W.W. Jacobs is best remembered for the chilling horror of 'The Monkey's Paw,' but in 'Family Cares,' he shows off his talent for dark, domestic comedy. It's a story that proves family obligations can be just as terrifying as any cursed artifact.

The Story

The tale follows a family—a husband, wife, and their adult son—who unexpectedly inherit a house from a distant relative. It seems like a dream come true, a ticket out of their cramped life. But there's a condition written into the will. Living in the house is the late owner's elderly, miserly, and utterly disagreeable brother, Mr. Bodfish. The family must provide him with a home and care for the rest of his life. What starts as a minor annoyance quickly spirals. Bodfish is a nightmare guest: critical, demanding, and seemingly indestructible. As the family's patience wears thin, their greed for the unencumbered property grows. The plot becomes a series of increasingly absurd and darkly comic schemes as they try to encourage the stubborn old man to, well, move on—to another relative, another town, or another plane of existence—without crossing the line into outright villainy.

Why You Should Read It

What I love about this story is how Jacobs perfectly captures the slow boil of resentment. He doesn't paint the family as monsters from the start. You see their initial good intentions curdle under the daily grind of dealing with a professional complainer. Their scheming is awful, but you understand the frustration that fuels it. Bodfish is a masterpiece of irritation. He's not evil; he's just incredibly good at being a burden. Jacobs has a keen eye for the petty tensions that can erupt in a shared household, and he dials it up to eleven. It's a funny book, but the humor has a sharp, uncomfortable edge that makes you think.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for someone who enjoys classic short stories with a wicked sense of humor. If you like the moral twists of Saki or the domestic observations of Jane Austen but prefer something with a darker, quicker punch, you'll appreciate Jacobs here. It's also great for readers who only know him from 'The Monkey's Paw' and want to see his range. At its heart, 'Family Cares' is for anyone who's ever smiled through gritted teeth at a family gathering, wondering just how much 'duty' one person can reasonably be expected to take.