Misery was my very first Stephen King novel.

There I was, a highly impressionable 14-year-old girl, completely enamored with romances that didn't shy away from vivid sex scenes. Then my favorite English teacher recommended that I read Misery. "Your life will never be the same," he said.

And boy, was he right.

Misery delves into the mind of a fan who loves their chosen celebrity a little too obsessively. It's like the man who shot John Lennon or the stalkers who drive to Miley Cyrus's house armed with a bouquet of roses and a foam finger. The kind of oddballs who give a fandom a bad name.

In this story, Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his number one fan, Annie. She adores his books, but when she discovers that Paul killed her favorite character in the latest installment, she gets a little more than just upset.

But never mind, she has the genius behind the masterpiece right there! Paul is going to bring his character back from the dead for one final encore, or else she'll fly into a rage again. And trust me, you do not want to make Annie angry.

Are you scared yet?

King's writing has an uncanny ability to place you right in the shoes of the characters. He alone can transform the often-dreaded third-person perspective into a first-person experience, making you feel as if you're right there with Paul every step of the way. You sense his terror when he realizes that his caretaker is not quite all there. You feel his agony from drug withdrawal. You understand the resignation he feels when he has to burn his only first-draft manuscript just to get his hands on those drugs.

As the quote goes, "The work, the pride in your work, the worth of the work itself...all those things faded away to the magic-lantern shades they really were when the pain got bad enough."

The shame, the rage, the hate.

This is horror at its absolute best. One human being imprisoned in a house by another. No cheesy jump-scares, no excessive blood and gore, no tacky dime-store costumes. This is hard-core psychological terror, and it's enough to make you lie awake at night, wondering if that dark shape in the corner is Annie, brandishing a chainsaw.

So come along with me, dear Constant Reader, and let's be King's number one fans.

3⭐book
2⭐audio

The performance of this audiobook is truly dreadful. It features a monotone delivery that is extremely tiresome to listen to, with some scary music thrown in here and there, which doesn't really add much to the overall experience.

I have a deep love for the Misery movie. It scared me to the core the very first time I saw it decades ago. So, I was really excited when I finally got the chance to check out the book. However, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment as the narrator's voice made this book exceptionally boring. It was incredibly difficult to pay attention to the story because of the lack of any real variation in the narrator's tone.

Moreover, without chapter headings and with the same flat tone throughout, I found it extremely challenging to tell whose part it was - whether it was Annie's, the book's or Paul's. Lindsay Crouse isn't bad as Annie, as her miserable intonation does fit the character to some extent. But this audiobook would have been greatly enhanced if there were additional narrators to bring more life and differentiation to the various characters and parts of the story. In conclusion, it's probably better to read this one rather than listen to it or just stick with seeing the movie. I'm glad this was just a library loan.

I just finished reading "Misery" by Stephen King.

Wow, this has truly become one of my all-time favorite books!

I had previously watched the movie adaptation, but for some reason, I had never gotten around to reading the actual book. I now wonder why I waited so long.

The two main characters in the story are developed with such depth and detail. Their personalities and actions are so believable that they almost seem to come alive on the pages.

The story itself is absolutely captivating. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, filled with twists and turns that you never see coming.

I simply loved every single page of this book!

First book finished in 2022!

Annie is truly and absolutely terrifying. I can definitely say that I had a sleepless night over this book because of just how scary she is. Stephen King does an outstanding job of painting a vivid picture of his scenes and characters. Annie feels so incredibly real. The way he describes her and her house is simply petrifying. Poor Paul really went through the wringer with her. He was at her mercy, and it was a harrowing experience to read about.

The story builds tension and suspense from the very beginning, and it doesn't let up until the very end. King's writing is so engaging and immersive that you can't help but get drawn into the story and feel like you're right there with the characters.

Overall, this was an excellent read, and I can't wait to see what else King has in store for us in the future.

-Sin duda, uno de los mejores libros del autor y, además, uno que no recurre a lo sobrenatural.

Género. Novela.

Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro Misery (publicación original: Misery, 1987), nosotros conocemos a Paul. Él despierta en una habitación desconocida, en medio de grandes dolores y bajo los cuidados de una mujer grande y maciza como una venus prehistórica, Annie Wilkes, la fan número uno del escritor Paul Sheldon. Paul recuerda que tuvo un accidente muy grave con el coche bajo una nevada. Ahora se encuentra en una casa aislada en el campo de Sidewinder, Colorado. Annie, con experiencia como enfermera, lo cura de sus importantes heridas. Annie es una gran aficionada a la saga romántica que hizo famoso a Paul y en especial a su protagonista, Misery Chastan. Sin embargo, Paul odia esta saga y a su personaje con toda su alma. Él terminó la saga hace poco al publicar su cuarto y último volumen, El hijo de Misery, y espera dejarla atrás con la publicación de su próxima obra, Automóviles veloces, cuyo manuscrito llevaba consigo al tener el accidente. Paul nota que Annie no está en sus cabales, pero no puede hacer nada porque se encuentra inmovilizado en la cama debido a lo destrozadas que tiene las piernas. Y sus miedos aumentarán cuando Annie descubra que Misery muere en su último libro.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...

You know those moments when you fall in love with a book, so deeply that you start to love the author as well? And then you promise yourself that you'll read more of their works until you finally declare yourself as one of their fans. I do, and I bet Annie Wilkes did too.

There's a series of books that I cherish with all my heart and soul. Recently, I reread it and went a little crazy. I became completely obsessed and couldn't think about anything else. My family knew something was wrong and thought I was insane. But nothing compares to how Annie Wilkes is with her favorite author, Paul Sheldon.

Annie is Paul's Number One Fan. She has read and adored everything he's ever written. When he had an accident, she happened to be there and saved his life. However, the problem is that Paul had just killed the beloved character Misery in his latest novel, and Annie was extremely unhappy. So, she forces him to write Misery's Return at the expense of his life.
Annie Wilkes makes me feel both scared and angry. She's crazy and has violent fits. You never know what she'll do out of "love" for her favorite author and character. It's disturbing to see the things she's capable of. But the reasons she makes me angry are more prominent. Firstly, poor Paul. It's not just the threats and the mangling, but her supposed "love." He reminds me of Arthur Conan Doyle and his hatred towards Sherlock Holmes. When she forces him to revive Misery, my heart goes out to him. Secondly, she's like those self-righteous, narrow-minded trolls on Goodreads. She tells Paul how to write his books and thinks her ideas are the only correct ones.
Nevertheless, she's still a great character, just like all of Stephen King's. King is an amazing writer. The story flows effortlessly, with the perfect pace and excellent writing. I was never bored, and the narration never felt tedious. It was perfect. I still need to watch some of the movies based on his books. I've read many of them, but it never occurred to me to watch the movies. Some of them are even classics of the cinematographic world.
I highly recommend this book. It's the perfect read for Creeptober. But be careful of the kind of fangirl you become. Because, as we know, not all fangirls are like Annie Wilkes.

A group of two foursomes was engaged in stretching and swinging during practice, chatting and otherwise preparing for a morning round of golf. The first tee box was right next to the parking lot. A couple of golfers were discussing an incident that had occurred earlier in the week. A man had driven to the golf course, parked just a few dozen yards from where they all now stood, and tragically ended his life with a gunshot. Several of them paused to reflect on this moment of grim calamity that had happened so close to them. One golfer, who had an incredibly powerful and consistent drive and also a quick wit, said:

“Well, he got a hole in one.”

To which they all responded with appalled groans and variations on “Dude! That was f***ed up!”

Stephen King, Dude! That was f***ed up!

King’s 1987 novel Misery is, indeed, f***ed up. Paul Sheldon, a successful writer of romance novels but longing to be recognized for his more serious works, finishes his latest novel “Fast Cars” after killing off his successful and famous romance novel heroine Misery Chastain. He drives away from his Colorado hotel, filled with a sense of achievement and having consumed too much champagne. He then wrecks his car in a snow-covered ditch. He is rescued by his number one fan – of the Misery books – Annie Wilkes, and thus begins a psychological thriller of the kind that only King could masterfully execute.

Creepy, discomforting, and truly scary, King has recreated the Thousand and One Nights of Scheherazade in Misery, except that Sheldon is staying alive by keeping Annie waiting for the next Misery novel. For those who have only seen the 1990 Rob Reiner film starring Kathy Bates and James Caan, it is a watered-down version of the torture that King inflicts. In Wilkes, King has crafted one of his most villainous characters.

This is not just for King fans. It is a modern horror tale that all fans of that genre are likely to enjoy.

4.5

Few books have the power to make my anxiety skyrocket and prevent me from putting them down. That feeling of a combination of disgust, horror, and addiction is something I have only experienced with "Misery". I devoured it. There are some little things that haven't aged so well, but the truth is that the terror that Annie Wilkes instills in me will never change. I will be ready to read it again in a few years. This novel has a unique charm that keeps pulling me back. The way Stephen King creates such a vivid and terrifying character in Annie Wilkes is truly remarkable. Her actions and behaviors are so unpredictable and disturbing that it makes for a truly nail-biting read. Even though I know what's going to happen, I still can't help but be on the edge of my seat every time I pick up this book. It's a classic of the horror genre for a reason, and I can't wait to experience it all over again.

Misery is indeed one of King's most popular novels, and now I have a profound understanding of the reasons behind its popularity.

To begin with, the setting of the story is presented clearly and effectively. Paul Sheldon, a best-selling novelist, is rescued from a car crash by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes. However, it soon becomes evident that Annie is a deeply troubled ex-nurse. She keeps Paul drugged with painkillers, hobbles him, and imprisons him, all in the name of making him finish the romance series she adores.

What makes this book truly remarkable, even if one has seen the excellent film adaptation, is King's ability to delve into the mind of his main character. As a writer himself, Paul is constantly thinking about how stories can unfold. Once he realizes he is trapped and likely to die there, he even contemplates his own story. The gradual realization of Annie's psychopathy by Paul is masterfully crafted. More than in any other King novel, the protagonist's grim situation truly weighs on the reader. One can easily understand Paul's despair and hopelessness.

Annie is无疑 one of the most terrifying and complex villains in modern literature. What is fascinating is how King provides enough clues about her behavior to make her, at times, sympathetic. The souvenir book she keeps, filled with clippings of her horrendous deeds, is one of the most chilling sequences in a King book.

The novel is not only a scathing commentary on rabid fan culture but also a shrewd exploration of the power of storytelling. Paul, admitting that his narrative skills are keeping him alive, sees himself as a Scheherazade. He comes to understand that he is not only trying to convince Annie with his tale but also himself.

The book is significantly more violent than the movie. Even the hobbling scene is different, and the rat scene, if it was in the movie, I don't remember it. I don't think I'll ever look at those riding lawnmower things in the same way again. The denouement is also different, quiet yet sinister, suggesting that these events have changed Paul forever.

I didn't have much interest in the book-within-a-book passages about Misery Chastain, the heroine whom Paul had initially killed off but was resurrected by super-fan Annie. However, from a genre perspective, these passages are interesting.

This is easily one of the top five King books I've read. While Misery might love company, I think I'll stay away from its dark, claustrophobic pull for a while.

Misery is a captivating and chilling novel. It begins with best-selling author Paul Sheldon遭遇一场车祸，双腿受伤。他被护士Annie Wilkes救起并带到她的家中“照顾”。

Annie Wilkes声称自己是Paul Sheldon的超级粉丝，而Paul以创作以“Misery”为主角的通俗历史浪漫小说系列而闻名。Annie对Misery痴迷不已。

为了创作优秀的文学作品，Paul结束了Misery的生命。然而，当精神错乱的Annie得知此事后，她将Paul囚禁起来，并强迫他写另一部复活Misery的小说。

Paul沉迷于Novril（一种虚构的极易上瘾的止痛药），被困在轮椅上，他努力创作关于Misery的最佳书籍，并发现这是他在囚禁和精神疾病的Annie随意惩罚下生存的唯一依靠。

我读的Stephen King的第一本书是《闪灵》，我非常喜欢。它没有让我毛骨悚然，但很诡异，写得非常好。然而，这本小说不是诡异而是恐怖。而且，书中还提到了《闪灵》中的Overlook酒店！

这本书很可怕，充满了折磨，但我却爱不释手。整个故事有很多转折，让人难以预测，我一直紧张地坐在座位上，想知道接下来会发生什么。

这本书围绕着两个主要角色Paul和Annie展开。在书中，我们了解了他们以及他们的过去。我发现自己同情Paul，并为他加油，他正在尽最大努力生存，而写作是他唯一的出路。

我们还能瞥见作者在构思故事时的思维方式，以及作家生活的期望和压力。而且，有趣的是，我们可以在书中读到一本书！我们通过一些小片段了解到Misery的故事，这些片段在书的高潮部分结束。

Annie不仅疯狂无情，而且聪明机智。最后，我发现自己理解了她行为背后的冷酷逻辑。她很可怕，但也有幽默感。我非常讨厌她，她是一个出色的反派。

如果你胆小，可能想跳过这本书，但如果你喜欢好故事并且能忍受血腥场面，这本书绝对值得一读。

在博客上阅读

Stephen King is an author whose works I have always held in high regard, and "Misery" was no different.

The initial part of the book truly captivated me. It was incredibly engaging and filled with a sense of mystery and intrigue that kept me on the edge of my seat. However, as the story progressed, some sections did fall a little short of my expectations and left me feeling slightly disappointed.

Nevertheless, I still found great pleasure in reading the entire book. What made it particularly challenging was its psychological depth. It delved into the dark recesses of the human mind, making it a rather heavy read. As a result, it took me a considerable amount of time to fully absorb and understand the story.

On the positive side, King's writing style was a perfect match for this psychological thriller. His descriptive language and ability to create vivid images in the reader's mind added to the overall atmosphere and tension of the story.

In conclusion, while "Misery" was a good book, it didn't quite reach the status of being my absolute favorite.

Misery is a truly gruesome story that delves into the depths of torture, filled with blood, guts, and a deranged psychopath. It is a masterfully told tale, with well-developed characters. The fact that there are only two main characters never makes it dull or monotonous. In fact, it is such a page-turner that I found myself finishing it tonight right on the subway platform after getting off, before walking home. However, this book is much more than just a thriller. Just as King is not simply a pulp writer.

In college, I read an article by the always optimistic and cheerful Harold Bloom, in which he expressed his dismay at how much young people like Stephen King. All the literary critics I've read seem to hate King, and it appears to be just because people actually enjoy reading his work. Yes, Bloom, I said 'work' just as I would about Tolstoy's 'work' because Stephen King is a damned hard worker. Think about all the books he has produced over the past few decades. I would love to see Harold Bloom show enough imagination to write fiction instead of constantly criticizing it.

I am actually new to Stephen King's fiction. I have read a few of the essays and articles he has written, as well as a really great graduation speech he gave at UMaine a while ago, in which he extolled the virtues of our mutual home state. But this is only my third novel by him. I like this guy, and I know why. It's not just because he makes me scream and I have a hard time putting his books down. It's because King loves writing. He has a real and self-aware relationship with what it means to be a writer. He knows he's not Tolstoy or Faulkner, and he doesn't try to write in that way. He knows how to tell a good damned story, and he has a passion for it. I appreciate his self-awareness as a writer and the fact that he acknowledges how difficult the whole process is, without making us feel like he's somehow superior because he's figured out how to do it.

In Misery, it's almost as if we get to watch King write this story. He doesn't just set us up for a crazy story and watch us discover things about his characters. It feels like he actually comes along with us and makes the discoveries at the same time we do. That's what makes a good storyteller. And I don't give a damn if Bloom likes him or not.