The Monkey's Paw

Book excerpt: What would you wish for if you could have anything? William Wymark Jacobs raises this age-old question when the White family stumble upon a monkey’s paw with the power to grant wishes. When their wish for riches goes awry, they are forced to face the truth - that all actions have consequences, magically granted or not. Over time, Jacobs’ novel has become a classic horror story, boasting an impressive amount of adaptions. Including an episode of ‘The X-Files’, ‘The Simpsons’, and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. William Wymark Jacobs (1863-1943) was an English author. Despite being famed for his quick-witted comedies, his most successful novel came from his experiments within the horror genre. His most notable works include ‘The Monkey’s Paw’, ‘The Toll House’, and ‘Jerry Bundler’. Jacob’s unique ability to couple the everyday with the unthinkable makes his works unmissable for fans of Stephen King, and all classic horror.