Review rated by 38 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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To me Misery is an astounding piece of literary genius penned by the infamous Stephen King. The book is again in the horror genre. Fascinatingly this book reads like a true story. It is a tremendous psychological thriller about obsessive love and extreme terror.
The story
There are two main characters in the book. There is Paul, a number one selling author and Anne, a nurse who says she is Paul’s number one fan.
The story begins when Paul is involved is a horrendous car accident during a blizzard. (I suppose that is what happens when you drive in a storm). He is badly injured. It occurs to Paul that he could be trapped forever. Then along comes Anne to save and care for him. (Or so he believes). Debilitated by the accident Paul has to rely on Anne for everything. Paul is grateful to be alive but then gratitude gradually turns into terror and hatred.
Anne realises who she has rescued and she confesses to Paul that she is he’s No.1 fan. She is very distraught and filled with anger as she discovers Paul is planning to kill off her favourite character in the books - Misery Blaise. Anne then forces Paul to rewrite the novel so that Misery lives. Here starts the torture, and the dark side of the Anne’s character emerges. Anne makes sure that Paul has no means of escape. She does this by physically restraining Paul and using every means of torture, she can conjure up to force Paul to write the novel.
When you read the book, you can sense Paul’s sheer terror and helplessness of the situation. You can almost sense his desperation. Anne is a manipulative lunatic who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
This book psychologically drained me and although it does not contain the usual Stephen King horror, it will hit you hard. This is another one of Stephen’s great literary masterpieces.
lorado winter. Each novel bristles with claustrophobia, stinging insects, and the threat of a lethal explosion. Each is about a writer faced with the dominating monster of hi...
28.07.2004 10:32
Good review. I agree with you that it is psychologically draining reading this, Annie Wilkes scared me so much. Ellie.
20.04.2002 22:07
Misery is one of my favourite films, I did buy the book a few months back but I haven't even read one page yet! I'll get it out again soon me thinks!
25.03.2002 11:08
I've read the book and seen the film, both are great. Good op.