Turn of the Screw - *spoilers*

caleb72 · 06-21-2011, 02:07 AM

I just finished reading The Turn of the Screw yesterday and wondered if there are any who have read this book before who would like to discuss it at all.

caleb72 · 06-22-2011, 08:30 AM

OK - I've been hunting around for places to discuss this book and I've noticed that I may not be the only person who didn't find Henry James' writing style particularly engaging.

I read the book feeling like the author was trying awfully hard not to actually say anything. I know that it was most likely intentional that certain aspects of the story were not stated, but I found even the narrative down to the smallest detail seemed to be a practised act of allusion.

I had read that this was a chilling tale with a sinister atmosphere, but for me, comprehension was not a simple matter. I had to rearrange and replace words and then repeat sentences back in my mind in a more direct manner. This had the effect of lessening or even removing the atmosphere from the story.

Did anyone have this kind of experience?

The actual story though was a good one. The author had obviously decided to leave many things up in the air and this I didn't mind. I tracked down some reviews of what people have said about this book and I do have an opinion myself on the what occurred.

Does anyone have a strong opinion on the what occurred in this story? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

boydcarts · 06-22-2011, 06:57 PM

I tried to read TotS, but James' writing style drove me crazy. All the sub-clauses etc made reading a chore. I eventually gave up. I have a vague memory of seein a film/TV version and thought the story was thought provoking. Unfortunately I have to add this title to the list of unfinished books I won't return to.

Rumpelteazer · 06-22-2011, 07:06 PM

It's been years since I've read The Turn of the Screw but I didn't really enjoy it either. For me it was also the writing style and at the end of novel I had the feeling I missed some information, if this was because I just didn't get it because of the writing style or because it simply wasn't there I don't know. I did like the concept of the story though.

I once had a fellow student who had written her bachelor thesis on this book and got very mad at me because I, as someone who likes horror, didn't think much of TTOTS.

It's been too long ago since I've read the book to discuss it.

caleb72 · 06-23-2011, 09:10 AM

Good to see I'm not the only person who struggled with the language. Are all of Henry James' books like this? He seems very well regarded.

Mike L · 06-23-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caleb72

Good to see I'm not the only person who struggled with the language.

Me too. I found it hard going. As a result, I haven't been inclined to try any more of his.

06-21-2011, 02:07 AM	#1
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	Turn of the Screw - spoilers I just finished reading The Turn of the Screw yesterday and wondered if there are any who have read this book before who would like to discuss it at all.

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06-22-2011, 08:30 AM	#2
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	OK - I've been hunting around for places to discuss this book and I've noticed that I may not be the only person who didn't find Henry James' writing style particularly engaging. I read the book feeling like the author was trying awfully hard not to actually say anything. I know that it was most likely intentional that certain aspects of the story were not stated, but I found even the narrative down to the smallest detail seemed to be a practised act of allusion. I had read that this was a chilling tale with a sinister atmosphere, but for me, comprehension was not a simple matter. I had to rearrange and replace words and then repeat sentences back in my mind in a more direct manner. This had the effect of lessening or even removing the atmosphere from the story. Did anyone have this kind of experience? The actual story though was a good one. The author had obviously decided to leave many things up in the air and this I didn't mind. I tracked down some reviews of what people have said about this book and I do have an opinion myself on the what occurred. Does anyone have a strong opinion on the what occurred in this story? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

06-22-2011, 06:57 PM	#3
boydcarts Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Nook WiFi, iPad2	I tried to read TotS, but James' writing style drove me crazy. All the sub-clauses etc made reading a chore. I eventually gave up. I have a vague memory of seein a film/TV version and thought the story was thought provoking. Unfortunately I have to add this title to the list of unfinished books I won't return to.

06-22-2011, 07:06 PM	#4
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,295 Karma: 27518794 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	It's been years since I've read The Turn of the Screw but I didn't really enjoy it either. For me it was also the writing style and at the end of novel I had the feeling I missed some information, if this was because I just didn't get it because of the writing style or because it simply wasn't there I don't know. I did like the concept of the story though. I once had a fellow student who had written her bachelor thesis on this book and got very mad at me because I, as someone who likes horror, didn't think much of TTOTS. It's been too long ago since I've read the book to discuss it.

06-23-2011, 09:10 AM	#5
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	Good to see I'm not the only person who struggled with the language. Are all of Henry James' books like this? He seems very well regarded.

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