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The Turn of the Screw Audiobook
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(3.79) - 33 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
One of the world’s most famous intellectual ghost stories, The Turn of the Screw is a haunting tale of suspected supernatural possession. A governess at a country house claims that Miles and Flora, two orphaned children in her care, are being controlled by spirits for some evil purpose. No one else can see the ghosts, and the children themselves are silent. Are they being dominated by spectral forces, or are they hiding something? Is the governess simply paranoid, or is something else going on? With its ambiguous content and powerful narrative technique, the story challenges the listener to determine whether the unnamed governess is a reliable witness or a neurotic with an overheated imagination.
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"This classic ghost story is a delight to read. Without “special effects” and unbelievable telling James has written an intriguing horrific plot that sucks you in and doesn’t let go until the last sentence. And what a last sentence it is: total shock! "
— esterb (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A most wonderful, lurid, poisonous little tale.”
— Oscar Wilde -
“More than a horrific ghost story, The Turn of the Screw is an enigmatic and disturbing psychological novel that probes the source of terror in neuroses and moral degradation…The Turn of the Screw will continue to fascinate and to intrigue because James’ ‘cold artistic calculation’ has so filled it with suggestiveness and intentional ambiguity that it may be read at different levels and with new revelations at each successive reading.”
— Masterpieces of World Literature -
“Both narrators are skilled and capable, and render James’ complex prose as clearly as it would be on the page, if not more so…just what a good audiobook should do.”
— AudioFile -
“Benjamin’s reading of the story, in a sweet British accent, is a calming contrast…Benjamin’s accent and emotional undercurrents are just right. This excellent production highlights James’ gorgeous prose and skill at creating and sustaining a mood of growing unease and horror.”
— Booklist (audio review) -
“The reader’s mind is forced to hold to two levels of awareness: the story as told, and the story to be deduced.”
— Leon Edel, literary critic and Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer of Henry James -
“This enigmatic, chilling, classic ghost story is especially well told in semivoiced narrations. Simon Vance presents the introductory material…Suiting her presentation well to James’ elaborate prose style, actress Vanessa Benjamin then relates [the governess’] experiences.”
— SoundCommentary.com
Awards
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A Pop Sugar Pick of Books to Read before They Become a Hit TV Show
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A New York Public Library Staff Pick of Favorite Books of the last 125 Years
The Turn of the Screw Listener Reviews
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" I like a creepy story. This had all the right elements, but the suspense was a little too drawn out, and the payout not quite what I hoped. "
— Hawkgrrrl, 2/11/2014 -
" I have to admit I'm not quite sure what was going on here...slightly frustrated with the ending. (and creepy children freak me out) "
— Emylie, 2/2/2014 -
" I really liked it, not really sure I know why for all the confusion and meta-text. "
— Meghan, 12/31/2013 -
" I have been wanting to read this for a long time. I have seen two movie adaptations, the best being "The Innocents" and I was expecting a great an haunting read. However, this book though short, took me forever to read. It just was ok. It was not as good as I had hoped. That said I am glad I did read it but I was hoping for a better read. "
— Blue, 12/26/2013 -
" I loved this book, it is the book that the movie "The Others" is based on. Keeps you turning the pages and only tells you what you need to know to keep your imagination working. "
— Melissa, 12/22/2013 -
" pretty good! liked the thrill and excitement and loved the movie "
— Jeannie, 12/19/2013 -
" I'm not sure how to rate this book or even if I understood it. Chloe Parks made me read this as the price for letting me read Lord of the Flies. "
— Jim, 12/12/2013 -
" If you liked Charlotte Perkins Gilmans' "The Yellow Wallpaper," you'll like this. I sure did! "
— Clarissa, 12/9/2013 -
" A very interesting read. The ending seemed rather sudden and unexpected. I enjoyed the blurring between reality and imagination--that it was never certain whether ghosts were really appearing or not. "
— Misty, 11/5/2013 -
" A terrific story in the vein of the gothic, with interesting turns. A fascinating read with acuity of the senses and a whirlwind of fear. A real ghost story, put in place by James, in the mind of a man used to writing much different novels. "
— Nick, 7/28/2013 -
" My Halloween read for the year. Creepy ghost story that kept me guessing the whole way. James' style is difficult, IMO. "
— Will, 7/16/2013 -
" This story is just too damn vague. You're never quite sure what is going on and, in a ghost story, that can be a good thing, but when the resolution fails to clear things up, you just feel frustrated. The actions of the children just make no sense to me. "
— Matt, 3/8/2013 -
" This is a haunting, brilliantly written tale! Kept half in suspense throughout, our minds fill in the blanks in this ghost story. Do go see Britten's opera! "
— Snufkin, 2/19/2013 -
" Interesting book. I read it looking for the pragmatic tendencies from the author for my Pragmatism class, but would have probably liked the story better had I just been able to read it for fun. "
— Sabine, 12/31/2012 -
" Good overall story but it's very wordy for a book where little happens; however, that can probably be a reflection of the fact the book was written near the end of the Victorian era. "
— Kirsteen, 11/3/2012 -
" Henry James...Loooong sentences. My editor would never let me get away with such things "
— Fawn, 11/1/2012 -
" Not a quick read because of the text, but a good, haunting story. One that stays with you and keeps you thinking long after its back on the book shelf. "
— Kate, 1/10/2012 -
" Classic ghost story of a governess coming to take charge of 2 children, Miles and Flora in the English countryside. "
— Marla, 1/2/2012 -
" Used to drive my Novels classes crazy with this one...hmmm! "
— Heather, 12/9/2011 -
" Classic scary story, will literally send chills down your spine. Great ending that leaves plenty of room for discussion. Good blend of intriguing story and classic literature. "
— Brenton, 7/5/2011 -
" This book scared me to death. Made the mistake of reading it at night, on my own on Halloween. Slept with the light on for a week after that. "
— Karensi, 5/22/2011 -
" Thought I had better read this after finishing "Florence and Giles" "
— Kate, 5/20/2011 -
" Very interesting story. This is another story in which the reader is allowed to conjecture as to what really happened. The story is vague enough to allow the reader to come up with many conclusions, creating another "turn of the screw". "
— Crystal, 5/18/2011 -
" If you love mystery and slightly chilling fiction - this is it. One of those books that I couldn't put down, but had me hiding underneath the covers! "
— Anna, 5/14/2011 -
" I'm working my way through the classics and found this book one of the best. It really plays with one's mind as we never know the truth of the events as they occur. James is a great writer; if only I could write as well! "
— Charles, 5/10/2011 -
" One of my favorite ghost stories (or are they really 'ghosts'?) The whole novella is filled with psychological ambiguity - are the angelic children really evil or is the caring governess insane? "
— Sara, 5/2/2011 -
" This was so dumb. I'm glad I wasn't around during this time period because ghost stories were too boring and wordy. By the time it got to the climax I was totally over it. Just lame and confusing. I'm gonna go eat some cheesecake now and forget what this was about. "
— Ashley, 4/30/2011 -
" This novella is very good and very creepy, and it only gets more so the more times you read it. The creepiest part comes when you ask yourself whom you can trust... "
— Steff, 4/28/2011 -
" James has a somewhat convoluted way with a sentence, but once I got with the rhythm, it was enjoyable. I've seen just about every big and little screen adaptation of the story, so it was about time I read the book. "
— Barry, 4/28/2011 -
" Strange book - sudden and suspensful ending. I liked it. "
— Mimifoote, 4/26/2011 -
" I'm not sure I understand the ending... All of that for him just to die???? "
— Donna, 4/22/2011 -
" A very interesting read. The ending seemed rather sudden and unexpected. I enjoyed the blurring between reality and imagination--that it was never certain whether ghosts were really appearing or not. "
— Misty, 4/18/2011
About Henry James
Henry James (1843–1916), American novelist, short-story writer, and man of letters, was born in Washington Place, New York, to a family of distinguished philosophers and theologians. He attended schools in New York, Boston, and throughout Europe, where he later settled. A major figure in the history of the novel, he is celebrated as a master craftsman who brought his great art and impeccable technique to bear in the development of abiding moral themes.
About Vanessa Benjamin
Vanessa Benjamin (a.k.a. Roe Kendall) is a native of the British Isles. Some twenty-five years ago she moved to the United States with her family and set down roots in Maryland. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, receiving their silver medal as well as the Sir Emile Littler and Caryl Brahms awards. Benjamin has performed on stage in the Washington, DC, area for several years and at many venues and has performed at the Kennedy Center as Mrs. Schubert in the long-running show Shear Madness. An accomplished actress and narrator, she has recorded over two hundred books. Her work as a freelance voice-over artist and narrator has led her in many interesting directions, from technical government materials to eighteenth-century romance novels to hotel advertising, but narrating books is what she really enjoys. “I really love playing all the parts when I narrate a book. It’s an adventure, a challenge, and above all I feel that I learn something new with each book I read. I do a lot of reading for the Library of Congress’ Blind and Physically Handicapped program, and it is so rewarding for me especially when I get a letter from a patron; it’s a great service for the listener.”