Have you ever read a really good book, fallen in love with the characters and then been heartbroken by the ending? Been so emotionally invested that you want to personally meet the author and get an alternate ending?
Well, that’s exactly what happens in Stephen Kings iconic book, Misery, keep reading if you want to find out more!
Plot Overview
Misery Chastain is dead. Paul Sheldon has just killed her – with relief, with joy. Misery has made him rich; she was the heroine of a string of bestsellers. And now he wants to get on to some real writing.
That’s when the car accident happens, and he wakes up in pain in a strange bed. But it isn’t hospital. Annie Wilkes has pulled him from the wreck, brought him to her remote mountain home, splinted and set his mangled legs.
The good news is that Annie was a nurse and has pain-killing drugs. The bad news is that she has long been Paul’s Number One Fan. And when she finds out what Paul had done to Misery, she doesn’t like it. She doesn’t like it at all.
Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now he’s writing to stay alive.
My Thoughts:
- Although Stephen King has written his fair share of nightmare inducing characters, including the original killer clown; IT. In Misery it’s not a supernatural being which is the villain, but an evil far closer to reality. This situation could potentially happen and it gave me chills!
- As you can imagine, Annie Wilkes is a real piece of work. Not only is she utterly insane, but her presence, even on the page is terrifying. I think Annie is genuinely one of the most unpredictable characters I’ve ever come across in fiction. You never know what she is thinking or going to do next, because of how cunning she is but also because we read through the perspective of Paul, so in a way, we too are her captives.
- During his ‘stay’ with Annie, he is forced to write another book entitled ‘Misery’s Return’, all while in excruciating pain due to his shattered legs. Annie makes him dependent on painkillers and he is wheelchair bound so escape proves impossible…or is it?
- This book is very unique in the sense that it takes place in one location, with only two characters, throughout the vast majority of the story. Now, with a writer less skilled than King this may sound boring but precisely because King is so skilled, it’s never dull.
- The only negative I could find in this book are the sections which are ‘Misery’s Return’ – these are inserted a few times and I just didn’t find these as interesting as the actual story so I just skipped these.
- I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but the last section of the book is so intense, I just couldn’t put it down! There’s a satisfying pay off and as far as most of Kings endings go, this one is perhaps one of the ‘happier’ ones.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy thrillers and especially psychological thrillers which will get you turning the page!
★★★★- 4 Star Rating
Until next time,
Rumaanah x
Rums the Reader 
I read Misery years ago and it terrified me! I do get scared pretty easily, which was not helped by the fact that the characters were so vivid. Guess there’s a reason King is so highly rated 🙈
It’s definitely a story that stays with you! King is such a powerful writer for sure x
I’ve actually read this one, but it honestly terrified the crap out of me! It’s a good one though!
Love, Amie ❤The Curvaceous Vegan
totally agree! I would be scared af had I been in the situation in the book haha x
Nice review. It looks like an intriguing read. I do not really like Stephen King’s novels, but I did somewhat enjoy The Shining, which I have read recently. I am now curious to check out Misery, though I think it will not be that interesting for me since I watched the movie and know how it will all end.
Ahh I have yet to read The Shining but it’s on my list – I guess it all comes down to preference (: a lot of people either seem to love or hate Kings writing but I’m glad to hear you did manage to enjoy one of his stories at least. I haven’t seen the movie adaptation of Misery yet, but I can see how viewing the movie before the book would take away the element of surprise. Thanks for sharing your thoughts x
I recommend the movie Misery. Kathy Bates was unbelievably good there.
This sounds like such a gripping and intense story! I’d definitely like to give it a read. Your post was great!
Thank you – glad you enjoyed reading this review, would love to hear your thoughts whenever you get round to reading it xx
No bother! Thanks, I’ll let you know what I think of it! xx
Ah I recently picked this book up in a charity shop and can’t wait to read it! I saw the film a few years ago and this review just reminds me of how terrified I was of Annie. Loved this review! ✨
Evie x | https://eviejayne.co.uk
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed this post. Ooh what a great find! I love charity shops, you can find so many great books for such low prices. I haven’t seen the movie so I’m really interested to see whether it’s as scary as the book for me!
Sure I was chatting to you about this book somewhere. I’m pleased you lived it. I think it’s his best xx
It was on twitter! I literally finished reading this book in a day – you weren’t kidding when you said it was a good one!
I think it’s much scarier than the actual monstery books
This sounds like an intense and intriguing story! I’ve never read a book with just two characters set in one location, I’m really curious to read it now, it sounds so gripping! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, this is such a well-written and descriptive review ❤ xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you so much for your lovely comment – I always appreciate feedback on my reviews (: I would definitely recommend this book, it will keep you interested and satisfy your curiosity xx
Misery is a great book. I actually have Annie Wilkes in my last 6 for Sunday post about scary film characters. She is a really interesting character! I totally agree that the fact she isn’t supernatural makes her even scarier. It is a much more realistic story that other Stephen King books. I don’t want to say you could see it really happen… but I totally could. Fans can be crazy!
I couldn’t agree more! Annie is definitely a very interesting character, as twisted and scary as she is too haha. Fans can be seriously obsessed, I wonder if anyone would beat Annie Wilkes though!
One of my favourites the film does it a decent justice too and just reminds me of my teens when I read it about 6 times! Great review
Thank you – I have yet to watch the movie but I’m looking forward to it! I’ve heard Kathy Bates is a brilliant Annie Wilkes and portrays her unhinged nature well haha
I can’t read the book without picturing her as Annie now, she just nails it!
Need to add this to my list! Not a huge King fan but your review has got me intrigued 😋
Emma B
the25lifecrisis.com
I haven’t read the book but have seen the film – so weird and creepy!
I’ve heard so many great things about Steven King but haven’t read anything of his yet. This book sounds amazing, I love thrillers and this sounds so dramatic and unpredictable!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
You should definitely try reading one of his books soon – there’s so many to choose from! I would recommend his collections of short stories too xo
Great review! Heard great things about this book 😊
Glad you enjoyed reading Misery. I like that there is a difference in villains. We all like unpredictable characters, hehe. That way, we can’t give assumptions so quickly. It’s a bummer that Misery’s Return wasn’t all that great in the book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I totally agree – nothing better than a book which keeps you guessing x
I never read the book but I seen the film and let me tell you, it’s good stuff!! Kathy Bates plays the lead and she won an Academy Award for her portrayal. I’m not sure if the film follows the book completely but it was a roller coaster in watching,check it out when you get the chance 🙂
Natonya | https://justnatonya.wordpress.com/
I literally just watched the film version today and I think it definitely lives up to the book!! It has some differences but Kathy Bates is definitely the perfect choice to play Annie, no wonder she won an Academy Award!
It was so good! Now, I wanna read the book too 🙂
So, I’m a huge Stephen King fan😊, and so I had to check out your review on this. I enjoy reading your thoughts on Misery. Great review!