Misery

by Stephen King
Misery cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Psychological Thriller
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  • ID: 4313
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2026-01-20
  • ISBN: 9781501156748
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2017-02-28
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 4

After surviving a near-fatal car crash, renowned novelist Paul Sheldon finds himself at the mercy of his most obsessive fan, Annie Wilkes. What begins as a seemingly benevolent act of care quickly spirals into a nightmare of captivity and psychological torment. Paul must use all his wit and strength to survive Annie's increasingly unstable behavior and escape her clutches. /n/n Stephen King's 'Misery' is a chilling exploration of obsession, the darker side of fandom, and the lengths to which one person will go to control another. The novel delves into the mind of a disturbed individual and the desperate struggle for survival, all while maintaining a tense and suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

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.

Cannonball Read · 2020-11-28
surprising 4.50

The book is dark and terrifying, surpassing the movie adaptation. The reviewer was surprised by how much they enjoyed it.

The reviewer expresses surprise at how much they enjoyed Misery, describing it as a dark novel that is terrifying in a way that the movie adaptation doesn't capture. They appreciate the depth and intensity of the story, highlighting how it surpasses the film in terms of impact. The reviewer doesn't delve into specific plot points but rather focuses on the overall experience, praising the author's ability to create a chilling and engaging narrative. They also mention that the prose makes you feel half-insane by the end, adding to the overall intensity of the read.

Quick quotes

    In closing, this book surprised me. It's a dark novel and though the movie is enjoyable, it doesn't begin to do it justice.

    It's terrifying.

    By the end of it, the prose makes you feel half-insane.

Novel Notions · 2019-10-24
terrifying 4.00

The story is terrifying because it feels technically possible. The reviewer found it to be one of the scariest stories they've ever read.

The reviewer describes Misery as one of the scariest stories they've ever read, primarily because everything within its pages feels technically possible. This sense of realism heightens the terror, making it a deeply unsettling read. They appreciate the author's ability to create a narrative that is both plausible and frightening. The reviewer doesn't focus on the plot details but rather on the overall impact of the story, highlighting how the lack of supernatural elements makes it even more chilling.

Quick quotes

    Stephen King's Misery is one of the scariest stories I've ever read, because everything within its pages is technically possible.

    It's a well told tale, the characters are well developed and the fact that there are only two of them never gets boring.

    It's a real page turner, in fact I ...

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