Wordsworth Classics are inexpensive editions designed to appeal to the general reader and students. We commissioned teachers and specialists to write wide ranging, jargon-free introductions and to provide notes that would assist the understanding of our readers rather than interpret the stories for them. In the same spirit, because the pleasures of reading are inseparable from the surprises, secrets and revelations that all narratives contain, we strongly advise you to enjoy this book before turning to the Introduction.

Henry James was arguably the greatest practitioner of what has been called the psychological ghost story. His stories explore the region which lies between the supernatural or straightforwardly marvellous and the darker areas of the human psyche.

This edition includes all ten of his 'apparitional' stories, or ghost stories in the strict sense of the term, and as such is the fullest collection currently available. The stories range widely in tone and type. They include 'The Jolly Corner', a compelling story of psychological doubling; 'Owen Wingrave', which is also a subtle parable of military tradition; 'The Friends of the Friends', a strange story of uncanny love; and 'The Private Life', which finds a shrewd, high comedy in its ghostly theme.

The volume also includes Iames's great novella 'The Turn of the Screw', perhaps the most ambiguous and disturbing ghost story ever written.

INTRODUCTION

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO 'The Turn of the Screw'

AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO: 'The Private Life',

  'Owen Wingrave', 'The Friends of the Friends',

  'Sir Edmund Orme', 'The Real Right Thing' and

  'The aToUy Corner'

 The Romance of Certain Old Clothes

 The Ghostly Rental

 Sir Edmund Orme

  The Private Life

  Owen Wingrave

  The Friends of the Friends

  The Turn of the Screw

  The Real Right Thing

  The Third Person

  The Jolly Corner

 NOTES TO THE PREFACES

 NOTES TO THE STORIES