Going into The Turn of the Screw by Henry James I knew nothing at all about it. Before seeing it on the Best Horror Books list I hadn't even realized that it was a ghost story. The story is about a young governess that is hired to take care of two young children whose only family is an uncle that isn't interested in being involved in any way with their lives. Once the governess arrives at the estate she begins seeing two ghostly people that match the description of the previous governess and her lover (both deceased). She also thinks that the children can see them too and interact with these ghosts whenever she isn't around.
What I liked about the story is that it is told from the viewpoint of the governess, and since no one else ever mentions seeing the ghosts it is never clear if there are actually ghosts or if the governess is just crazy. I'd lean toward the ghost theory, but "she's just crazy" theory is also valid.
It is a quick read and I'd recommend it for anyone liking turn of the century Gothic stories. I'll give it an A.
No comments:
Post a Comment