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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
if I hadn’t seen bly manor I wouldn’t have a CLUE what was going on. honestly pretty amazing how complex the show is compared to the book. it was cool to see the origins of one of my favorite shows but I would never recommend or reread it… that being said I didn’t hate it.
I really liked how overdramatic everyone acted in this book. I enjoy an ending where everything is not spelled out for you, and you can think about things. A lot of people were reviewing that they didn't like Henry James's use (or overuse) of commas, but I thought it really added to the drama and tone of the book. I like how he makes you wait for scary things to happen.
okay why was she kind of good like shes cute and creepy and completely abiguous. not too bad def up there for books i have read for class.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The one thing that I feel confident in saying about this book is that it is big on mood, and it was a mood that I really enjoyed.
Our main character is a governess for two orphaned siblings. She’s tasked to watch over them in a gothic British mansion by the surviving uncle who wants nothing to do with them. Everyone but the uncle is obsessed with their beauty in a profoundly unsettling way. Then suddenly, ghost!
The plot is enshrouded with mystery. What happened to the previous caretakers? Was there something suspicious between them and the children? Why was the boy kicked out of school? Are the ghosts real? Are the kids conspiring, or are they possessed?
I legit loved the setup and seeing it all unfold. But, the author was really committed to ambiguity. Honestly, It’s probably the reason why this has become a “timeless classic” as people will want to reread this and discuss this looking for answers. For me though, I was annoyed by the lack of follow through.
Combine an unclear story with overly verbose, wildly punctuated prose that weaves in on itself to hide its meaning and you get something of a beautiful muddled mess.
Despite being a bit of a slog sometimes, I did enjoy reading it. But, I feel dissatisfied by its absolute inconclusiveness. What’s this book about? Who can say. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that ol’ trickster Henry James didn’t have a clue either. It’s possible that he just prattled off some episodic pieces for a magazine to get a paycheck. “You want me of all people to write a horror story? Sure here you go.”
Anyway I choose to believe the story I like best and that’s good enough, I guess. Maybe if you don’t commit to anything as a writer you make more people happy because the audience fills in the story they want. Whatever.
Our main character is a governess for two orphaned siblings. She’s tasked to watch over them in a gothic British mansion by the surviving uncle who wants nothing to do with them. Everyone but the uncle is obsessed with their beauty in a profoundly unsettling way. Then suddenly, ghost!
The plot is enshrouded with mystery. What happened to the previous caretakers? Was there something suspicious between them and the children? Why was the boy kicked out of school? Are the ghosts real? Are the kids conspiring, or are they possessed?
I legit loved the setup and seeing it all unfold. But, the author was really committed to ambiguity. Honestly, It’s probably the reason why this has become a “timeless classic” as people will want to reread this and discuss this looking for answers. For me though, I was annoyed by the lack of follow through.
Combine an unclear story with overly verbose, wildly punctuated prose that weaves in on itself to hide its meaning and you get something of a beautiful muddled mess.
Despite being a bit of a slog sometimes, I did enjoy reading it. But, I feel dissatisfied by its absolute inconclusiveness. What’s this book about? Who can say. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that ol’ trickster Henry James didn’t have a clue either. It’s possible that he just prattled off some episodic pieces for a magazine to get a paycheck. “You want me of all people to write a horror story? Sure here you go.”
Anyway I choose to believe the story I like best and that’s good enough, I guess. Maybe if you don’t commit to anything as a writer you make more people happy because the audience fills in the story they want. Whatever.
Gripping at certain points. Flowery prose with some great scenes and a solid ending. I had heard it was a story marked by ambiguity, and I agree upon completion. Beside the main ambiguity, though, there’s not much to pick apart. Glad it’s short, because it packs a punch but would have dragged had it continued much longer.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love this short story. Loved it when I read it in a “Magic and Realism in Literature” college course ten years ago, and I have enjoyed it just as much re-reading it now.
The story is gripping, and the ambiguity works to enhance the tale. Is the narrator saving the children over which she cares? Is she losing her mind? Did something actually happen between the children and the house’s earlier occupants, or is the narrator projecting her own prior experiences (or imaginings) onto them?
And the writing! Who doesn’t love some dense Victorian Gothic every now and then?!? Yes, true, you need to be in the mood, but once you grasp James’ intricate syntax, the story reads quite smoothly.
The story is gripping, and the ambiguity works to enhance the tale. Is the narrator saving the children over which she cares? Is she losing her mind? Did something actually happen between the children and the house’s earlier occupants, or is the narrator projecting her own prior experiences (or imaginings) onto them?
And the writing! Who doesn’t love some dense Victorian Gothic every now and then?!? Yes, true, you need to be in the mood, but once you grasp James’ intricate syntax, the story reads quite smoothly.