Language: English
When I took this book in the media library, I didn't know that I'd already seen it's (not an exact) adaptation from 1961 - the movie in question being The Innocents, with Deborah Kerr. It's only after reading chapter 1 that I realized, through the names and some of content, that I was discovering the original story!
I say that the movie wasn't an exact adaptation, so I'll tell you more about this 1898 horror novella and reserve details about differences with the movie when I watch it again.
Due to its content, the story is classified as gothic fiction, and as a ghost story ; it starts on Christmas Eve, of an unknown year, during a small gathering, which brings the topic of ghosts visiting children. This serves as an unannounced prologue - a framing introduction- and then followed by 24 chapters, which all correspond to a manuscript that Douglas (one of the original unnamed narrator's friends) reads.
Henry James switches voices completely once the numbered chapters begin, as this manuscript is told in first-person, written by a former governess (also unnamed), who tells how she was hired to raise and aducate, first Flora, and soon also Miles, returning from a boarding school from which he was expelled.
The core part of this novella takes place in June (unknown year), but in view of the ghosts, could be read for Halloween - just like when we watched The Innocents.
Through this story with ghost apparitions, untold secrets, and growing horror and confusion in the governess, it has been said that critics have had many theories about the meaning behind this story. For me, the fact that it can be interpreted in several ways makes it all the more interesting, as the author didn't force a specific viewpoint on the readers. He did create confusion, not only as to the meaning, but also the change of voice and not ever going back to the characters he started with - but that's ok. What's more of an issue for me is that at times, the paragraphs shift as well, not always in his usual flow, but that might be an artistic choice to add to the confusion and horror.
James also uses such unconventional (for his time at least) ghosts in this story, with many subtexts to their existence, the governess' sanity, and some elements which may have disturbing aspects which all add to the atmosphere of this novella.
My own theories pertain to loss of youth, that moment between being a child to growing into a young adult ; this is due to several elements, including the ghosts and hidden secrets, but this isn't the only layer of interpretation that can be made... I invite you to read and discover, but beware, some aspects are bordering on the uncomfortable. edit:
On my first read, I felt that overall The Turn of the Screw was well written, even if the pacing isn't always there; the wording is very flowery and sometimes picturesque. James is richer than ever in his narration, which leaves the reader amazed, and possibly lost too. In a second reading (*), I no longer felt the same problem and I appreciated it even more, thus increasing my appreciation.
* my second reading was in another edition, which is :
The turn of the screw - edited by Peter G. Beidler, third edition
Author: Henry James
Rating: 10/10
Year: 1898 (original); 2010 (this edition)
Publisher: Penguin Classics
ISBN 978-0-312-59706-1
Pages XIV-428
Language : English
This edition is not a longer version, but a critical edition.
It begins with the introduction to the series of critical/academic books of which this volume is a part and the volume itself; then 3 parts follow:
Part 1, the complete text with the modifications that James had made - this part includes a mini-biography of the author and historical contexts. (start of page 2)
Part 2 the short story in its cultural context (pages 157-232)
and part 3 includes historical, psychoanalytic critiques, notions of gender, Marxism and this short story, and the combination of perspectives (pages 235-405)
The book ends with a glossary (p 407) and about the contributions to this edition (427-428).
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