Misery (Stephen King)

Book review by Cinthia Tenaglia

This realistic and gory story begins with Paul Sheldon, a strong-willed bestselling novelist
who has just finished writing his latest successful romance novel, in which Misery, the
novel’s main character is killed off. One day, in spite of the severe weather, he sets out to
travel along the road. Unfortunately, he gets into a car crash, in which, if not for the presence
of Annie Wilkes - his self-proclaimed number one fan - he would have died.

Having found him in severe pain, Annie decides to take him to her cozy cottage, where she
- apart from nursing him back to health- holds him captive. Then, the darkness begins: After
reading his most recent masterpiece, dissatisfied with such a tragic and let-down ending, the
psychotic former nurse proceeds to persuade him to write a new novel - through several
violent methods - with the aim of bringing Misery back to life.

In this sense, as readers plunge into the plot, they are able to see how the woman’s
patronizing attitude goes out of control.

Published in 1987, Misery by Stephen King is the clearest example of how fans can take
things way too far, and how love and madness can be mixed and portrayed in fewer
characters -two- in a unique gloomy setting: Annie’s bedroom.

So, what makes Stephen King outstand from other master storytellers? Undoubtedly, he is
the kind of author who incredibly keeps the reader turning the pages. The way he conveys
several emotions to the reader through the minutest details, as well as how he clearly
introduces several intertextual references is unique. Besides, Misery is the perfect kind of
story that thoroughly allows the reader to dip inside the writers’ thoughts and writing
processes, and how such processes can be affected when writers are forced to work. The
way Stephen King portrays himself in Paul Sheldon, and how this character struggles with
the villain in order to escape from his terrible fate, is one of the most remarkable aspects
portrayed in this compelling story.

I think these are the most valuable reasons to start reading this unputdownable masterpiece.
The narrative makes for a compelling and easy-going read, and what is more, it allows you
to get into the characters’ minds. Overall, it should definitely be on every psychological
thriller reader’s bucket list.