The Turn Of The Screw – Henry James

READ FOR BOOKCLUB
Chosen by Rachel

The Turn Of The Screw is a gothic ghost story from 1898 set in an old English house on a sprawling estate.

The novella is a first person account of a governess who, caring for two children at a remote estate, becomes convinced that the grounds are haunted.

She has been hired by a young man to take care of his niece Flora and nephew Miles. The governess is told she must never trouble the man, even with concerns about the children, and so she attempts to care for the children on the eerie estate without support.

There are other staff and personalities but the ghostly nature of the story provides ambiguity about each character’s true existence. Unsurprisingly there are many mysterious events in the plot, set amongst the dark passageways of the home and the tall, spindly trees of the woods. Several directly involve the children.

Though originally considered simply a ghost story, critics have over the decades, discovered hidden depth to the story and there are now several opinions as to what genre the story actually represents.

Of course I was under the spell, and the wonderful part is that, even at the time, I perfectly knew I was. But I gave myself up to it; it was an antidote to any pain, and I had more pains than one.

✎ “Spine-chilling and riveting from the outset. There were so many possible outcomes and I liked that a couple still remained after the last page. The characters are either ethereal or arresting, or sometimes both just to confuse you, but whatever the case, they are so perfectly written they evoke a real sense of the ghost story. A wonderful book to discuss. I want to read it again immediately!” – Rachel*

✎ “I love the mysterious ambiguity of this novel – is there an evil presence getting closer and closer (figure in the tower, face at the window, ghosts by the lake)? Or is our lovely governess losing her mind? The characters are distinct and the story is eerie and disturbing … although I needed to read this slowly and carefully I want to read it again. An impressive piece of literature.” – Jo

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Published 1898
William Heinemann
78 pages

*In May 2015 Jo and I went to see A Turn Of The Screw on stage and it was just as fabulous as the book, invoking a few more discussions about the whys and hows of the plot. What’s more it was held in the (apparently) haunted Theatre Royal in Nelson. I was on the lookout for an additional cast member on stage but thankfully did not see one!! – Rachel