First published 1953
Shirley Jackson, the celebrated author of chilling fiction, trades in her usual darkness for a lighter touch in this witty domestic memoir. Navigating the daily trials of raising rambunctious children, wrangling a stubborn furnace, and contending with unreliable household help, Jackson's wry observations expose the absurdities and joys of small-town living. Through it all, her patient, loving husband provides a steadying presence, even as their family endures one uproarious adventure after another. Brimming with Jackson's signature humor and keen eye for character, this delightful memoir offers a refreshing counterpoint to her more unsettling literary work.
Genres: domestic-fiction, family-life, humor, 20th-century, autobiography, memoir, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, whimsical
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Vermont
Period: 20th century
240 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books