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Turn of the Screw
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
A chilling ghost story, wrought with tantalising ambiguity, Henry James's The Turn of the Screw is edited with an introduction and notes by David Bromwich in Penguin Classics. In what Henry James called a 'trap for the unwary', "The Turn of the Screw" tells of a nameless young governess sent to a country house to take charge of two orphans, Miles and Flora. Unsettled by a dark foreboding of menace within the house, she soon comes to believe that something malevolent is stalking the children in her care. But is the threat to her young charges really a malign and ghostly presence or something else entirely? "The Turn of the Screw" is James's great masterpiece of haunting atmosphere and unbearable tension and has influenced subsequent ghost stories and films such as "The Innocents," starring Deborah Kerr, and "The Others," starring Nicole Kidman. This Penguin Classics edition contains a chronology, further reading, notes and an introduction by David Bromwich examining the dark ambiguity of James's work and the inseparability of narrative from point-of-view. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators."
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review
TieDyeDude
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Bailedbailed

Bail at 42%. This is my first DNF in a while, but I just couldn't with the writing. So many commas! I remember watching The Innocents, which is an adaptation of the book staring Deborah Kerr, and we weren't overly thrilled with the movie either. I guess this isn't an interesting story to me.

Clare-Dragonfly I didn‘t find it that interesting either, which was disappointing, since it‘s such a classic ghost/psychological story. 2w
54 likes1 comment
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JudeCC
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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#TLT #ThreeListThursday
An embarrassing low score. I‘m not a fan of classics. I guess one day I should give them a chance.

Thanks for the link @dabbe 🥹🙏❤️ and the tag @BookwormAHN I think I have a Jo Nesbo book in my library. 😃🙌 I‘ll keep you posted when I get to it.

The Shining
The turn of the screw
We have always lived in the castle

Play?!
@jeannasser @Gissy @monkeygirlsmama @AnnCrystal

BookwormAHN I hope you enjoy Nebo when you get to it 🎃 2mo
dabbe Not embarrassing at ALL! You have other genres you love. Are your choices ones you want to read or ones you've read? Either way all three are FANTASTIC! Thanks for playing and sharing! 🖤🎃🖤 2mo
AnnCrystal Thanks for the tag 📚😎👍💝. You did way better than I did 👏😉📚. 2mo
35 likes3 comments
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TieDyeDude
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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#bookspin #bookspinbingo #doublebookspin @thearomaofbooks

My bookspin selections for this month include a leftover from last year's October reads and a book that's been on my TBR shelf since February. Whittling down the list!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Looks fabulous!! 3mo
42 likes1 comment
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Doppoetry
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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#Bookreport

📚Currently reading:

🎧The Terror
📕Akechi Kogoro
📙The Witness for the Dead

Progress:
I finished two novels last week (plus a short story) and I'm pretty happy with that. I plan to do reading sprints with one of the detective books (I have just been too preoccupied with other things to really make time for physical books) I will try to get some reading done either way.

Doppoetry I\'m about 19% into The Terror and I find it interesting so far. I wish it focused more on the survival aspect, but maybe that will happen later on in the book. (edited) 3mo
6 likes1 comment
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Doppoetry
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Pickpick

Might be in the minority here but I really loved this!

This was a very interesting read. It is one of the few pieces of literature in which the ambiguity adds to the experience and atmosphere rather than hinders the narrative. The prose was very beautiful, although I think a lot of people might find it too “wordy“ Overall it was a solid ghost story with hints of feminism. Definitely a classic for a reason.

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bookwyrm7
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Mehso-so

What the hell did I just read? 😂
I think I would need to read this book again more carefully to form an opinion on it. It's an interesting story which leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Its vagueness adds to the creepiness of this unusual ghost story, but I'm not sure how I feel about it...

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Victoriahoperose
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Mehso-so

For a book that is horror, I thought this was really dry. I struggled to pay attention with this one, but I know so many great stories have come from this. I like the concept and the overall story, but it was slow for me and a bit boring.

monkeygirlsmama This was on my TBR way back when and I have no idea if I actually read it or not. Guess I'll have to treat as not and give a go one day. I've always heard good things, but I know everything varies depending on the reader and the day. Sorry it wasn't such a hit for you. 10mo
Victoriahoperose @monkeygirlsmama it‘s so funny because my mom loves this book so I was excited to read it, but it just fell flat for me. Maybe you will enjoy it more!! 10mo
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AnnRaz
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“She saw him only twice.”
“Yes, but that‘s just the beauty of her passion.”

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ChaoticMissAdventures
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Mehso-so

#scarathlon #buddyread
This was fine. I found the characters annoying. But it might be that I don't enjoy most children so if these children were under my care I would have skipped out. Little monsters 😂.

dabbe Hello there, sweetly sleeping kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 14mo
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emz711
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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@Yuki_Onna my turn of the screw. I like the picture, I find it super creepy
#creepy #spooky

Yuki_Onna Oh my... 🫢 That IS creepy! 14mo
emz711 @Yuki_Onna I knew there was a reason I like it, it's by Monet "a corner of the apartment" 14mo
Yuki_Onna It fits the book so perfectly! 14mo
36 likes3 comments
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Yuki_Onna
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Eggs Fantastic! 14mo
emz711 Spooky! My favorite 14mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty!! 14mo
Yuki_Onna @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @emz711 This is my favourite cover so far... 14mo
18 likes4 comments
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Morr_Books
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Pickpick
TheSpineView Great job! 14mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 14mo
Read4life Fantastic! 🍁👻🎃 14mo
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🐈‍⬛💚 14mo
30 likes4 comments
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Melismatic
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Mehso-so

Well, I finished it. I‘m certain I read this for a class in college and remembered the basics but this read thru left me scratching my head. It felt like a lot of set up with little follow thru in terms of intrigue.

Regardless, one buddy read complete and starting the other today as well. #Scarathlon #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall

Clwojick Poe! 🖤 1y
31 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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My all time favourite haunted mansion for #autumnplease and #scarathlonphotochallenge day 17 👻

#scarathlon #skeletoncrew

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bthegood
Turn of the Screw | Henry Jr. James
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Mehso-so

A governess of two young children begins to see the ghosts of Miss Jessup and Mr. Quint - two people who worked with the children at one time . It is unclear if there are ghosts or if the governess is having a mental breakdown. The story (particularly the ending) is good but the writing style took me out of the story on several occasions. #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall buddy read #Scarathlon
Make a great day everyone 🎃

FlynnDewey I have been struggling with the writing style so much lol. I find it hard to create a natural storytelling flow with the way it's written. This is going to be an audiobook for me very soon. 1y
bthegood @FlynnDewey - @SomedayAlmost found an audio version she liked, narrator was Emma Thompson - that might have been a better route for me - there is still time for you😊 (edited) 1y
SomedayAlmost “Audible Exclusive” version narrated by Emma Thomson makes the Gothic description flow faster if you use Audible… 1y
36 likes4 comments
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SomedayAlmost
Turn of the Screw | Henry Jr. James
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Pickpick

Great audio version of my Scarathlon team buddy read. Have read the book twice, and Thompson‘s acting brought it to life! #spooky #Scarathlon #buddyread #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall #50points

CogsOfEncouragement I enjoyed this last October. Really well done. 1y
FlynnDewey Was that read by *the* Emma Thompson?? 1y
SomedayAlmost Yes! She really nailed it. 1y
22 likes3 comments
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bthegood
Turn of the Screw | Henry Jr. James
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Total points for first 2 weeks: 7589
#TeamWhoYaGonnaCall 👻
@FlynnDewey thanks for being the team leader and for all of your encouraging responses to posts!!
#Scarathlon - Thanks to all of the readathon hosts as well: @catsandbooks @Andrew65 @Read4life @TheSpineView
Make a great day everyone 🎃

TheSpineView Fantastic!🥳🥳🥳 1y
Read4life Nice job! 🍁👻🎃 1y
Andrew65 An excellent total 👏👏👏 1y
See All 9 Comments
dabbe 🖤🧡🖤 1y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🦇🧡 1y
bthegood @Catsandbooks @TheSpineView @Read4life @Andrew65 @dabbe thanks everyone for the support!! Love the litsy community and the #Scarathlon !! 1y
FlynnDewey That is such a strong total. Well done!! 1y
Read4life Fantastic! 🍁👻🎃 1y
bthegood @FlynnDewey thanks - 1y
30 likes9 comments
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bthegood
Turn of the Screw | Henry Jr. James
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#BookSpinBingo #Scarathlon #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall

Enjoying my current reads -

Make a great day everyone 🎃👻

FlynnDewey Looking very good! 1y
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Michael_Gee
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Pickpick

On this reread, I was struck 1st by the challenge of the writing. Reading aloud, we stumbled and would try multiple times to understand what was being said but sometimes had to move on, content with our confusion. The second impression I have is how unnerving the story remains. The governess‘s anxiety, suspicions, and retelling of events sufficiently unsettles.

batsy Great review. I've read it only once but loved it—definitely a book I'd like to revisit. 1y
24 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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One of the great tragedies of my life is that while I love the pumpkin spice lifestyle, I actually can‘t stand drinking milky coffees so the lattes will never happen for me 😬 I do have marks and Spencer Halloween snacks on my #scarathlon bucket list tho and I‘m delighted to tick that off while watching haunting of Bly manor tonight for the #pumpkinspicereadathon 🥰

#skeletoncrew

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Michael_Gee
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Just an update on my “innocent little precious” Twinkle Toes (to quote the breathless governess in TOTS): Thank you for the well-wishes. He was hospitalized for two nights and is back home, voracious, spirited, and back to dragging his blankie around the house.

Jari-chan Get well soon, little kitty ❤️ 1y
LeahBergen Good to hear! ❤️ 1y
Bookzombie Good news! 1y
Reggie Awwww 1y
26 likes5 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

This is a classic #scarathlon reread for me which I always love. I just discovered the Emma Thompson audiobook which is fantastic and had me feeling like I was reading for the first time. I have such strong memories of watching a tv movie of this with my mum at Christmas when I was about 13 and it being my first really delicious chilling horror experience- good times!

#skeletoncrew

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Blueberry
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1. The set of miniseries produced by Mike Flanagan based on classic horror novels, ie. The Haunting of Hill House. And the Scream movies.
2. Pumpkin cheesecake, candy corn
3. Anytime
4. The hygge of it
5. I currently have no pets. But
one of our last cats was an all-black cat.

#BatBrigade #Scarathlon
@NataliePatalie

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TheSpineView
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: Sleepy Hollow

Klou Great choice!! 2y
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Agentfalco
Panpan

I really struggled with the language style, I could just about follow the story of a governess who believes that she is seeing spirits that are somehow tied to the children she is caring for. However the language was so dense that it was a trial to read.

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ckarosi326
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Next up on my attempt to go through my bookshelf are the ghost stories of Henry James.

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wildwoodreads
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Panpan

I wanted to love The Turn of the Screw but it just didn‘t work out for me. I know that it‘s vague and open ended on purpose, but I just couldn‘t get a good grasp of the story. And almost all of the characters fell flat. Miles was the only one with a semi-distinct personality. And even his development wasn‘t great.

https://wildwoodreads.com/2022/11/09/the-turn-of-the-screw-review/

ravenlee I read this last year (I think) and was disappointed. I thought it was going to be this really creepy, genre-defining story, and it was…not much of anything. 2y
Sparklemn @ravenlee I had the same reaction. 2y
wildwoodreads @ravenlee @Sparklemn I‘m just glad I‘m not the only one 😂 2y
68 likes3 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Panpan

In all honesty, I really didn‘t enjoy this one. It was creepy, but also too wordy and I kept falling asleep. It did, however, score me a #bingo line in #bookspinbingo…. So all told, this is +26pts for #teamslaughter #scarathlon

TheAromaofBooks Yay bingo!! 2y
19 likes1 comment
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
Pickpick

Lush, lush, lush, and soooo spooky!!! #Scarathlon #TeamMonsterMash

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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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I love these things! Thanks for the tag @Emilymdxn

#ThoughtfulThursday (or I guess Saturday) / @MoonWitch94

🔎 A mystery I think!
👻 Definitely a haunted house! Which answers the next one too - I am LOVING The Turn Of The Screw!!

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🎃📖🏚🕯✨ 2y
Moll @MoonWitch94 ❤️❤️❤️❤️🪄🎃 2y
18 likes2 comments
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James

Hello #TeamMonsterMash !!

I have finally finished on a work account that's had me working 8am-9pm shifts (booooo!) so I can start pulling my weight again for the rest of October!😂🎃😁

Today I plan to finish The Turn Of The Screw, start (and maybe even finish) Irregular Witches, and do a spooky craft while watching a spooky film🙌 I'm also going to go on an autumnal walk to tick that off my bucket list. Will report back later RE how I got on😍

peanutnine Woohoo! Those are some great plans! Have an awesome day 😊🍂💗 2y
Moll @peanutnine Thank you!! 2y
StayCurious Hope you enjoyed the rest of your October! 2y
22 likes3 comments
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Emilymdxn
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Thank you for the tag @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm 👻 #thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94

1. I like both but mystery wins
2. SO hard to choose because I genuinely love both as some of my favourite genres. Can I say book about haunted house and movie about serial killer??
3. Tagged! Just reread this and the scene at the window will always give me chills

Join for #scarathlon2022 @moll?

MoonWitch94 Thank you for playing 🎃✨📖🏚🕯 2y
40 likes1 comment
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James

3650 points for week 1 of Scarathlon for me! There's more I need to add up but I'm so tired I'm going to bed and I'll add the rest onto next week's total😂

#Scarathlon #TeamMonsterMash

StayCurious great job! 2y
Moll @StayCurious Thank you!! 2y
12 likes2 comments
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James

@StayCurious I'm going to post my week 1 points tomorrow! Sorry!!❤️

StayCurious no worries! 2y
9 likes1 comment
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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I love @Emilymdxn & our little book-centred traditions so much - this episode: a #Scarathlon chat fuelled lunch & a trip to Foyles! Here's Moon & Magic for #ominousoctober & #scarathlondailyprompts too - I adore kids' picture books with my entire heart and soul❤️ #TeamMonsterMash

And now I'm on the bus home reading The Turn Of The Screw - spooky!👻

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 🖤📚 2y
Moll @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🥰⭐️❤️ 2y
25 likes2 comments
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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In an absolutely disastrous turn of events, I accidentally coloured the witch's hair the same colour as her head😂 But that's another spooky craft for #Scarathlon and #TeamMonsterMash!

StayCurious It's still cute! 2y
25 likes1 comment
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Moll
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Technically the theme from Day 6 of Ominous October but I'm on mission catch up! Spicy blueberry tea! #Scarathlon #TeamMonsterMash

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Bookworm54
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Mehso-so

While I liked the story as a whole, all of the characters felt one dimensional, and unbearable!

The governess spends the book alternately crying/sobbing at her new friend (the only other member of the staff we have named for the majority of the book) and massively obsessing over “perfect” children she has just met. While I understand it is a classic, it didn‘t really do as much as I hoped. I much prefer the Haunting of Bly Manor tv adaptation!

Bookworm54 This included 65 wordsearch words (the ebook search tool is handy!) as well as being a theme read :) I will need to come back and tag readathons once I decide on the squares! #Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash 2y
TheSpineView Excellent 2y
Catsandbooks Terrific! 👻 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
38 likes5 comments
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Bookworm54
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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I started this for #20in4 along with my buddy read Go Hunt Me

I was aiming for 20 chapters, but alas with forgetting a day and then working today, I achieved 7 chapters of this and 4 chapters (sections) of the buddy read. So 11 total. I was over half way there 😉

Andrew65 Well done on what you did achieve, thanks for playing along 👏👏👏🙌🥳 2y
41 likes1 comment
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rachelk
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Mehso-so

For me this wasn‘t a horror story so much as a psychological character study of the protagonist. However, it is told in such a way that where I see a disturbed mind, someone else might see a ghost. I admire the ability of James to keep the suspense up but it was awfully verbose for a novella.

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Blueberry
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#hauntedhouse #Savvysettings
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

This was also a really good miniseries by BBC on Amazon Prime.

Eggs Well done 😱 3y
lynneamch Thank you! Added to watchlist. 3y
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kwmg40
Turn of the Screw | Henry Jr. James
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Mehso-so

A good creepy haunted-house story. However, I was a little disappointed given that this is such a well-known classic and a #1001 book.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

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Therewillbebooks
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Pickpick

Just released our episode on The Turn of the Screw. I enjoyed it. Peter thought the writing was a little antiquated and got bored. What do you all think? Oh, and to those who've read it, do you think the ghosts are real or just in the governesses' mind?
https://anchor.fm/peter-murphy8

Blueberry I definitely liked the miniseries based on it last year better. The Haunting of Bly Manor. 3y
Therewillbebooks @Blueberry I've been curious about that adaptation. I'll check it out 3y
Vansa This is one of my favourite novellas.Haunting and atmospheric,he writes so evocatively you feel her stress and fear.As for if the ghosts are real,I'm paraphrasing Dumbledore, if course they're all in her head, but does that make them any less real?Henry James is a genius 3y
Therewillbebooks @Vansa I like that interpretation! 3y
batsy I feel like I'm one of the few who loves this so it's great to read your take, @Vansa ! Perfectly summed up. 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Turn of the Screw | Henry Jr. James
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#Poltergeist
#Haunted
A day late!
🖤👻📚

Eggs 🍁🧡🍁 3y
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CogsOfEncouragement
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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Pickpick

So many things left for the reader to decide on one‘s own. Not sure if I‘m a fan of that or not. Probably better if read with a friend or two. I listened to the audiobook and Emma Thompson did a marvelous job of it.

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Kempfme
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
Pickpick

Great short read for spooky season.

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Moony
Turn of the Screw | Henry James
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TheSpineView Looks good! 👍 3y
14 likes1 comment
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Bertha_Mason
The Turn of the Screw | Henry James

Also, I was once an abused, mentally ill kid whom adults were always harshly chastising and declaring a Problem, for reasons I had no capacity to understand. So I appreciate this story deeply at the level where it's about how adults project their fears and insecurities, often violently, onto the children over whom they have power. About how provisionally "innocence" is assumed in children. About how the nuclear family fails us all.