Comments on: Henry James: The Turn of the Screw

By: 10 Classic Horror Novels You Can Read in One Night - Short Horror Novels

10 Classic Horror Novels You Can Read in One Night - Short Horror Novels — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:11:52 +0000

[...] The Turn of the Screw – A ghost story from Henry James that was originally published in 1898. Some call this the most sophisticated ghost story ever written. [...]

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:53:19 +0000

I’ve been watching this opera discussion with some interest because I think it is the one art form that is totally beyond me. The fact that it is does perplex me — I love both live theatre and classical music, so it would seem that I should like it when they are brought together. I suspect the reason is that my “listening” skills are not nearly as well developed as my “story-reading” skills. So I find the opera plots banal and don’t know enough (or hear enough) of what the singers are doing when they deliver them. Then again, given the price of an opera seat, maybe not liking the form can be recast as a cost-saving initiative on my part.

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:36:34 +0000

It’s actors on stage performing parts while singing, the whole thing set to music.

That’s not knocking it, I enjoy opera, but I don’t think the survival of the form is helped any by making it more highbrow than in fact it is. Art is too easily made inaccessible.

I’d suggest, though I’m no expert, that you not worry too much at live performances about catching everything, I certainly don’t – my wife gets far more than I do but then she knows classical music far better than I do.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:21:37 +0000

I’m glad to hear that about The Innocents, Max; I have succeeded in watching all of the first five minutes of it! I have a feeling that is not the way to watch this one.

I wonder how many people agree with you about opera being musical theater with classical music, Max. I know a few who would be standing up swinging right now! I have attended the opera before, but it was fun mostly for the atmosphere (“I’m at the opera; wow, look at that set!”). While I love listening to music at home or on my iPod, when I can come and go as I please, being in attendance I’ve failed to be as fully engaged as I’d like to be. When I’m at home I can rewind and listen to part again when things get too fast or complicated. I can capture more of the leit motifs and such. But there, it’s just not the same thing – yet. I’m assuming it’s more me than opera, though.

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:58:31 +0000

The Innocents is excellent Trevor, a tremendously atmospheric film.

The thing with opera, it has a lot of mystique attached to it, but really it’s musical theatre with classical music. There’s no skills necessary, you listen, watch if you’re there in person, enjoy or not.

I think people are often put off reading by the impression that they have to pass some kind of test before they can enjoy it, I think the same applies to opera really. It’s not true in either case, though admittedly there’s a better range of accessible reading than there is accessible opera.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:03:10 +0000

Ted, I’ve always wanted to gain the skills necessary to enjoy opera. I have enjoyed what I’ve seen, but always felt like I lacked something necessary to really appreciate it. Perhaps knowing a bit about the inspiration to the libretto is a good start!

On another note, I do have from Netflix The Innocents, which I hear is the best film adaptation of the story. I’ll return and report when I have my own thoughts.

By: Ted

Ted — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:57:41 +0000

Nice post. I appreciate what a thorough reader you are. Don’t know if it’s your style or not, but Benjamin Britten did a great operatic adaptation of Turn of the Screw.

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:29:28 +0000

SPOILERS

HONESTLY, THERE REALLY ARE

Actually, there aren’t really. I don’t entirely recall Trevor, it’s been too long since I read it and I took it too literally when I did. I’ll have a reread, and get back to you on this one.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:42:35 +0000

Here’s a question for those who have read it:

SPOILER ALERT (and please, if you respond, mark potential spoilers as such)!

What do you think happened? Were the ghosts real? Was the governess simply mad? If so, how did she describe Peter Quint so well? Why did Miles say Quint’s name? Why did Miles die?

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:34:15 +0000

Thank you both. I’ve found a very well-priced Penguin Classic edition with both, which I will be ordering.