Review: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James – a very interesting & subtle mystery

What an interesting story. 

Initially, I was growing a bit weary of the slightly discursive parenthetical sentence structure in the first person narration - but I think it works. It's at the half way point that the mystery begins to foment; and - at which point - I think the skilful effect of the dense sentences by Henry James becomes apparent. At that point, we had been in the governess's brain - 'listening' to her internal confusion - sharing the nuances in her suspicion and afterthoughts.

The unreliable narrator is the governess employed at Bly - the country manor - to care for two children placed under her care, Miles and Flora. She is immediately struck by their angelic cherubic beauty and charm, and seems determined to protect them; however, the story takes a menacing and psychologically disturbing turn when she begins to see apparitions. (First one: what we can infer as Peter Quint spends an age starring at the governess from the house’s tower. Moving then, and still without once breaking eye contact. That's quite chilling!)

Side point: it is fascinating that the governess should collapse on the last step of the staircase exactly as Miss Jessel's (the former governess) ghost had done days prior. It suggests a parallel and Jessel (it was alluded) may have had an affair with Quint. I am not sure I can fully appreciate the connection vis-a-vis the present governess; but I'm convinced James drew one. 

What makes this story fascinating is that it is impossible to divine whether the governess is delusional and obsessive. Is she losing her mind? Or are there truly demonic-like apparitions? Were the two children aware of the ghosts all along? Why Quint and Jessel? What was it about them as former employees? I found the governess's behaviour in the final few chapters really quite shocking and mentally disturbing (mind you, I might be the same in such circs). And the ending is just brilliant and cements the ambiguity (the "Peter Quint – you devil!" line and the use of the word "devil" by Henry James is interesting).

Although the language may be unorthodox (at first), it's easy to get used to and there are some interesting literary gems. For example, as regards the residents of Bly Manor, "... I had the fancy of our being almost as lost as a handful of passengers in a great drifting ship. Well, I was, strangely, at the helm!" 

I will definitely re-read this again in the future.