The Turn of the Screw

by Henry James
The Turn of the Screw cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Gothic
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Paperback • £3.99–£11.99
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Format • £5.69–£19.00
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  • ID: 5308
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780369411693
  • Publisher: Aegitas
  • Published: 2024-08-22
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

The Turn of the Screw, a novella by Henry James, is a masterful blend of psychological horror and gothic atmosphere. It follows a young governess tasked with caring for two children at the isolated Bly Manor, where she uncovers a dark history of death and potential haunting by malevolent spirits. As the governess struggles to protect the children, her own sanity is called into question, leaving readers to ponder the truth behind the eerie events. The novella's enduring appeal lies in its ambiguity and exploration of perception versus reality. James crafts an unreliable narrator whose fears and paranoia heighten the tension, while the gothic setting of Bly Manor adds to the chilling atmosphere. The story's open-ended conclusion has sparked debates about the nature of the ghosts and the governess's mental state, making it a thought-provoking classic in Gothic literature.

Reviews
Goodreads · Anonymous · 2025-10-23
good 3.00

The writing is excellent in parts, but the story line is safe and intriguing. It's a middle-ground read, not outstanding but not poor either.

This reader found the book to be a solid three-star read. They appreciated the excellent writing in parts, which made the book engaging. However, they felt the story line was safe and intriguing but not particularly outstanding. It's a book that won't disappoint but also won't leave a lasting impression. The reviewer acknowledges that the book has its merits, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of a five-star read.

Quick quotes

    This book was no more than a 3 stars for me, but 2 feels mean because the writing is excellent in parts, and it has a safe but intriguing story line.

    The writing is excellent in parts, but the story line is safe and intriguing.

    It's a middle-ground read, not outstanding but not poor either.

Buried Under Books · Anonymous · 2019-12-13
intriguing 4.50

The story is determinedly ambiguous with few actual events, plenty of gaps in the narrative, and a final, shocking, ending.

This reviewer highlights the ambiguity of the story, noting that there are few actual events and plenty of gaps in the narrative. The ending is described as shocking, which adds to the overall intrigue. The reviewer appreciates the way James plays with the reader's expectations and leaves much open to interpretation. The atmospheric and eerie tone is also noted, making the reading experience tense and engaging.

Quick quotes

    'The Turn of the Screw' is determinedly ambiguous, with few actual events, plenty of gaps in the narrative, and a final, shocking, ending.

    The story is determinedly ambiguous with few actual events, plenty of gaps in the narrative, and a final, shocking, ending.

    The atmospheric and eerie tone is also noted, making the reading experience tense and engaging.

The Guardian · Colm Tóibín · 2006-06-03
frightening 4.00

The story is very frightening, and James was right to be frightened. It is a very frightening story.

Colm Tóibín describes the story as very frightening, noting that James was right to be frightened. The reviewer appreciates the way James creates a sense of dread and tension throughout the narrative. The story's ability to unsettle the reader is highlighted, making it a compelling and chilling read. Tóibín also notes that the story is essentially a pot-boiler, which adds to its overall appeal.

Quick quotes

    James was right to be frightened. It is a very frightening story.

    The story is very frightening, and James was right to be frightened.

    The story's ability to unsettle the reader is highlighted, making it a compelling and chilling read.

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