Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
50(50%)
4 stars
22(22%)
3 stars
28(28%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
The real rating would be 3.5. I don't like inaccuracy, but I enjoyed reading "Turn of the Screw".

This short story has its own charm. The plot is full of mystery and suspense, which keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. The author's writing style is also quite unique, using vivid descriptions and psychological analysis to bring the characters and the atmosphere to life.

However, there are also some不足之处. For example, some of the details are a bit模糊, and it is not easy for the reader to fully understand the background and motives of the characters. Overall, "Turn of the Screw" is a good read, but it is not perfect.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Заобићи друге приче о духовима. These stories are extremely prosaic and empty. They lack the excitement and mystery that one would expect from tales of the supernatural.

Perhaps the authors have failed to capture the essence of the spirit world, or maybe they are simply relying too much on tired clichés and overused tropes.

Whatever the reason, these stories do not engage the reader's imagination or leave a lasting impression.

It is a shame, as the idea of spirits and the afterlife is a fascinating one that has the potential to inspire great works of literature.

Hopefully, future writers will be able to breathe new life into this genre and create stories that are both captivating and thought-provoking.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Aaahhh... James... why is nothing easy with your works? This one leaves more questions than answers.

It makes us wonder how the story really ends. What is the real mystery here? Is it the ghosts or the children?

The governess is a likable character, yet she is not necessarily a reliable narrator.

Her perspective might be clouded by her own emotions and interpretations.

This ambiguity adds to the allure and complexity of the story.

It is truly worth reading again just to get some things straight.

Perhaps on a second reading, we will be able to see through the governess's eyes more clearly and uncover the true nature of the mystery.

James has crafted a tale that keeps us on the edge of our seats, constantly guessing and second-guessing.

It is a testament to his skill as a writer that his works continue to captivate and intrigue readers even after all these years.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Over the years, I have made numerous attempts to read the books written by Henry James. However, more often than not, I have had to give up in frustration. The only book of his that I managed to get through was Washington Square.

It is a well-known fact that his books have been adapted into excellent movies. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the scriptwriters who have to grapple with his difficult and rambling writing style. His characters are never straightforward and always seem to beat around the bush. He embellishes his sentences to such an extent that the reader either has to read them over and over again or completely lose track of the storyline.

This particular book left me with a sense of confusion. I found myself wondering if Henry James was a bad writer or if he deliberately intended to make the reader guess his intentions.

The book consisted of 4 short stories, with the second one being the most straightforward. When it comes to Henry James, I have decided that I will stick to watching the films based on his works.

I would strongly recommend watching Washington Square and The Wings of the Dove. As for his books, I suggest leaving them on the shelves of the bookshop for innocent victims to pick up.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I put this collection down with the sense that its affect - which I may or may not be aware of in these days to come - will extend well into the future.

Reading these stories was a joy for the act itself. James' prose is full and deep and intelligent. It requires me to pay close attention to the rhythm and direction of his long, frequently-punctuated sentences to follow its intent.

With this language, James constructs the inner world and thoughts of his characters and their societies. He traces the eruptions and tremors that take place when two people meet, converse, and convene.

Beyond these meetings, little happens in the stories. However, because James was so skilled at rendering the human interior in prose, little is lacking. These stories are about people and their social agonies, and they are profound.

Writing these impressions now, what is most remarkable is that James' narrative represents a part of human living in a way that is purely literary. What he does in these stories can only be done, in this way in particular, in literature - not in film or photo or game. It is for this kind of accomplishment that literature is such a splendid treasure.

His works offer a unique perspective on the human condition, allowing readers to explore the depths of emotions and the complexity of relationships. Through his masterful use of language, James creates a world that is both familiar and yet充满了新的发现.

These stories will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, as they capture the essence of what it means to be human.
July 15,2025
... Show More
The Turn of the Screw is a work that I have only read. It was truly a laborious task to get through. The sentences are long and rambling, and what overshadows them even more are the extremely long paragraphs that span several pages.

I suppose the ghost story aspect was okay. However, Henry James has a tendency to use 500 words to convey what could have been accomplished with just 5. As a result, I found myself mostly skimming through the text in an attempt to locate where he actually gets to the point.

The convoluted writing style makes it a challenging read, and it requires a great deal of patience and perseverance to fully understand and appreciate the story.

Despite its flaws, The Turn of the Screw does have its moments that can grip the reader's attention. But overall, the excessive verbosity and complex structure make it a less than enjoyable reading experience for me.

Perhaps with a closer and more dedicated reading, I might be able to uncover the deeper meanings and subtleties that James intended to convey. But for now, I am left with the impression that this is a work that requires a significant investment of time and effort to fully engage with.
July 15,2025
... Show More

I had a great interest in reading the story "The Turn of the Screw" after having watched "The Haunting of Bly Manor" and "The Innocents". However, as it turned out, I found myself liking "Washington Square" and "Daisy Miller: A Study" to a much greater extent. After viewing the two adaptations of "The Turn of the Screw", I never had any doubts about the presence of ghosts. But upon reading the original story, I came to the conclusion that there were no actual ghosts. It seemed to me that it was just a woman who was in love with a man she had met only twice and had an unhealthy desire to please him by "saving" her two charges. It is indeed a brilliant way of telling a story, but I had a hard time following the narrative due to the excessive use of commas.


Which is precisely the reason why I prefer the other two stories. In those, I could clearly envision the characters as the commas didn't pose an obstacle.


And I'm truly grateful for that introduction. I don't believe I would have been able to fully appreciate "The Jolly Corner" and "The Beast in the Jungle" without it.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Once you are able to get your mind fully wrapped around the old language, this book has the power to lead you into a captivating story that can be interpreted in a wide variety of ways.

As you progress through the pages, it holds an air of mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You are constantly forced to grapple with the question of whether the nanny is actually crazy or if she is truly seeing ghosts.

The style of the book may seem 'old' to some, but make no mistake, the story it tells will live on forever. It has a timeless quality that transcends the boundaries of language and era.

Whether you are a lover of classic literature or simply someone who enjoys a good mystery, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression. It challenges your perception and forces you to question what you think you know.

So, if you are looking for a book that will transport you to another world and make you think deeply, look no further than this one.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Turn of the Screw receives 4 stars, while the other stories get 2 stars. Fortunately, the title story is the longest one and constitutes nearly half of this book.

The rest of the stories failed to capture my attention. They don't manage to build up an atmosphere. They are neither scary nor even creepy. And aside from Henry James's writing style, there isn't much else that makes them stand out.

It seems that while the title story has its merits, the other tales in this collection lack the necessary elements to truly engage the reader. Perhaps if they had focused more on creating a spooky or unsettling atmosphere, they would have been more successful.

Nevertheless, Henry James's writing style is still evident throughout the book, which may be enough to satisfy some readers. However, for those looking for a truly terrifying or captivating collection of stories, this may not quite hit the mark.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This story was rather challenging to read.

It was penned more than 100 years ago, and the grammar of that era is quite hard to fathom in modern times.

There isn't an abundance of dialogue; instead, it mainly consists of descriptions in the first person by the governess.

I found myself having to rely on the spark notes in order to make sense of the chapters.

Initially, I was anticipating a really good ghost story. However, the archaic language and the lack of a more engaging narrative style made it a bit of a struggle to get through.

Despite this, I persisted, hoping that as I delved deeper, the story would unfold in a more captivating way.

Nonetheless, it remained a difficult read throughout, but perhaps with further study and analysis, I might be able to uncover the true essence and charm that lies within this old tale.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This was truly a real struggle to get through.

I found 'The Turn of the Screw' to be completely boggling. I simply could not follow it at all, and it bored me to tears.

The next two stories were okay, but the final one was utterly incomprehensible.

Henry James writes beautifully, there is no doubt about that. However, at times he gets very bogged down in his prose.

His elaborate and convoluted writing style makes it difficult for the reader to fully understand the story.

I found this book to be utterly tedious from start to finish.

It was a real chore to read, and I often found myself losing interest and having to force myself to continue.

I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an easy and enjoyable read.

It is definitely a challenging book that requires a lot of patience and concentration.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I would regard this as a non-tawdry alternative to Dracula. It has a dense prose and is truly a work of literature.

However, I was extremely bored for a significant portion of the time. Even though it is only approximately 150 pages in length, I had to force myself to complete it.

I had the distinct feeling that this book was completely beyond my comprehension. Henry James appears to be far more intelligent than I am. I earnestly hope that I will be able to appreciate his work to a greater extent in the future.

Perhaps with more experience and a deeper understanding of literature, I will be able to unlock the true essence and beauty that lies within his writings.

For now, I will take away the knowledge that there are still many great works out there that I have yet to fully grasp and enjoy.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.