Reviews with content warning for Classism - The Turn of the Screw

I can see why this novella has stood the test of time in terms of its atmospheric dread, the creepiness of it's supernatural themes, and the compelling narrative of innocent children being lured by evil, not to mention

the brilliance of the unreliable narration. I, for one, am completely on Team The Governess is Clearly Going Insane.

That being said, the prose in this novel is SO dense. The run on sentences are so exhausting that just trying to keep up with the plot is a challenge at times, which really takes away from the atmospheric horror of it all.

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xkrille's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I read this for university. I cannot deny that it is good. Definitely. But I do not think I understood it fully. I had to read some analyses and interpretations before I got it. As I said, I did enjoy it. I wish I had understood it while I read it because I definitely would have found it more spooky. All in all, it is my own fault that I did not enjoy it as much. The language was difficult for me, sorry!!! Maybe I did not concentrate hard enough. Whatever, it was a nice story.

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hanpil98's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

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epeolatrist's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Turn of the Screw is an alluring and confusing mystery that often brings more questions than answers. In one of the most classic ghost stories, Henry James accomplishes the perfect mystery. There are few things that confirm the governess's ghost sightings, other than her own visions and recollections. There is far more evidence that supports the fact that she has gone mad, in my opinion. In the end, we are left wondering whether Miles truly saw the ghost of Peter Quint or if he somehow knew of the governess's terror regarding Quint and Miss Jessel.
Henry James leaves plenty of hints in reference to motifs of sexuality, madness, terror, and malevolence. I read this for class and found it far more enjoyable than I had anticipated. Personally, I believe that the governess had gone mad from hallucinations of ghosts fueled by her loneliness and her desire to meet an attractive man, possibly the children's uncle, on the grounds (in a Jane Eyre sort of manner). Her observations of the children trying to trick and manipulate her are manifestations of her own fear and, essentially, false reactions that she has created in her own mind.
The Turn of the Screw is both fantastic and nightmarish. It is a book that will keep you constantly looking over your shoulder, fearing that you may too stumble upon Peter Quint or Miss Jessel.

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