Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
USA, Colorado, Boulder, ca 1980
Paul Sheldon, 42 år, er forfatter til 4 meget populære bøger med en heltinde, Misery Chastain, som han er blevet grundigt træt af. I hans nyeste bog "Misery's child" tager han livet af Misery og han vil nu skrive en ordentlig bog "Fast cars".
Uheldigvis kører han
Undervejs går det op for Paul at Annie tidligere har begået drab, så han kan roligt være vældig bange for hende.
Han forsøger på et tidspunkt at stikke af men det mislykkes og for at forhindre gentagelser, hakker hun hans venstre fod af lige over anklen (Hobbling).
Hun brænder manuskriptet og tvinger Paul til at skrive et nyt, kaldet: "Misery's Return". Og hun er glimrende til at motivere ham, hvis han ikke leverer de daglige sider.
En politibetjent Duane Kushner kigger forbi, men han bliver brutalt dræbt af Annie. Hun indser at det ikke holder evigt, så Paul må bare se at skynde sig at blive færdig med bogen.
Et par andre politibetjente kommer senere og i første omgang opdager de ingenting.
Senere dukker de op igen, men da er det lykkedes for Paul at komme fri selv og slå Annie ihjel. Faktisk er det en lykkelig slutning. Eller så tæt på som en Stephen King fortælling nu kan komme det.
Glimrende bog. Spærret inde i et hus langt ude på landet af en rablende gal sygeplejerske er et mareridt, ingen af os vil udsætte sig for frivilligt. Husk glatførekursus!
Paul Sheldon, 42 år, er forfatter til 4 meget populære bøger med en heltinde, Misery Chastain, som han er blevet grundigt træt af. I hans nyeste bog "Misery's child" tager han livet af Misery og han vil nu skrive en ordentlig bog "Fast cars".
Uheldigvis kører han
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galt på en sneglat vej nær Boulder, Colorado, mens han er på vej med eneste eksemplar af mauskriptet. Han bliver "reddet" af en lettere bindegal sygeplejerske Annie Wilkins, som er hans "number one fan". Han er kommet slemt til skade, men i stedet for at få ham på hospitalet, indretter hun en sygestue i sit eget isolerede hus og holder ham som en slags husdyr. I de første to uger er han bevidstløs det meste af tiden og hun får ham hooket på Novril smertestillende piller, men er ellers ret venlig (omend tydeligt sindssyg) indtil hun kommer til fjerdesidste side af "Misery's child". Hun lader ham ligge i sit eget lort og sulte og tørste og lide i to dage, inden hun vender tilbage og tvinger ham til at brænde sit manuskript til "Fast cars" og skrive en ny Misery roman i stedet. Misery må ikke være død, men det skal også ske på en "rigtig" måde, hvis ikke Annie skal blive sur på Raul..Undervejs går det op for Paul at Annie tidligere har begået drab, så han kan roligt være vældig bange for hende.
Han forsøger på et tidspunkt at stikke af men det mislykkes og for at forhindre gentagelser, hakker hun hans venstre fod af lige over anklen (Hobbling).
Hun brænder manuskriptet og tvinger Paul til at skrive et nyt, kaldet: "Misery's Return". Og hun er glimrende til at motivere ham, hvis han ikke leverer de daglige sider.
En politibetjent Duane Kushner kigger forbi, men han bliver brutalt dræbt af Annie. Hun indser at det ikke holder evigt, så Paul må bare se at skynde sig at blive færdig med bogen.
Et par andre politibetjente kommer senere og i første omgang opdager de ingenting.
Senere dukker de op igen, men da er det lykkedes for Paul at komme fri selv og slå Annie ihjel. Faktisk er det en lykkelig slutning. Eller så tæt på som en Stephen King fortælling nu kan komme det.
Glimrende bog. Spærret inde i et hus langt ude på landet af en rablende gal sygeplejerske er et mareridt, ingen af os vil udsætte sig for frivilligt. Husk glatførekursus!
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Genres
Publication
Bogklubben 12 bøger. 2. udgave, 1. oplag, 1992
Description
Fiction. Horror. HTML: Paul Sheldon. He's a bestselling novelist who has finally met his biggest fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes and she is more than a rabid reader�??she is Paul's nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house. Now Annie wants Paul to write his greatest work�??just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an ax. And if they don't work, she can get really nasty.
User reviews
LibraryThing member jseger9000
Misery is the book that made me a Stephen King fan. It was also the first Stephen King novel I ever read (after enjoying the heck out of the short story collection Skeleton Crew). I remember thinking that the book didn't sound very promising. But that first paragraph grabbed me and I tore through
Bestselling romance writer Paul Sheldon crashes in a snow storm, only to be rescued by his self proclaimed 'number one fan' Annie Wilkes. But why does Annie take him to her house rather than the hospital? And why hasn't Annie called the authorities? And what will the unbalanced and possibly dangerous Annie do once she finishes Paul's latest novel and discovers Misery (Paul's heroine and meal ticket) dies at the end?
Misery is an incredible tale of suspense. The kind of book I stayed up wanting to read just a little bit more of. With a cast of two characters and a small house, Stephen King managed to generate a nail-biter. He is at the top of his game here and it is his best thriller (so far).
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the book. (Funny enough, I also doubted the movie would be very good and was wrong about Misery a second time.)Bestselling romance writer Paul Sheldon crashes in a snow storm, only to be rescued by his self proclaimed 'number one fan' Annie Wilkes. But why does Annie take him to her house rather than the hospital? And why hasn't Annie called the authorities? And what will the unbalanced and possibly dangerous Annie do once she finishes Paul's latest novel and discovers Misery (Paul's heroine and meal ticket) dies at the end?
Misery is an incredible tale of suspense. The kind of book I stayed up wanting to read just a little bit more of. With a cast of two characters and a small house, Stephen King managed to generate a nail-biter. He is at the top of his game here and it is his best thriller (so far).
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LibraryThing member StefanY
Misery is one of those rare novels that I feel a sense of relief to be finished with. Not to be misconstrued as any sort of dislike for the novel, on the contrary, King did such a good job of making me feel uncomfortable with his character's predicament that I experienced an actual physical feeling
Overall, Misery is a very well-written novel that is not a horror in the traditional sense (no supernatural creatures or spooky things to give you the creepy-crawlies or make you jump,) but remains one of the most horrific novels that King has written. The setting, situation and characters all meld together perfectly in a scenario that is hard to call unbelievable or impossible and that feeling just adds to the creepiness of the circumstances.
I did have a few problems here and there with the novel, such as
******SPOILER******
Paul's lack of any attempt to wean himself off of the Novril, although he plans on doing it several times. Having never been hooked on an addictive drug myself, I guess I don't truly know how difficult this would be, but I thought that he could have at least tried. Also, I could have done with a little less of the novel that he was writing as when I was reading these sections, I just wanted to get back to the main storyline.
******END SPOILER******
Otherwise, this is a very solid offering by King that, while I wouldn't say that I totally "enjoyed", is a really good novel.
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of relief to be done with it.Overall, Misery is a very well-written novel that is not a horror in the traditional sense (no supernatural creatures or spooky things to give you the creepy-crawlies or make you jump,) but remains one of the most horrific novels that King has written. The setting, situation and characters all meld together perfectly in a scenario that is hard to call unbelievable or impossible and that feeling just adds to the creepiness of the circumstances.
I did have a few problems here and there with the novel, such as
******SPOILER******
Paul's lack of any attempt to wean himself off of the Novril, although he plans on doing it several times. Having never been hooked on an addictive drug myself, I guess I don't truly know how difficult this would be, but I thought that he could have at least tried. Also, I could have done with a little less of the novel that he was writing as when I was reading these sections, I just wanted to get back to the main storyline.
******END SPOILER******
Otherwise, this is a very solid offering by King that, while I wouldn't say that I totally "enjoyed", is a really good novel.
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LibraryThing member bookwormteri
This book shows why Stephen King is a master. It is not his monsters that are so scary, it is his monstrous people. The fact that he can (and does) make Annie sympathetic, even to her victim, just for a moment is horrifying. An excellent book, a scary book.
LibraryThing member PaperbackPirate
I came across the book report I wrote in high school comparing the book to the movie. I am sharing it here for my own amusement:
I read Misery the book and then saw the movie. The book was a million times better than the movie! Still, the movie was good. For my book project I am going to compare the
The beginning is basically the same. The whole tension of the movie was altered because you couldn't get into the author's mind, Paul Sheldon. In the book you knew his every thought and fear while in the movie you had to judge by his face -- which James Caan did well by the way. It also built tension when he had to write, "Misery Returns." He played mind games with himself to make him write.
Annie Wilkes was sicker and smarter in the book. She laced her Memory Lane book with her own hairs. Every time he turned the pages he broke a hair. When she came back from shopping she knew right away he'd been out because of this.
In the book he had more trouble getting loose and getting back in his room. His wheel chair spokes always got stuck in the door. Wood paneling was scraped away so she knew he was loose. In the movie he had no trouble getting back in.
In the book the deputy was ran over with a lawn mower (the riding kind) and his body was disposed of by Annie. In the movie she just shot the sheriff and that was it.
By the end of the book, two major things were different. One was that he did not burn the book -- he burned paper and saved the book. Later when he escaped it was published. In the movie he actually burned the book. Also, when she hurt his leg in the book, she helped him -- unpurposely. In the movie it just hurt him.
In conclusion, I'd say to stick with the book. It expands your horizons.
My teacher wrote Terrific and gave me 25/25.
I read Misery the book and then saw the movie. The book was a million times better than the movie! Still, the movie was good. For my book project I am going to compare the
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movie to the book. That way you know I didn't cheat and just watch the movie.The beginning is basically the same. The whole tension of the movie was altered because you couldn't get into the author's mind, Paul Sheldon. In the book you knew his every thought and fear while in the movie you had to judge by his face -- which James Caan did well by the way. It also built tension when he had to write, "Misery Returns." He played mind games with himself to make him write.
Annie Wilkes was sicker and smarter in the book. She laced her Memory Lane book with her own hairs. Every time he turned the pages he broke a hair. When she came back from shopping she knew right away he'd been out because of this.
In the book he had more trouble getting loose and getting back in his room. His wheel chair spokes always got stuck in the door. Wood paneling was scraped away so she knew he was loose. In the movie he had no trouble getting back in.
In the book the deputy was ran over with a lawn mower (the riding kind) and his body was disposed of by Annie. In the movie she just shot the sheriff and that was it.
By the end of the book, two major things were different. One was that he did not burn the book -- he burned paper and saved the book. Later when he escaped it was published. In the movie he actually burned the book. Also, when she hurt his leg in the book, she helped him -- unpurposely. In the movie it just hurt him.
In conclusion, I'd say to stick with the book. It expands your horizons.
My teacher wrote Terrific and gave me 25/25.
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LibraryThing member argente17
When I was about 12, I asked my Dad a question. "What's the scariest book you've ever read?" He replied, "Misery, by Stephen King." I noticed it was on his bookshelf, so I asked him if I could read it. "No", he said, "you're far too young."
That night, I crept to the bookshelf, took the book, and
That night, I crept to the bookshelf, took the book, and
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read it, under the covers. It took me three days. It scared the life out of me. I loved it, and still do. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookworm_naida
Misery is the story of a writer named Paul Sheldon whose car upturned in the middle of a blizzard in the remote Colorado mountains and who has been rescued by an ex-nurse named Annie Wilkes. Annie insists she is Paul's biggest fan. Paul is famous for his historical romance novels featuring a
His legs are shattered in the car crash and Annie is nursing her favorite author back to health. Soon after his accident and in between a narcotic induced haze, Paul begins to realize that Annie has him hooked on the pain killers and that she is insane. He also realizes they are in the middle of nowhere and that nobody knows where he is.
The house becomes a prison for Paul and he soon realizes that Annie is not planning on letting him leave until he writes a new Misery book just for her.
I have plenty of unread King books sitting on my bookshelves since I have slight OCD when it comes to his books and I must collect them, even if it will take me a lifetime to read them all, especially the Dark Tower series. So what made me re-read a King book? I loved it so much the first time around. Plain and simple. I found that the second time around was better.
I must also mention that the movie version of Misery is one of my favorite King book to film adaptations. I think Paul and Annie were cast perfectly. The film does differ a bit from the novel, but it was well done nonetheless.
The novel really showcases Annie's lack of sanity as well as Paul's fear of her. She often 'zones out' while speaking, leaving Paul terrified and waiting for her to come back to reality.
"Everything she said was a little strange, a little offbeat. Listening to Annie was like listening to a song played in the wrong key." p.11, Misery
Here you have classic King at his best, this is a great scary story and I found myself unable to put this book down. Misery has been referred to as King's love letter to his fans.
There's plenty of horror and nail biting suspense within these pages but there are also glimpses of hope for Paul. I cheered him on as he devised plans on freeing himself from Annie's clutches. The writing in the story is wonderfully descriptive and I felt like I was in the same room with Paul as I read. I wanted him to escape so badly, but I knew the odds were against him.
Annie is a psychopath and you see that very early on in the book. King wastes no time beating around the bush here. I think she is one of his best villains. He does a great job at giving this wicked nurse a background story. She's also quirky, using bizarre old fashioned language, words like 'dirty birdie' and 'Mr. Man' when she's angry.
There's plenty of OMG and cringe worthy moments in Misery and that is just what I have come to expect from a scary King novel.
What made this book even scarier for me is that there's no supernatural forces at work here, no dark magic being used, this is plain and simply realistically terrifying. Technically speaking, in real life a crazy lunatic can hold a person hostage and torture them. I think that's what makes Annie so scary, it seems like someone could really do what she does to Paul.
If you are in the mood for a scary suspenseful story that will get under your skin and have you jumping at the slightest sound, look no further than Misery. When I was done reading this book, I wanted to turn to the first page and read it all over again.
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heroine named Misery Chastain. His legs are shattered in the car crash and Annie is nursing her favorite author back to health. Soon after his accident and in between a narcotic induced haze, Paul begins to realize that Annie has him hooked on the pain killers and that she is insane. He also realizes they are in the middle of nowhere and that nobody knows where he is.
The house becomes a prison for Paul and he soon realizes that Annie is not planning on letting him leave until he writes a new Misery book just for her.
I have plenty of unread King books sitting on my bookshelves since I have slight OCD when it comes to his books and I must collect them, even if it will take me a lifetime to read them all, especially the Dark Tower series. So what made me re-read a King book? I loved it so much the first time around. Plain and simple. I found that the second time around was better.
I must also mention that the movie version of Misery is one of my favorite King book to film adaptations. I think Paul and Annie were cast perfectly. The film does differ a bit from the novel, but it was well done nonetheless.
The novel really showcases Annie's lack of sanity as well as Paul's fear of her. She often 'zones out' while speaking, leaving Paul terrified and waiting for her to come back to reality.
"Everything she said was a little strange, a little offbeat. Listening to Annie was like listening to a song played in the wrong key." p.11, Misery
Here you have classic King at his best, this is a great scary story and I found myself unable to put this book down. Misery has been referred to as King's love letter to his fans.
There's plenty of horror and nail biting suspense within these pages but there are also glimpses of hope for Paul. I cheered him on as he devised plans on freeing himself from Annie's clutches. The writing in the story is wonderfully descriptive and I felt like I was in the same room with Paul as I read. I wanted him to escape so badly, but I knew the odds were against him.
Annie is a psychopath and you see that very early on in the book. King wastes no time beating around the bush here. I think she is one of his best villains. He does a great job at giving this wicked nurse a background story. She's also quirky, using bizarre old fashioned language, words like 'dirty birdie' and 'Mr. Man' when she's angry.
There's plenty of OMG and cringe worthy moments in Misery and that is just what I have come to expect from a scary King novel.
What made this book even scarier for me is that there's no supernatural forces at work here, no dark magic being used, this is plain and simply realistically terrifying. Technically speaking, in real life a crazy lunatic can hold a person hostage and torture them. I think that's what makes Annie so scary, it seems like someone could really do what she does to Paul.
If you are in the mood for a scary suspenseful story that will get under your skin and have you jumping at the slightest sound, look no further than Misery. When I was done reading this book, I wanted to turn to the first page and read it all over again.
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LibraryThing member KR_Patterson
Stephen King and I have a tradition to spend every Halloween together. Okay, maybe that's just on my half.
After: Nail-biting scary but I couldn't put it down. As Annie Wilkes herself might have said: Well, Steve, I've got to hand it to you--it was cockadoodie good.
After: Nail-biting scary but I couldn't put it down. As Annie Wilkes herself might have said: Well, Steve, I've got to hand it to you--it was cockadoodie good.
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Through Paul and Annie, Mr. King illustrates the true definition of fear. Miriam-Webster defines fear as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. This is exactly what Annie causes Paul and the reader. Even before she makes her first major move against Paul,
At the same time as Mr. King is establishing the sense of terror that permeates the entire novel, he brings readers a story within a story. In this case, it isn’t just any story. His secondary story is a bodice-ripper of the best kind. The difference in genres and storytelling are not something most authors can pull off, but Mr. King makes it worse. These scenes involving Misery are so trite and inane that they provide the perfect foil for the real-life horror story that has become Paul’s life. They also provide some much-needed levity as Paul’s situation grows more desperate.
In Misery, Stephen King gives audiences what is probably one of his best villains ever. Paul Sheldon sums it up best when he describes Annie Wilkes as a force of nature because that is exactly what she is. Actually, to call Annie insane is to do her character a disservice, for she is more than insane; Annie Wilkes is batshit crazy. Her love for Paul is increasingly odd and downright frightening, as is her rationale for her actions. She acts in no logical fashion, even as her actions themselves are horrifyingly exacting and precise. What truly drives the reader’s horror, however, is not her actions but the possibility of them. Annie is not much of a physical presence in Paul’s life but the suggestion of her appearance is enough to alter all of Paul’s decisions. While Annie performs some terrible deeds in her scenes, it is the idea of what she is yet capable of doing that strikes terror into reader’s hearts. For this reason, Misery will rank as one of Mr. King’s all-time best novels.
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the ancient, ingrained flight-or fight reflexes kick into gear because there is anticipation that something unpleasant is going to happen. Part of this is because it is a Stephen King novel, but the other part of it is Annie herself. At first glance, there is nothing that should indicate that all is not right in Annie’s world, but readers glean that understanding immediately through the minutest of clues, the kind that most readers will never register reading. It is a brilliant bit of writing that allows Mr. King to set the tone so thoroughly with a few innocuous words.At the same time as Mr. King is establishing the sense of terror that permeates the entire novel, he brings readers a story within a story. In this case, it isn’t just any story. His secondary story is a bodice-ripper of the best kind. The difference in genres and storytelling are not something most authors can pull off, but Mr. King makes it worse. These scenes involving Misery are so trite and inane that they provide the perfect foil for the real-life horror story that has become Paul’s life. They also provide some much-needed levity as Paul’s situation grows more desperate.
In Misery, Stephen King gives audiences what is probably one of his best villains ever. Paul Sheldon sums it up best when he describes Annie Wilkes as a force of nature because that is exactly what she is. Actually, to call Annie insane is to do her character a disservice, for she is more than insane; Annie Wilkes is batshit crazy. Her love for Paul is increasingly odd and downright frightening, as is her rationale for her actions. She acts in no logical fashion, even as her actions themselves are horrifyingly exacting and precise. What truly drives the reader’s horror, however, is not her actions but the possibility of them. Annie is not much of a physical presence in Paul’s life but the suggestion of her appearance is enough to alter all of Paul’s decisions. While Annie performs some terrible deeds in her scenes, it is the idea of what she is yet capable of doing that strikes terror into reader’s hearts. For this reason, Misery will rank as one of Mr. King’s all-time best novels.
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LibraryThing member musicgurl
Stephen Kings 'Misery' is a book like no other. Full of gripping storylines, graphic detail and intense suspense, it makes the perfect read for book fans.
This book is about Paul Sheldon, a writer who has just completed a series of novels about a heroin, Misery. He has finally killed her. After
I particularly enjoyed this book simply because of it's reality. It seems so true, you would almost check behind the sofa to see if Annie is waiting for you. In my opinion, this is the best Stephen King novel. King has really excelled in making a book so tense, it captures you.
This book is about Paul Sheldon, a writer who has just completed a series of novels about a heroin, Misery. He has finally killed her. After
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going on a car journey, a severe storm has left Paul unconsious. After waking up in a strange bed, both ankles broken, he meets his 'Number One Fan', Annie, an ex-nurse. Now, Paul has to bring back Misery or else he could end up as dead as he made her. And no-one can save him. I particularly enjoyed this book simply because of it's reality. It seems so true, you would almost check behind the sofa to see if Annie is waiting for you. In my opinion, this is the best Stephen King novel. King has really excelled in making a book so tense, it captures you.
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LibraryThing member TheTwoDs
Stephen King returns to the genre he created, the writer as conduit for a tale of terror. Novelist Paul Sheldon, who struggles to sell his "serious" works while his trashy romance series outsells everything else in print, is rescued from a serious car accident in the mountains of Colorado by his
With Misery, King returns to ground he last tread in 1977's The Shining, the classic novel of a writer going mad in an isolated Colorado hotel during the winter months. However, this time the action is played out between the already insane captor and her prisoner whom she is mentally, emotionally and physically torturing. The different points in King's career at which these two books were written reveals itself in the ability of the writer to cope with his situation.
Misery is more of a psychological suspense novel with gruesome elements than an out and out horror story, but King's fans no doubt love it. The film version, starring Kathy Bates (who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Annie) and James Caan, is equally as good though a pivotal scene was changed in its detail but not its impact.
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self-proclaimed Number One Fan, Annie Wilkes. Annie is a former nurse with a dark past who soon convinces Paul to write a new romance novel just for her. Annie's methods of persuasion are unconventional and not taught at creative writing programs - kidnapping, drugs, needles, an axe, an electric knife, lawnmower, chainsaw, etc.With Misery, King returns to ground he last tread in 1977's The Shining, the classic novel of a writer going mad in an isolated Colorado hotel during the winter months. However, this time the action is played out between the already insane captor and her prisoner whom she is mentally, emotionally and physically torturing. The different points in King's career at which these two books were written reveals itself in the ability of the writer to cope with his situation.
Misery is more of a psychological suspense novel with gruesome elements than an out and out horror story, but King's fans no doubt love it. The film version, starring Kathy Bates (who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Annie) and James Caan, is equally as good though a pivotal scene was changed in its detail but not its impact.
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LibraryThing member JaneSteen
Where I got the book: well, I was staying in my niece's old room while I was in England, my sister and her husband being happy empty nesters, and there it was on the shelf. A tattered mmpb with exactly the schlocky cover shown above, its pages yellowed like the teeth of a 100-year-old smoker,
I have not read Stephen King (except for On Writing) since some time in the 80s when something in The Stand grossed me out so much that I decided to put the book down RIGHT THERE and I was done with King. So I was a little apprehensive about Misery; King, back in the day when I was still reading him, had a way of putting really unpleasant images in my head that stuck with me FOREVER. Was it worth it?
I was pleasantly surprised. There's horror in Misery but really very little schlock; what we have here is a thoughtful novel about the writer's craft and the relationship between writer and reader, wrapped up in a scary story that keeps you right where King wants you, with your nose stuck in his book.
The plot's pretty simple: Famed novelist Paul Sheldon has found his biggest fan by driving through a snowstorm with one drink too many inside him. He wakes up in Annie Wilkes' remote house with a smashed, broken body to find that he's Annie's prisoner, first of all because she's his biggest fan and then permanently when she finds out he's killed off his heroine, Misery, in his latest book. Oh no, says Annie, that's not right. You have to bring Misery back...
Oh my goodness, I couldn't get enough of Annie Wilkes. What a great evil villainess that woman is, all the more so because King gives her the occasional glimpse of humor and likableness. After all, she's a book lover. And she actually makes Paul see the worth in writing the preposterous sagas he both lives off and despises for not being the great literature he feels he ought to write. Misery is REAL for Annie, and in this she speaks for readers everywhere who could care less about great literature, they just want a character they can love and a story they can get lost in. I got lost in the Annie-Paul relationship, a wonderfully delicate balance of power because they both have something the other wants. And the way Annie talks is beyond priceless. I know that woman. She's an American type (seriously, she could be found in no other country) so sharply observed that I found myself chuckling with delight.
What King says about writing in this book--about the gotta, bringing it, finding the hole in the paper--is as interesting as his craft memoir On Writing. In fact, often more so. I recommend this book to all writers, and I'm going to acquire my own copy one day because I'll want to read this again. I may read Carrie and The Shining for good measure.
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smelling faintly of mildew even though the room was dry and pleasant. A used bookstore buy, or a borrow? I have not read Stephen King (except for On Writing) since some time in the 80s when something in The Stand grossed me out so much that I decided to put the book down RIGHT THERE and I was done with King. So I was a little apprehensive about Misery; King, back in the day when I was still reading him, had a way of putting really unpleasant images in my head that stuck with me FOREVER. Was it worth it?
I was pleasantly surprised. There's horror in Misery but really very little schlock; what we have here is a thoughtful novel about the writer's craft and the relationship between writer and reader, wrapped up in a scary story that keeps you right where King wants you, with your nose stuck in his book.
The plot's pretty simple: Famed novelist Paul Sheldon has found his biggest fan by driving through a snowstorm with one drink too many inside him. He wakes up in Annie Wilkes' remote house with a smashed, broken body to find that he's Annie's prisoner, first of all because she's his biggest fan and then permanently when she finds out he's killed off his heroine, Misery, in his latest book. Oh no, says Annie, that's not right. You have to bring Misery back...
Oh my goodness, I couldn't get enough of Annie Wilkes. What a great evil villainess that woman is, all the more so because King gives her the occasional glimpse of humor and likableness. After all, she's a book lover. And she actually makes Paul see the worth in writing the preposterous sagas he both lives off and despises for not being the great literature he feels he ought to write. Misery is REAL for Annie, and in this she speaks for readers everywhere who could care less about great literature, they just want a character they can love and a story they can get lost in. I got lost in the Annie-Paul relationship, a wonderfully delicate balance of power because they both have something the other wants. And the way Annie talks is beyond priceless. I know that woman. She's an American type (seriously, she could be found in no other country) so sharply observed that I found myself chuckling with delight.
What King says about writing in this book--about the gotta, bringing it, finding the hole in the paper--is as interesting as his craft memoir On Writing. In fact, often more so. I recommend this book to all writers, and I'm going to acquire my own copy one day because I'll want to read this again. I may read Carrie and The Shining for good measure.
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LibraryThing member santhony
As with many of King's works, I find his books that deal with real people to be far scarier and more entertaining than the books that involve supernatural (and many times silly) monsters and beings. Gerald's Game, Dolores Claiborne, The Shining, Misery are terrifying without being ridiculous.
LibraryThing member 391
Loved it. It was an absolute, sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my fingernails, thriller. I could barely put it down, because every cliffhanger left me needing to get to the end, to reassure myself that everything turned out alright (I got very, very involved with this book). And it's really
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interesting to watch the development of Annie Wilkes from an almost-genial, pitiable character to a full-on, razor-sharp psychopath. I still shudder mentally when I recall the leg scene (which I read with one hand over my eyes, as though that helped at all). There's one description King makes about "the squeak of the axe on bone" that gives me chills and makes me instinctively sit cross-legged, just in case. It is such a vivid book. Show Less
LibraryThing member silenceiseverything
Misery is only the second Stephen King book I've read with The Stand being the first. So I'm one of his new fans. I've had reservations about picking up his books before because I didn't think that I would really like horror stories (even though I absolutely love horror movies). So this year, as I
While I was reading Misery, a lot of my family members said that I should just pick up the movie because it was so great. I've never really seen the movie version of Misery. I've seen like bits and pieces of it (the leg scene in particular), but not the whole thing. So, I liked the fact that while I was reading this, I had no idea what was going to happen, just that it would be gruesome (again because of the leg scene in the movie). The book was one hell of a ride. I find stories like this much more terrifying than the supernatural ones (though those scare the hell out of me, also) because crap like this can actually happen. I'm sure there are quite a few Annie Wilkes out there in this world, which is probably not a thought I should be dwelling on seeing as how it's 2 in the morning and everyone else in my house is asleep which is when, let's face it, most disturbing thoughts take place.
I thought that King's character development was really great in Misery, although there are only two central characters in the novel, so that could have something to do with it. Annie Wilkes in particular was very well written. At first, I found myself feeling a bit sorry for her (feeling sorry for the psychopath? I know...), but as the novel progressed, my sympathy waned and I kept reading with disgust (and fascination, I'll admit it) at what she was doing to this man. It came to the point where I didn't really want to turn the page because I didn't want to see what else she was going to do. The book is pretty gory. I found myself covering my eyes while reading these parts even though the logical part of my brain was screaming at me "Alisha, it's a book, not a movie! You can close your eyes all you want, it's really not going to do a damn thing!" So, I was way into this book.
I have much love for Misery. Sure, it disgusted me, terrified me, made me question my own sanity at one point, but it was entertaining. I recommend that everyone who loved the movie pick it up (unless of course, you're not that into gore. Even though, that may not even factor in considering I don't watch those torture porn horror movies, and I didn't find the gore in Misery over the top) and hopefully feel the intensity I felt reading it.
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started venturing a bit into the horror drama, I picked up a stack of his books on ebay. And since then have bought every single book I've seen in of his in used bookstores and library sales. While I was reading Misery, a lot of my family members said that I should just pick up the movie because it was so great. I've never really seen the movie version of Misery. I've seen like bits and pieces of it (the leg scene in particular), but not the whole thing. So, I liked the fact that while I was reading this, I had no idea what was going to happen, just that it would be gruesome (again because of the leg scene in the movie). The book was one hell of a ride. I find stories like this much more terrifying than the supernatural ones (though those scare the hell out of me, also) because crap like this can actually happen. I'm sure there are quite a few Annie Wilkes out there in this world, which is probably not a thought I should be dwelling on seeing as how it's 2 in the morning and everyone else in my house is asleep which is when, let's face it, most disturbing thoughts take place.
I thought that King's character development was really great in Misery, although there are only two central characters in the novel, so that could have something to do with it. Annie Wilkes in particular was very well written. At first, I found myself feeling a bit sorry for her (feeling sorry for the psychopath? I know...), but as the novel progressed, my sympathy waned and I kept reading with disgust (and fascination, I'll admit it) at what she was doing to this man. It came to the point where I didn't really want to turn the page because I didn't want to see what else she was going to do. The book is pretty gory. I found myself covering my eyes while reading these parts even though the logical part of my brain was screaming at me "Alisha, it's a book, not a movie! You can close your eyes all you want, it's really not going to do a damn thing!" So, I was way into this book.
I have much love for Misery. Sure, it disgusted me, terrified me, made me question my own sanity at one point, but it was entertaining. I recommend that everyone who loved the movie pick it up (unless of course, you're not that into gore. Even though, that may not even factor in considering I don't watch those torture porn horror movies, and I didn't find the gore in Misery over the top) and hopefully feel the intensity I felt reading it.
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LibraryThing member silversurfer
A terrific book...one of his best. And a great film, with an oustanding performance by Kathy Bates.
LibraryThing member glamrockskisuit
One of my fave King books! Annie is such a vile character. The things she did, not just to Paul, were awful...
LibraryThing member booklover3258
One of the best of Stephen King's works. I enjoyed how far she went with her obsession.
LibraryThing member israfel13
Better than the movie, and in this case that's saying allot. There's a good number of reviews already posted on this one so I'll spare you the details but if you thought the "hobbling scene" in the movie was crazy just wait till you read the book.
LibraryThing member andyray
If this doesn't make a writer want to stay away from his "biggest fans," nothing will. A bestselling novelist smashes his car up in snow country out west, and is rescued (?!) by his "number one fan." The middle-aged woman who sets his broken leg and keeps it in traction in her bedroom is two beers
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short of a six-pack. She's rowing with one oar. There's no toy in her crackerjack box. I'm NOT going to even hint at any spoilers, but I will say that, outside of the terror the story brings out, Stevie has produced a bad book. Why? Because the humanatarian theme that is most of his work is purely missing here. Show Less
LibraryThing member karieh
I remember reading this book in high school...I missed at least (3) periods of AP European History. I think I was even reading it as I walked through the halls changing classes. (Which shows you how cool I was in high school.)
LibraryThing member HvyMetalMG
One of my favorites from King. Unfortunately, the book is overshadowed by the movie which is terrific. Again, a rare thing for me to enjoy a movie more than a book. But in this case the book is great the movie was just a bit better.
LibraryThing member acarbery
Favourite Stephen King tale of best-selling author Paul Sheldon who is rescued by Annie Wilkes, his number one fan. Sheldon finds himself struggling to stay alive as he is forced to breath live back into Misery, the character of his tomes. A character that Annie will torture to save.
LibraryThing member GwenGuin
Srephen King is always a master of drawing one in slowly until *POW*, he scares you halfay to next week. Small details will haunt you, and the words "I am your greatest fan." will never be the same again.
LibraryThing member wordygirl65
This was one of the very few King novels that actually translated well to the big screen. This wasn't because the characters lacked depth and dimension. On the contrary, they were as rich as every character King creates. The difference here was that the world that the characters have to navigate is
Whether on the page or the screen this is a terrifying ride. I prefer the written word, but that's because I can control the pace at which I experience it, and as always there are small, rich details to King's written word that no camera can capture. As to character, King's original creations are always so much more terrifying on the page. Sometimes it is glimpses of their sanity, sadnesses humanity and vulnerabilities that truly tip you right off the edge of the cliff.
This is where, I find, King really scares the Hell out of me. The surface normalcy of some of the characters he creates that so artfully hides the madness dwelling just beneath the surface is what has me looking at those around me in a whole new light. Misery takes the idea of a psychological thriller to a whole new level. Annie IS that neighbor whose always been pleasant but kind of standoffish, perhaps caught up in her own world, making her less engaged with what's going on around her. . .
Just a great read from start to finish, though at times even I had to just shut the book and wait awhile to read what I knew was not going to be pleasant. As a writer this book actually made me kind of glad that I'm relatively unknown and fan-free. This has to be one of King's true fears, and I can't say that I blame him!
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quite limited, allowing the essence of the tale to be captured properly by the actors in the time alloted for a movie. Whether on the page or the screen this is a terrifying ride. I prefer the written word, but that's because I can control the pace at which I experience it, and as always there are small, rich details to King's written word that no camera can capture. As to character, King's original creations are always so much more terrifying on the page. Sometimes it is glimpses of their sanity, sadnesses humanity and vulnerabilities that truly tip you right off the edge of the cliff.
This is where, I find, King really scares the Hell out of me. The surface normalcy of some of the characters he creates that so artfully hides the madness dwelling just beneath the surface is what has me looking at those around me in a whole new light. Misery takes the idea of a psychological thriller to a whole new level. Annie IS that neighbor whose always been pleasant but kind of standoffish, perhaps caught up in her own world, making her less engaged with what's going on around her. . .
Just a great read from start to finish, though at times even I had to just shut the book and wait awhile to read what I knew was not going to be pleasant. As a writer this book actually made me kind of glad that I'm relatively unknown and fan-free. This has to be one of King's true fears, and I can't say that I blame him!
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LibraryThing member micheaun
creepy - i loved it better than the movie
Awards
World Fantasy Award (Nominee — Novel — 1988)
Bram Stoker Award (Nominee — Novel — 1987)
This Mystery is Amazing! (#4 — 1991)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1987-06-08
Physical description
296 p.; 22.5 cm
ISBN
8789327616 / 9788789327617
Local notes
Omslag: Mogens Christensen
Omslaget viser en mand, der kigger ud på beskueren
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra amerikansk "Misery" af Anders Westenholz
Side 91: Writing does not _cause_ misery, it is born of misery. Montaigne
Side 197: Hendes øjne var milde og ufokuserede. "Du skal ikke være bange," sagde hun. "Jeg er uddannet sygeplejerske."
Side 198: Hun samlede hans fod op.
Fra den engelske udgave, 1990:
Side 7: He was Paul Sheldon, who wrote novels of two kinds, good ones and best-sellers.
Side 99: Writing does not _cause_ misery, it is born of misery. - Montaigne
Side 222: "Don't worry," she said. "I'm a trained nurse."
Side 224: She picked up his foot. Its toes were still spasming.
Side 253: Punishment might be deferred...but never escaped.
Omslaget viser en mand, der kigger ud på beskueren
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra amerikansk "Misery" af Anders Westenholz
Side 91: Writing does not _cause_ misery, it is born of misery. Montaigne
Side 197: Hendes øjne var milde og ufokuserede. "Du skal ikke være bange," sagde hun. "Jeg er uddannet sygeplejerske."
Side 198: Hun samlede hans fod op.
Fra den engelske udgave, 1990:
Side 7: He was Paul Sheldon, who wrote novels of two kinds, good ones and best-sellers.
Side 99: Writing does not _cause_ misery, it is born of misery. - Montaigne
Side 222: "Don't worry," she said. "I'm a trained nurse."
Side 224: She picked up his foot. Its toes were still spasming.
Side 253: Punishment might be deferred...but never escaped.
Other editions
Misery by Stephen King (Paperback)
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Cujo by Stephen King
Pages
296
DDC/MDS
| 813.54 |