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jerkstore62782 's review for:
Misery
by Stephen King
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stephen King is almost always flawless in my opinion. I didn’t particularly enjoy *The Institute*, and I was surprisingly disappointed with *Salem’s Lot*, which caught me off guard since I usually love his work. However, I’m glad I read this book because it has restored my admiration for Stephen King’s talent. The *Mercedes Trilogy* cemented his superstar status in my mind, so this recent streak of books I didn’t connect with was a bit of a letdown. Now, I feel like he’s back at the top of his game.
*Misery* is fantastic—Annie Wilkes is an incredible character. The Audible version, narrated by Lindsay Crause, is especially phenomenal. Her performance brings Annie Wilkes to life in a way that feels very real. King’s descriptions of Annie’s moods are incredibly vivid, and at times, relatable in a strange way. It’s unsettling to recognize some of her traits in myself—particularly the way her eyes go blank, what King calls “the crevasse.” I’ve experienced that too.
While I felt sympathy for Annie up to a point, of course, her darker actions—murder and mutilation—destined her beyond redemption. The plot is superb, and King does an excellent job immersing us inside Paul Sheldon’s mind. We gain a real understanding of his feelings and thought processes, which amplifies the tension throughout. Overall, I loved it.
*Misery* is fantastic—Annie Wilkes is an incredible character. The Audible version, narrated by Lindsay Crause, is especially phenomenal. Her performance brings Annie Wilkes to life in a way that feels very real. King’s descriptions of Annie’s moods are incredibly vivid, and at times, relatable in a strange way. It’s unsettling to recognize some of her traits in myself—particularly the way her eyes go blank, what King calls “the crevasse.” I’ve experienced that too.
While I felt sympathy for Annie up to a point, of course, her darker actions—murder and mutilation—destined her beyond redemption. The plot is superb, and King does an excellent job immersing us inside Paul Sheldon’s mind. We gain a real understanding of his feelings and thought processes, which amplifies the tension throughout. Overall, I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail