Stephen King's short story 'The Monkey' from his anthology 'Skeleton Crew,' published in 1985, has often been overshadowed by other notable works in the collection. While tales like 'The Mist' and 'Survivor Type' draw more acclaim, the enduring presence of 'The Monkey' as a cover image reflects its intriguing quality. The story explores a man's complex relationship with a haunting wind-up toy, highlighting King's unique ability to create tension through vivid storytelling. The upcoming film adaptation raises questions about the story's appeal and significance in King's body of work amidst a sea of compelling narratives.
"What stands out about 'The Monkey' in 2025, 45 years after its first publication, is how visceral King's language gets. The story jumps around in time as it tracks a man's long relationship with a toy windup monkey that resists all attempts to discard or destroy it."
"I always thought it was strange that Stephen King's publishers thought his short story 'The Monkey' was such a big deal. Compared to the other stories surrounding it in his indelible 1985 anthology Skeleton Crew, it felt like a whiff."
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