King's superlative story of psychological horror, Misery recounts in chilling detail what happens when a famous writer finds himself at the mercy of his deranged number one fan.
One of the true classics of psychological suspense, about a writer and his No. 1 fan, now with a stunning new cover look.
Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now he's writing to stay alive.
Misery Chastain is dead. Paul Sheldon has just killed her - with relief, with joy. Misery made him rich; she was the heroine of a string of bestsellers. And now he wants to get on to some real writing.
That's when the car accident happens, and he wakes up splinted and in pain, in the remote mountain home of his rescuer, Annie Wilkes.
The good news is that Annie was a nurse and has pain-killing drugs. The bad news is that she has long been Paul's Number One Fan. And when she finds out what Paul has done to Misery, she doesn't like it. She doesn't like it at all . . .
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 9781444720716
Number of pages: 384
Weight: 270 g
Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 28 mm
This terrifying story of imprisonment by a demented fan is one of the greatest thrillers ever written
Not since Dickens has a writer had so many readers by the throat - Guardian
King's new novel, about a writer held hostage by his self-proclaimed "number-one fan,'' is unadulteratedly terrifying. Paul Sheldon, a writer of historical romances, is in a car accident; rescued by nurse Annie Wilkes, he slowly realizes that salvation can be worse than death. Sheldon has killed off Misery Chastain, the popular protagonist of his Misery series and Annie, who has a murderous past, wants her back. Keeping the paralyzed Sheldon prisoner, she forces him to revive the character in a continuation of the series, and she reads each page as it comes out of the typewriter; there is a joyously Dickensian novel within a novel here, and it appears in faded typescript. Studded among the frightening moments are sparkling reflections on the writer and his audience, on the difficulties, joys and responsibilities of being a storyteller, on the nature of the muse, on the differences between "serious'' and "popular'' writing. Sheldon is a revealingly autobiographical figure; Annie is not merely a monster but is subtly and often touchingly portrayed, allowing hostage and keeper a believable, if twisted, relationship. The best parts of this novel demand that we take King seriously as a writer with a deeply felt understanding of human psychology. - Publishers Weekly
One of the greatest thrillers ever written - GUARDIAN
It's being on this familiar territory that makes his fictions so addictive. It's so good you just want more - Evening Standard
A writer of excellence - The Sunday Times
King at his best . . . a winner - The New York Times
A writer of excellence...King is one of the most fertile storytellers of the modern novel - Sunday Times
One of the great storytellers of our time - Guardian
'America's greatest living novelist' - Lee Child
'[A] genius for storytelling' - Daily Mirror
A fantastic book with some very iconic moments. Paul Sheldon was a very interesting and, at times, funny character. Belongs in King's top ten novels to date.
This book was difficult to read, but only because I had my hands over my eyes for a good portion of it. King is very adept at writing a pacy, scary tale and this did not disappoint. Recommended, but not at bedtime.
A writer has an accident and is rescued by his biggest fan who demands he write a story for her. This is one of King's best novels, in which he creates one of his scariest villains.
Iconic, tense and horrifying,...
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