My first encounter with Stephen King's work was an interesting one. I picked up one of his books with a certain amount of anticipation and trepidation. To my surprise, I didn't hate it at all. In fact, I found myself quite engaged.

Yeah, that's right, it was me

To celebrate the completion of a novel, writer Paul Sheldon embarks on a champagne-fueled drive in the Rocky Mountains. However, his joy is short-lived as he finds himself in a near-fatal car crash. But don't worry, for he is rescued by Annie Wilkes, his #1 fan.

I watched the film version of Misery in the distant past, long before Goodreads and even before the Internet. One day, when it appeared in my BookGorilla email, I decided to finally read the novel. At just $2.99, it was a great investment.

Misery is a captivating tale that delves into the themes of obsession, addiction, and more obsession. I deliberately wrote "obsession" twice because it is such a prominent theme. Annie Wilkes is completely obsessed with her favorite series of books starring Misery Chastain, which are written by the "dirty birdie" Paul Sheldon. Meanwhile, Paul is obsessed with finishing the book that Annie has demanded of him and is likely addicted to writing, as well as codeine.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If Stephen King wasn't so addicted to scaring the living daylights out of people, he would be a highly regarded literary writer. The man has an undeniable talent for writing. Just because he produces bestsellers more frequently than most of us visit the dentist doesn't mean he's not the real deal.

The scariest horror stories are those that could actually happen, and Misery is one of them. Who among us hasn't had the terrifying thought of being held captive while driving through a remote area? Annie is so much more than the over-the-top maniac she could have been. She has depth and truly believes she is in the right, which is the hallmark of a great villain. Her background is thoroughly developed, and as I learned about her past along with Paul, my heart sank. How on earth was he going to escape from that monster?

Paul's journey is agonizing, both for him and for the reader, thanks to King's masterful writing. I had to check a couple of times to make sure my foot was still attached. Annie subjects him to a living hell, and although he finally gets his revenge, the ending is far from a happily ever after.

As is often the case, the book is a step above the movie. I've been relatively generous with giving 5-star ratings this year, but I'll gladly give this one a resounding 5 out of 5 stars.

I have known for years that this was going to happen. I knew that when I read Misery, I was going to like it so much that it would tie with It for the first place among my favorite Stephen King books. And it is BRUTAL.

The novel tells us the story of Paul Sheldon, a famous writer known for the successful Misery saga. This good man is retired, finishing what will be his new work, and on his way home by car, he will have a terrible accident. He will wake up in the house of Annie Wilkes, a woman who has picked him up and is treating his injuries. Annie will turn out to be the number one fan of the Misery stories.

Well, up to here I can tell. The story is extremely well-known and anyone who knows King will know where it can go. It is an incredibly addictive book. It perfectly links the chapters of paranoia that Paul suffers with those of real life. I really liked, above all, the mental deterioration that Paul suffers during the novel, much more urgent than the physical one, which is surprising, considering good old Annie xD. I think Annie Wilkes is the best villain I have seen in a long time, if not the best I have ever seen. Wonderful.

In short, it will share the first place together with It. I still can't decide between the two. And I ask myself: how can this man have written so many books and have such good ideas?

A book that has the power to make any writer's blood run cold! After reading this, I can never hear the words 'Number One Fan' in the same light again.

My original paperback had the classic 'Harlequin Romance' cover style, which was quite an interesting juxtaposition with Stephen King's face on the handsome hero. Oh, how I deeply regret loaning out that copy! Naturally, it never found its way back home. But strangely enough, just the knowledge that it once existed still manages to bring a smile to my face.

This book is highly recommended. It's a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, filled with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. Whether you're a die-hard Stephen King fan or just looking for a thrilling story, this book is sure to satisfy. So don't hesitate, pick up a copy and prepare to be amazed!

One room, a strange couple, and a plethora of innovative ideas to combat writers' block and put an end to procrastination in a flash. Or perhaps...

The most enthralling aspect of this novel lies in how the ever-present fear escalates into increasingly shocking and terrifying revelations, actions, and torture methods. The sense of insecurity and not knowing what's coming next slowly erodes the protagonist's mental sanity, while Annie descends into an ultra-bonkers mode.

Reminiscing about the art of writing, as King so often does, he infuses much of his own über stoned, paranoid, perhaps voice-hearing self into it. Especially regarding the creative process, which, spoiler alert, isn't just unicorns and free-floating creativity in rainbow-colored syrup rivers that make one handsome, immortal, and smart when imbibed. It's thousands of years old, with often-revolutionized rules, discipline, and training until perfection through writing every single day, editing, rewriting, cutting, and starting all over again. As Brandon Sanderson, a sort of Stephen King of fantasy who also studied creative writing, said, it's possible to tell after a few pages if it's a highly professional writer who has been at it for decades or a complete novice. Just like with painting, music, etc., one can see or hear after a few moments if it's a prodigy or an incompetent bungler. People seem to have a romantic glorification of writing as an easygoing hobby and fail to see the hard work behind it.

And then there's Annie, who may be crazy as hell but knows how to distinguish between easy-made, loveless garbage and real art. These passages, especially the novel within the novel that the poor protagonist is forced to write, are particularly precious for those interested in creative writing. Annie immediately detects every attempt at average or bad work, providing a kind of short workshop on how to detect errors or logical fallacies. It's better not to try to chisel...

Strong female psycho characters are unfortunately underrepresented in our modern culture. I cheer for each mass-murdering, raping (however), and torturing lunatic psycho goth succubus (damn hot too, although it may have been a male incubus before, which makes me feel a bit irritated about my sexual identity and preferences), who takes emancipation to new levels. Men have been preying on and mutilating females for millennia, so now is truly the much-needed payoff day for femininity. Just, please, consume the other males, okay? Damn, I really should get my VPN and antivirus software upgraded. I'm a bit hot too, and thus a not-too-unlikely target. Maybe one of these attractive monsters is reading this right now and tracking my IP address, planning the trip... But at least it would be a good way to go, I hope, maybe it gets a bit naughty too so that it's worth dying for.

I'm sorry for every poor forensic psychiatrist who will try to understand the workings of my psychopathological background in sociopathy and filth and perhaps lose their mind in the process. Welcome to the club. Lols and rofls madly. Short commercial break...

However, I've once again lost track in my sadomasochistic extreme horror torture porn fantasies. Sorry, I'm done now. I mean, damn, facepalms, back to the show. (T)his talking about myself in the third person perspective really escalated quickly...

I'm pretty sure I mentioned how Tabitha King owned her husband by saying: "First, you wrote this novel about a writer caught by a mad fan. Then you wrote a book (Geralds' game) about a woman chained to a bed. Next, you'll write a book about a couch without anything happening." And I would totally buy it, thank you, Mr. King! I hope he gets bitten by a vampire and lives and writes forever. I would bring him victims so that he doesn't have to starve. And, of course, become a vampire myself too.

I have a rather subjective feeling that King's drug and alcohol problems also played a significant role here because the whole setting, the inability to escape, getting hooked by a maniac, feeling trapped, and this immensely dense atmosphere of despair and fear could be seen as indicators of a soul haunted by addiction. Although it would have been much more comfortable for the protagonist if he had been permanently high so that the suffering wouldn't have mattered as much, as long as he got his shots, spliffs, and sniffs.

Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

I read this when I was in College. I discovered Carrie as a senior in high school, and from that moment, I began to devour his catalog. I read this particular work somewhere between 1995 and 1998. That was over 20 years ago.

I absolutely love seeing all the Stephen King videos within the constant reader fandom. Back when I read those books, there wasn't such a thing, and I read them solely for my own enjoyment, without the opportunity to share with a community. I am now considering doing a re-read of my favorite ones.

I still vividly remember reading this and experiencing chills all over my body. I recall Kathy Bates winning the Oscar for her role, and then seeing the movie, which promptly led me to read the book. The book is truly wonderful and firmly holds a place in my top 10.

If you are seeking a truly scary and spine-chilling experience, then this will undoubtedly deliver. It is, without a doubt, a masterpiece.

Spoilery ahead:

The book is somewhat different from the movie. In the movie, she uses a sledgehammer to smash the author's ankle, while in the book, she chops it off. I actually thought the book's version was more humane as it was a clean break. The idea of a shattered ankle would be simply horrible.

It was released around the time of Silence of the Lambs, and both those books and movies are just creepily intense.

After a terrifying car accident, the renowned bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon regains consciousness only to find himself confined within the isolated house of Annie Wilkes, who proclaims herself as his "number one fan." At first, Paul is grateful as Annie takes care of him. However, as time passes, he begins to sense that something is amiss.

Soon enough, he discovers the truly disturbing truth - Annie is completely insane. The story then unfolds as a thrilling roller-coaster ride, featuring two unforgettable characters that vividly come to life. I was completely engrossed in being inside Paul's head, experiencing his thoughts and emotions as he gradually realizes the perilous situation he is in.

The interplay between the prisoner, Paul, and his captor, Annie, is both intense and captivating. The story is filled with graphic and horrifying moments that push the boundaries, yet it also has an element of crazy fun. It is an over-the-top tale that leaves a lasting impression.

Undoubtedly, this is not a story that I will forget anytime soon. It has managed to grip my imagination and keep me on the edge of my seat throughout.

This is my very first encounter with the book Misery. As I read it, all that comes to my mind is the profound regret of having deprived myself of this literary masterpiece for so many years. Oh, how I could have indulged in the splendor of this book ages ago!

It has now firmly established itself among my top five King stories. It is truly phenomenal! Annie, without a doubt, has become one of my favorite King characters. She is one crazy bitch! And that's precisely what makes this story so terrifying. There are no fictional monsters here, just a completely deranged and lunatic human being who commits unspeakable atrocities on another person.

The story is filled with truly terrifying and gut-wrenching moments. At some parts, I was actually cringing and closing my eyes because it was just too overwhelming. But, ironically, I adored every single second of it! It's a strange mix of horror and fascination that keeps me hooked from start to finish.

It took me a significantly longer time than usual to truly immerse myself in this King book. This was mainly attributed to the writing style, which I felt was distinct from his typical one that I hold in such high regard. I faced a similar issue when reading The Shining. It seemed to lack that certain "special something", causing me to feel somewhat disconnected from the characters until approximately halfway through.

However, all the events that transpired up until that point still had a profound impact on me and truly terrified me. Then came the major shift, and I became completely engrossed. As soon as I got to know the two main characters better, I was filled with excitement and couldn't put the book down! Everything became extremely interesting after a particular revelation, and I was greatly relieved. Up until then, I had the sense that I was missing out on whatever it is that makes others love this book so passionately.

After reaching the halfway mark, the genre of "Psychological Horror" was truly exemplified. There is just something about Annie Wilkes that is perpetually frightening, regardless of what she does. After learning that King wrote her as the personification of cocaine, I completely understand why she is so terrifying, even in the rare moments when she appears nice. I wish I had the appropriate qualifications to analyze this book and its characters on a psychological level, as I'm certain it would be incredibly fascinating.

So, even though it took me a while to be captivated by the book, it is still definitely worth reading! I'd also like to mention how much I appreciated the small excerpts from the actual "Misery" novels that were incorporated into the story. They added a great deal more depth and realism.

King has crafted an extensive array of iconic characters, yet Annie Wikes stands out as the most terrifying of them all.

Famous novelist Paul Sheldon is saved from a car accident by the deranged fan Annie. She is fanatically obsessed with his Victorian-era romance novels centered around the character Misery Chastain.

Being a nurse, she takes Paul under her care, using the stockpile of codeine she has at home. During this time, Annie reads the latest book in the Misery series and is horrified to discover what Paul has done to the character.

Not only does this book offer a captivating exploration of fandom, but it also delves into Paul's new dependence on painkillers. Both characters are among the finest that King has ever written, and I can't help but think that it's his way of sharing his own experiences with the reader, as everyone anticipates a certain type of story from him as well.

Although it's a relatively short novel by King's standards, it's easy to become completely engrossed in the story. The scenes where Paul explores the house in an attempt to find some painkillers are incredibly tense and keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Paul Sheldon, the protagonist in the novel "Misery," finds himself in a truly harrowing situation. He is a successful author who has just completed a new book. However, on his way home from a book tour, he gets into a severe car accident.

He wakes up in the isolated cabin of Annie Wilkes, who claims to be his "number one fan." Annie is a deranged and obsessive woman who forces Paul to rewrite his latest book according to her demands.

Paul is trapped, with no means of escape and at the mercy of Annie's unpredictable and violent behavior. As the days pass, he becomes increasingly desperate to find a way out and return to his normal life.

The situation escalates when Annie discovers that Paul has been secretly working on a different story, and her anger knows no bounds.

Paul must use all his wits and courage to outwit Annie and survive this living nightmare. The image of Paul, looking scared and helpless, perfectly captures the essence of his terrifying ordeal.

Will he be able to break free from Annie's clutches and escape with his life? The answer remains to be seen in this thrilling and suspenseful novel.

A highly recommended novel for readers of Stephen King.

It kicks off with an original premise. A renowned writer finds himself bedridden with broken legs at the home of an admirer, all due to a car accident he endured.

What initially appears to be a good situation gradually morphs into a nightmare for the writer.

I truly enjoyed this novel. The two main characters are extremely powerful. Annie Wilkes, in particular, the fanatical fan of Paul Sheldon, steals the show. The beginning did strike me as a bit slow and repetitive, but I couldn't put down the last part and devoured it with great eagerness.

This is the second novel I've delved into by King, and I have no regrets about starting with this author. It's highly entertaining and beautifully written. Sometimes, these two qualities don't often go hand in hand.

There has been a great deal written about this novel, and it also has a film version that has gained its own following.