Misery

A Horror Novel by Stephen King

Subgenres:

Psychological Thriller,
Isolated Setting

Published 1987

Length 463 pages

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Claustrophobic horror with obsessive fans who cross every line
Writers forced to create under terrifying pressure
Psychological battles where escape feels impossible

From Little Stack

Annie Wilkes doesn’t think she’s a terrible person. She lives a quiet life, looking forward to the latest release of her favorite book series. So when bestselling author Paul Sheldon crashes near her farmhouse, of course she took him in. Of course, she nursed him and took care of him. She’s his biggest fan. All she wanted was a satisfying end to the series she loved. It’s not asking a lot. She doesn’t understand why he won’t cooperate. But that’s okay. Annie knows that sometimes all it takes is some tough love. And maybe a mallet.

As Featured in Feminist Horror Novels That Center the Monstrous Woman by Jena Brown

Publisher Description

Bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon thinks he’s finally free of Misery Chastain. In a controversial career move, he’s just killed off the popular protagonist of his beloved romance series in favor of expanding his creative horizons. But such a change doesn’t come without consequences. After a near-fatal car accident in rural Colorado leaves his body broken, Paul finds himself at the mercy of the terrifying rescuer who’s nursing him back to health—his self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes. Annie is very upset over what Paul did to Misery and demands that he find a way to bring her back by writing a new novel—his best yet, and one that’s all for her. After all, Paul has all the time in the world to do so as a prisoner in her isolated house...and Annie has some very persuasive and violent methods to get exactly what she wants...

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