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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Es fácil entender como esta es considerada como una de las mas épicas historias de terror. No es que la historia de por sí de miedo, es la implicación de lo que un simple deseo puede acarrear. ¿Puede haber algo mas aterrador que la idea de ser capaz de traer a un ser querido de regreso de la muerte y que ya no sea lo que era en vida? No lo creo.
One of my intentions this year is to read more short stories, not just to go through all the ones I have on my shelf but also to be introduced to new authors, both old and new.
To get me started, I went for a re-read of a famous one. 'The Monkey’s Paw' appears in many anthologies and has been adapted innumerably into various media. Quite a success for a short story published in 1902. Reading it, I noticed how Jacobs spent a big proportion of the narrative showing us the happy family, ensconced in their warm home while being surrounded by the cold and wet. In contrast, the 'scary’ bits are much more sparse and I believe the author did that so that we the readers would use our own fears to flesh it out. Smart, and probably why this works so well.
This re-read has made me curious about W.W. Jacobs. I literally just found this morning, in a charity shop, an old penguin of his from 1937, titled Deep Waters. Couldn’t resist getting it :O)
To get me started, I went for a re-read of a famous one. 'The Monkey’s Paw' appears in many anthologies and has been adapted innumerably into various media. Quite a success for a short story published in 1902. Reading it, I noticed how Jacobs spent a big proportion of the narrative showing us the happy family, ensconced in their warm home while being surrounded by the cold and wet. In contrast, the 'scary’ bits are much more sparse and I believe the author did that so that we the readers would use our own fears to flesh it out. Smart, and probably why this works so well.
This re-read has made me curious about W.W. Jacobs. I literally just found this morning, in a charity shop, an old penguin of his from 1937, titled Deep Waters. Couldn’t resist getting it :O)
I’ve always liked reading The Monkey’s Paw. It’s not your typical horror story and leaves the main cause of the readers uneasiness to their imagination.
edit: bumping it up a star because it fuelled a nightmare last night, so I guess it affected me more than I thought
SPOILER
I just wish it wasn’t left so open ended and instead hinted towards the truth, because I was really looking forward to the direction the author would take in terms of resurrecting the son. It’s super cool to see people’s theories though
SPOILER
I just wish it wasn’t left so open ended and instead hinted towards the truth, because I was really looking forward to the direction the author would take in terms of resurrecting the son. It’s super cool to see people’s theories though
Creeeeepy. The quintessential "be careful what you wish for" story.
There's scary stories and then there are stories that are so creepy they stick with you for more than a little while. I mean this is 115-ish years old and it's still very very creepy.
5/5 would recommend
5/5 would recommend
This was one of those short stories that was good, enjoyable, but not a 'need-to-read' tale. It is, however, one of those short stories that shows the weight that all classics carry.
A true classic tale of being careful what you wish for. Always a great short story to read.
"Monkey's paw?" said Mrs. White, curiously.
"Well, it's just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps."
not what i was expecting, but it was still great!! the first few pages were a little long, but once they get to the monkey's paw, i was super into it. the story is spooky and got my heart beating FAST.
i'm usually disappointed with the end of short stories because i always need more–explanations, context, drama, i don't know...–and it's often only after i read literary analysis or reviews that i understand more and am able to decide whether i like it or not. well, this one did not disappoint!! as i read it, i immediately understood why it ends this way and i loved that!! i'm also feeling kind of proud that i was able to understand what makes the story interesting as i was reading it. yay me lol
"Well, it's just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps."
not what i was expecting, but it was still great!! the first few pages were a little long, but once they get to the monkey's paw, i was super into it. the story is spooky and got my heart beating FAST.
i'm usually disappointed with the end of short stories because i always need more–explanations, context, drama, i don't know...–and it's often only after i read literary analysis or reviews that i understand more and am able to decide whether i like it or not. well, this one did not disappoint!! as i read it, i immediately understood why it ends this way and i loved that!! i'm also feeling kind of proud that i was able to understand what makes the story interesting as i was reading it. yay me lol