The Turn of the Screw is an 1898 horror novella by Henry James that first appeared in serial format in Collier’s Weekly magazine (January 27 – April 16, 1898). In October 1898 it appeared in The Two Magics, a book published by Macmillan in New York City and Heinemann in London.
A very young woman’s first job: governess for two weirdly beautiful, strangely distant, oddly silent children, Miles and Flora, at a forlorn estate… An estate haunted by a beckoning evil. Half-seen figures who glare from dark towers and dusty windows- silent, foul phantoms who, day by day, night by night, come closer, ever closer. With growing horror, the helpless governess realizes the fiendish creatures want the children, seeking to corrupt their bodies, possess their minds, own their souls. But worse-much worse- the governess discovers that Miles and Flora have no terror of the lurking evil. For they want the walking dead as badly as the dead want them.
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Henry James
(1898)
Narrator: Emma Thompson
If I said that I understood 75% of this book I would be exaggerating. It seems to be written in a different language. It was more that I felt what was going on than knew. The author seemed focused on certain details pertaining to one of her hires’ experiences at school, exhaustively so, and I didn’t understand the context or know why that was so important and highly focused on.
I’d love it in the comments if we could start a discussion. Have you read this book? Do you know why this is focused on?
This book is probably the most prototypically gothic book I’ve ever read. The threat and horror are more implied, and emotions are high in regard to actual risk.
I listened to this in audiobook format and the narrator’s performance was superb and contributed to my enjoyment of the book. The dialogue between the two main characters was extra special.
I did not know that The House of Bly Manor was based on THE TURN OF THE SCREW and when it finally dawned on me I regretted not paying attention more to the show.
I’m planning on watching a different version of the adaption, hopefully, one I haven’t seen, to see how it compares against the book.
If you are looking for a modern take on THE TURN OF THE SCREW Ruth Ware did a great retelling of sorts called THE TURN OF THE KEY, which I recommend as well.
Classics reading tip #2: Slow down your narration speed on your audiobook if any material you are listening to is harder to understand than usual. You can always speed it up over the course of time.
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