Reviews

The Turn of the Screw & In the Cage by Henry James, Hortense Calisher

darwin8u's review

4.0

My first exposure to Henry James was this tight little psycho-drama of a ghost story. Turn of the Screw is one of those amazing novellas that twist the reader back and forth. The reader spins between the extremes of believing the narrator, and her fear of actual ghosts, is legitimate AND believing she is simply mad. James' story turns on this dilemma. One slight rotation to the right and all bets are off.

For a ghost story, I was far more creeped out by the two 'angelic' children, the vacant setting, and the remote English country house. Anyway, while not blown away by the story, I still found it compelling, creepy and rich in its ambiguity.

ekeeller's review

2.0

First reaction when finishing this book was disappointing. I wasn’t as enthralled as I thought I would be. But, I had an experience with this book that I’ve never had before. I did a little more research into this as I was desperate to connect more with the novel. I’m still sticking with 2 stars but my research has certainly gave a better perspective. Looking at different theories of the story and our main character has made me think deeper about it and respect it more. Certainly a novel that depending on your own experience reading it you will get different opinions on the nature. Personally I feel the children are a product of the ‘ghosts’ and the theory our main character has peodophillic tendencies are very evident to me. Maybe that’s reading too much into it but I am certainly not the only person to get this impression.