Misery

by Stephen King
Misery cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Horror
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  • ID: 4313
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781501156748
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2017-02-28
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Misery follows the harrowing tale of Paul Sheldon, a successful novelist who survives a horrific car accident only to wake up in the care of Annie Wilkes, his self-proclaimed 'number one fan.' What begins as seemingly kind nursing quickly turns into a nightmare as Annie's obsession and instability reveal themselves. Trapped in her isolated home, Paul must use his wits and creativity to survive the whims of his captor, who demands he rewrite his latest novel to her twisted specifications. /n/nStephen King's masterful blend of psychological horror and suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats, exploring themes of obsession, creativity, and the dark side of fandom. The novel delves into the mind of a deranged individual and the lengths to which she will go to control her favorite author's work, making it a chilling exploration of the human psyche.

Reviews
Booklytical · 2024-02-05
terrifying 4.75

The terror in 'Misery' is grounded in realism, making it one of the scariest stories. It surpasses even King's more supernatural works.

Booklytical's review praises 'Misery' for its realistic terror, which makes it one of the scariest stories they've read. The reviewer found that the lack of supernatural elements adds to the horror, making it feel more real and intense. This grounded approach sets 'Misery' apart from other horror novels and makes it a standout in Stephen King's collection. The reviewer highly recommends it for those who enjoy a more realistic and terrifying read.

Quick quotes

    Misery surpassed my expectations, standing out as one of my 6 from King.

    Its terror, grounded in realism, eclipses even his more supernatural works.

    The lack of supernatural elements adds to the horror, making it feel more real and intense.

Lucy Danser · Lucy Danser · 2021-01-08
engaging 4.00

The prose was engaging and inventive, drawing the reader into the action. The opening is particularly strong, setting the tone for the rest of the book.

Lucy Danser found the prose in 'Misery' to be particularly engaging and inventive, especially in the opening chapters. She appreciated how the story immediately draws the reader into the heart of the action. The narrative style keeps the reader hooked, making it a compelling read from the start. The character development and the tension built throughout the story are notable strengths, making it a standout novel in Stephen King's repertoire.

Quick quotes

    The prose was easy to read and the opening in particular was inventive and engaging, putting you straight into the heart of the action.

    The narrative style keeps the reader hooked, making it a compelling read from the start.

    The character development and the tension built throughout the story are notable strengths.

The Guardian · 2013-07-30
chilling 4.50

The story is deeply personal and desperately sad, focusing on a realistic and terrifying scenario. The lack of supernatural elements makes it even more chilling.

The Guardian's review highlights how 'Misery' stands out for its lack of supernatural elements, making the story feel more grounded and terrifying. The reviewer found the story to be deeply personal and desperately sad, which adds to its emotional impact. The realistic nature of the events makes the horror more palpable, as it feels like something that could actually happen. This approach sets 'Misery' apart from other horror novels and makes it a unique and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Misery has no supernatural elements, focusing instead on a story that is actually desperately sad, and, to my mind, hugely personal to King.

    The lack of supernatural elements makes it even more chilling.

    The realistic nature of the events makes the horror more palpable.

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