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2.55 AVERAGE
2.55 AVERAGE
Another retelling of Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw" for YA and I've still not read the original. However, I have read [b:Tighter|8887240|Tighter|Adele Griffin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320404832s/8887240.jpg|13763271] and know the premise and the outcome of the story.
Jack takes a summer job on a remote island as a live-in babysitter to Miles and Flora at the Crackstone home. It's the only home on the island, and there is no phone reception, no internet access, no television. He's agreed to not be in touch with Mr. Crackstone during the course of the two month contract and to resolve all issues as they arise by himself.
The story begins as Jack writes letters to his girlfriend Sophie, explaining to her some of the weird happenings he experiences as he leaves for the island. There's a guy and a girl, there are a host of legends relayed to him via a couple on the ferry, and when he gets to the home, he begins seeing this dark-eyed male and red-headed female everywhere. As Jack puts together the pieces of the history of Crackstone -- and of the history of former babysitters -- Jack realizes that these two spirits were from former employees of Crackstone. Former employees who ran off together and were killed mysteriously. And they're back as a warning or maybe as revenge.
As Jack writes more letters, it becomes clearer that Also
There wasn't a lot of atmosphere in this novel because of the format, and it didn't raise the chill factor for me. I did appreciate the rapid pacing, but I think that came at the expense of developing atmosphere and at the expense of strengthening Jack's character and back story a bit more.
The more I read this one, the more I reconsidered my reading of Griffin's take on this story last year and the more I think she was far more successful in spinning this classic tale into something fresh and haunting.
Longer review to come.
Jack takes a summer job on a remote island as a live-in babysitter to Miles and Flora at the Crackstone home. It's the only home on the island, and there is no phone reception, no internet access, no television. He's agreed to not be in touch with Mr. Crackstone during the course of the two month contract and to resolve all issues as they arise by himself.
The story begins as Jack writes letters to his girlfriend Sophie, explaining to her some of the weird happenings he experiences as he leaves for the island. There's a guy and a girl, there are a host of legends relayed to him via a couple on the ferry, and when he gets to the home, he begins seeing this dark-eyed male and red-headed female everywhere. As Jack puts together the pieces of the history of Crackstone -- and of the history of former babysitters -- Jack realizes that these two spirits were from former employees of Crackstone. Former employees who ran off together and were killed mysteriously. And they're back as a warning or maybe as revenge.
As Jack writes more letters, it becomes clearer that
Spoiler
he's losing his mind. And it's not at all subtle. If anything, Prose gives far too much away via the epistolary format. Because the letters are going to be all tell and no show -- they have to be as a matter of being letters -- Jack constantly talks about feeling like he's losing his mind. It's way obvious that that's what's happening. So the ending, where Jack is sick and institutionalized, is a total let down.Spoiler
the real take-away of the novel is about grief and how losing Jack's mother caused him to lapse mentally. Grief and loss are common in psychological thrillers, often the reason why people struggle with the spirits and hope so hard to connect with them or make sense of them. However, Prose doesn't develop this thread enough; I needed more from Sophie or from Jack's father to buy into the conclusion.There wasn't a lot of atmosphere in this novel because of the format, and it didn't raise the chill factor for me.
Spoiler
I almost wish Sophie had never responded in the letters -- that would have really raised the stakes for me. I'd question whether or not she existed or was in and of herself a figment of Jack's mind.The more I read this one, the more I reconsidered my reading of Griffin's take on this story last year and the more I think she was far more successful in spinning this classic tale into something fresh and haunting.
Longer review to come.
Nobody wants a modern Turn of the Screw retelling starring a teenage boy who just saw Joker for the first time.
Are you listening to me, Francine Prose?
Nobody.
Are you listening to me, Francine Prose?
Nobody.
An enjoyable, QUICK read, young adult take on The Turning of the Screw. Book is told through letters written from main character to his girlfriend & father (much like in Dracula). Interesting. Though do wish it had been a little longer and dove more into the history of the island/house. Still a good quick read.
This was fascinating. Despite it being a shorter story than usual, it kept me riveted. It was one of those books that was hard to put down once you got it started. A story about diving into madness.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Graded By: Erin
Cover Story: Almost Spooky
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Epistolary Expectations, Unfulfilled
Bonus Factors: Henry James, The House On the Hill
Relationship Status: You're the Billy Lewis To My Reva Shane
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Almost Spooky
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Epistolary Expectations, Unfulfilled
Bonus Factors: Henry James, The House On the Hill
Relationship Status: You're the Billy Lewis To My Reva Shane
Read the full book report here.
While spending the summer on a remote island with no internet and no tv would be as unappealing as you can get for most teens, Jack is more than willing to give it a try. See, Jack has been hired to take care of two children for the summer, and though it means spending those months away from his girlfriend, it also means a big boost towards his college funds. Flora and Miles are great. They're odd, to be sure, but they're well behaved and completely unlike most kids today. But Jack soon becomes convinced that something isn't quite right at the house. First there's the fact that he's seen two strange individuals on the island -- people no one but him seems to have seen. Then there's the secret of the locked room and the shared looks the kids frequently give one another. Could Jack be imagining things thanks to the whispered rumors of strange happenings at Crackstone's Landing or is there something more sinister going on?
First and foremost it must be understood that Francine's Prose's latest is a new YA interpretation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw. That said, I can only imagine that The Turning is meant to be read by an audience completely unfamiliar with James's story. Since I am somewhat familiar, I have to admit that I was more than a little disappointed. I'd hoped that Prose would offer not only a modern twist to the story but something fresh and new as well. This was very much not the case.
Second, I found that Prose's use of letters here to tell Jack's story took away all opportunity to build the atmosphere James's tale is so well known for. The creepiness factor just wasn't there and I blame it wholly on the epistolary style.
Sadly, I just didn't enjoy Prose's outing. But that's not to say that someone who has never read James or seen any adaptation of the story won't feel differently.
First and foremost it must be understood that Francine's Prose's latest is a new YA interpretation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw. That said, I can only imagine that The Turning is meant to be read by an audience completely unfamiliar with James's story. Since I am somewhat familiar, I have to admit that I was more than a little disappointed. I'd hoped that Prose would offer not only a modern twist to the story but something fresh and new as well. This was very much not the case.
Second, I found that Prose's use of letters here to tell Jack's story took away all opportunity to build the atmosphere James's tale is so well known for. The creepiness factor just wasn't there and I blame it wholly on the epistolary style.
Sadly, I just didn't enjoy Prose's outing. But that's not to say that someone who has never read James or seen any adaptation of the story won't feel differently.
didn't expect much and was still incredibly disappointed.. poorly written, even for a teen book.. tons of build-up for? nothing?? just so so bad 8(
I wanted a short audiobook while I traveled to see my family two hours away. This one was perfect. I think the narrator ended up doing a better performance of the book than I would have gotten had I been just reading it, if the other reviews are anything to go by. It was a silly little romp based on Turn of the Screw and I enjoyed it. The end.