The Turn of the Screw

ebook: The Turn of the Screw

Sprache - Englisch

Read this eBook for free with the readfy App!

About the eBook

Henry James's 'The Turn of the Screw' is a masterclass in psychological ambiguity and Gothic suspense. Within its pages unfolds the harrowing tale of a young governess who takes charge of two seemingly innocent children, Miles and Flora, only to encounter spectral apparitions that challenge her reality. James expertly crafts an atmosphere of eerie uncertainty with his nuanced prose and complex narrative structure, employing a frame story that heightens the sense of unreliability surrounding the governess's account. This novella, situated at the crossroads of the Victorian and modernist eras, explores the intricate interplay between innocence and corruption, reality and imagination, eliciting rich interpretations on the ethics of care and the nature of evil.
Henry James's oeuvre often grapples with themes of consciousness, perception, and social propriety, deeply informed by his transatlantic experiences and keen psychological insight. 'The Turn of the Screw,' reputedly inspired by a conversational anecdote and James's interest in the supernatural, showcases his literary strength in creating complex characters and exploring the murky depths of human experience. The novella's lingering questions about the veracity of the supernatural events and the governess's reliability reflect James's fascination with the subjective nature of reality and the power of internal psychological landscapes to distort truth.
For those seeking a narrative that deftly intertwines psychological depth with Gothic intrigue, 'The Turn of the Screw' presents an enduring puzzle. James challenges readers to discern the layers of truth within the governess's story while contemplating the larger questions of morality and perception it raises. This classic of literary horror remains as haunting and provocatively open-ended today as it did at its publication, ensuring its place as a seminal work in the canon of psychological fiction, recommended for both the dedicated scholar and the curious newcomer intrigued by the interplay of mind and ghostly matter.


About the Author

Henry James (1843–1916) was an illustrious American writer known for his deep psychological insight, sophisticated narrative technique, and vivid exploration of the consciousness. Born in New York City to affluent and intellectually active parents, Henry was exposed to a remarkable international and cultural upbringing. He spent much of his life in Europe, particularly England, which influenced his work and ultimately led him to acquire British citizenship. James's oeuvre spans novels, short stories, plays, criticism, and travel writing, often characterized by his distinctive, intricate prose and well-crafted character development.

One of his most renowned works is 'The Turn of the Screw' (1898), a complex Gothic novella that engages with themes of innocence, supernatural encounters, and the reliability of narration. The text has been lauded for its ambiguous content and has prompted varied critical interpretations, reflecting James's mastery of narrative subtlety. His literary style, known as 'Jamesian', epitomizes the narrative intricacy, with a focus on the interior lives and moral dilemmas facing his characters, often within the moral and societal constraints of the 19th-century. James's legacy in literature persists, with significant contributions to the modernist movement and the art of fiction. His writing continues to be studied and admired for its narrative depth and psychological detail.

Product Details

Publisher: DigiCat

Genre: Sprache - Englisch

Language: English

Size: 131 Pages

Filesize: 387.5 KB

ISBN: 8596547392712

Published: