This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the The Monkey's Paw article. This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject.
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Novels, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to novels, novellas, novelettes and short stories on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the project and contribute to the general Project discussion to talk over new ideas and suggestions.NovelsWikipedia:WikiProject NovelsTemplate:WikiProject Novelsnovel
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Horror, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to fictional horror in film, literature and other media on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you can edit one of the articles mentioned below, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and contribute to the general Project discussion to talk over new ideas and suggestions.HorrorWikipedia:WikiProject HorrorTemplate:WikiProject Horrorhorror
Under Notable versions it says: "A 1983 Stephen King novel, Pet Sematary, is a retelling of the story." But I'm not sure the source supports that [1]. The source says "And then, if that family's two-year- old son were to fall victim to another passing truck. . . . The book would be a conscious retelling of W.W. Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw," that enduring short story about parents who literally wish their son back from the dead. After King completed the first draft, the book [...] was put away." So:
the reporting seems to be conjecture in Washington Post's voice, not King's
it appears to refer to an initial draft, not the final novel
it is set up as a hypothetical if, then the book would be a retelling...
Having read the plot summary at Wikipedia here, it seems the novel may share some elements with, and/or have been inspired by "The Monkey's Paw", but the published result seems to stray very far from the narrative, enough that it cannot really be considered a version of the story. signed, Willondon (talk) 20:32, 30 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]