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Misery
Stephen King is arguably the most popular novelist in the history of American fiction. He owes his fans a love letter. Misery is it.
Paul Sheldon, author of a bestselling series of historical romances, wakes up one winter day in a strange place, a secluded farmhouse in Colorado. He wakes up to unspeakable pain (a dislocated pelvis, a crushed knee, two shattered legs) and to a bizarre greeting from the woman who has saved his life: "I'm your number one fan!"
Annie Wilkes is a huge ex-nurse, handy with controlled substances and other instruments of abuse, including an axe and a blowtorch. A dangerous psychotic with a Romper Room sense of good and bad, fair and unfair, Annie Wilkes may be Stephen King's most terrifying creation. It's not fair, for example, that her favorite character in the world, Misery Chastain, has been killed by her creator, as Annie discovers when Paul's latest novel comes out in paperback. And it's not good that her favorite writer has been a Don't-Bee and written a different kind of novel, a nasty novel, the novel he has always wanted to write, the only copy of which now lies in Annie's angry hands.
Because she wants Paul Sheldon to be a Do-Bee, she buys him a typewriter and a ream of paper and tells him to bring Misery back to life. Wheelchair-bound, drug-dependent, locked in his room, Paul doesn't have much choice. He's an entertainer held captive by his audience. A writer in serious trouble. But writers have weapons too...
Paul Sheldon, author of a bestselling series of historical romances, wakes up one winter day in a strange place, a secluded farmhouse in Colorado. He wakes up to unspeakable pain (a dislocated pelvis, a crushed knee, two shattered legs) and to a bizarre greeting from the woman who has saved his life: "I'm your number one fan!"
Annie Wilkes is a huge ex-nurse, handy with controlled substances and other instruments of abuse, including an axe and a blowtorch. A dangerous psychotic with a Romper Room sense of good and bad, fair and unfair, Annie Wilkes may be Stephen King's most terrifying creation. It's not fair, for example, that her favorite character in the world, Misery Chastain, has been killed by her creator, as Annie discovers when Paul's latest novel comes out in paperback. And it's not good that her favorite writer has been a Don't-Bee and written a different kind of novel, a nasty novel, the novel he has always wanted to write, the only copy of which now lies in Annie's angry hands.
Because she wants Paul Sheldon to be a Do-Bee, she buys him a typewriter and a ream of paper and tells him to bring Misery back to life. Wheelchair-bound, drug-dependent, locked in his room, Paul doesn't have much choice. He's an entertainer held captive by his audience. A writer in serious trouble. But writers have weapons too...
Hardcover
First published June 8, 1987
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About the author
Stephen King
2,291 books892k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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November 22, 2016
Honestly, who among us hasn’t gotten frustrated with their favorite writer and felt like holding them prisoner while forcing them to write the exact book that we want?
Well, don’t do that because it would be wrong! What kind of twisted freaks are you people?!?
Paul Sheldon is a best selling author who just ended his popular series of romance/adventure novels by killing off the lead character, Misery Chastain. After finishing a new novel at a Colorado resort Paul has a car accident and awakes to find that his legs have been shattered, but that he’s been saved by his self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes.
Unfortunately, Annie turns out to be more than just a little crazy, and when she learns that Paul killed Misery in the latest book she demands that he write a new one that brings back her favorite character. Held captive by a madwoman, Paul is almost helpless to resist the physical and psychological tortures she uses to get her way while insisting that it’s really for his own good.
This book seems eerily prophetic of King’s career in some ways. Uncle Stevie hadn’t yet frustrated readers of his Dark Tower series with long delays between books, and yet he absolutely nailed the self-righteous fury of a fan who feels somehow cheated out of what they deserve. You gotta think that later on King worried that he had some version of Annie out there just waiting to chain him to typewriter to finish DT. He was also years away from suffering his own enormous physical trauma after being hit by a car, but he still makes you feel every agonizing moment that Paul suffers from his accident and at Annie’s hands. Like Paul, King would also have the experience of returning to writing being a matter of overcoming physical pain but also finding it to be a way to escape it.
One of King’s biggest strengths is that he knows the power of a good story, and this plot serves him well by really letting him dig into that. Annie’s obsession with Misery is something that probably almost every reader can relate to, but what’s really interesting is how Paul’s need to tell the story becomes just as compelling as Annie’s threats. The set-up lets Uncle Stevie explore the whole notion of just why we gotta know what happens next as well as the rules that make it a satisfying resolution or a cheat.
I could make a pretty solid argument that this is King’s best book. He was very much at the peak of his powers here, and either the simple two person structure of the story or good editing kept this at a normal novel length. That’d become a rarity in his bloated books after this, and it does feel like King at his most disciplined. In Annie Wilkes he crafted a character worthy of being included in a Villain’s Hall of Fame, and he makes good use of her as a figure who can be terrifying, sometimes tragic, and weirdly humorous at times.
However, I’m not saying it’s my favorite King book. (Probably The Stand or the last Dark Tower hold that honor.) Why wouldn’t his best book be the one I enjoy most? Because he did just too good of job on making us feel Paul’s pain. Sure, this is a book about a man who suffered a terrible accident and then found himself brutalized at the hands of a psychopath so it makes perfect sense that Uncle Stevie would want us to ache along with Paul. Yet, it’s very hard to spend an entire book with a main character who is almost always at some level of agony without feeling worn down by it. It’s necessary for the plot, but it also makes it a slog at times.
So it's definitely among King’s best, but it's also one I haven’t read it nearly as many times as some of his others because it’s simply too damn tough to get through at times. Still it’s a 5 star ride if you grit your teeth and keep reading as Paul keeps on writing.
Well, don’t do that because it would be wrong! What kind of twisted freaks are you people?!?
Paul Sheldon is a best selling author who just ended his popular series of romance/adventure novels by killing off the lead character, Misery Chastain. After finishing a new novel at a Colorado resort Paul has a car accident and awakes to find that his legs have been shattered, but that he’s been saved by his self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes.
Unfortunately, Annie turns out to be more than just a little crazy, and when she learns that Paul killed Misery in the latest book she demands that he write a new one that brings back her favorite character. Held captive by a madwoman, Paul is almost helpless to resist the physical and psychological tortures she uses to get her way while insisting that it’s really for his own good.
This book seems eerily prophetic of King’s career in some ways. Uncle Stevie hadn’t yet frustrated readers of his Dark Tower series with long delays between books, and yet he absolutely nailed the self-righteous fury of a fan who feels somehow cheated out of what they deserve. You gotta think that later on King worried that he had some version of Annie out there just waiting to chain him to typewriter to finish DT. He was also years away from suffering his own enormous physical trauma after being hit by a car, but he still makes you feel every agonizing moment that Paul suffers from his accident and at Annie’s hands. Like Paul, King would also have the experience of returning to writing being a matter of overcoming physical pain but also finding it to be a way to escape it.
One of King’s biggest strengths is that he knows the power of a good story, and this plot serves him well by really letting him dig into that. Annie’s obsession with Misery is something that probably almost every reader can relate to, but what’s really interesting is how Paul’s need to tell the story becomes just as compelling as Annie’s threats. The set-up lets Uncle Stevie explore the whole notion of just why we gotta know what happens next as well as the rules that make it a satisfying resolution or a cheat.
I could make a pretty solid argument that this is King’s best book. He was very much at the peak of his powers here, and either the simple two person structure of the story or good editing kept this at a normal novel length. That’d become a rarity in his bloated books after this, and it does feel like King at his most disciplined. In Annie Wilkes he crafted a character worthy of being included in a Villain’s Hall of Fame, and he makes good use of her as a figure who can be terrifying, sometimes tragic, and weirdly humorous at times.
However, I’m not saying it’s my favorite King book. (Probably The Stand or the last Dark Tower hold that honor.) Why wouldn’t his best book be the one I enjoy most? Because he did just too good of job on making us feel Paul’s pain. Sure, this is a book about a man who suffered a terrible accident and then found himself brutalized at the hands of a psychopath so it makes perfect sense that Uncle Stevie would want us to ache along with Paul. Yet, it’s very hard to spend an entire book with a main character who is almost always at some level of agony without feeling worn down by it. It’s necessary for the plot, but it also makes it a slog at times.
So it's definitely among King’s best, but it's also one I haven’t read it nearly as many times as some of his others because it’s simply too damn tough to get through at times. Still it’s a 5 star ride if you grit your teeth and keep reading as Paul keeps on writing.
February 20, 2020
¡JOYA!
Una de las mejores antagonistas ¡escalofriante!
Todo lo que necesita tener una novela de suspenso psicológico está en Misery.
Una de las mejores antagonistas ¡escalofriante!
Todo lo que necesita tener una novela de suspenso psicológico está en Misery.
November 24, 2021
El mejor libro que he leído de Stephen King. ¡Una genialidad! Me perturba, me encanta.
Audio reseña aquí
La mayor parte de los secuestros que se generan en el mundo son realizados para obtener dinero a cambio, para prostituir a sus víctimas, por venganzas, o simplemente por psicopatía del criminal. Ser secuestrado es sinónimo de vivir en una condición indigna y deplorable, y es algo que no debería ocurrir en ningún país del mundo. Pero, ¿qué pasaría si te encontraras un libro con este tema principal, y en vez de sentir compasión por el rehén, te recorriera por tu mente una extraña sensación de morbo por seguir conociendo más y más atrocidades realizadas por la antagonista de esta historia? Aunque parezca un disparate, no lo es. Eso, exactamente, es lo que viví y sentí tras leer esta maravillosa obra de Stephen King. Tiene escenas tan macabras, pero a la vez tan extraordinarias, que es inevitable no confundir la maldad con la genialidad. Soy consciente de que lo que voy a escribir es imprudente, teniendo en cuenta que me falta leer muchas obras muy distinguidas de este autor, como It, El resplandor o la saga de La Torre Oscura, pero sinceramente, teniendo en cuenta la calidad de esta obra, me atrevería a decir que acabo de leer la mejor obra de Stephen King. ¡Alucinante!
Todo comenzó hace unos meses cuando intentaba decidir mi próxima lectura. Mis opciones eran El padrino de Mario Puzo, El nombre de la rosa de Umberto Eco y, justamente, El resplandor de Stephen King. Tres nóvelas muy famosas, con un número de páginas similar, que observaba con detenimiento y titubeo porque sentía una gran ansiedad por leer esas historias en ese mismo instante, pero no lograba decidir cuál leer primero. Eso es algo que me ocurre frecuentemente y por ello intento premeditar mis próximas lecturas con anterioridad, pero en esa ocasión lo olvidé, mi cerebro se bloqueó y la elección esperada nunca apareció. Esa noche tanto sería mi coraje por culpa de mi indecisión que finalmente decidí no leer absolutamente nada. Sin embargo, la vida y los libros siempre tienen hermosas sorpresas en el momento más inesperado. Esto, porque aquella noche cuando guardaba aquellas obras, mis ojos se ubicaron en Misery y entonces minutos más tarde desaparecieron mis penas, y todo porque sin darme cuenta empezaría a leer esta historia con muchísima avidez. Curiosamente, en este mismo instante que estoy haciendo esta reseña, recuerdo que aún no leo aquellas obras que pensaba leer primero. Así son los libros, así es la vida de un lector.
Fue una historia que desde el inicio me atrapó. En estas primeras páginas se cuenta sobre el estado en trance que vive el protagonista de la historia, Paul Sheldon, después de sufrir un grave accidente de tránsito. Paul, siente que se está muriendo, y desde su estado delicado de salud, empieza a narrar de una manera increíble exactamente lo que está viendo y sintiendo en aquellos momentos. Desde ese preámbulo, el libro se ganó completamente mi atención porque descubrí que este personaje que usa Stephen, que por cierto es un escritor, tenía vida propia. Y sí, lo sé, Stephen King es un genio para crear personajes y hacerlos parecer reales en todas sus historias, pero este personaje es muy diferente, es único. Una cosa es que Stephen te narre desde el personaje las acciones que él realiza y combinándolo con sus conversaciones consiga armonizar su prosa para no hacerla pesada, pero otra muy diferente es que el personaje piense por sí mismo, imagine, deduzca lo que está ocurriendo, saque sus propias conclusiones y además transmita de una forma tétrica el dolor, el sufrimiento, el miedo, la angustia y el amor por su trabajo de una manera increíble. Paul Sheldon no es un personaje con frases épicas para rememorar, pero sí es uno que logra interpretar perfectamente el rol de escritor, ayudando a que el lector comprenda todo lo que tiene que esforzarse y vivir un autor para crear tan solo una sola obra. Como lectores muchas veces ignoramos y olvidamos que escribir no es fácil, por ello, libros como este nos sirven para comprender a esas personas que se dedican horas, semanas, meses y años intentando crear con lógica y con muchísima imaginación, una historia que pueda gustarle a sus lectores. Sí, el libro es de horror, pero incluso en la oscuridad hay luz, en la pobreza hay bondad, y en una historia de un secuestro hay belleza por el amor hacia nuestros amigos de papel.
¿Pero saben que es lo mejor? Que Paul Sheldon no es lo más sobresaliente de este libro. A pesar de que hay tanto por destacar de este personaje, lo mejor —sin duda alguna— se llama Annie Wilkes. Ella, es una de las mejores antagonistas que he conocido en mi vida. Es una mujer desquiciada, cruel, fría, sanguinaria y torturadora, pero a pesar de todo —y como pasa con muchísimos villanos— su comportamiento y proceder tiene una razón de ser. Aunque parezca un disparate, en el cerebro de Annie asesinar no es sinónimo de maldad, es ayudar a los demás a que puedan descansar del horrible mundo en el que vivimos. ¿Y saben qué? Por momentos no puedo negar que a veces sí le doy la razón a ella. Aun así, no es lo mismo asesinar por un código moral, que torturar física y mentalmente a tus presas; por lo tanto, la mejor frase que puede describir a Annie Wilkes es “Esa maldita perra está loca”. Espero no encontrarme nunca una persona como ella en mi vida, ¡Qué miedo daría tan solo conversar con alguien así!
Ahora bien, dos excelentes personajes con pensamientos tan diferentes ¿qué tienen en común? Esa respuesta se llama Misery. Misery, es un personaje femenino de una serie de libros que crea Paul Sheldon y que son muy populares en todo el mundo. El problema, es que Paul —al igual que Arthur Conan Doyle con su famosísimo Sherlock Holmes— está cansado de su personaje, y no soporta escribir más sobre ella por lo que ha decidido acabar con su personaje más popular. Su desagrado se debe a que las obras donde Misery no tiene aparición no son tenidas en cuenta, y Paul quiere ser reconocido por algo más que ser el creador de aquella emblemática mujer. Pero, Paul tiene un problema mucho más grande, y ese problema es que después de su accidente de tránsito aparece en casa de Annie Wilkes, quien dice ser su fan número uno, justamente por crear Misery. ¿Cómo se llevarán ellos dos? Eso es lo interesante del libro, descubrirlo. Quizás pueden sospecharlo, pero ni se imaginan las locuras que ocurren en aquella casa.
En cuanto a la prosa también me gustó demasiado. Aquí, Stephen usa capítulos cortos —como en 22/11/63— por lo que resulta muy atractivo para que el lector no detenga su lectura nunca. Pasa una hora y no lo notas, pasan dos y te emocionas, pasan tres y pierdes el control: Es una locura. Además, escribir una historia con capítulos cortos por lo general convierte un libro que puede ser denso, en uno ligero y muy adictivo, por lo que esta historia se lee rapidísimo a pesar de sus 400 páginas. Otro aspecto interesante de la prosa, son las secciones donde se presentan fragmentos de las nóvelas de Paul Sheldon. Estos capítulos son muy especiales, porque allí Stephen cambia completamente su estilo literario, e incluso no parecen escritas esas páginas por él, sino por el mismísimo Paul Sheldon. Hacer algo así es muy difícil, pero aquí, este autor, demuestra su verdadero don para escribir. Es un verdadero genio.
Debo reconocer que en algunos capítulos creí que la historia venía de más a menos, y que la obra se había transformado de un libro de terror a uno de misterio. Pero, una vez seguí avanzando, entendí que solo eran páginas de transición porque más adelante, en el último tercio, todo vuelve a ser tan impactante y terrorífico como en capítulos pasados. Asimismo, también confieso que en las primeras páginas no sabía si pensar que Paul era un visionario, o si realmente esa era su manera de analizar la situación. Inicialmente, creí que esa actitud de Paul sería una falla, pero después me quedó claro que no. Son pequeños detalles que podrían considerarse como «defectos», pero son tan insignificantes que me parece increíble que no haya logrado encontrar un desperfecto importante en algún aspecto de esta novela. Realmente Stephen ha hecho un trabajo de otro nivel, obras así son muy difíciles de igualar o superar.
A veces pienso que es más difícil dar una opinión neutral, y sin ofender, sobre un libro que no me ha gustado, pero luego, en ocasiones como esta, reflexiono y comprendo que no siempre es así. Esta novela me ha encantado, pero he sufrido muchísimo, pero muchísimo intentando escribir sobre este libro tan espectacular, y todo porque la sola mención de esta historia —o de alguno de los personajes— me hace sentir la necesidad de empezar a decir spoilers sin control. Créanme, es muy difícil controlarme, intentar reprimir palabras es una gran tortura; es tan difícil, que dos días después de terminar de leerlo intenté recomendárselo a mi hermano, pero sin querer resulté contándoselo todo: Lo siento querido hermano. Sé que Misery es una película muy famosa de 1990 y que quizás muchos conocen la historia por aquella cinta, pero ni así hay justificación para hacerle spoilers a aquellos (as) que por diferentes motivos nunca vieron la película y que no conocen absolutamente nada de esta novela. Por lo tanto, para aquellas personas quiero recomendarles que no vean la película, no sin antes leer este libro. En mi caso, yo nunca vi la película porque de pequeño en mi hogar solo teníamos un televisor y no solíamos observar películas de terror/horror por el miedo a soñarnos pesadillas. Pero, inmediatamente cuando finalicé esta lectura, busqué la película por internet, la descargué, la vi y aunque no puedo negar que es una gran adaptación, sinceramente no tiene comparación con este libro: El libro es mil veces mejor, así de simple. La otra recomendación es para aquellos que jamás han leído a Stephen King, pero que sienten interés por hacerlo para conocer al “amo del terror”. Sé que este autor tiene bastantes obras, y ante un catálogo tan grande es muy difícil elegir cuál leer, pero, si lo que buscan es una historia que los atrape, que los impacte, y que sea fácil y adictiva de leer, entonces este libro es lo que están buscando. No se arrepentirán, se los prometo, no se arrepentirán ni un solo segundo.
Termino completamente satisfecho, lo releeré en el futuro un sinfín de veces, y naturalmente seguiré leyendo muchas de las obras de Stephen King. Sé que muy probablemente ninguna de sus obras me hará sentir lo que he vivido con esta lectura, pero aún hay un camino largo por explorar y sé que voy a disfrutar sus demás obras. Libro súper recomendado.
Audio reseña aquí
La mayor parte de los secuestros que se generan en el mundo son realizados para obtener dinero a cambio, para prostituir a sus víctimas, por venganzas, o simplemente por psicopatía del criminal. Ser secuestrado es sinónimo de vivir en una condición indigna y deplorable, y es algo que no debería ocurrir en ningún país del mundo. Pero, ¿qué pasaría si te encontraras un libro con este tema principal, y en vez de sentir compasión por el rehén, te recorriera por tu mente una extraña sensación de morbo por seguir conociendo más y más atrocidades realizadas por la antagonista de esta historia? Aunque parezca un disparate, no lo es. Eso, exactamente, es lo que viví y sentí tras leer esta maravillosa obra de Stephen King. Tiene escenas tan macabras, pero a la vez tan extraordinarias, que es inevitable no confundir la maldad con la genialidad. Soy consciente de que lo que voy a escribir es imprudente, teniendo en cuenta que me falta leer muchas obras muy distinguidas de este autor, como It, El resplandor o la saga de La Torre Oscura, pero sinceramente, teniendo en cuenta la calidad de esta obra, me atrevería a decir que acabo de leer la mejor obra de Stephen King. ¡Alucinante!
Todo comenzó hace unos meses cuando intentaba decidir mi próxima lectura. Mis opciones eran El padrino de Mario Puzo, El nombre de la rosa de Umberto Eco y, justamente, El resplandor de Stephen King. Tres nóvelas muy famosas, con un número de páginas similar, que observaba con detenimiento y titubeo porque sentía una gran ansiedad por leer esas historias en ese mismo instante, pero no lograba decidir cuál leer primero. Eso es algo que me ocurre frecuentemente y por ello intento premeditar mis próximas lecturas con anterioridad, pero en esa ocasión lo olvidé, mi cerebro se bloqueó y la elección esperada nunca apareció. Esa noche tanto sería mi coraje por culpa de mi indecisión que finalmente decidí no leer absolutamente nada. Sin embargo, la vida y los libros siempre tienen hermosas sorpresas en el momento más inesperado. Esto, porque aquella noche cuando guardaba aquellas obras, mis ojos se ubicaron en Misery y entonces minutos más tarde desaparecieron mis penas, y todo porque sin darme cuenta empezaría a leer esta historia con muchísima avidez. Curiosamente, en este mismo instante que estoy haciendo esta reseña, recuerdo que aún no leo aquellas obras que pensaba leer primero. Así son los libros, así es la vida de un lector.
Fue una historia que desde el inicio me atrapó. En estas primeras páginas se cuenta sobre el estado en trance que vive el protagonista de la historia, Paul Sheldon, después de sufrir un grave accidente de tránsito. Paul, siente que se está muriendo, y desde su estado delicado de salud, empieza a narrar de una manera increíble exactamente lo que está viendo y sintiendo en aquellos momentos. Desde ese preámbulo, el libro se ganó completamente mi atención porque descubrí que este personaje que usa Stephen, que por cierto es un escritor, tenía vida propia. Y sí, lo sé, Stephen King es un genio para crear personajes y hacerlos parecer reales en todas sus historias, pero este personaje es muy diferente, es único. Una cosa es que Stephen te narre desde el personaje las acciones que él realiza y combinándolo con sus conversaciones consiga armonizar su prosa para no hacerla pesada, pero otra muy diferente es que el personaje piense por sí mismo, imagine, deduzca lo que está ocurriendo, saque sus propias conclusiones y además transmita de una forma tétrica el dolor, el sufrimiento, el miedo, la angustia y el amor por su trabajo de una manera increíble. Paul Sheldon no es un personaje con frases épicas para rememorar, pero sí es uno que logra interpretar perfectamente el rol de escritor, ayudando a que el lector comprenda todo lo que tiene que esforzarse y vivir un autor para crear tan solo una sola obra. Como lectores muchas veces ignoramos y olvidamos que escribir no es fácil, por ello, libros como este nos sirven para comprender a esas personas que se dedican horas, semanas, meses y años intentando crear con lógica y con muchísima imaginación, una historia que pueda gustarle a sus lectores. Sí, el libro es de horror, pero incluso en la oscuridad hay luz, en la pobreza hay bondad, y en una historia de un secuestro hay belleza por el amor hacia nuestros amigos de papel.
¿Pero saben que es lo mejor? Que Paul Sheldon no es lo más sobresaliente de este libro. A pesar de que hay tanto por destacar de este personaje, lo mejor —sin duda alguna— se llama Annie Wilkes. Ella, es una de las mejores antagonistas que he conocido en mi vida. Es una mujer desquiciada, cruel, fría, sanguinaria y torturadora, pero a pesar de todo —y como pasa con muchísimos villanos— su comportamiento y proceder tiene una razón de ser. Aunque parezca un disparate, en el cerebro de Annie asesinar no es sinónimo de maldad, es ayudar a los demás a que puedan descansar del horrible mundo en el que vivimos. ¿Y saben qué? Por momentos no puedo negar que a veces sí le doy la razón a ella. Aun así, no es lo mismo asesinar por un código moral, que torturar física y mentalmente a tus presas; por lo tanto, la mejor frase que puede describir a Annie Wilkes es “Esa maldita perra está loca”. Espero no encontrarme nunca una persona como ella en mi vida, ¡Qué miedo daría tan solo conversar con alguien así!
Ahora bien, dos excelentes personajes con pensamientos tan diferentes ¿qué tienen en común? Esa respuesta se llama Misery. Misery, es un personaje femenino de una serie de libros que crea Paul Sheldon y que son muy populares en todo el mundo. El problema, es que Paul —al igual que Arthur Conan Doyle con su famosísimo Sherlock Holmes— está cansado de su personaje, y no soporta escribir más sobre ella por lo que ha decidido acabar con su personaje más popular. Su desagrado se debe a que las obras donde Misery no tiene aparición no son tenidas en cuenta, y Paul quiere ser reconocido por algo más que ser el creador de aquella emblemática mujer. Pero, Paul tiene un problema mucho más grande, y ese problema es que después de su accidente de tránsito aparece en casa de Annie Wilkes, quien dice ser su fan número uno, justamente por crear Misery. ¿Cómo se llevarán ellos dos? Eso es lo interesante del libro, descubrirlo. Quizás pueden sospecharlo, pero ni se imaginan las locuras que ocurren en aquella casa.
En cuanto a la prosa también me gustó demasiado. Aquí, Stephen usa capítulos cortos —como en 22/11/63— por lo que resulta muy atractivo para que el lector no detenga su lectura nunca. Pasa una hora y no lo notas, pasan dos y te emocionas, pasan tres y pierdes el control: Es una locura. Además, escribir una historia con capítulos cortos por lo general convierte un libro que puede ser denso, en uno ligero y muy adictivo, por lo que esta historia se lee rapidísimo a pesar de sus 400 páginas. Otro aspecto interesante de la prosa, son las secciones donde se presentan fragmentos de las nóvelas de Paul Sheldon. Estos capítulos son muy especiales, porque allí Stephen cambia completamente su estilo literario, e incluso no parecen escritas esas páginas por él, sino por el mismísimo Paul Sheldon. Hacer algo así es muy difícil, pero aquí, este autor, demuestra su verdadero don para escribir. Es un verdadero genio.
Debo reconocer que en algunos capítulos creí que la historia venía de más a menos, y que la obra se había transformado de un libro de terror a uno de misterio. Pero, una vez seguí avanzando, entendí que solo eran páginas de transición porque más adelante, en el último tercio, todo vuelve a ser tan impactante y terrorífico como en capítulos pasados. Asimismo, también confieso que en las primeras páginas no sabía si pensar que Paul era un visionario, o si realmente esa era su manera de analizar la situación. Inicialmente, creí que esa actitud de Paul sería una falla, pero después me quedó claro que no. Son pequeños detalles que podrían considerarse como «defectos», pero son tan insignificantes que me parece increíble que no haya logrado encontrar un desperfecto importante en algún aspecto de esta novela. Realmente Stephen ha hecho un trabajo de otro nivel, obras así son muy difíciles de igualar o superar.
A veces pienso que es más difícil dar una opinión neutral, y sin ofender, sobre un libro que no me ha gustado, pero luego, en ocasiones como esta, reflexiono y comprendo que no siempre es así. Esta novela me ha encantado, pero he sufrido muchísimo, pero muchísimo intentando escribir sobre este libro tan espectacular, y todo porque la sola mención de esta historia —o de alguno de los personajes— me hace sentir la necesidad de empezar a decir spoilers sin control. Créanme, es muy difícil controlarme, intentar reprimir palabras es una gran tortura; es tan difícil, que dos días después de terminar de leerlo intenté recomendárselo a mi hermano, pero sin querer resulté contándoselo todo: Lo siento querido hermano. Sé que Misery es una película muy famosa de 1990 y que quizás muchos conocen la historia por aquella cinta, pero ni así hay justificación para hacerle spoilers a aquellos (as) que por diferentes motivos nunca vieron la película y que no conocen absolutamente nada de esta novela. Por lo tanto, para aquellas personas quiero recomendarles que no vean la película, no sin antes leer este libro. En mi caso, yo nunca vi la película porque de pequeño en mi hogar solo teníamos un televisor y no solíamos observar películas de terror/horror por el miedo a soñarnos pesadillas. Pero, inmediatamente cuando finalicé esta lectura, busqué la película por internet, la descargué, la vi y aunque no puedo negar que es una gran adaptación, sinceramente no tiene comparación con este libro: El libro es mil veces mejor, así de simple. La otra recomendación es para aquellos que jamás han leído a Stephen King, pero que sienten interés por hacerlo para conocer al “amo del terror”. Sé que este autor tiene bastantes obras, y ante un catálogo tan grande es muy difícil elegir cuál leer, pero, si lo que buscan es una historia que los atrape, que los impacte, y que sea fácil y adictiva de leer, entonces este libro es lo que están buscando. No se arrepentirán, se los prometo, no se arrepentirán ni un solo segundo.
Termino completamente satisfecho, lo releeré en el futuro un sinfín de veces, y naturalmente seguiré leyendo muchas de las obras de Stephen King. Sé que muy probablemente ninguna de sus obras me hará sentir lo que he vivido con esta lectura, pero aún hay un camino largo por explorar y sé que voy a disfrutar sus demás obras. Libro súper recomendado.
April 12, 2023
With the fore knowledge, I can definitely see how this was originally going to be a Richard Bachman book, with the carnage from the opening scene followed by darkness, madness and torture throughout! Lots of personal knowledge shared via Stephen King's addiction problems, gives this story even more power than the maelstrom of the Number One Fan herself. Some great pacing and segmenting, put me continually on a knife's edge. 8 out of 12, firm Four Stars.
2016 read
2016 read
August 14, 2019
a list of things this book was:
- disgusting
- disturbing
- a quick read, surprisingly
- really fond of using sexual assault as a metaphor (cool cool cool)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of race (the Africa references/setting)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of gender (so much man-goes-to-work woman-stays-home)
- honestly just pretty hateful toward women??
- all for using the n word without blinking, apparently
a list of things this book was not:
- scary
- all that great of a read for me
bottom line: i guess i get the stephen king appeal. but, uh. NOT A FAN.
note from future me: if you're a stephen king fan and you feel like writing at length in the comments of this about why i'm wrong and you're a Correct Intellectual, consider, instead, writing me a letter and then throwing that letter right in the garbage (either way, i'm not going to read it)
-----------
PRE-REVIEW
okay, stephen king. time to show me what all the fuss is about.
(in other words: this is my first stephen king book and i'm ready to scream in fear)
- disgusting
- disturbing
- a quick read, surprisingly
- really fond of using sexual assault as a metaphor (cool cool cool)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of race (the Africa references/setting)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of gender (so much man-goes-to-work woman-stays-home)
- honestly just pretty hateful toward women??
- all for using the n word without blinking, apparently
a list of things this book was not:
- scary
- all that great of a read for me
bottom line: i guess i get the stephen king appeal. but, uh. NOT A FAN.
note from future me: if you're a stephen king fan and you feel like writing at length in the comments of this about why i'm wrong and you're a Correct Intellectual, consider, instead, writing me a letter and then throwing that letter right in the garbage (either way, i'm not going to read it)
-----------
PRE-REVIEW
okay, stephen king. time to show me what all the fuss is about.
(in other words: this is my first stephen king book and i'm ready to scream in fear)
October 20, 2020
Reread
Damn, I can never get over that one scene!!! She's bat sh•t crazy!
Happy Reading! 🎃👻
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 27, 2025
و لماذا لم نخطف د.تامر ابراهيم ليكمل لنا ثلاثية"الذي لم يمت؟فالاعوام تمر وتمر
و لماذا لم نخطف د.احمد خالدتوفيق لنعيد رفعت اسماعيل للحياة؟فقد كان يؤنسنا حقا
و لماذا لم يخطفوا د.ارثر دويل ليعيد شرلوك هولمز للحياة؟فهو قتله لمزاجه الخاص؟ لاننا عاقلين طبعا
منذ ان افاق بول شيلدون على انفاس تقتحم جهازه التنفسي قسرا برائحة الفانيليا و الشيكولاته ..أدرك ان احلى ايامه قد مضت إلى غير رجعة ..فهل من الممكن ان تعيش بسلام بعد ان قابلت" انى ويلكوكس "؟
فلتتامل جيدا تلك الممرضة الممتلئة البشوشة و ركز في لون السائل الذي تحقنك به..فقد تكون حقنتك الأخيرة 💉
ميزرى هي رعب دفين لدى كل مؤلف شهير تغريه الاجزاء المتعددة..احذر فقد تودي بك إلى حتفك ..ستصبح كلمة: اكتب هي كابوسك المقيم
ستظل اني ويلكوكس اغرب بطلات كينج و تتربع مع مهرج"الشيء"على القمة فهي : المعجبة رقم واحد. .لقب ساحر لولا اصرارها المرعب على أن يعيد كاتبها بطلتها المفضلة للحياة
.و لو بخطفه و احتجازه و تكسير ساقه مرارا🙈 و ما خفي أكثر بكثير..
من السهل ان يتحول هذا النمط من الروايات ثنائية الشخصيات إلى مسرحية مملة و لكن ليس هذه المرة
..جاءت الرواية كمطاردات مرعبة لن تنشر ابدا لتوم و جيري🐱🐀ا
ابي رجل علم رزين لا يهوى السينما و لكن يكفي "فيلم ميزري "فخرا انه الفيلم الوحيد الذي تابعه بحماس تفاعلى لم يتكرر ابدا..و هو بالفعل في جودة الرواية
و لماذا لم نخطف د.احمد خالدتوفيق لنعيد رفعت اسماعيل للحياة؟فقد كان يؤنسنا حقا
و لماذا لم يخطفوا د.ارثر دويل ليعيد شرلوك هولمز للحياة؟فهو قتله لمزاجه الخاص؟ لاننا عاقلين طبعا
منذ ان افاق بول شيلدون على انفاس تقتحم جهازه التنفسي قسرا برائحة الفانيليا و الشيكولاته ..أدرك ان احلى ايامه قد مضت إلى غير رجعة ..فهل من الممكن ان تعيش بسلام بعد ان قابلت" انى ويلكوكس "؟
فلتتامل جيدا تلك الممرضة الممتلئة البشوشة و ركز في لون السائل الذي تحقنك به..فقد تكون حقنتك الأخيرة 💉
ميزرى هي رعب دفين لدى كل مؤلف شهير تغريه الاجزاء المتعددة..احذر فقد تودي بك إلى حتفك ..ستصبح كلمة: اكتب هي كابوسك المقيم
ستظل اني ويلكوكس اغرب بطلات كينج و تتربع مع مهرج"الشيء"على القمة فهي : المعجبة رقم واحد. .لقب ساحر لولا اصرارها المرعب على أن يعيد كاتبها بطلتها المفضلة للحياة
.و لو بخطفه و احتجازه و تكسير ساقه مرارا🙈 و ما خفي أكثر بكثير..
من السهل ان يتحول هذا النمط من الروايات ثنائية الشخصيات إلى مسرحية مملة و لكن ليس هذه المرة
..جاءت الرواية كمطاردات مرعبة لن تنشر ابدا لتوم و جيري🐱🐀ا
ابي رجل علم رزين لا يهوى السينما و لكن يكفي "فيلم ميزري "فخرا انه الفيلم الوحيد الذي تابعه بحماس تفاعلى لم يتكرر ابدا..و هو بالفعل في جودة الرواية
October 28, 2022
The name of the man who had written the book was Paul Sheldon. He recognized it as his own with no surprise. ‘Sidewinder, Colorado,’ she said when he was finally able to ask the question. ‘My name is Annie Wilkes. And I am -‘
‘I know,’ he said. ‘You’re my number-one fan’
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling. ‘That’s just what I am’
Successful author Paul Sheldon has decided to transition from writing his popular romance series featuring Misery Chastain to publishing a crime fiction novel. After completing the manuscript, Paul, drunk and elated makes a snap decision to drive, instead of fly, back to New York City. Unfortunately for Paul the severe snow storm heading his way has other plans and Paul ends up in a serious car accident.
On her way home from purchasing livestock feed, Annie Wilkes (Paul’s number one fan!) rescues Paul from the scene of the accident. Annie takes Paul back to her remote home, feeds him copious amounts of pain medication and refuses to take him to the hospital despite his broken and mangled legs.
Days pass and Annie finally gets her hands on the latest installment in the Misery Chastain series. But when Annie discovers that Paul has killed off her beloved Misery she becomes blind with rage. She holds Paul prisoner while forcing him to write a new book. One that brings Misery back to life.
I don’t know how to describe what I’m feeling right now. The closest I can get, is how I imagine one would feel being run over by a truck and then dragged 5 kilometers down the road…..but in a good way??
This is an explosive novel, there is no denying that. The reason I believe this story is so powerful, is because of its plausibility. The concrete certainty that the acts narrated, can, and do, happen in real life. Stephen King has painted a deeply disturbing picture with captivating characters whose psychology is so deeply analyzed throughout the course of the book, that I felt 100% inside their heads. This is why I love Stephen King. No other author can do that to me.
I loved every second of this book. F’ing brilliant!
‘I know,’ he said. ‘You’re my number-one fan’
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling. ‘That’s just what I am’
Successful author Paul Sheldon has decided to transition from writing his popular romance series featuring Misery Chastain to publishing a crime fiction novel. After completing the manuscript, Paul, drunk and elated makes a snap decision to drive, instead of fly, back to New York City. Unfortunately for Paul the severe snow storm heading his way has other plans and Paul ends up in a serious car accident.
On her way home from purchasing livestock feed, Annie Wilkes (Paul’s number one fan!) rescues Paul from the scene of the accident. Annie takes Paul back to her remote home, feeds him copious amounts of pain medication and refuses to take him to the hospital despite his broken and mangled legs.
Days pass and Annie finally gets her hands on the latest installment in the Misery Chastain series. But when Annie discovers that Paul has killed off her beloved Misery she becomes blind with rage. She holds Paul prisoner while forcing him to write a new book. One that brings Misery back to life.
I don’t know how to describe what I’m feeling right now. The closest I can get, is how I imagine one would feel being run over by a truck and then dragged 5 kilometers down the road…..but in a good way??
This is an explosive novel, there is no denying that. The reason I believe this story is so powerful, is because of its plausibility. The concrete certainty that the acts narrated, can, and do, happen in real life. Stephen King has painted a deeply disturbing picture with captivating characters whose psychology is so deeply analyzed throughout the course of the book, that I felt 100% inside their heads. This is why I love Stephen King. No other author can do that to me.
I loved every second of this book. F’ing brilliant!
January 16, 2024
Welcome to the fan club of nightmares, where Annie Wilkes reigns supreme.
Author, Paul Sheldon’s biggest fan Annie takes her devotion to a whole new level in which King digs deep into the darker corners of obsessive fandom and the human psyche.
Possibly my favourite Stephen King book I’ve read (thus far). Movie is also a worthy adaptation.
Author, Paul Sheldon’s biggest fan Annie takes her devotion to a whole new level in which King digs deep into the darker corners of obsessive fandom and the human psyche.
Possibly my favourite Stephen King book I’ve read (thus far). Movie is also a worthy adaptation.
May 24, 2019
"I am in trouble here. This woman is not right."
Paul Sheldon, the best-selling writer of the Misery novels, finds himself rescued from a car accident by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes. As the former nurse takes care of him in her home, she finds out he killed off Misery in his latest novel and decides to keep Paul as her prisoner as he writes Misery back to life.
I read a number of Stephen King books pre-bookstagram and pre-goodreads, therefore I have never written a proper review for these books. Revisiting these books through readalongs and listening to audiobooks while running or at the gym gives me the opportunity to do so! Unfortunately when I revisited Misery it was in the form of the audiobook... and I was not a fan (and most certainly NOT its number 1 fan). The narrator did such a brilliant job of conveying the truly insane character that is Annie Wilkes, but otherwise it was very monotonous and boring at times. BUT I know that's not really the case for the book itself.
Similar to Gerald's Game, the events of this book primarily take place in one location. Ordinarily that would bore the life out of me, but King has this ability to grab your attention and keep you hooked anyway. That being said, there are still some boring parts in this book - but they are very few and far between. It is literally quite impossible to look away during the interactions between Annie and poor Paul Sheldon. Anytime Annie is on the scene, she steals the show - it's those parts where it's just Paul's meandering thoughts that I would tune out of sometimes. This is much better portrayed in the movie for me.
Something else that the movie benefits from is cutting out the parts where Paul is writing his new Misery book. I honestly have never cared less about anything in my entire life. I just DO NOT care. This is fair enough when you're reading the book and can just quickly skim over these parts - however, this is much more difficult when listening to the audiobook. I quite honestly feel like this is one of those rare scenarios in which the movie is much superior to the book. It takes the GREAT story that King tells and trims it down to a really effective movie.
Annie Wilkes is one of King's most iconic characters and the story is one of his most terrifying, because there are no scary monsters or supernatural creatures, Annie is all human and 100% crazy. She also brings a lot of humour to the story (for me anyway), I can't help but crack up when she goes on rants about different things. And the scene with the axe... one of the most nail-biting, stressful and cringeworthy events I've ever read in a book.
I really like Misery, but I don't seem to regard it as highly as lot of other Constant Readers. I can't pinpoint what is exactly, I just know it wouldn't make my top 20 list. I guess I never really connected with it on a personal level, and so many other King books DO make me FEEL so many emotions, so... it just slides down the list a bit. I do think it would be a great starting point for new King fans, as it isn't particularly scary, it's more of a psychological thriller. A nice way to introduce yourself to Mr King's works.
3.5 stars.
Paul Sheldon, the best-selling writer of the Misery novels, finds himself rescued from a car accident by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes. As the former nurse takes care of him in her home, she finds out he killed off Misery in his latest novel and decides to keep Paul as her prisoner as he writes Misery back to life.
I read a number of Stephen King books pre-bookstagram and pre-goodreads, therefore I have never written a proper review for these books. Revisiting these books through readalongs and listening to audiobooks while running or at the gym gives me the opportunity to do so! Unfortunately when I revisited Misery it was in the form of the audiobook... and I was not a fan (and most certainly NOT its number 1 fan). The narrator did such a brilliant job of conveying the truly insane character that is Annie Wilkes, but otherwise it was very monotonous and boring at times. BUT I know that's not really the case for the book itself.
Similar to Gerald's Game, the events of this book primarily take place in one location. Ordinarily that would bore the life out of me, but King has this ability to grab your attention and keep you hooked anyway. That being said, there are still some boring parts in this book - but they are very few and far between. It is literally quite impossible to look away during the interactions between Annie and poor Paul Sheldon. Anytime Annie is on the scene, she steals the show - it's those parts where it's just Paul's meandering thoughts that I would tune out of sometimes. This is much better portrayed in the movie for me.
Something else that the movie benefits from is cutting out the parts where Paul is writing his new Misery book. I honestly have never cared less about anything in my entire life. I just DO NOT care. This is fair enough when you're reading the book and can just quickly skim over these parts - however, this is much more difficult when listening to the audiobook. I quite honestly feel like this is one of those rare scenarios in which the movie is much superior to the book. It takes the GREAT story that King tells and trims it down to a really effective movie.
Annie Wilkes is one of King's most iconic characters and the story is one of his most terrifying, because there are no scary monsters or supernatural creatures, Annie is all human and 100% crazy. She also brings a lot of humour to the story (for me anyway), I can't help but crack up when she goes on rants about different things. And the scene with the axe... one of the most nail-biting, stressful and cringeworthy events I've ever read in a book.
I really like Misery, but I don't seem to regard it as highly as lot of other Constant Readers. I can't pinpoint what is exactly, I just know it wouldn't make my top 20 list. I guess I never really connected with it on a personal level, and so many other King books DO make me FEEL so many emotions, so... it just slides down the list a bit. I do think it would be a great starting point for new King fans, as it isn't particularly scary, it's more of a psychological thriller. A nice way to introduce yourself to Mr King's works.
3.5 stars.
August 25, 2023
Novela muy recomendada por los lectores de Stephen King.
Empieza con una premisa original: un escritor de renombre está postrado con las piernas rotas en casa de una admiradora, después de haber sufrido un accidente de coche.
Lo que en principio parece algo bueno, se convierte poco a poco en una pesadilla para el escritor.
Me ha gustado bastante la novela. Los dos personajes son muy potentes, sobre todo, Annie Wilkes, la fanática admiradora de Paul Sheldon. El principio me ha resultado algo lento y repetitivo, pero he devorado la última parte con ansia.
Es la segunda novela que leo de King y no me arrepiento de haber empezado con este autor. Muy entretenido y bien escrito. A veces, estos adjetivos no siempre van juntos.
Mucho se ha escrito de esta novela, que tiene, también, su versión fílmica.
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A highly recommended novel for readers of Stephen King.
It begins with an original premise: a renowned writer is bedridden with broken legs at the home of an admirer, after having suffered a car accident.
What at first seems like a good thing gradually turns into a nightmare for the writer.
I quite enjoyed the novel. The two characters are very powerful, especially Annie Wilkes, Paul Sheldon's fanatical fan. I found the beginning a bit slow and repetitive, but I devoured the last part with eagerness.
This is the second novel I've read by King and I don't regret having started with this author. Very entertaining and well written. Sometimes these adjectives don't always go together.
Much has been written about this novel, which also has a film version.
Empieza con una premisa original: un escritor de renombre está postrado con las piernas rotas en casa de una admiradora, después de haber sufrido un accidente de coche.
Lo que en principio parece algo bueno, se convierte poco a poco en una pesadilla para el escritor.
Me ha gustado bastante la novela. Los dos personajes son muy potentes, sobre todo, Annie Wilkes, la fanática admiradora de Paul Sheldon. El principio me ha resultado algo lento y repetitivo, pero he devorado la última parte con ansia.
Es la segunda novela que leo de King y no me arrepiento de haber empezado con este autor. Muy entretenido y bien escrito. A veces, estos adjetivos no siempre van juntos.
Mucho se ha escrito de esta novela, que tiene, también, su versión fílmica.
--------------------------------
A highly recommended novel for readers of Stephen King.
It begins with an original premise: a renowned writer is bedridden with broken legs at the home of an admirer, after having suffered a car accident.
What at first seems like a good thing gradually turns into a nightmare for the writer.
I quite enjoyed the novel. The two characters are very powerful, especially Annie Wilkes, Paul Sheldon's fanatical fan. I found the beginning a bit slow and repetitive, but I devoured the last part with eagerness.
This is the second novel I've read by King and I don't regret having started with this author. Very entertaining and well written. Sometimes these adjectives don't always go together.
Much has been written about this novel, which also has a film version.
April 8, 2015
My whole life people have had a hard time handling my
I am also ridiculed for my obsession with Stephen King. I find his writing to be nothing short of amazing and people who aren't fans of his just think he writes “that horror and gore crap”. Surely a serious reader can’t be a King fan. According to a lot of people I know it works the same way when flipped around- a King fan cannot be a serious reader. Well, I will tell you I am both. I am a King fan and and a serious reader.
But, I’m not always a serious reviewer.
For you all I have compiled a list. This list is my defense:
Reasons Why I’m NOT the Real Life Annie Wilkes
1.) I would never harm Stephen King in any way, shape or form. Not intentionally anyway- I may accidentally harm him by tripping over my own feet in a rush to get to him and crash into him causing him to fall through a window. Or I might tackle him from behind in an attempt to hug him fiercely. I might even bite him just to see if he’s real. BUT I would not hurt him.
2.) I have never killed anyone. (I think legally I am required to say that…)
3.)I don’t have an unlimited supply of any type of narcotic. I have a cousin who’s a doctor, but he’s of the Straight and Narrow variety.
4.) I don’t have…..
lapses in my thoughts.
5.) I understand the severity of an addiction and understand fully that King has struggled with it in his past, therefore I wouldn't get him hooked on a painkiller to make him completely dependent on me.
6.) I wouldn’t want to have Stephen King in my home. Don’t get me wrong, I have a beautiful home, but his house is way fucking cooler. I mean- gargoyles on a wrought iron gate that looks like a spiderweb?! HOW fucking awesome.
7.) Being that I want to be in his house so bad, I would just like to sneak in a back window and hide in a cupboard and live in his house without him knowing for as long as possible. I’d sneak a shower in his shower, smell his clothes, lie on his side of the bed, lick his typewriter…you know those kinds of things.
8.) I want to be friends with Stephen King- not make him fear for his life. I think if he were to meet me he’d be completely charmed by my glowing personality and welcome me as one of his own by saying: “Welcome to the family, kid!” or something along those lines.
9.) I’d order take-out instead of making him eat all that soup in the event that he was in my home. We could eat Chinese food while watching old horror flicks together. BFFFL.
10.) My final point- my name is Stepheny, not Annie, so I can’t be her.
All around this was a great read- you should totally check it out.
And for the record, Stephen King, you have nothing to be afraid of.
Signed,
Your Number 1 Fan.
October 24, 2018
It took me longer than usual to get into this King book, which was largely down to the writing style. I felt it was different than his usual style (which is the one I adore so much). I had the same problem when reading The Shining. It was just lacking this "special something", and thus, I felt disconnected from the characters until about a halfway through.
However, all the stuff that was happening up until this point still had an effect on me and absolutely terrified me. And then came the big shift and I got really into it. As soon as I got to know the two main characters better, I got so excited and couldn't stop reading! It all got so interesting after a certain revelation and I was so relieved, because up until then, I had the feeling that I was missing out on whatever makes other people love this book so much.
After reaching the halfway point, the genre "Psychological Horror" was truly embodied. There is just something about Annie Wilkes that is constantly frightening, no matter what this woman does. After reading that King wrote her as the personification of cocaine, I totally understand why she is so terrifying, even in the (rare) moments when she is acting nice. I wish I had the right qualifications to analyze this book and its characters on a psychological level, because I bet it would incredibly interesting.
So even though it took me a while to be enthralled by the book, it is still definitely worth a read!
I'd also like to mention how much I appreciated the little snippets of the actual "Misery"-novels that were included in the story. It added a lot more depth and realism.
However, all the stuff that was happening up until this point still had an effect on me and absolutely terrified me. And then came the big shift and I got really into it. As soon as I got to know the two main characters better, I got so excited and couldn't stop reading! It all got so interesting after a certain revelation and I was so relieved, because up until then, I had the feeling that I was missing out on whatever makes other people love this book so much.
After reaching the halfway point, the genre "Psychological Horror" was truly embodied. There is just something about Annie Wilkes that is constantly frightening, no matter what this woman does. After reading that King wrote her as the personification of cocaine, I totally understand why she is so terrifying, even in the (rare) moments when she is acting nice. I wish I had the right qualifications to analyze this book and its characters on a psychological level, because I bet it would incredibly interesting.
So even though it took me a while to be enthralled by the book, it is still definitely worth a read!
I'd also like to mention how much I appreciated the little snippets of the actual "Misery"-novels that were included in the story. It added a lot more depth and realism.
October 23, 2021
Wow! What a gruesomely disturbing ride Mr King! I must admit, I watched Misery years ago, and I remember not thinking much of it, as it didn't really make me squeamish. In the case of "Misery" I think the book was better, and it took the term "Fucked up" to a new height.
Although this was a great read, I found I didn't love this as much as Pet Sematary, but it was still classic King writing, and it kept me pretty unsettled, until the very end.
And, talking of unsettled, lets talk about Annie Wilkes. What a woman! She is probably one of the most disturbingly crazy female characters in fiction. I find her layered, and by that I mean that she's a real mixed bag. You really never know what you're going to get. I cannot say I LIKE her character, because, lets face it, she's pretty evil, but she is interesting. The way she lives her life for one. She doesn't fit in to society, so she distanced herself from it on her little farm with her animals- until she met Paul Sheldon. And that is when shit hits the fan, and we learn, incredibly quickly actually, that nobody fucks with Annie Wilkes.
I found myself rather on edge with this, eager to know what stunt Annie might pull next, especially if Paul made her angry. There was one scene, and I found myself thinking " Wow, he's not seriously written THAT, has he?" Obviously, the answer to that, was a yes. It's King. There is nothing he won't write about, especially when his words are able to crawl into the very depths of your mind, and set up home there for a while. This was another grand novel from King, and I'm itching to read my next!
Although this was a great read, I found I didn't love this as much as Pet Sematary, but it was still classic King writing, and it kept me pretty unsettled, until the very end.
And, talking of unsettled, lets talk about Annie Wilkes. What a woman! She is probably one of the most disturbingly crazy female characters in fiction. I find her layered, and by that I mean that she's a real mixed bag. You really never know what you're going to get. I cannot say I LIKE her character, because, lets face it, she's pretty evil, but she is interesting. The way she lives her life for one. She doesn't fit in to society, so she distanced herself from it on her little farm with her animals- until she met Paul Sheldon. And that is when shit hits the fan, and we learn, incredibly quickly actually, that nobody fucks with Annie Wilkes.
I found myself rather on edge with this, eager to know what stunt Annie might pull next, especially if Paul made her angry. There was one scene, and I found myself thinking " Wow, he's not seriously written THAT, has he?" Obviously, the answer to that, was a yes. It's King. There is nothing he won't write about, especially when his words are able to crawl into the very depths of your mind, and set up home there for a while. This was another grand novel from King, and I'm itching to read my next!
August 18, 2019
★★★★ /5
Stephen King is an author whose books I always enjoy and Misery was not an exception. I really liked the first part of the book, I founded it very compelling and fascinating, others were a little bit disappointing but I still enjoyed reading them. In addition, it was very psychologically heavy book so it took me a long time to read, but on the other hand writing style really fitted the story.
It was good book, but not my favorite.
Stephen King is an author whose books I always enjoy and Misery was not an exception. I really liked the first part of the book, I founded it very compelling and fascinating, others were a little bit disappointing but I still enjoyed reading them. In addition, it was very psychologically heavy book so it took me a long time to read, but on the other hand writing style really fitted the story.
It was good book, but not my favorite.
December 2, 2022
لماذا لم نخطف د.تامر ابراهيم ليكمل لنا ثلاثية "الذي لم يمت"؟ فالاعوام تمر و تمر
و لماذا لم نخطف د.احمد خالد توفيق لنعيد رفعت اسماعيل للحياة؟..فقد كان يؤنسنا حقا
و لماذا لم يخطفوا ارثر كونان دويل ليعيد شرلوك هولمز للحياة؟ فهو من قتله لمزاجه الخاص😈لاننا عاقلين طبعا
منذ ان افاق بول شيلدون على انفاس تقتحم جهازه التنفسي قسرا برائحة الفانيليا و الشيكولاته ..أدرك ان احلى ايامه قد مضت إلى غير رجعة ..فهل من الممكن ان تعيش بسلام بعد ان قابلت" انى ويلكوكس "؟
فلتتامل جيدا تلك الممرضة الممتلئة البشوشة و ركز في لون السائل الذي تحقنك به..فقد تكون حقنتك الأخيرة 💉
ميزرى هي رعب دفين لدى كل مؤلف شهير تغريه الاجزاء المتعددة..احذر فقد تودي بك إلى حتفك..ستصبح كلمة: اكتب هي كابوسك المقيم
ستظل اني ويلكوكس اغرب بطلات كينج و تتربع مع مهرج"الشيء"على القمة فهي : المعجبة رقم واحد. .لقب ساحر لولا اصرارها المرعب على أن يعيد كاتبها بطلتها المفضلة للحياة
.و لو بخطفه و احتجازه و تكسير ساقه مرارا🙈 و ما خفي أكثر بكثير
من السهل ان يتحول هذا النمط من الروايات ثنائية الشخصيات إلى مسرحية مملة و لكن ليس هذه المرة
..جاءت الرواية كمطاردات مرعبة لن تنشر ابدا لتوم و جيري🐱🐀ا
ابي رجل علم رزين لا يهوى السينما و لكن يكفي "فيلم ميزري"فخرا انه الفيلم الوحيد الذي تابعه بحماس تفاعلى لم يتكرر ابدا و هو بالفعل في جودة الرواية
و لا انصح بقراءة كينج مترجما ابدا
May 28, 2022
Full Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/0ga-N-iMnXI
When I read Stephen King's "Misery" for the first time, it was a couple of years before the movie was released. Most people that have both seen the movie and read the book tend to recall the movie first when the subject of this now-classic story comes up. I was guilty of this, too, since Kathy Bates took a terrifying role and gave an Oscar-winning performance in doing so. While embarking on this long Stephen King re-read I started last year, it has been completely gratifying as I read most of his classics while a very young teenager who hadn't really experienced much of the world yet. Reading his stories in my late 30's gives them a new meaning now and Misery is no exception. Every bit as terrifying now as it was then, I found myself this time wondering what I would do if in Paul's situation with Annie. Truth is, I didn't have an answer, but this was okay. The gripping sense of desperation and will to live are what makes this story so powerful. To overcome when any sane human being would beg for death is the real crux of the story here. Annie, while not the supernatural monster King has been famous for, is every bit as evil as Pennywise, The Man in Black, or Kurt Barlow. An absolutely gripping thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire book. This is, simply, Stephen King at his best.
When I read Stephen King's "Misery" for the first time, it was a couple of years before the movie was released. Most people that have both seen the movie and read the book tend to recall the movie first when the subject of this now-classic story comes up. I was guilty of this, too, since Kathy Bates took a terrifying role and gave an Oscar-winning performance in doing so. While embarking on this long Stephen King re-read I started last year, it has been completely gratifying as I read most of his classics while a very young teenager who hadn't really experienced much of the world yet. Reading his stories in my late 30's gives them a new meaning now and Misery is no exception. Every bit as terrifying now as it was then, I found myself this time wondering what I would do if in Paul's situation with Annie. Truth is, I didn't have an answer, but this was okay. The gripping sense of desperation and will to live are what makes this story so powerful. To overcome when any sane human being would beg for death is the real crux of the story here. Annie, while not the supernatural monster King has been famous for, is every bit as evil as Pennywise, The Man in Black, or Kurt Barlow. An absolutely gripping thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire book. This is, simply, Stephen King at his best.
March 14, 2022
“Misery” by Stephen King is a staple in the horror genre for being an in-your-face experience introducing you to yet another iconic character from his library, Annie Wilkes. My goodness, talk about a protagonist that sends chills down your spine for all the wrong reasons.
As a fellow writer, I can only imagine what kind of a terrifying ordeal this could be since it’s so creepy and well, could possibly happen in real life. No ghosts, zombies, or aliens here, just straight-up psychotic madness that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Yes, it’s that scary and King hits the nail right on the head capturing everything that makes Annie a villain that a reader will never forget until the end of time.
This novel is a genuine page-turner and even though I won’t ruin anything for you, my goodness, what an ending! The kind of ending that is built up to the point of perfection where you can’t put it down for anything at all because you will cling to every single word until it’s completely over.
This is a no-brainer for me as I give “Misery” a perfect 5/5 and I’d give it a 10/5 if I could because it’s simply a novel every horror fan needs to read at least once in their lives. It’s even worth re-reading every few years as it still holds up to this very day for being a masterpiece. I highly recommend this to readers that either love horror or want to read an epic novel that proves why King is the best of the best.
As a fellow writer, I can only imagine what kind of a terrifying ordeal this could be since it’s so creepy and well, could possibly happen in real life. No ghosts, zombies, or aliens here, just straight-up psychotic madness that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Yes, it’s that scary and King hits the nail right on the head capturing everything that makes Annie a villain that a reader will never forget until the end of time.
This novel is a genuine page-turner and even though I won’t ruin anything for you, my goodness, what an ending! The kind of ending that is built up to the point of perfection where you can’t put it down for anything at all because you will cling to every single word until it’s completely over.
This is a no-brainer for me as I give “Misery” a perfect 5/5 and I’d give it a 10/5 if I could because it’s simply a novel every horror fan needs to read at least once in their lives. It’s even worth re-reading every few years as it still holds up to this very day for being a masterpiece. I highly recommend this to readers that either love horror or want to read an epic novel that proves why King is the best of the best.
January 28, 2022
Have you ever wanted to be famous? This book might change your mind because you might end up with some pretty crazy fans!
Original rating: Four Stars
2022 Reread rating: Four Stars (maybe 4.5)
I cannot remember specifically how long ago I read this, but Misery is one of those King books that is never far away from my thoughts. I would even risk saying that it is probably one of King’s most iconic and pop culturally relevant books due to the 1990 movie with James Caan and Kathy Bates. It is because of that that it is one of those King stories you know even if you never even read it. (The other one in my mind most like that is Carrie).
This is a truly suspenseful book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Some parts are a bit repetitive, but that seems to be more to drag out the suspense than anything else. Also, it is one of those books you might find yourself cheering, booing, and/or screaming out loud at as you read.
Often, in my reviews, I mention whether I think first time King readers would enjoy/if the book is a good place for new King readers to start. With the plot, you will find a few iconic King tropes (mainly the main character being a writer) and it is not one of his sprawling books (like The Stand or IT) that might be a little too much to swallow if you are not already a fan. I have known some who have read very few King books but have read Misery and they enjoyed it. So, I think it could be a decent place to start if you are looking to get into his works.
Original rating: Four Stars
2022 Reread rating: Four Stars (maybe 4.5)
I cannot remember specifically how long ago I read this, but Misery is one of those King books that is never far away from my thoughts. I would even risk saying that it is probably one of King’s most iconic and pop culturally relevant books due to the 1990 movie with James Caan and Kathy Bates. It is because of that that it is one of those King stories you know even if you never even read it. (The other one in my mind most like that is Carrie).
This is a truly suspenseful book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Some parts are a bit repetitive, but that seems to be more to drag out the suspense than anything else. Also, it is one of those books you might find yourself cheering, booing, and/or screaming out loud at as you read.
Often, in my reviews, I mention whether I think first time King readers would enjoy/if the book is a good place for new King readers to start. With the plot, you will find a few iconic King tropes (mainly the main character being a writer) and it is not one of his sprawling books (like The Stand or IT) that might be a little too much to swallow if you are not already a fan. I have known some who have read very few King books but have read Misery and they enjoyed it. So, I think it could be a decent place to start if you are looking to get into his works.
January 5, 2020
Stephen King's bibliography conjures images for me of a sinister Santa's workshop, maybe in the South Pole. The elves seemed particularly active in the mid-1980s, hammering out nightmares with the publication of It (which is long enough to comprise four novels) in 1986 and four novels (The Eyes of the Dragon, Misery, The Dark Tower II, The Tommyknockers) in 1987. Production quotas like these make Misery all the more special, a supremely well-written gothic thriller that had me blowing through pages like a leafblower while exploring a question that every honest writer of suspense scenarios should ask: what scares me?
Set in the present day, Misery introduces us to Paul Sheldon, a 42-year-old author of two types of books: good ones and bestsellers. Divorced twice, smoking too much, he knows something very bad has happened to him as he comes through a haze of pain. His caretaker, the woman administering him painkillers and otherwise caring for his pulverized legs, is named Annie Wilkes. Told he's somewhere outside the town of Sidewinder, Colorado, it becomes clear very quickly to Paul that Annie has massive amounts of Novril and other drugs stashed in her house, that he's addicted to Novril and that Annie Wilkes is mayor of Crazytown.
Annie describes herself to Paul as his number one fan, the woman who pulled him out of his '74 Camaro after a horrible accident on a remote stretch of I-70 headed up into the Rockies. Sheldon, a New Yorker, is author of a series of Victorian-era bodice rippers centered on Misery Chastain, and was on his way west with the sole manuscript of his new novel, a "good one," about slum kids he'd just completed in Boulder at the Hotel Boulderado. Paul senses that Annie isn't right and that he's in some trouble here. This is before she returns with a paperback copy of his latest book, Misery's Child, which concludes with the death of Sheldon's incessantly popular heroine.
"Dirty bird!" she panted. "Oh you dirty birdie, how could you!"
He spoke rapidly, urgently, eyes flashing, riveted on her face--he was positive in that moment that his life might depend on what he was able to say in the next twenty seconds.
"Annie, in 1871 women frequently died in childbirth. Misery gave her life for her husband and her best friend and child. The spirit of Misery will always--"
"I don't want her spirit!" she screamed, hooking her fingers into claws and shaking them at him, as if she would tear his eyes out. "I want her! You killed her! You murdered her!" Her hands snapped shut into fists again she drove them down like pistons, one on either side of his head. They punched deep into the pillow and he bounced like a ragdoll. His legs flared and he cried out.
"I didn't kill her!" he screamed.
She froze, staring at him with that narrow black expression--that look of crevasse.
"Of course not," she said, bitterly sarcastic. "And you didn't, Paul Sheldon, who did?"
"No one," he said more quietly. "She just died."
Ultimately he knew this to be the truth. If Misery Chastain had been a real person, he knew he might very well have been called upon "to aid the police in their inquiries," as the euphemism went. After all, he had a motive--he had hated her. Ever since the third book, he had hated her. For April Fools Day four years ago he'd had a small booklet privately printed and had sent it to a dozen close acquaintances. It had been called Misery's Hobby. In it Misery spent a cheerful country weekend boffing Growler, Ian's Irish setter.
He might have murdered her ... but he hadn't. In the end, in spite of his having grown to despise her, Misery's death had been something of a surprise for him. He had remained true enough to himself for art to imitate life--however feebly to the very end of Misery's hackneyed adventures. She had died a mostly unexpected death. His cheerful capering had in no way changed the fact.
"You lie," Annie whispered. "I thought you were good, but you are not good. You are just a lying old dirty birdie."
"She slipped away, that's all. Sometimes that happens. It was like life, when someone just--"
She overturned the table by the bed. The one shallow drawer spilled out. His wristwatch and pocket-change spilled out with it. He hadn't even known they were in there. He cringed back from her.
"You must think I was born yesterday," she said. Her lips drew back from her teeth. "In my job I saw dozens of people die-- hundreds, now that I think about it. Sometimes they go screaming and sometimes they go in their sleep--they just slip away, the way you said, sure.
"But characters in stories DO NOT just slip away! God takes us when He think it's our time and a writer is God to the people in a story, he made them up just like God made US up and no one can get hold of God to make him explain, all right, okay, but as far as Misery goes I'll tell you one thing you dirty bird, I'll tell you that God just happens to have a couple of broken legs and God just happens to be in MY house eating MY food ... and ..."
One of the most effective pieces of fiction tradecraft is the writer who knocks their protagonist into a well and forces them to climb out. The deeper the well, the more exciting the story. King doesn't stop digging. What's worse than going off a mountain road in your car? How about being held prisoner by a homicidal nurse. What's worse than those? How about being hooked on prescription painkillers. What's worse than those? How about being forced to write a novel under these conditions. What's worse than those? Knowing you're going to be killed--likely shot, chopped up and fed to a pig--as soon as you finish your task. What's worse than all of those? King isn't done imagining.
Another characteristic of a great thriller is a great villain and Annie Wilkes is up there with the best. Details of what led to her to no longer being employed as a nurse would be frightening enough. King establishes a moral code for Annie, who murdered patients without remorse and inflicts suffering on her captive but refuses to take the Lord's name in vain. There's something unsettling about an adult who refuses to use profanity despite being profane, resorting to infantile expressions like "cockadoodie" instead. I'm also tickled by Annie being a fan of bodice rippers. Though Diana Gabaldon's books wouldn't start appearing on Barnes & Noble shelves until the early '90s, I see Misery as King's commentary on Outlander and its most diehard fans.
One superficial complaint is that King falls in love with italics and give his characters line readings, which I prefer authors not do, especially on every page. Another is that he includes several passages of Misery's Return, typed to omit the missing "N" on the typewriter Annie provides Paul. I'm happy that King got the chance to cook up and even write prose for a bodice ripper, but I didn't want to read it. I wanted to read what would happen next between Paul and Annie and didn't like being interrupted. The story is also much more grisly than I felt it needed to be, but this is also a matter of taste. Readers who love Thomas Harris or Netflix's Mindhunter should love this while scaredy cats might not.
The furnace was a dim bulk in the middle of the room. It looked like an octopus. He thought he would have been able to hear the chiming of the parlor clock if the night had been still, but a strong summer wind had blown up, as it so often did these nights, and there was only time, spreading out forever. He could hear crickets singing just outside the house when the wind dropped ... and then, sometime later, he heard the stealthy noises he had been afraid of: the low, momentary scuff-and-scurry of the rats.
Only it wasn't rats he was afraid of, was it? No. It was the trooper. His so-fucking-vivid imagination rarely gave him the horrors, but when it did, God help him. God help him once it was warmed up. It was not only warmed up now, it was hot and running on full choke. That there was no sense at all in what he was thinking made not a whit of difference in the dark. In the dark, rationality seemed stupid and logic a dream. In the dark he thought with his skin. He kept seeing the trooper coming back to life--some sort of life--out in the barn, sitting up, the loose hay with which Annie had covered him falling to either side of him and into his lap, his face plowed into bloody senselessness by the mower's blade. Saw him crawling out of the barn and down the driveway to the bulkhead, the torn streamers of his uniform swinging and fluttering. Saw him melting magically through the bulkhead and reintegrating his corpse's body down here. Saw him crawling across the packed dirt floor, and the little noises Paul heard weren't the rats but the sounds of his approach, and there was but a single thought in the cooling clay of the trooper's dead brain: You killed me. You opened your mouth and killed me. You threw an ashtray and killed me. You cockadoodie son of a bitch, you murdered my life.
I envy those capable of reading Misery without having seen the 1990 film adaptation by William Goldman and co-starring Kathy Bates in her Oscar winning performance as Annie Wilkes. The film does not age one bit, save that today's Paul Sheldon would've had a smartphone, likely damaged in the crash or out of its coverage area at Annie's farm. Directed by Rob Reiner, Misery also has a fascinating production history. Even with five good movies to his credit with no bad ones, Reiner was unable to find a leading man willing to play Paul Sheldon.
Warren Beatty flirted with the role and was involved enough to suggest that Paul's would alienate viewers. William Hurt was offered and turned the part down twice, with Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Richard Dreyfuss, Gene Hackman and Robert Redford all passing before James Caan, rehabilitating his career after rehabilitating a drug habit, took the part. As a book lover, I love that this is a thriller where the protagonist uses his tormentor's love of fiction to defeat her.
Set in the present day, Misery introduces us to Paul Sheldon, a 42-year-old author of two types of books: good ones and bestsellers. Divorced twice, smoking too much, he knows something very bad has happened to him as he comes through a haze of pain. His caretaker, the woman administering him painkillers and otherwise caring for his pulverized legs, is named Annie Wilkes. Told he's somewhere outside the town of Sidewinder, Colorado, it becomes clear very quickly to Paul that Annie has massive amounts of Novril and other drugs stashed in her house, that he's addicted to Novril and that Annie Wilkes is mayor of Crazytown.
Annie describes herself to Paul as his number one fan, the woman who pulled him out of his '74 Camaro after a horrible accident on a remote stretch of I-70 headed up into the Rockies. Sheldon, a New Yorker, is author of a series of Victorian-era bodice rippers centered on Misery Chastain, and was on his way west with the sole manuscript of his new novel, a "good one," about slum kids he'd just completed in Boulder at the Hotel Boulderado. Paul senses that Annie isn't right and that he's in some trouble here. This is before she returns with a paperback copy of his latest book, Misery's Child, which concludes with the death of Sheldon's incessantly popular heroine.
"Dirty bird!" she panted. "Oh you dirty birdie, how could you!"
He spoke rapidly, urgently, eyes flashing, riveted on her face--he was positive in that moment that his life might depend on what he was able to say in the next twenty seconds.
"Annie, in 1871 women frequently died in childbirth. Misery gave her life for her husband and her best friend and child. The spirit of Misery will always--"
"I don't want her spirit!" she screamed, hooking her fingers into claws and shaking them at him, as if she would tear his eyes out. "I want her! You killed her! You murdered her!" Her hands snapped shut into fists again she drove them down like pistons, one on either side of his head. They punched deep into the pillow and he bounced like a ragdoll. His legs flared and he cried out.
"I didn't kill her!" he screamed.
She froze, staring at him with that narrow black expression--that look of crevasse.
"Of course not," she said, bitterly sarcastic. "And you didn't, Paul Sheldon, who did?"
"No one," he said more quietly. "She just died."
Ultimately he knew this to be the truth. If Misery Chastain had been a real person, he knew he might very well have been called upon "to aid the police in their inquiries," as the euphemism went. After all, he had a motive--he had hated her. Ever since the third book, he had hated her. For April Fools Day four years ago he'd had a small booklet privately printed and had sent it to a dozen close acquaintances. It had been called Misery's Hobby. In it Misery spent a cheerful country weekend boffing Growler, Ian's Irish setter.
He might have murdered her ... but he hadn't. In the end, in spite of his having grown to despise her, Misery's death had been something of a surprise for him. He had remained true enough to himself for art to imitate life--however feebly to the very end of Misery's hackneyed adventures. She had died a mostly unexpected death. His cheerful capering had in no way changed the fact.
"You lie," Annie whispered. "I thought you were good, but you are not good. You are just a lying old dirty birdie."
"She slipped away, that's all. Sometimes that happens. It was like life, when someone just--"
She overturned the table by the bed. The one shallow drawer spilled out. His wristwatch and pocket-change spilled out with it. He hadn't even known they were in there. He cringed back from her.
"You must think I was born yesterday," she said. Her lips drew back from her teeth. "In my job I saw dozens of people die-- hundreds, now that I think about it. Sometimes they go screaming and sometimes they go in their sleep--they just slip away, the way you said, sure.
"But characters in stories DO NOT just slip away! God takes us when He think it's our time and a writer is God to the people in a story, he made them up just like God made US up and no one can get hold of God to make him explain, all right, okay, but as far as Misery goes I'll tell you one thing you dirty bird, I'll tell you that God just happens to have a couple of broken legs and God just happens to be in MY house eating MY food ... and ..."
One of the most effective pieces of fiction tradecraft is the writer who knocks their protagonist into a well and forces them to climb out. The deeper the well, the more exciting the story. King doesn't stop digging. What's worse than going off a mountain road in your car? How about being held prisoner by a homicidal nurse. What's worse than those? How about being hooked on prescription painkillers. What's worse than those? How about being forced to write a novel under these conditions. What's worse than those? Knowing you're going to be killed--likely shot, chopped up and fed to a pig--as soon as you finish your task. What's worse than all of those? King isn't done imagining.
Another characteristic of a great thriller is a great villain and Annie Wilkes is up there with the best. Details of what led to her to no longer being employed as a nurse would be frightening enough. King establishes a moral code for Annie, who murdered patients without remorse and inflicts suffering on her captive but refuses to take the Lord's name in vain. There's something unsettling about an adult who refuses to use profanity despite being profane, resorting to infantile expressions like "cockadoodie" instead. I'm also tickled by Annie being a fan of bodice rippers. Though Diana Gabaldon's books wouldn't start appearing on Barnes & Noble shelves until the early '90s, I see Misery as King's commentary on Outlander and its most diehard fans.
One superficial complaint is that King falls in love with italics and give his characters line readings, which I prefer authors not do, especially on every page. Another is that he includes several passages of Misery's Return, typed to omit the missing "N" on the typewriter Annie provides Paul. I'm happy that King got the chance to cook up and even write prose for a bodice ripper, but I didn't want to read it. I wanted to read what would happen next between Paul and Annie and didn't like being interrupted. The story is also much more grisly than I felt it needed to be, but this is also a matter of taste. Readers who love Thomas Harris or Netflix's Mindhunter should love this while scaredy cats might not.
The furnace was a dim bulk in the middle of the room. It looked like an octopus. He thought he would have been able to hear the chiming of the parlor clock if the night had been still, but a strong summer wind had blown up, as it so often did these nights, and there was only time, spreading out forever. He could hear crickets singing just outside the house when the wind dropped ... and then, sometime later, he heard the stealthy noises he had been afraid of: the low, momentary scuff-and-scurry of the rats.
Only it wasn't rats he was afraid of, was it? No. It was the trooper. His so-fucking-vivid imagination rarely gave him the horrors, but when it did, God help him. God help him once it was warmed up. It was not only warmed up now, it was hot and running on full choke. That there was no sense at all in what he was thinking made not a whit of difference in the dark. In the dark, rationality seemed stupid and logic a dream. In the dark he thought with his skin. He kept seeing the trooper coming back to life--some sort of life--out in the barn, sitting up, the loose hay with which Annie had covered him falling to either side of him and into his lap, his face plowed into bloody senselessness by the mower's blade. Saw him crawling out of the barn and down the driveway to the bulkhead, the torn streamers of his uniform swinging and fluttering. Saw him melting magically through the bulkhead and reintegrating his corpse's body down here. Saw him crawling across the packed dirt floor, and the little noises Paul heard weren't the rats but the sounds of his approach, and there was but a single thought in the cooling clay of the trooper's dead brain: You killed me. You opened your mouth and killed me. You threw an ashtray and killed me. You cockadoodie son of a bitch, you murdered my life.
I envy those capable of reading Misery without having seen the 1990 film adaptation by William Goldman and co-starring Kathy Bates in her Oscar winning performance as Annie Wilkes. The film does not age one bit, save that today's Paul Sheldon would've had a smartphone, likely damaged in the crash or out of its coverage area at Annie's farm. Directed by Rob Reiner, Misery also has a fascinating production history. Even with five good movies to his credit with no bad ones, Reiner was unable to find a leading man willing to play Paul Sheldon.
Warren Beatty flirted with the role and was involved enough to suggest that Paul's would alienate viewers. William Hurt was offered and turned the part down twice, with Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Richard Dreyfuss, Gene Hackman and Robert Redford all passing before James Caan, rehabilitating his career after rehabilitating a drug habit, took the part. As a book lover, I love that this is a thriller where the protagonist uses his tormentor's love of fiction to defeat her.
February 12, 2023
3.5 rounded down
It took me a while to get through this, particularly the first half. Which suggests I wasn’t enjoying as much as I could have been. It gained momentum during the second half for sure.
Although the book is called Misery, I didn’t enjoy the experts of the Misery novel being written. I found them dull and could have done without them.
However I did love the references to The collector by John Fowler, as I read that book fairly recently. Some parts were definitely a bit graphic and hard to read but added to the overall sinister atmosphere of the novel.
It took me a while to get through this, particularly the first half. Which suggests I wasn’t enjoying as much as I could have been. It gained momentum during the second half for sure.
Although the book is called Misery, I didn’t enjoy the experts of the Misery novel being written. I found them dull and could have done without them.
However I did love the references to The collector by John Fowler, as I read that book fairly recently. Some parts were definitely a bit graphic and hard to read but added to the overall sinister atmosphere of the novel.
April 12, 2019
After a car accident, bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon wakes up to find himself in the isolated house of Annie Wilkes, his "number one fan". Paul finds out that Annie has been taking care of him. Soon enough, he also discovers that Annie is totally insane. A roller-coaster ride of a story with two completely unforgettable characters that really came to life for me. I really enjoyed being inside Paul's head and knowing his thoughts as he comes to realize the situation he is in. I also thoroughly enjoyed the interplay between prisoner and captor. An intense, graphic, horrifying, over-the-top story with some good crazy fun. Not a story I'll forget soon.
April 24, 2020
As dispensers of TLC, nurses can shine. As with any other particular group of people, there are going to be some rotten apples in the barrel. Meet Annie Wilkes. Sly, cunning, and quite mad. In her care, author Paul Sheldon, who has been grievously injured in a car accident. The thing is, no one knows he is there in her house. This is what true horror is made of, and it is accomplished without a smidge of the supernatural. Insanity and its machinations are in full bloom. Speaking in singsong baby voice (dirty birdie, cockadoodie, kaka), Annie cleans up oogy messes and refers to Paul as Mister Man, sometimes Mister Smart Guy. Oh, and she's his Number One Fan. Her attentive ministrations notwithstanding, it won't do to make her mad. Terrifying.
August 23, 2023
3⭐book
2⭐audio
Dreadful monotone performance with scary music here and there.
I love Misery movie so much and it creeps me out the first time I saw it decades ago. Finally, my chance to check out the book but this narrator's voice made this book exceptionally boring. It wasn't easy to pay attention to the story.
Without chapter headings and the same flat tone throughout, I found it difficult to tell if it was Annie's, the book or Paul's part. Lindsay Crouse isn't bad as Annie, a miserable intonation fits the character but this audiobook would've been greatly enhanced with additional narrators. Probably better to read this one than to listen or just see the movie, glad this was a library loan.
2⭐audio
Dreadful monotone performance with scary music here and there.
I love Misery movie so much and it creeps me out the first time I saw it decades ago. Finally, my chance to check out the book but this narrator's voice made this book exceptionally boring. It wasn't easy to pay attention to the story.
Without chapter headings and the same flat tone throughout, I found it difficult to tell if it was Annie's, the book or Paul's part. Lindsay Crouse isn't bad as Annie, a miserable intonation fits the character but this audiobook would've been greatly enhanced with additional narrators. Probably better to read this one than to listen or just see the movie, glad this was a library loan.
March 16, 2021
يظل حلم أي كاتب أن يبتكر شخصية تنال شغف واهتمام القارئ، لكن بطل العمل الحالي لم يتصور أن يصل الشغف بأحدهم إلى حد الهوس والجنون، وأن يدفع ثمن ذلك الهوس غاليا
القصة رائعة ومبتكرة، ربما أفضل أعمال ستيفن كنج والتي فتحت له باب الشهرة خاصة مع تحويلها إلى عمل سينمائي مبدع مازال يحافظ على مكانته ضمن قوائم أفضل الأعمال السينمائية، ترجمة أحمد خالد توفيق جيدة لكنه اختصر الكثير من التفاصيل مما افقد العمل الكثير من جاذبيته، حتى أنه غير اسم الرواية دون مبرر قوي
القصة رائعة ومبتكرة، ربما أفضل أعمال ستيفن كنج والتي فتحت له باب الشهرة خاصة مع تحويلها إلى عمل سينمائي مبدع مازال يحافظ على مكانته ضمن قوائم أفضل الأعمال السينمائية، ترجمة أحمد خالد توفيق جيدة لكنه اختصر الكثير من التفاصيل مما افقد العمل الكثير من جاذبيته، حتى أنه غير اسم الرواية دون مبرر قوي
August 15, 2021
This is my first Stephen King book. I have been a little apprehensive of running into nauseating violence & gore. Till about 60%, I was pleasantly surprised, but it did get quite rough after that. This is a unique story with some very creative writing.
Paul Sheldon is a bestselling novelist who has a recent string of successful books to his credit featuring the lady Misery. He intends to move on to the next novel now and has completed the script and is due to discuss it with publishers. He is caught in a storm and as he regains consciousness, he finds himself in the house of his biggest fan Annie Wilkes, with battered legs. Annie has just got hold of his last Misery novel and the end drives her into a rage. She is adamant that the series cannot end the way Paul had planned it.
The first half of the book is absolutely brilliant. The interplay and dialogues between Paul and Annie are exceptionally well written. . The violence in the second half being bad is one thing – which was to be expected, however, in my opinion the creative element also goes down. There are not too many ways for the story to proceed beyond a point. That said, the story still manages to keep you engaged right till the end.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
Paul Sheldon is a bestselling novelist who has a recent string of successful books to his credit featuring the lady Misery. He intends to move on to the next novel now and has completed the script and is due to discuss it with publishers. He is caught in a storm and as he regains consciousness, he finds himself in the house of his biggest fan Annie Wilkes, with battered legs. Annie has just got hold of his last Misery novel and the end drives her into a rage. She is adamant that the series cannot end the way Paul had planned it.
The first half of the book is absolutely brilliant. The interplay and dialogues between Paul and Annie are exceptionally well written. . The violence in the second half being bad is one thing – which was to be expected, however, in my opinion the creative element also goes down. There are not too many ways for the story to proceed beyond a point. That said, the story still manages to keep you engaged right till the end.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
June 11, 2015
*I just watched the movie and I can safely say that the book was 100x more enjoyable for me. I didn't like the changes that they did, but the cast was spot on. Couldn't ask for a better Paul and Annie.
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After the two month hiatus from Stephen King, I promised myself that I'm not going to let the fact that he's my favorite author, affect my rating of whatever book of his I'm reading next. I think I've proven myself before by giving Wizard and Glass a 2-star rating, even if it was damn hard. I'm very straightforward when it comes to wasted time because of reading a horrible book. Misery is not one of those books. Misery is one of those I'd recommend it to everybody I know kind of books.
I'm not going to dwell much on the summary, because it sucks when spoilers ruin one's book experience. I've had a few encounters with spoilers, and honestly that's the real reason why I haven't read Stephen King's "It" yet. I already know the secret/mystery to it, but I'm getting a first edition hardbound copy of it though, so I'm reading it soon. Anyway, back to Misery. To keep it short, it's all about Paul Sheldon, the writer, being held captive of the crazy psycho Annie. She's obsessed with him, but that's not the only reason why she did those crazy things. She's just normally cock-a-doodie in the head.
Just like most of the King novels I've read, the main epitome of greatness lies on the characters. King has the gift of creating characters that would leave a mark. They're just so well developed that you'd learn to love them one way or another. Paul was quite similar to Louis Creed from Pet Sematary. His writer characters are quite similar in a few manners but they still have great qualities of their own. Paul exuded a genuine personality in this novel. It was hard not to like him because his panicky behavior right from the first ten chapters already made me like him a lot. Right till the end, he remained true to his character. Annie on the other hand was completely terrifying. I love psychological thrillers, but Stephen King managed to incorporate a huge amount of horror in the genre. Annie was not just scary, but she gave me a phobia. A phobia of crazy psychos capable of doing what she did in the novel. I liked her, despite all the craziness, because she delivered what she was supposed to in the first place. In the psycho thriller genre, the crazier and scarier the better. King can write anything he wants.
Aside from the characters, I really liked the violence. Annie didn't hold back, she did crazy gut wrenching things. I've read and seen worse of course, but the things she did were still quite scary. Because it seems to fit the situation well, and hopefully you guys reading this used to watch spongebob, all I can say is "MY LEEEEEG".
5/5 stars. Like I said in the first part of my review, I was not biased when I rated this a 5. This novel deserves no less. It was amazing and I can't believe I've only read this now. I'm highly recommending this, but be warned that you might lose a few nights sleep. Pet Sematary was still a bit scarier that this, but Misery gave a different kind of scare because it didn't have that supernatural element that I knew was not going to happen in Sematary. Misery felt real because there might be an Annie waiting to kidnap me like that. King can give you different kinds of scare, and all of them are equally terrifying. One of those King novels I plan on reading again in the future.
-------------
After the two month hiatus from Stephen King, I promised myself that I'm not going to let the fact that he's my favorite author, affect my rating of whatever book of his I'm reading next. I think I've proven myself before by giving Wizard and Glass a 2-star rating, even if it was damn hard. I'm very straightforward when it comes to wasted time because of reading a horrible book. Misery is not one of those books. Misery is one of those I'd recommend it to everybody I know kind of books.
I'm not going to dwell much on the summary, because it sucks when spoilers ruin one's book experience. I've had a few encounters with spoilers, and honestly that's the real reason why I haven't read Stephen King's "It" yet. I already know the secret/mystery to it, but I'm getting a first edition hardbound copy of it though, so I'm reading it soon. Anyway, back to Misery. To keep it short, it's all about Paul Sheldon, the writer, being held captive of the crazy psycho Annie. She's obsessed with him, but that's not the only reason why she did those crazy things. She's just normally cock-a-doodie in the head.
Just like most of the King novels I've read, the main epitome of greatness lies on the characters. King has the gift of creating characters that would leave a mark. They're just so well developed that you'd learn to love them one way or another. Paul was quite similar to Louis Creed from Pet Sematary. His writer characters are quite similar in a few manners but they still have great qualities of their own. Paul exuded a genuine personality in this novel. It was hard not to like him because his panicky behavior right from the first ten chapters already made me like him a lot. Right till the end, he remained true to his character. Annie on the other hand was completely terrifying. I love psychological thrillers, but Stephen King managed to incorporate a huge amount of horror in the genre. Annie was not just scary, but she gave me a phobia. A phobia of crazy psychos capable of doing what she did in the novel. I liked her, despite all the craziness, because she delivered what she was supposed to in the first place. In the psycho thriller genre, the crazier and scarier the better. King can write anything he wants.
Aside from the characters, I really liked the violence. Annie didn't hold back, she did crazy gut wrenching things. I've read and seen worse of course, but the things she did were still quite scary. Because it seems to fit the situation well, and hopefully you guys reading this used to watch spongebob, all I can say is "MY LEEEEEG".
5/5 stars. Like I said in the first part of my review, I was not biased when I rated this a 5. This novel deserves no less. It was amazing and I can't believe I've only read this now. I'm highly recommending this, but be warned that you might lose a few nights sleep. Pet Sematary was still a bit scarier that this, but Misery gave a different kind of scare because it didn't have that supernatural element that I knew was not going to happen in Sematary. Misery felt real because there might be an Annie waiting to kidnap me like that. King can give you different kinds of scare, and all of them are equally terrifying. One of those King novels I plan on reading again in the future.
October 12, 2021
Reading Vlog/Review: https://youtu.be/OfkfnkeksdI
4.5⭐
Pro tip: Skip every chapter about the book-within-the-book. It doesn't serve the plot. It's boring, sometimes handwritten and impossible to read. Save yourself the extra time.
I equally recommend the audio and physical book experience. Both give their unique spin.
While I did not give a single shit about Misery or her dumbass love interest, I adored Paul Sheldon and Annie Wilkes. What deeply developed characters.
If you had told me before starting this that Paul Sheldon would become one of my favorite MC's I'd ever read, I would have shown you a picture of Kathy Bates and laughed in your face. But, alas, here we are.
Paul Sheldon vs. Annie Wilkes is a beautiful and gut-punching depiction of Stephen King vs. Addiction. It is so vividly told. It is relentless, never-tiring, sadistic, illogical, sad and somehow sweet.
Though I have never given a Stephen King book a full 5 stars, I adore the man/author. This look into his brain was such a delight. The warped way his mind creates a story was so entertaining to read. There are not many minds like King.
I did dock it half a star for the following reasons:
1. The N-word. King, just stop.
2. "Raped him full of her breath" excuse me, what?
3. The story-within-the-story.
There are two paragraphs in this book that had me reeling. I read them multiple times back to back and later came back to the pages to do it all again. I want to document them here for later reference...
"Can you, Paul?
Yeah. That's how I survive. Because I can, and it's not something to apologize for, goddammit. There are lots of guys out there who write a better prose line than I do and who have a better understanding of what people are really like and what humanity is supposed to mean - hell, I know that. But when counsellor asks 'Did he?' about those guys, sometimes only a few people raise their hands. But they raise their hands for me...or for Misery...and in the end I guess they're both the same. Can I? Yeah. You bet I can. There's a million things in this world I can't do. Couldn't hit a curve ball, even back in high school. Can't fix a leaky faucet. Can't roller-skate or make an F-chord on the guitar that sounds like anything but shit. I have tried twice to be married and couldn't do it either time. But if you want me to take you away, to scare you or involve you or make you cry or grin, yeah. I can. I can bring it to you and keep bringing it until you holler uncle. I am able. I CAN."
"So he promised to be good because he didn't want to be forced to eat any of the special candle but also because mostly because surely because Annie was great Annie was good let us thank her for our food including that we don't have to eat girls just wanna have fun but something wicked this way comes please don't make me eat my thumb Annie the mom Annie the goddess when Annie's around you better stay honest she knows when you've been sleeping she knows when you're awake she knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goddess' sake you better not cry you better not pout but most of all you better not scream don't scream don't scream don't..."
4.5⭐
Pro tip: Skip every chapter about the book-within-the-book. It doesn't serve the plot. It's boring, sometimes handwritten and impossible to read. Save yourself the extra time.
I equally recommend the audio and physical book experience. Both give their unique spin.
While I did not give a single shit about Misery or her dumbass love interest, I adored Paul Sheldon and Annie Wilkes. What deeply developed characters.
If you had told me before starting this that Paul Sheldon would become one of my favorite MC's I'd ever read, I would have shown you a picture of Kathy Bates and laughed in your face. But, alas, here we are.
Paul Sheldon vs. Annie Wilkes is a beautiful and gut-punching depiction of Stephen King vs. Addiction. It is so vividly told. It is relentless, never-tiring, sadistic, illogical, sad and somehow sweet.
Though I have never given a Stephen King book a full 5 stars, I adore the man/author. This look into his brain was such a delight. The warped way his mind creates a story was so entertaining to read. There are not many minds like King.
I did dock it half a star for the following reasons:
1. The N-word. King, just stop.
2. "Raped him full of her breath" excuse me, what?
3. The story-within-the-story.
There are two paragraphs in this book that had me reeling. I read them multiple times back to back and later came back to the pages to do it all again. I want to document them here for later reference...
"Can you, Paul?
Yeah. That's how I survive. Because I can, and it's not something to apologize for, goddammit. There are lots of guys out there who write a better prose line than I do and who have a better understanding of what people are really like and what humanity is supposed to mean - hell, I know that. But when counsellor asks 'Did he?' about those guys, sometimes only a few people raise their hands. But they raise their hands for me...or for Misery...and in the end I guess they're both the same. Can I? Yeah. You bet I can. There's a million things in this world I can't do. Couldn't hit a curve ball, even back in high school. Can't fix a leaky faucet. Can't roller-skate or make an F-chord on the guitar that sounds like anything but shit. I have tried twice to be married and couldn't do it either time. But if you want me to take you away, to scare you or involve you or make you cry or grin, yeah. I can. I can bring it to you and keep bringing it until you holler uncle. I am able. I CAN."
"So he promised to be good because he didn't want to be forced to eat any of the special candle but also because mostly because surely because Annie was great Annie was good let us thank her for our food including that we don't have to eat girls just wanna have fun but something wicked this way comes please don't make me eat my thumb Annie the mom Annie the goddess when Annie's around you better stay honest she knows when you've been sleeping she knows when you're awake she knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goddess' sake you better not cry you better not pout but most of all you better not scream don't scream don't scream don't..."
September 15, 2018
Llevo años sabiendo de sobra que esto iba a pasar. Sabía que cuando leyera Misery iba a gustarme tanto que iba a empatar con It en el primero puesto de libros favoritos de Stephen King. Y es que es BRUTAL.
La novela nos narrá la historia de Paul Sheldon. Un famoso escritor conocido por la exitosa saga de Misery. Este buen hombre se encuentra retirado acabando la que será su nueva obra, y de regreso a casa en coche tendrá un terrible accidente. Despertará en casa de Annie Wilkes, una mujer que lo ha recogido y está curando sus heridas. Annie resultará ser la fan número uno de las historias de Misery.
Y bueno, hasta aquí puedo contar. La historia es archiconocida y el que conozca a King, sabrá por donde podrá ir. Es un libro increíblemente adictivo. Enlaza perfectamente los capítulos de paranoia que sufre Paul con los de la vida real. Me gustó mucho sobre todo el deterioro mental que sufre Paul durante la novela, mucha más apremiante que el físico, lo cual es sorprendente, teniendo en cuenta a la buena de Annie xD. Creo que Annie Wilkes es la mejor villana que he visto en mucho tiempo, si no la mejor que he visto nunca. Maravillosa.
En definitiva, va a compartir el puesto número uno junto a It. No puedo decidirme por ninguno aún. Y yo me pregunto: ¿este hombre cómo puede haber escrito tantos libros y tener ideas tan buenas?
La novela nos narrá la historia de Paul Sheldon. Un famoso escritor conocido por la exitosa saga de Misery. Este buen hombre se encuentra retirado acabando la que será su nueva obra, y de regreso a casa en coche tendrá un terrible accidente. Despertará en casa de Annie Wilkes, una mujer que lo ha recogido y está curando sus heridas. Annie resultará ser la fan número uno de las historias de Misery.
Y bueno, hasta aquí puedo contar. La historia es archiconocida y el que conozca a King, sabrá por donde podrá ir. Es un libro increíblemente adictivo. Enlaza perfectamente los capítulos de paranoia que sufre Paul con los de la vida real. Me gustó mucho sobre todo el deterioro mental que sufre Paul durante la novela, mucha más apremiante que el físico, lo cual es sorprendente, teniendo en cuenta a la buena de Annie xD. Creo que Annie Wilkes es la mejor villana que he visto en mucho tiempo, si no la mejor que he visto nunca. Maravillosa.
En definitiva, va a compartir el puesto número uno junto a It. No puedo decidirme por ninguno aún. Y yo me pregunto: ¿este hombre cómo puede haber escrito tantos libros y tener ideas tan buenas?
October 16, 2017
Horrorosamente GENIAL.!! 😱😱😱
Directo a la lista de mis libros favoritos .!!
Me ha encantado y a la vez me ha hecho sufrir de miedo, angustia y tensión desde el primer capítulo hasta el último.
Tuve pesadillas dos noches seguidas...
Estoy convencida de que los libros que generan tantos sentimientos en el lector merecen muchas estrellas.!!
Me gustó mucho el guiño que hace el autor a “El resplandor”.
Stephen describe tan bien a los dos personajes de esta novela, que por momentos me olvidaba que estaba leyendo y me sentía igual de atrapada que Paul en la habitación de huéspedes.
En cuanto a la villana, Annie Wilkes ha despertado en mi un odio infinito y va a ser muy difícil que la olvide.
Espero que si no lo han leído se animen y que lo disfruten tanto como yo .!
Saludos.!!
Directo a la lista de mis libros favoritos .!!
Me ha encantado y a la vez me ha hecho sufrir de miedo, angustia y tensión desde el primer capítulo hasta el último.
Tuve pesadillas dos noches seguidas...
Estoy convencida de que los libros que generan tantos sentimientos en el lector merecen muchas estrellas.!!
Me gustó mucho el guiño que hace el autor a “El resplandor”.
Stephen describe tan bien a los dos personajes de esta novela, que por momentos me olvidaba que estaba leyendo y me sentía igual de atrapada que Paul en la habitación de huéspedes.
En cuanto a la villana, Annie Wilkes ha despertado en mi un odio infinito y va a ser muy difícil que la olvide.
Espero que si no lo han leído se animen y que lo disfruten tanto como yo .!
Saludos.!!
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