared to risk everything for this run, but what most shocking is he will discover the secret of the October Boy and nothing is what it seems it is.

Dark Harvest is the winner of the Bram Stoker Award in 2006 and also listed as Publishers Weekly’s 100 Best Books of 2006. I have to say these honours are well-deserved as Dark Harvest is one of the most extraordinary horror stories I have ever read. The Halloween theme may sound old to some, but the bonus is the author delivered it with a different premise with a twist as one would have to figure out who is the real evil behind this story. The writing is beautiful with a lyrical and poetic prose to it; I know this may sound a little strange but I think it works very well through Norman Partridge's skillful writing. One would also think of the humanity issue on top of all the dark elements, which I think entitles another point for this well-written horror tale. The only down side is I wish this story is a bit longer.

I am glad I picked up this book right after reading Carl's lovely review some time back. What's more, it is hard to turn down a book like this with that attractive, eye-catching cover.

Other blog review:
Stainless Steel Droppings
(Let me know if I have missed yours.)