Life Among the Savages

by Shirley Jackson
Life Among the Savages cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Comedy/Humor
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 8940
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780241387818
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2019-08-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Life Among the Savages is a darkly funny account of family life by the renowned author of The Haunting of Hill House and The Lottery. Shirley Jackson, known for her macabre tales, turns her sharp wit to the everyday chaos of raising children in a ramshackle house in Vermont. The book deals with rats in the cellar, misbehaving imaginary friends, an oblivious husband, and the ever-encroaching domestic chaos, all described with a unique blend of humor and warmth./n/n Jackson's writing is both caustic and endearing, offering a subversive perspective on motherhood that refuses to sentimentalize or idealize the experience. Her family chronicles are laced with hints of discontent, making them surprisingly modern and relatable. The New York Times Book Review praises her work for its genuine subversive aspect, while the Guardian hails her pieces as comic masterpieces.

Reviews
Jacqui Wine's Blog · Jacqui Wine · 2025-06-08
charming 4.50

The memoir offers a delightful contrast to Jackson's usual unnerving fiction, filled with humor and charm. It captures the chaos and joy of family life in rural Vermont.

Jacqui Wine highlights how this memoir showcases a different side of Shirley Jackson, one that is both hilarious and heartwarming. The book is a delightful read, filled with witty observations and charming anecdotes about family life. It's a refreshing departure from Jackson's usual unnerving fiction, offering a more lighthearted and affectionate look at domestic life. The reviewer appreciates the humor and charm, making it a memorable and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    I have long been a fan of Shirley Jackson's unnerving fiction, which never fails to unsettle me.

    From the creeping sense of dread running through her fiction, it was a delight to read something so light and charming.

    The memoir is a delightful contrast to her usual work, filled with humor and charm.

The Guardian · 2015-05-10
thoughtful 4.00

The memoir blends humor with a sharp critique of maternal and gender norms, offering a unique perspective on family life. It's both amusing and thought-provoking.

The Guardian reviewer finds that Shirley Jackson's memoir is a delightful blend of humor and social commentary. The book is not just a collection of funny anecdotes but also offers a sharp critique of the expectations placed on mothers and women in general. The reviewer appreciates the wit and humor, but also the deeper insights into the challenges of domestic life. The memoir is both amusing and thought-provoking, making it a memorable read. The reviewer highlights how Jackson's unique perspective adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a lighthearted family memoir.

Quick quotes

    The horror writer penned two amusing books on family life in Vermont, but among the laughs is a sharp critique of maternal and gender norms.

    It's a cheerful book about family life, but with a twist that only Jackson could provide.

    The memoir is both amusing and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on family life.

Hogglestock · 2010-09-24
mixed 3.50

Jackson's writing is witty and entertaining, but the focus on her children falls short of being truly engaging. The book is enjoyable overall, despite its shortcomings.

The reviewer at Hogglestock appreciates Jackson's witty and entertaining writing style, which makes the memoir enjoyable to read. However, they find that the focus on her children's antics is not as compelling as it could be. The book is still a good read, but the reviewer feels that the children's stories do not hold their interest as much as the overall narrative. The humor and pacing keep the book engaging, but the lack of depth in the children's characters is a noticeable drawback.

Quick quotes

    Jackson's writing isn't boring, her recollections are quite witty, but ultimately, her kids just aren't interesting enough to hold my complete attention.

    The book is wry and a little dark at times, yet affectionate, very entertaining and beautifully paced.

    I loved it. And there's a sequel called 'Raising Demons'.

Goodreads · 2000-01-01
hilarious 4.00

The book is hilarious and captures the chaos of family life with wit. It's a refreshing departure from the author's usual horror genre.

This book is a delightful read that will have you laughing out loud. The author's ability to find humor in the everyday chaos of family life is truly impressive. It's a refreshing change from her usual horror genre, and it's clear that she has a keen eye for the absurdities of domestic life. The book is also surprisingly insightful, offering a sharp critique of societal norms and expectations. It's a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to keep their sanity while raising children.

Quick quotes

    Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson made me laugh.

    I recently read a description of Shirley Jackson as being the ”Queen of domestic horror” - too right

    The book is readable and humorous, with one mentioning it's full of funny anecdotes.

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