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'Lost' Book Club: 'The Turn of the Screw'
(Norilana Books)
It's only fitting that as we enter October, a month known primarily for its association with Halloween and tales of the creepy-spooky-altogether-ooky variety, that we turn our collective attention to a ghost story as the next selection in the "Lost" Book Club. And so it is with great foreboding (and, unfortunately, without any shrieking audio or spooky fonts) that we utter the name of this tome: "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James.
Why We Chose It: In the episodes "Orientation" and "Live Together, Die Alone," the first in a serious of mysterious orientations films is stored on a book shelf, directly behind a copy of -- you guessed it -- "Turn of the Screw." Coincidence? Well, maybe. But in "Lost" World, literary references are usually the result of a calculated formula calibrated for the right mix of "aha" and "hmm" from we unwitting innocents. James's classic novella also is referenced in the "Lost" spin-off book, "Bad Twin" (which Jen -- coincidentally known as the Bad Twin here -- actually read).
Why You Should Read It: With its not necessarily reliable narrator, this tale is wide open to interpretation by the reader, something "Lost" fans should appreciate. It has inspired numerous TV and film adaptations over the years, including the 1961 film "The Innocents" and -- albeit very loosely -- 2001's "The Others." Yeah, I (Jen, the bad twin) said "The Others." Chew on that, for a little while. Most importantly, it's a novella and is less than 200 pages -- leaving plenty of time for October's myriad other pursuits. Seriously, Sawyer could read this and still have plenty of time to get down and dirty with Kate, shoot Locke's dad and refer to Hurley as Jabba the Hut before calling it a day.
We'll gather back here on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at Noon ET to discuss what we've learned.
-- Jen and Liz
By Jen Chaney |
September 26, 2007; 12:55 PM ET
| Category:
Lost
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Posted by: byoolin | September 26, 2007 1:21 PM
To quote Edward Abbey: "Henry James was our master of periphrasis--the fine art of saying as little as possible in the greatest number of words."
Er, uh, I mean, ENJOY.
Posted by: Max | September 26, 2007 1:44 PM
oh, no, Liz. Everything James wrote is soporific. Bad choice.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 26, 2007 1:47 PM
Yeah I tried to read this once. Snore. But then I don't watch Lost so what do I know anyway.
Posted by: arlington | September 26, 2007 1:49 PM
I cannot stand James, and I loved War and Peace. It is not that complex, long books are too hard for me. James just is duller than dishwater.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 26, 2007 2:17 PM
Dang it! I'm only half way thru The Watchmen.
Posted by: petal | September 26, 2007 2:20 PM
Foucoult's Pendulum (Umberto Eco) would be a lot better choice.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 26, 2007 2:27 PM
argh--Foucault's. Sorry!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 26, 2007 2:28 PM
I read this in high school. All I remember is that my English teacher allowed it huge sexual overtones, but she was also obsessed with "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and its fairies, so who knows? I remember enjoying its wide interpretation, so good choice! I think this was a fabulous idea!
Posted by: Courtney | September 26, 2007 4:55 PM
"The Innocents" is one of the scariest movies I ever saw. We used to watch it every time it was on television when I was growing up. Creeeeeepy.
Posted by: methinks | September 26, 2007 6:25 PM
"Cactus Ed" Abbey!! Great reference, Max!! And great comment on Henry z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z James. Wake me when it's over.
Posted by: Mister Methane | September 26, 2007 10:54 PM
Having just completed a Henry James seminar, I think you will find this a lot more interesting than you might at first suspect. You can read it on line at: http://www.online-literature.com/henry_james/turn_screw/
Enjoy. And don't worry about all those creaking sounds when you read it - they only lend to the suspense.
Posted by: BeachGirl | September 27, 2007 8:29 AM
Posted by: yirow | October 21, 2007 8:42 PM
So I missed today's chat, but I can't believe the book club hasn't addressed the one book that we know the Other's book club (on the show) was reading and discussing: Stephen King's 'Carrie'.
Please tell me it's on the list for discussion before February.......
Posted by: Jaredd | October 31, 2007 2:03 PM
Posted by: rcjzt | November 25, 2007 9:23 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
On Wednesday, October 31st at noon, I'll be hosting a "The Turn of the Screw" book burning party in the alley behind my house and you're all invited to come join me and the lovely Mrs. Byoolin for those festivities and all ensuing hilarity.