Loved it! I have been a fan of Shirley Jackson’s ever since I first read “The Lottery,” in gradeschool. What a writer! This book did not disappoint. Mary Catherine Blackwood narrates the story. Her older sister Constance is the target of the town’s ire. They live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else and any little bit of news flies through all the inhabitants like wildfire, especially if it is a juicy dirty little tidbit they can hold over someone’s head. The Blackwood Family had been the richest in town and had been there for many generations. They did not associate particularly much with the townspeople, staying reclusively to themselves in their house up their private road that was gated off from wandering folks trapsing across their property. The Blackwoods were friendly enough and polite in all circumstances and dealings with the town folk they just chose to keep their own company other than going out for necessities like groceries. Especially after the “incident.” This is such a good read – I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s one of those stories you won’t want to put down. Mary Catherine tends to live in her version of the world and doesn’t particularly walk comfortably in the confines of the town. Constance is the embodiment of grace even when she is being scrutinized though MaryCat as she is called is very careful to try to protect her older sister, as Constance is a delicate lady. Through in an Uncle in the beginnings of dementia (or is it?) a gold digging rude cousin who pops up out of the blue, prying neighbors, cruel children and unkind adults swirl it all around and see what rises to the top. It is a most excellent brew. Some might say a witch’s brew. Oh read it! You must! It’s that good!
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