Greetings Bookworms!
How often do you get to say that a celebrity read you a bedtime story? You’d be able to say that a lot more often if you were down with audio books, believe you me. Of course, if you’d rather stay up all night being confused and creeped out than actually sleep, I’ve got the bedtime story for you. Or Emma Thompson does. Audible hooked up with Emma Thompson to produce an audio version of The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, which is only the quintessential gothic ghost story. *Please note that I did not actually listen to this before bed because nightmares. I only listened in broad daylight.*
I decided to give the book a listen because I love Emma Thompson and The Turn of the Screw has been on my TBR list since the beginning of time. The narrator of an audio book can have a profound effect on the awesomeness of the experience, which is why it was smart-smart-smart of the powers that be to tap an Oscar winning actress to tackle Henry James. The Turn of the Screw isn’t long and it doesn’t do the blood and guts thing, so it relies heavily on atmosphere, foreboding, and playing into the reader’s fear of potentially evil children (which is a fear instilled into this reader by a few babysitting jobs… And Children of the Corn.) Emma Thompson’s narration hit all the right creepy notes, and she did a good enough job of differentiating between the different characters’ voices that I was never in doubt as to who was talking. A neat trick considering the characters consisted of a governess, a heavily accented housekeeper, and two small children.
We’ve discussed before on this blog that I’ve got a serious weakness for audio books. We’ve also discussed some of the channels by which I access my audio books. Audible has long been one of my favorites. You can buy books without a subscription if you want, but at $14.95 a month, the subscription offers big savings, particularly if you’re into giant chunksters. One of Diana Gabaldon’s novels could run you nearly $50 if you were to buy a la carte (still not a bad deal if you’re considering the 55 hours of listening enjoyment AND the endless Jamie Fraser daydreams), but if you had a subscription? Giant savings. Another one of the things I love about Audible? Even if you suspend your subscription for any reason, you get to KEEP all those books you bought at a ridiculous savings and listen to them whenever you want. If there are series you want to revisit again and again? I highly recommend you purchase them through Audible. I personally have the entire Outlander and Harry Potter series hanging out in my library.
Still unsure if you want to try out Audible? They’ll give you a one month subscription for FREE. That’s right. You could listen to Emma Thompson read you The Turn of the Screw (or any other book you fancy) for zero dollars. Give it a whirl! You’ve got nothing to lose. Well. Except maybe sleep. Curse you, Henry James!
*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.*
Andi M. (@estellasrevenge)
Emma Thompson reading ghost stories? YES!
Words For Worms
Right?! It’s awesome.
Megan M.
I would listen to Emma Thompson read me anything. Color me intrigued!
Words For Worms
She does such a great job, it’s awesome.
Ashley F
I read this in Grade 9. LOVED IT. It’s one of the few school books that I really enjoyed. So subtly creepy.
Words For Worms
Right? The fact that everything isn’t spelled out makes it way creepier.
Jenny @ Reading the End
Still have never read The Turn of the Screw! I decided to get over my annoyance with Henry James one time and I read a different one of his novellas and it was — you know — fine. I GUESS. I fear that Henry James and I will never be pals, even with the intervention of the marvelous Emma Thompson.
ONE DAY KATIE. One day I will start reading audiobooks. (maybe)
Words For Worms
I will feel MOST ACCOMPLISHED if I ever manage to sway you into audio book land.
A.M.B.
I love Emma Thompson! I’m not so sure about ghost stories, though… I’m a scaredy cat!
Words For Worms
It’s not as scary as a Stephen King novel, but it’s certainly creepy.
Janani
Totally picked this up on Audible after reading your post. Thanks for the heads-up! Tbh, I’d listen to Emma Thompson reading a grocery list, an economics textbook, tweets…you get the idea.
Words For Worms
Wahoo! I hope you dig it! (And now I kind of want to hear Emma Thompson read tweets out of context because that would be hilarious.)
Michelle
I am going to have to go back to this one and add it to my wish list.
Unruly Reader
If my book club ever decides to read a horror novel again (oh, dear heaven, help me), I’m gonna suggest this one. And then I’m gonna read it only during the first half of the day, when other people are around.
MWGerard
Whoohoo! This sounds amazing!