Jessie and Gerald had planned a trip to their summer house on the lake, despite it being October. Gerald's main agenda was to play his games, which this time included a set of steel handcuffs. Jessie had consented to the "fun." However, once handcuffed to the bed posts, she began to have second thoughts. She told Gerald to release her. At first, it seemed he might comply, but then he completely ignored her pleas. Angry, Jessie believed he was feigning ignorance, knowing she was serious but choosing to think her resistance was part of the game. She fought him off, kicking him in the chin and crotch. This did the trick as he backed off. But then he clutched his heart and fell over.
Jessie was now trapped, handcuffed to the bed in their remote summer home, with little hope of escaping on her own. Not only was she physically trapped, but she was also imprisoned by the suppressed memories of her damaged childhood. To truly be free, Jessie knew she had to not only find a way out of the cuffs but also face the painful events of her past.
This story had its strengths and weaknesses. The beginning was rather slow, but it picked up with the appearance of the dog and later, the Space Cowboy (a detail you'd understand by reading the book). The last twenty-five percent or so of the book was the most enjoyable, bringing the story together nicely and giving readers a full picture of what Jessie endured during her trying times. Overall, it was a good read with some areas that could have been improved.

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If only the writer hadn't developed this excellent story over a whopping 450 pages.

With such an overly drawn-out central part of the book, it psychologically exhausted me several times.

Because of this, the rating is lower.

This story had great potential, but the excessive length made it a bit of a chore to get through.

The detailed development might have been interesting in moderation, but it became overwhelming.

Perhaps if the writer had been more concise and focused, the impact of the story could have been even greater.

Nevertheless, the basic idea of the story was good, and it's a shame that it was somewhat marred by the excessive length.

Overall, it's a book that could have been better with a bit more editing and refinement.

YIKES! This is one truly scary, creepy, and deeply unsettling book!

It is also, at times, extremely disturbing. The horror story unfolds with numerous angles and surprises that keep the reader on the edge of their seat all the way to the completely unexpected ending.

It's not just a book; it's a page-turner that grabs your attention from the very first page and refuses to let go. You find yourself completely immersed in the dark and twisted world created by the author, unable to put the book down until you've reached the final, shocking conclusion.

Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or just looking for a thrilling read, this book is sure to satisfy your craving for the macabre and the unexpected.

This is one of the sickest of King's books, as well as one of his best. There are no brainless horror gimmicks with silly conclusions here (Needful Things, I'm looking at you) and no pointless gore. He may be famous for his talent in horror, but with books like Gerald's Game, King has proven he knows how to handle his characters, especially his female ones. It can't be easy for a man to portray and give voice to a female character in such depth, and just like in Carrie, he nailed it.

The concept of a woman handcuffed on a bed with her dead husband lying on the floor could very well make a decent short story. However, writing a 400-page long book out of it is a tricky business that only writers like King could pull off. In Gerald's Game, it's not all about escaping. It's the hows and the whys that matter most. For Jessie, escaping is not just a matter of inventive cleverness and bloody sacrifice. The sacrifice she has to make is also spiritual and the blood she has to shed comes from her body as well as her soul.

In short, one could say that Gerald's Game is the perfect study on how the past weaves the present with threads that most times are, comfortably enough, all but invisible. Psychological horror with a solid background is my cup of tea and King delivered it for me once again. It delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the traumas and fears that lurk within. King's masterful storytelling keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, unable to put the book down until the very end. His ability to create complex and believable characters, especially Jessie, is truly remarkable. Gerald's Game is a must-read for any fan of horror or psychological thrillers.

Stephen King is a renowned author, often associated with the horror genre. His works have been widely successful, winning numerous awards and being adapted into movies. One of his novels is about a perverse erotic game with cats that turns into a nightmare.

The story begins with the familiar power play of 'the master and the enslaved cat'. However, Jessie, the wife, is not happy with this interaction and asks her husband Gerald to untie her and stop the fantasy. Gerald, on the other hand, believes that the whole point of the game is for the enslaved to protest and beg the master, not wanting to give her freedom.

A fight ensues, and Jessie accidentally kicks Gerald, causing his death. She is then left tied to the bed in an isolated vacation house, with the door open and no hope of anyone coming to help.

During the night, Jessie struggles between reality and the hallucinations caused by her desperate situation, and the voices in her head lead her slowly but surely to the brink of madness.

The author gives a lower rating to the novel because Jessie's reaction to her husband's death seems completely insensitive, selfish, and superficial. It is hard to believe that a woman could be so cold when her husband actually dies beside her, even if she doesn't love him or want him anymore. The natural instinct of a human is compassion for a loved one. Jessie doesn't even cry for him, being only concerned with her own situation.

The novel contains references to other horror works such as "The Twilight Zone", "The Exorcist", "Frankenstein", and "A Nightmare on Elm Street", which the author likes. However, the language of the book is too flowery for the author's taste.

There are some amusing scenes in the novel. For example, one of Jessie's friends, Ruth (who is a voice in her head), says that she never misses a student protest because even if they always end in failure and the students never get what they want, there is always the possibility that a cute guy will strip naked. Another friend, Karen, once advised Jessie when she was young never to let a boy kiss her French because a baby might come out in her throat and then how would she eat?

In conclusion, the author is not sure whether to recommend the movie adaptation of the novel because although he saw it recently, he doesn't remember much of it. However, if you are interested in psychological horror, the author recommends the works of Henry James. You can also give this novel a try, as the author has selected some interesting quotes from it: "Darkness changes reality, especially when you're alone. Darkness unlocks the cages in which you keep your imagination. Darkness makes everything possible." "When you wake up, dreams are like dead cockroaches in which life has swirled into a fragile form." "Nothing brightens the life of a single, enslaved woman more than a little blush. That's what all women's magazines say."

Oh, I absolutely loathed, loathed, loathed this stupid book. You see, I thought, since he's such a renowned and influential author, I really should give him a chance, right? So, I asked my then-roommate, who was a huge fan of his, to recommend something that wouldn't make me wet my pants in fear. (I had seen just six seconds of the movie Pet Semetary as a child and nearly went crazy from the nightmares it gave me.) I think she believed that this particular book would be a good choice since it didn't have ghosts or possessed people or anything like that. But, for goodness' sake, the kind of scary that is based on normal, everyday things is sooooo much more terrifying than the kind that is completely imaginary.

I guess it's a testament to his talent that he was able to make me feel so utterly petrified. But seriously, thanks, but no thanks. I will never read another book by Stephen King. Ever again. I've had enough of being scared out of my wits by his works. I'll stick to reading something a little less spine-chilling from now on.

Stephen King never leaves us indifferent, and it's clear that his stories always go beyond the ordinary and make a difference.

That difference makes him the undisputed king.

However, although I liked it, I didn't love it. The basic story seems magnificent to me, but I didn't like the way it was told as much. I thought it rambled a lot and at times I got lost and had to reread the paragraph several times. I understand that in the situation the protagonist is in, rambling and thinking and deriving other thoughts is inevitable, but it seemed a bit chaotic to me. The inner world of Jessi seemed to me, for the most part, complex and disjointed at times.

On the other hand, the gruesome scenes are very well told and are very visual, and they are the parts I enjoyed the most. I think it's because they get to the point and don't dwell so much on other types of thoughts and reflections.

Gerald and Jessie are going to spend the weekend at a cabin they have in the middle of the forest, and to spice things up, her husband ties his wife to the bedposts. And what could have been a satisfying sex session (at least for him) ends in disaster when he falls dead on top of her.

She is tied to the bed, with no possibility of moving freely or reaching the keys that are on the dresser in front of the bed. Jessi will face muscle pain, hunger, thirst, and above all, her own thoughts and memories that are almost another protagonist in this novel.

As I said, the premise seems very, very good to me, but the way it was carried out has led me to have ups and downs in the reading and has made me not enjoy it at the level I expected.

This incident truly gave me goosebumps!

It was an experience that I will never forget. The moment it happened, a shiver ran down my spine and my skin prickled with tiny bumps. It was as if a supernatural force had touched me, sending a wave of chills through my body.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The power of that moment was overwhelming, and it left me in a state of shock and excitement. It was like a bolt of lightning had struck me, awakening something deep within.

Even now, when I think back on it, my heart races and my skin still tingles. That one instance had such a profound impact on me, and it will always be etched in my memory. It was a moment of pure magic and mystery, and I am grateful to have experienced it.

If you have a penchant for handcuffs and their association with sex, you might initially be intrigued by this book. However, I can assure you that your feelings will soon change.

After delving into the pages of this work, you will find yourself completely averse to the idea of using real handcuffs ever again. It's truly remarkable how King has managed to take yet another beloved pastime and turn it on its head.

His unique writing style and vivid descriptions have the power to transform your perception in an instant.

You'll be left wondering why you ever had an interest in this particular aspect in the first place.

King's ability to manipulate emotions and create a sense of unease is truly masterful.

So, if you think you know what you're getting into with this book, think again. It might just be the end of your fascination with handcuffs and sex.

3.5 stars from me, 10 stars from Penny. It's a pretty good book and an excellent cat pillow.

If you know me at all, you know I have a passion for horror, a wide variety of it. But there's a special place in my heart and brain for 'trapped' horror. Just think of The Ruins, Buried, The Descent. Anything that invokes that sense of claustrophobic panic terrifies me like nothing else.

So, I suppose that's where the positives of this book begin. It manages to be claustrophobic as hell. And it feels different from King's usual works - I'm far from an expert, but it seems like a lot of what he writes is filled with numerous characters. This one, however, feels pared back, almost simpler. It's just a woman chained to a bed. No help is coming, not in time to save her. It's just her, her thoughts and memories, and the terrors that come by moonlight.

Perhaps I was just in the right mood for a smaller, more introspective horror. There were plenty of times when I got chills that seemed to multiply. But what scares us is so subjective; what reads as creepy to me might be a bore to others. You never know.

Now, for the things I didn't like. I don't think I have any complaints that haven't already been made. I know it's a common and cliché thing to note about King, but the ending of this one really missed the mark. I know that's not always the case - in fact, out of the handful I've read, It is the only one that stands out to me as having a truly messy ending. But now I can add Gerald's Game to that list.

I just don't see how the ending improves the previous chapters. The letter writing device didn't impress me. It seemed almost lazy. And the Moonlight Man / Space Cowboy, who was delightfully creepy before, was overexplained. I don't always need to know where reality meets madness. Knowing for sure that he is real adds nothing to the story. I would have preferred an element of doubt or vagueness.

I also have other minor complaints. Mainly, there was little sense of time. On one hand, I understand because if you're trapped on a bed, hallucinating, and possibly dehydrated, time is going to be a bit wobbly. But at the same time, I wanted to know concretely - how long has she been chained to this bed? And based on my estimate, it didn't seem that long. I don't know the plausibility of how long it would take someone to die in that situation, despite my best attempts at googling. But it just felt really fast.

I have to say, I enjoyed the movie more. I think a large part of that was Carla Gugino's performance - she was downright fantastic. I also think that because of the small scale of the story, it lends itself well to adapting. It's well worth a watch if you have a strong stomach. I could barely watch that hand scene through my fingers. It was gruesome, visceral, and just plain gross.

I don't think Gerald's Game will make any of my favorites lists, but it's a memorable and immersive story that was worth my time to explore. King doesn't always hit the mark, but he sure knows how to creep a girl out.

Wow. If I wasn't aware that Gerald's Game was penned by Stephen King, I would have been convinced this was a Jack Ketchum novel.

This is an incredibly exhausting book. It is tense, heavy, emotional, brutal, and conveys some hard-hitting messages regarding abuse. I was squirming while reading, to the extent that I had to put the book down halfway through and didn't return to it for nearly a full year.

However, during that year, I read a book titled The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. You've likely heard of it. After finishing that messed up little volume, I realized I could probably handle Gerald's Game a bit more easily than before. So, I picked up the book again and completed it. It was still difficult, but I'm glad I read it. Beneath the ugliness of the content lies a truly beautiful tale about a woman using her current predicament to reconcile with the past, a past that has kept her in shackles her entire life.

While the plot of Gerald's Game is one of King's simplest, the countless layers of symbolism suggest otherwise. It is truly a very complex story, and it couldn't have been an easy task to write. It isn't a perfect book, though. Even though it isn't nearly as long as some of King's other works, it could have been even shorter. Many scenes drag on a little too long, and the ending (while surprising) could have been written differently to have a more emotional impact on the reader.

Overall, Gerald's Game is a profound and powerful novel, and the movie on Netflix is also quite excellent. Give it a try, but be aware that it will have a bit of an effect on you.

Pure, unadulterated horror awaits when a seemingly innocent bit of adult fun, known as 'Gerald's Game', takes a terrifying turn. Jessie, Gerald's wife, finds herself stranded in a woodland retreat, completely naked and confined to a bed by handcuffs.

On my second read of this book, I have developed a much deeper appreciation for this truly horrifyingly gory piece. The tension, suspense, and terror are palpable from start to finish. I vividly remember my first reading, where I was so engrossed in the initial scene of Jessie being handcuffed and trapped that it overshadowed the rest of the story for me. However, upon this second encounter, I was able to fully grasp the depth and complexity of the entire narrative.

Overall, I would rate this book an 8 out of 12. It is a masterful work of horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you with a sense of lingering dread. I highly recommend it to all fans of the genre.

2016 read, 2004 read