Gore and More discussion

This is the thread for discussing our January Group Read, Misery by Stephen King. Please make sure to use spoiler tags and chapter/percentage markers.

Misery is one of my favourites! I read it a while ago, but maybe I can re-read it if I have time.

I'm waiting on a library copy. This should be great, I have never read it.

I'm in. I a currently trying to work my way through the chronological order, it's early days yet and I am only up to Nightshift. I have read quite a few King novels but not this one, so I will jump forward on the list for this group read. Remember watching the film years ago when it came out and one scene in particular.

This excites me, greatly. I shall try to finish my Penny book and then have a re read of Misery, if possible.

If not, hopefully I can still chime in my thoughts.

I haven't read this in a couple of years, maybe I will join.

Loved the movie but have not read the book. Will look to purchase it so I can join the discussion.

This one is one of my favorites of King and I think I'm going to re-read it with all of you. Looking forward to your thoughts and comments on this twisted tale!

If I start reading SK I'll never read anything else. I will try and join everyone else, though!

Will try to find my copy and re-read (or maybe break down and buy it again for my Kindle...)

I would love to read this book. I am a huge Stephen King fan

This is a re-read for me, but I'm enjoying it already. It's one of Kings most atmospheric novels IMO.

The audiobook came in and I started it immediately. Dear God Annie Wilkes is scary. Just got past the yellow bucket he had to drink from. Now I don't remember how he gets out of this...

I JUST read this in December, so I might chime in, but it's too soon to re-read atm!

Where is she getting all these pills?!?!

A few differences between the film and the book. Excellent psychological horror.

33% oh man she has stopped pretending to be anything else than crazy. I wonder if the authors frustration with Misery is Kings long term frustration with The Dark Tower. It took so long and so much of him he might have resented it.

Lena you need to watch the film after you finish the book Kathy Bates absolutely nails the part of Annie Wilkes.

I do. It's been so long I don't remember more than the premise. It's making me cringe thinking maybe in the book he doesn't escape.

Ok about halfway through and I'm a little bored with the Misery story, I can see why he killed her off.

Yes I must admit I lost interest in those parts of the story.

75%. Did you just say pre op shot?!?!

Apparently they toned down the "hobbling" scene in the movie, because they thought it was to gruesome. I actually think the scene in the movie is worse though. A never to be forgotten movie scene, one you have seen it.

Kieron wrote: "Apparently they toned down the "hobbling" scene in the movie, because they thought it was to gruesome. I actually think the scene in the movie is worse though. A never to be forgotten movie scene, ..."

Me too! I always thought I was the only person to feel that way. I'd rather just lose something that have it...ruined, but still there.

(view spoiler)[
The thumbectomy? Was that in the movie? Me, I'd rather hope something can be fixed than know I'll never have it again. There's also something terribly distressing about missing a piece, about limbs that end where they shouldn't - gaps in your self. Shudder. (hide spoiler)]

Please be careful about revealing too much of the story, in your posts, without using spoiler tags. Thanks.

I wrote my post on my phone. Is it still possible to put in spoiler tags if you are using the app on a phone or tablet?

Lena wrote: "Where is she getting all these pills?!?!" Wasn't she a nurse or something in the past?

Yes. (view spoiler)[Eventually it says she snagged a lot of free samples because they only kept track of codeine derivatives. But she has heavy painkillers too. *shrug* It's fair, not a cheat, lol. (hide spoiler)]

Lena wrote: "Yes. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ This was also written in the mid 1980s when pills were thrown around like candy. I think it would be possible for her to stockpile a stash with the loose restrictions back then. (hide spoiler)]

Lena wrote: "
The thumb...

(view spoiler)[ The thumbectomy was not in the movie. I agree. I came in to the world with 10 fingers and toes and I'd like to leave with the same amount! (hide spoiler)]

92% in. "You're going to have to write faster Paul." (view spoiler)[The troopers death was the worst overkill I've read in along time... possibly ever. (hide spoiler)]

Is it me or can you not add or remove spoiler tags if you are using the Goodreads app?

You can add them but you can't look at anything in them.

Hi Guys

I have just read this book and I would like to throw a question out there. I have found certain parts of the book to be rambling and incoherent. As though the author was writing under the influence of drugs or Alcohol. Most noticeably just after the pages when Annie chopped his foot off. In the next few pages the writing degenerates. Two or so pages about 'Gotta' which leave the reader clueless. He mentions that Annie has also chopped off his thumb without giving any details. Later on he describes how it happened in the past tense. I got the impression that when he looked back at it. He found some of his writing incoherent and so he added a few details to cover it up the cracks.

Does anyone else agree?

It's told from the point of view of someone on a lot of drugs and trauma. The wandering quality is probably accurate - King would know.

I thought it was one of his more intense books. Getting inside the mind of a crazy woman is disturbing, but makes for a powerful story.

Sagheer wrote: "Hi Guys

I have just read this book and I would like to throw a question out there. I have found certain parts of the book to be rambling and incoherent. As though the author was writing under the ..."

I agree with Lena's comment and feel the style was very deliberate.

I think relaying the info about the thumb was his way of showing how horrific being Annie's pet had become. It was told in an almost, By the Way style as if tragedies like that were so commonplace that they deserved no more fanfare in the telling.

How much fanfare could you build after the foot? It really is "just a thumb" after the foot. His only expressed worry afterwards was for his cock.

Gave it five stars!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

There are seemingly endless terrible tales of men abducting women but here it's Annie with Paul completely under her power. How much do you think this role reversal is responsible for Misery's popularity? Did it scare you as a man?

The phrase, "Bunny boiler" comes to mind.

Another classic man fright movie. Was it a book first?

Page 28 -the rinsewater

I think it's all of little things (slowly building up in a crescendo of insanity) that make this book really freaky. It makes me think what would I do? I'd want to fight Annie and eventually escape, but that's difficult when you're totally dependent on her.

D20 wrote: "The phrase, "Bunny boiler" comes to mind."
I reckon that's putting it mildly.

Lena wrote: "Another classic man fright movie. Was it a book first?"

Unfortunately not. It would have made a good Thriller. It was based on a short movie called Diversion from 1980 and that was original script, not based on a book.

Lena wrote: "Gave it five stars!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

There are seemingly endless terrible tales of men abducting women but here it's Annie with Paul completely under her power. How..."

I think that Annie being female does, perhaps, add a little to the popularity. However, I reckon that it's more so down to King's character development, I think the story could also work with a male devotee to Mr Paul Sheldon.

The dynamic would be different. It could be an interesting alternative though. Possibly more dangerous, creepy like Mark David Chapman's obsession with John Lennon.

This is one book that I couldn't get into by Mr. King at all but the movie was pretty awesome though lol

Sarah wrote: "This is one book that I couldn't get into by Mr. King at all but the movie was pretty awesome though lol"

Was there one specific aspect that put you off, or was there just something in general? I love the book however I'm not too fond of reading Paul Sheldon's fictional work.