If you’re looking for a short story with a bit of ambiguity, read this book. On the face of it, it seems like a simple ghost story, but with a little digging, a whole world of interpretation becomes apparent. The ghosts for example, are they real or are they apparitions of the governess’ creation? How and why does the event involving Miles happen at the end? I won’t ruin it for you just in case you decide to give it a read. Seriously though, it’ll only take you two or three hours tops, and it’s right here for all the world to see (psst, click the link and read it…not that I’m forcing you or anything).
Being one of the few people who have written a 2500 word essay on the uncanny in Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw only yesterday, you would think that I would hate it by now, which I don’t. Now that has to be a good sign. I would give you all the link to read it but I don’t think many would so there’s not much point; if you do however feel a desperate urge to hear my thoughts on the uncanny in this novel, and Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus, you are more than welcome to ask and I will post it (be warned it is heavy reading).
Before you pass my rants of as the ramblings of a strange and lonely English student obsessed with obscure literature, consider this; I’m not the only one who likes this book. In fact, even if you’ve never heard of it, I would be willing to bet a lot of money that you already like it. It has been adapted into so many films it’s unbelievable. Obviously, The Turn of the Screw is one, but The Innocents, Presence of Mind, In a Dark Place, among many others the most famous is probably The Others.
So, in a nutshell, get reading!
The Literate Worm 