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Misery
Paul Sheldon profesionalni je pisac. Piše da bi živio. No donese pogrešnu odluku... Sada mora pisati da bi preživio.
Misery Chastain je mrtva. Misery je heroina njegovih ljubavnih romana koji su osvojili milijune čitateljica. S Misery se obogatio. I postao slavan, no ne i cijenjen pisac. Misery je otišla u povijest. Napokon je slobodan! Upravo završava roman po kojemu će ga pamtiti naraštaji čitatelja. Postat će pisac ozbiljne i cijenjene književnosti.
Nažalost, dogodi mu se automobilska nesreća. Život mu spasi Annie Wilkes, medicinska sestra i vatrena obožavateljica Misery. Annie je vrlo nagle ćudi, no ima golemu zalihu lijekova protiv bolova. I voli čitati. Romane o Misery.
Stephen King nakanio je objaviti roman Misery pod svojim pseudonimom – Richard Bachman. Međutim, javnost je otkrila njegovu nakanu pa je Misery ipak svjetlost dana ugledala pod njegovim pravim imenom. Obožavatelji su je dočekali na nož. Mnogi su kritičari u junakinji Annie Wilkes vidjeli autorov izravan napad na svoje vatrene obožavatelje. Sâm opis Annie Wilkes kao zaluđene, fanatične, debele i nesmiljene obožavateljice već je bio dovoljna uvreda, no glavnu poveznicu mnogi su pročitali u divljačkom nastupu Annie Wilkes nakon što je dovršila čitanje posljednjeg romana o svojoj najdražoj heroini Misery Chastain iz pera svojega zatočenika, Paula Sheldona, i uvidjela da ju je on ubio. Provala bijesa i nasilja poslije tog otkrića i ustrajanje na tome da je Paul Sheldon vrati iz mrtvih i nastavi pisati o njoj mnoge su podsjetili na Kingove vjerne čitatelje koje je ljutio svaki njegov izlet u žanrove koji nisu bili horor.
Prožet mnogim slojevima, ovaj je roman ipak vrhunac svojega žanra. Preokreti ne samo što su neočekivani nego su i tako siloviti i nenadani da vam se u čitanju lako može omaknuti glasan uzdah. Napet do samoga kraja, roman nikoga neće ostaviti ravnodušnim. Misery treba pročitati barem jednom u životu.
Misery Chastain je mrtva. Misery je heroina njegovih ljubavnih romana koji su osvojili milijune čitateljica. S Misery se obogatio. I postao slavan, no ne i cijenjen pisac. Misery je otišla u povijest. Napokon je slobodan! Upravo završava roman po kojemu će ga pamtiti naraštaji čitatelja. Postat će pisac ozbiljne i cijenjene književnosti.
Nažalost, dogodi mu se automobilska nesreća. Život mu spasi Annie Wilkes, medicinska sestra i vatrena obožavateljica Misery. Annie je vrlo nagle ćudi, no ima golemu zalihu lijekova protiv bolova. I voli čitati. Romane o Misery.
Stephen King nakanio je objaviti roman Misery pod svojim pseudonimom – Richard Bachman. Međutim, javnost je otkrila njegovu nakanu pa je Misery ipak svjetlost dana ugledala pod njegovim pravim imenom. Obožavatelji su je dočekali na nož. Mnogi su kritičari u junakinji Annie Wilkes vidjeli autorov izravan napad na svoje vatrene obožavatelje. Sâm opis Annie Wilkes kao zaluđene, fanatične, debele i nesmiljene obožavateljice već je bio dovoljna uvreda, no glavnu poveznicu mnogi su pročitali u divljačkom nastupu Annie Wilkes nakon što je dovršila čitanje posljednjeg romana o svojoj najdražoj heroini Misery Chastain iz pera svojega zatočenika, Paula Sheldona, i uvidjela da ju je on ubio. Provala bijesa i nasilja poslije tog otkrića i ustrajanje na tome da je Paul Sheldon vrati iz mrtvih i nastavi pisati o njoj mnoge su podsjetili na Kingove vjerne čitatelje koje je ljutio svaki njegov izlet u žanrove koji nisu bili horor.
Prožet mnogim slojevima, ovaj je roman ipak vrhunac svojega žanra. Preokreti ne samo što su neočekivani nego su i tako siloviti i nenadani da vam se u čitanju lako može omaknuti glasan uzdah. Napet do samoga kraja, roman nikoga neće ostaviti ravnodušnim. Misery treba pročitati barem jednom u životu.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 1987
2171 people are currently reading
3267 people want to read
About the author
Stephen King
2,302 books891k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,254 reviews
August 14, 2019
a list of things this book was:
- disgusting
- disturbing
- a quick read, surprisingly
- really fond of using sexual assault as a metaphor (cool cool cool)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of race (the Africa references/setting)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of gender (so much man-goes-to-work woman-stays-home)
- honestly just pretty hateful toward women??
- all for using the n word without blinking, apparently
a list of things this book was not:
- scary
- all that great of a read for me
bottom line: i guess i get the stephen king appeal. but, uh. NOT A FAN.
note from future me: if you're a stephen king fan and you feel like writing at length in the comments of this about why i'm wrong and you're a Correct Intellectual, consider, instead, writing me a letter and then throwing that letter right in the garbage (either way, i'm not going to read it)
-----------
PRE-REVIEW
okay, stephen king. time to show me what all the fuss is about.
(in other words: this is my first stephen king book and i'm ready to scream in fear)
- disgusting
- disturbing
- a quick read, surprisingly
- really fond of using sexual assault as a metaphor (cool cool cool)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of race (the Africa references/setting)
- harmfully stereotypical in terms of gender (so much man-goes-to-work woman-stays-home)
- honestly just pretty hateful toward women??
- all for using the n word without blinking, apparently
a list of things this book was not:
- scary
- all that great of a read for me
bottom line: i guess i get the stephen king appeal. but, uh. NOT A FAN.
note from future me: if you're a stephen king fan and you feel like writing at length in the comments of this about why i'm wrong and you're a Correct Intellectual, consider, instead, writing me a letter and then throwing that letter right in the garbage (either way, i'm not going to read it)
-----------
PRE-REVIEW
okay, stephen king. time to show me what all the fuss is about.
(in other words: this is my first stephen king book and i'm ready to scream in fear)
October 28, 2022
The name of the man who had written the book was Paul Sheldon. He recognized it as his own with no surprise. ‘Sidewinder, Colorado,’ she said when he was finally able to ask the question. ‘My name is Annie Wilkes. And I am -‘
‘I know,’ he said. ‘You’re my number-one fan’
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling. ‘That’s just what I am’
Successful author Paul Sheldon has decided to transition from writing his popular romance series featuring Misery Chastain to publishing a crime fiction novel. After completing the manuscript, Paul, drunk and elated makes a snap decision to drive, instead of fly, back to New York City. Unfortunately for Paul the severe snow storm heading his way has other plans and Paul ends up in a serious car accident.
On her way home from purchasing livestock feed, Annie Wilkes (Paul’s number one fan!) rescues Paul from the scene of the accident. Annie takes Paul back to her remote home, feeds him copious amounts of pain medication and refuses to take him to the hospital despite his broken and mangled legs.
Days pass and Annie finally gets her hands on the latest installment in the Misery Chastain series. But when Annie discovers that Paul has killed off her beloved Misery she becomes blind with rage. She holds Paul prisoner while forcing him to write a new book. One that brings Misery back to life.
I don’t know how to describe what I’m feeling right now. The closest I can get, is how I imagine one would feel being run over by a truck and then dragged 5 kilometers down the road…..but in a good way??
This is an explosive novel, there is no denying that. The reason I believe this story is so powerful, is because of its plausibility. The concrete certainty that the acts narrated, can, and do, happen in real life. Stephen King has painted a deeply disturbing picture with captivating characters whose psychology is so deeply analyzed throughout the course of the book, that I felt 100% inside their heads. This is why I love Stephen King. No other author can do that to me.
I loved every second of this book. F’ing brilliant!
‘I know,’ he said. ‘You’re my number-one fan’
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling. ‘That’s just what I am’
Successful author Paul Sheldon has decided to transition from writing his popular romance series featuring Misery Chastain to publishing a crime fiction novel. After completing the manuscript, Paul, drunk and elated makes a snap decision to drive, instead of fly, back to New York City. Unfortunately for Paul the severe snow storm heading his way has other plans and Paul ends up in a serious car accident.
On her way home from purchasing livestock feed, Annie Wilkes (Paul’s number one fan!) rescues Paul from the scene of the accident. Annie takes Paul back to her remote home, feeds him copious amounts of pain medication and refuses to take him to the hospital despite his broken and mangled legs.
Days pass and Annie finally gets her hands on the latest installment in the Misery Chastain series. But when Annie discovers that Paul has killed off her beloved Misery she becomes blind with rage. She holds Paul prisoner while forcing him to write a new book. One that brings Misery back to life.
I don’t know how to describe what I’m feeling right now. The closest I can get, is how I imagine one would feel being run over by a truck and then dragged 5 kilometers down the road…..but in a good way??
This is an explosive novel, there is no denying that. The reason I believe this story is so powerful, is because of its plausibility. The concrete certainty that the acts narrated, can, and do, happen in real life. Stephen King has painted a deeply disturbing picture with captivating characters whose psychology is so deeply analyzed throughout the course of the book, that I felt 100% inside their heads. This is why I love Stephen King. No other author can do that to me.
I loved every second of this book. F’ing brilliant!
August 25, 2023
Novela muy recomendada por los lectores de Stephen King.
Empieza con una premisa original: un escritor de renombre está postrado con las piernas rotas en casa de una admiradora, después de haber sufrido un accidente de coche.
Lo que en principio parece algo bueno, se convierte poco a poco en una pesadilla para el escritor.
Me ha gustado bastante la novela. Los dos personajes son muy potentes, sobre todo, Annie Wilkes, la fanática admiradora de Paul Sheldon. El principio me ha resultado algo lento y repetitivo, pero he devorado la última parte con ansia.
Es la segunda novela que leo de King y no me arrepiento de haber empezado con este autor. Muy entretenido y bien escrito. A veces, estos adjetivos no siempre van juntos.
Mucho se ha escrito de esta novela, que tiene, también, su versión fílmica.
--------------------------------
A highly recommended novel for readers of Stephen King.
It begins with an original premise: a renowned writer is bedridden with broken legs at the home of an admirer, after having suffered a car accident.
What at first seems like a good thing gradually turns into a nightmare for the writer.
I quite enjoyed the novel. The two characters are very powerful, especially Annie Wilkes, Paul Sheldon's fanatical fan. I found the beginning a bit slow and repetitive, but I devoured the last part with eagerness.
This is the second novel I've read by King and I don't regret having started with this author. Very entertaining and well written. Sometimes these adjectives don't always go together.
Much has been written about this novel, which also has a film version.
Empieza con una premisa original: un escritor de renombre está postrado con las piernas rotas en casa de una admiradora, después de haber sufrido un accidente de coche.
Lo que en principio parece algo bueno, se convierte poco a poco en una pesadilla para el escritor.
Me ha gustado bastante la novela. Los dos personajes son muy potentes, sobre todo, Annie Wilkes, la fanática admiradora de Paul Sheldon. El principio me ha resultado algo lento y repetitivo, pero he devorado la última parte con ansia.
Es la segunda novela que leo de King y no me arrepiento de haber empezado con este autor. Muy entretenido y bien escrito. A veces, estos adjetivos no siempre van juntos.
Mucho se ha escrito de esta novela, que tiene, también, su versión fílmica.
--------------------------------
A highly recommended novel for readers of Stephen King.
It begins with an original premise: a renowned writer is bedridden with broken legs at the home of an admirer, after having suffered a car accident.
What at first seems like a good thing gradually turns into a nightmare for the writer.
I quite enjoyed the novel. The two characters are very powerful, especially Annie Wilkes, Paul Sheldon's fanatical fan. I found the beginning a bit slow and repetitive, but I devoured the last part with eagerness.
This is the second novel I've read by King and I don't regret having started with this author. Very entertaining and well written. Sometimes these adjectives don't always go together.
Much has been written about this novel, which also has a film version.
March 14, 2022
“Misery” by Stephen King is a staple in the horror genre for being an in-your-face experience introducing you to yet another iconic character from his library, Annie Wilkes. My goodness, talk about a protagonist that sends chills down your spine for all the wrong reasons.
As a fellow writer, I can only imagine what kind of a terrifying ordeal this could be since it’s so creepy and well, could possibly happen in real life. No ghosts, zombies, or aliens here, just straight-up psychotic madness that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Yes, it’s that scary and King hits the nail right on the head capturing everything that makes Annie a villain that a reader will never forget until the end of time.
This novel is a genuine page-turner and even though I won’t ruin anything for you, my goodness, what an ending! The kind of ending that is built up to the point of perfection where you can’t put it down for anything at all because you will cling to every single word until it’s completely over.
This is a no-brainer for me as I give “Misery” a perfect 5/5 and I’d give it a 10/5 if I could because it’s simply a novel every horror fan needs to read at least once in their lives. It’s even worth re-reading every few years as it still holds up to this very day for being a masterpiece. I highly recommend this to readers that either love horror or want to read an epic novel that proves why King is the best of the best.
As a fellow writer, I can only imagine what kind of a terrifying ordeal this could be since it’s so creepy and well, could possibly happen in real life. No ghosts, zombies, or aliens here, just straight-up psychotic madness that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Yes, it’s that scary and King hits the nail right on the head capturing everything that makes Annie a villain that a reader will never forget until the end of time.
This novel is a genuine page-turner and even though I won’t ruin anything for you, my goodness, what an ending! The kind of ending that is built up to the point of perfection where you can’t put it down for anything at all because you will cling to every single word until it’s completely over.
This is a no-brainer for me as I give “Misery” a perfect 5/5 and I’d give it a 10/5 if I could because it’s simply a novel every horror fan needs to read at least once in their lives. It’s even worth re-reading every few years as it still holds up to this very day for being a masterpiece. I highly recommend this to readers that either love horror or want to read an epic novel that proves why King is the best of the best.
October 3, 2025
Якби я прочитала «Мізері» років пʼятнадцять тому вона б перевернула мене зсередини! Це Кінг у найкращій формі - безжальний, моторошний і той, який майстерно створює таку напругу, що ми, читачі, забуваємо дихати.
Зараз ця історія «не торкнула» мене так сильно, не знаю, з чим це повʼязано: з теперішнім станом, питанням віку чи просто тим, що історія потрапила до рук не в правильний момент.
Проте я всеодно ціную «Мізері» як класичний роман Кінга, який точно займатиме почесне місце в моїй домашній бібліотеці. Тому від мене дуже упереджені 4 зірки ⭐️
Зараз ця історія «не торкнула» мене так сильно, не знаю, з чим це повʼязано: з теперішнім станом, питанням віку чи просто тим, що історія потрапила до рук не в правильний момент.
Проте я всеодно ціную «Мізері» як класичний роман Кінга, який точно займатиме почесне місце в моїй домашній бібліотеці. Тому від мене дуже упереджені 4 зірки ⭐️
July 20, 2024
Stephen King's brilliant psychological horror classic "Misery" [1987] was one of the two main group read selections from the horror book club Horror Afficionados. This does not reflect a re-read in 2024. I am simply re-posting my book review. This is one of my personal favorites.
MISERY [1987] By Stephen King
My Review 5.0 Stars
This novel written by King in the ‘80’s was a Group Read selection for Horror Haven, horror-oriented book club on Goodreads. “Misery” was actually the Runner Up of the Group read poll for May 2024. In my case I had previously read “Misery” (albeit eons ago) and obviously watched the film adaptation by the same name in 1990 (more than once). The third salient fact was that I am also a member of the “Stephen King Fan Club”. In short, I was peeved that Horror Haven fans had cast votes for a King novel for obvious reasons. It is pertinent to note that a second early work of King’s was noted to be on the plate for ingestion and discussion in June already (“Pet Sematary”) and members were casting votes for “Carrie” for the future month of July!
I read Stephen King’s “Misery” in 2024 with a “chip on (my) shoulder” one might say. But to my utter surprise, I found myself captivated, no, absolutely riveted, by the unforgettable narrative which unfolded and enveloped me like the silk of a spider's web. The author held me spellbound as he spun the harrowing details of Paul’s abduction, mental and physical abuse, manipulation, and the infliction of both mental and physical pain.
It is pertinent to note that "Misery" was originally published in 1987, and in fact this coming Saturday June 8, 2024, will mark 37 years since its debut. Nevertheless, I would venture a bet that all of the King of Horror’s fans know the basic premise of the novel. A well-known author (Paul Sheldon) was rescued following a devastating car crash in a snowstorm by his self-proclaimed biggest fan (Annie Wilkes). The entire novel springs from the relationship that develops between our protagonist, the injured Paul, and Annie, his “number one fan”. The story is written in first-person POV, limited which is remarkably effective for providing a front row seat. The reader sees and feels everything that happens through Paul’s prism of perception and experience. In my opinion, "Misery" is one of the most successful novels of psychological horror I have read to date. Likewise, the character of Annie Wilkes is simply put, terrifying. A 40-year-old Stephen King executed a masterpiece with "Misery" presenting it with perfect heart-thudding pace and a gradual escalation in our antagonist Annie’s actions that are pitch perfect. The final showdown is both thrilling and horrifying.
It is worth mentioning that “Misery” [1987], unquestionably one of King’s finest novels, is likely to be best known for its film adaptation by Rob Reiner in 1990. The Oscar-winning performance delivered by Kathy Bates is now a permanent part of cinema history. This is a book review and not a movie review, but it is one of those kismet situations where both the novel and the movie are nothing less than extraordinary. Any King fan (or Kathy Bates fan), who has not read the story behind making the movie is short-changing him or herself. The novel is chock full of more shocking and horrific material than is the motion picture, and ironically this is one that is quite interesting to read about. Then there is Kathy Bates, a completely unknown talent, thrust into the demanding role of Annie Wilkes. She would win an Academy Award for Best Actress at the 63rd Academy Awards. “Misery”, to date anyway, is the only film adaptation of Stephen King’s novels to win an Oscar. King has stated that “Misery” is one of his top ten favorite film adaptations.
Maybe mentioning my favorite film adaptation in my lifetime to date being “Silence of the Lambs” is inappropriate, but its parallels to “Misery” are downright interesting. I will not indulge myself and list the parade of Hollywood icons who rejected roles as Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling. I will however mention that a host of big names turned down the role of Paul (including William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, De Niro, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and Warren Beatty). More interesting still is Bette Midler’s later regrets about refusing the role of Annie, and Anjelica Huston’s refusal of the part. I actually researched who in the heck it was who plucked a completely unknown entity (Kathy Bates) to play the character of Annie Wilkes. Kathy Bates would make cinema history. I love her by the way, in AHS in particular.
The point that the film had the capacity to overshadow the novel was driven home to me when I reread “Misery” last week. I discovered that my recall of the novel’s events and trajectory were modified sufficiently by the film adaptation that I incorrectly remembered portions of the novel. There were recurrent comments I made as I read the book that were religiously disputed by my partner who felt the necessity to interrupt TV viewing to tell me I was wrong about this, wrong about that, etc. The bottom line is the changes that were deliberately made in the film for I believe savvy reasons worked out well for filmgoers. That said, the book is the winner where this reader is concerned.
It is sometimes very interesting to learn a few of the facts surrounding a novel that you have read a second time after a period of over three and a half decades ago. I do want to mention the awards which Stephen King garnered with the release of this novel. “Misery” won the first Bram Stoker Award for Novel in 1987. It was nominated for the 1988 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. “Misery” neatly slotted itself in 4th Place in the 1987 Bestseller List. Perhaps more importantly, reviewers praised King and such critical acclaim was in part due to the novel’s parallels with the author’s personal life.
It is a well-known fact that King planned for the novel to be released under his pseudonym Richard Bachman but somehow the cat got out of the bag. Stephen King has likewise been candid and honest about his own battles with alcoholism and substance addiction. The saying “Once an addict, always an addict” is factually correct. It has been speculated this self-evident truth is why that the character of Paul suffers the hallucination of Annie at the end of the movie. I agree with the opinion that in order to truly appreciate “Misery” (1987) as the psychological horror classic that it most assuredly is you must remind yourself of King’s fight with alcoholism and rampant drug addiction.
King went on the record in 2014 and stated that “Misery” was a book about cocaine, and in fact the character of Annie Wilkes was symbolic of cocaine itself, elaborating “She was my number-one fan”. King related that his addiction to cocaine was from “1978 to 1986”. Loyal fans of Stephen King are aware of the characters in his novels who experience addiction issues, as he has always been a proponent of an author writing about what he knows. It is likely with the masterpiece “Misery” one can more clearly see the connection if not literally in the way Annie Wilkes imposes her will on her captor Paul and forces him to gobble down Novril, a fictional codeine-based pain pill. There is little question that King turned his own pain into a creative masterpiece in “Misery”.
Finally, I finished “Misery” with the thought in my head of just how damn good….no, truly great it really is… standing tall because it is a stellar example of a perfect psychological horror novel. There are no supernatural elements whatsoever employed. I will never inwardly or outwardly feel irked when I spot Group Reads of King’s works on other horror book club sites. I have already purchased the newest edition of Pet Sematary [1983] for this month’s Group Read. Yes, Horror Haven again. Thanks to the members of the club for voting their heart, and a big thanks to Stephen King.
ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE NOVELS BY STEPHEN KING, MASTER OF HORROR
MISERY [1987] By Stephen King
My Review 5.0 Stars
This novel written by King in the ‘80’s was a Group Read selection for Horror Haven, horror-oriented book club on Goodreads. “Misery” was actually the Runner Up of the Group read poll for May 2024. In my case I had previously read “Misery” (albeit eons ago) and obviously watched the film adaptation by the same name in 1990 (more than once). The third salient fact was that I am also a member of the “Stephen King Fan Club”. In short, I was peeved that Horror Haven fans had cast votes for a King novel for obvious reasons. It is pertinent to note that a second early work of King’s was noted to be on the plate for ingestion and discussion in June already (“Pet Sematary”) and members were casting votes for “Carrie” for the future month of July!
I read Stephen King’s “Misery” in 2024 with a “chip on (my) shoulder” one might say. But to my utter surprise, I found myself captivated, no, absolutely riveted, by the unforgettable narrative which unfolded and enveloped me like the silk of a spider's web. The author held me spellbound as he spun the harrowing details of Paul’s abduction, mental and physical abuse, manipulation, and the infliction of both mental and physical pain.
It is pertinent to note that "Misery" was originally published in 1987, and in fact this coming Saturday June 8, 2024, will mark 37 years since its debut. Nevertheless, I would venture a bet that all of the King of Horror’s fans know the basic premise of the novel. A well-known author (Paul Sheldon) was rescued following a devastating car crash in a snowstorm by his self-proclaimed biggest fan (Annie Wilkes). The entire novel springs from the relationship that develops between our protagonist, the injured Paul, and Annie, his “number one fan”. The story is written in first-person POV, limited which is remarkably effective for providing a front row seat. The reader sees and feels everything that happens through Paul’s prism of perception and experience. In my opinion, "Misery" is one of the most successful novels of psychological horror I have read to date. Likewise, the character of Annie Wilkes is simply put, terrifying. A 40-year-old Stephen King executed a masterpiece with "Misery" presenting it with perfect heart-thudding pace and a gradual escalation in our antagonist Annie’s actions that are pitch perfect. The final showdown is both thrilling and horrifying.
It is worth mentioning that “Misery” [1987], unquestionably one of King’s finest novels, is likely to be best known for its film adaptation by Rob Reiner in 1990. The Oscar-winning performance delivered by Kathy Bates is now a permanent part of cinema history. This is a book review and not a movie review, but it is one of those kismet situations where both the novel and the movie are nothing less than extraordinary. Any King fan (or Kathy Bates fan), who has not read the story behind making the movie is short-changing him or herself. The novel is chock full of more shocking and horrific material than is the motion picture, and ironically this is one that is quite interesting to read about. Then there is Kathy Bates, a completely unknown talent, thrust into the demanding role of Annie Wilkes. She would win an Academy Award for Best Actress at the 63rd Academy Awards. “Misery”, to date anyway, is the only film adaptation of Stephen King’s novels to win an Oscar. King has stated that “Misery” is one of his top ten favorite film adaptations.
Maybe mentioning my favorite film adaptation in my lifetime to date being “Silence of the Lambs” is inappropriate, but its parallels to “Misery” are downright interesting. I will not indulge myself and list the parade of Hollywood icons who rejected roles as Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling. I will however mention that a host of big names turned down the role of Paul (including William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, De Niro, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and Warren Beatty). More interesting still is Bette Midler’s later regrets about refusing the role of Annie, and Anjelica Huston’s refusal of the part. I actually researched who in the heck it was who plucked a completely unknown entity (Kathy Bates) to play the character of Annie Wilkes. Kathy Bates would make cinema history. I love her by the way, in AHS in particular.
The point that the film had the capacity to overshadow the novel was driven home to me when I reread “Misery” last week. I discovered that my recall of the novel’s events and trajectory were modified sufficiently by the film adaptation that I incorrectly remembered portions of the novel. There were recurrent comments I made as I read the book that were religiously disputed by my partner who felt the necessity to interrupt TV viewing to tell me I was wrong about this, wrong about that, etc. The bottom line is the changes that were deliberately made in the film for I believe savvy reasons worked out well for filmgoers. That said, the book is the winner where this reader is concerned.
It is sometimes very interesting to learn a few of the facts surrounding a novel that you have read a second time after a period of over three and a half decades ago. I do want to mention the awards which Stephen King garnered with the release of this novel. “Misery” won the first Bram Stoker Award for Novel in 1987. It was nominated for the 1988 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. “Misery” neatly slotted itself in 4th Place in the 1987 Bestseller List. Perhaps more importantly, reviewers praised King and such critical acclaim was in part due to the novel’s parallels with the author’s personal life.
It is a well-known fact that King planned for the novel to be released under his pseudonym Richard Bachman but somehow the cat got out of the bag. Stephen King has likewise been candid and honest about his own battles with alcoholism and substance addiction. The saying “Once an addict, always an addict” is factually correct. It has been speculated this self-evident truth is why that the character of Paul suffers the hallucination of Annie at the end of the movie. I agree with the opinion that in order to truly appreciate “Misery” (1987) as the psychological horror classic that it most assuredly is you must remind yourself of King’s fight with alcoholism and rampant drug addiction.
King went on the record in 2014 and stated that “Misery” was a book about cocaine, and in fact the character of Annie Wilkes was symbolic of cocaine itself, elaborating “She was my number-one fan”. King related that his addiction to cocaine was from “1978 to 1986”. Loyal fans of Stephen King are aware of the characters in his novels who experience addiction issues, as he has always been a proponent of an author writing about what he knows. It is likely with the masterpiece “Misery” one can more clearly see the connection if not literally in the way Annie Wilkes imposes her will on her captor Paul and forces him to gobble down Novril, a fictional codeine-based pain pill. There is little question that King turned his own pain into a creative masterpiece in “Misery”.
Finally, I finished “Misery” with the thought in my head of just how damn good….no, truly great it really is… standing tall because it is a stellar example of a perfect psychological horror novel. There are no supernatural elements whatsoever employed. I will never inwardly or outwardly feel irked when I spot Group Reads of King’s works on other horror book club sites. I have already purchased the newest edition of Pet Sematary [1983] for this month’s Group Read. Yes, Horror Haven again. Thanks to the members of the club for voting their heart, and a big thanks to Stephen King.
ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE NOVELS BY STEPHEN KING, MASTER OF HORROR
February 24, 2016
I am always on the lookout for books from different genres, written by different authors and usually manage to find some good ones from everyone’s shelf. With King, I simply loved the first two books, namely, The Shining and The Green Mile. However, this one was a drastically different experience. To say that I didn’t like it would be obvious but what’s more important is that I was alternately irritated and bored while reading the book. It had everything in terms of the premise to make it a wonderfully taut and thrilling book but sadly it lost both in the execution. In short a great premise done to death by writing that resembled a movie script and a bad one at that. I know that I am disappointing a lot of King fans as well as fans of this book by saying this but truly King’s mastery of words and narration doesn’t really shine through in this, which really makes me sad.
Let’s start with the premise – Annie Wilkes is Paul Sheldon’s self acclaimed number one fan. Annie Wilkes is a wild psychotic for whom reality exists only as long as it is vis-à-vis her own self. Paul Sheldon is an acclaimed writer who has written a series, which is quite popular with people, including Annie, who loves that series. Paul meets with an accident and Annie takes care of him or so it seems. What follows is a series of horrifying gory stuff that only thriller/horror movies are made of. The premise is really interesting – a former nurse and number one fan keeping her beloved author restrained within her home and making him write a book for her. One can almost imagine the atrocities that a psychotic person would impose on the other and yet there is that tangible tension of trying to come to terms with how far Annie would go and what would Paul’s reactions be. Insofar as this is concerned, I think the book really managed it beautifully, both in keeping it thrilling and suspense worthy, especially in the initial part. However, somewhere in the middle the story slackens and becomes monotonous and pretty predictable to the point of being ridiculous even. You don’t need to read a lot of books or even watch a lot of movies to guess what would happen in such a situation and how the author or the director would take it forward. This was the book’s first negative point.
The characters form the second reason for my negative review – Annie, when she was introduced was someone I thought would be a formidable antagonist. She had the guile of an innocent babe and the terror of a dangerous villain, but like the plot she went from being dangerous to plain ridiculous. Annie’s character was pretty much one dimensional or in some cases there is an added other dimension but she doesn’t feel real. Her actions are predictable (that word again!) and quite gory but it doesn’t have the underlying sense of menace that a good antagonist should have. Her state of mind as well as her actions are too obvious. While the author has made her a little crafty, he makes it so obvious that as a reader you already know what is going on in her mind. What bugged me most was the fact that the author didn’t give Annie any depth. There was no back story other than a few lines, no explanation as to why she was doing or did what she did and finally there was no craftiness or slyness in her scenes, all of which made for a dull read for me.
Similarly, Paul was again shown in a unidimensional manner, with his writing and his pain being the only emotions that we see from him. His character, however, despite being unidimensional displays quite a lot of emotions, ranging from anger, rage, depression, disappointment, hatred, excitement, exhilaration, courage and also submission. This should ideally make him a well-rounded character and the truth is that I preferred Paul to Annie in terms of characterization but the drawback in this was that Paul was again too obvious. There was no mystery or thrill that such characters usually have. It is an endless pattern of hurt and remorse, which culminates into a grand finale of sorts that was so obvious that one knew about it even before reading it.
The writing, at least according to me, was not really that good either. If this had been the first book that I was reading in the thriller genre or if it was my first book ever, I would have enjoyed it. However, it isn’t that way and sadly for me the writing was too jerky in places and lacked tension in the latter half. Having read two other books by King and having loved both, especially for writing, I felt that this was a let down, a major one at that. The writing was perfect for a movie script and I personally feel that the movie would be much better than the book, a rare case at that, nevertheless it had enough tension and suspense to make a great movie. However, when it comes to reading a book, it felt completely off, to the point of being ridiculous instead of gory and horrifying.
I know a lot of King fans and fans of this book will be disappointed by this review but I have to be honest to myself and the honest fact is that I found this book to be okay. Somewhere in the middle, I had toyed with the idea of giving it a 3 star rating but that was again shot down by later events. So this will remain a 2 star book for me. However, I urge readers not to go by my rating and to experience it yourself. It could just be the case of me and not the book!
Let’s start with the premise – Annie Wilkes is Paul Sheldon’s self acclaimed number one fan. Annie Wilkes is a wild psychotic for whom reality exists only as long as it is vis-à-vis her own self. Paul Sheldon is an acclaimed writer who has written a series, which is quite popular with people, including Annie, who loves that series. Paul meets with an accident and Annie takes care of him or so it seems. What follows is a series of horrifying gory stuff that only thriller/horror movies are made of. The premise is really interesting – a former nurse and number one fan keeping her beloved author restrained within her home and making him write a book for her. One can almost imagine the atrocities that a psychotic person would impose on the other and yet there is that tangible tension of trying to come to terms with how far Annie would go and what would Paul’s reactions be. Insofar as this is concerned, I think the book really managed it beautifully, both in keeping it thrilling and suspense worthy, especially in the initial part. However, somewhere in the middle the story slackens and becomes monotonous and pretty predictable to the point of being ridiculous even. You don’t need to read a lot of books or even watch a lot of movies to guess what would happen in such a situation and how the author or the director would take it forward. This was the book’s first negative point.
The characters form the second reason for my negative review – Annie, when she was introduced was someone I thought would be a formidable antagonist. She had the guile of an innocent babe and the terror of a dangerous villain, but like the plot she went from being dangerous to plain ridiculous. Annie’s character was pretty much one dimensional or in some cases there is an added other dimension but she doesn’t feel real. Her actions are predictable (that word again!) and quite gory but it doesn’t have the underlying sense of menace that a good antagonist should have. Her state of mind as well as her actions are too obvious. While the author has made her a little crafty, he makes it so obvious that as a reader you already know what is going on in her mind. What bugged me most was the fact that the author didn’t give Annie any depth. There was no back story other than a few lines, no explanation as to why she was doing or did what she did and finally there was no craftiness or slyness in her scenes, all of which made for a dull read for me.
Similarly, Paul was again shown in a unidimensional manner, with his writing and his pain being the only emotions that we see from him. His character, however, despite being unidimensional displays quite a lot of emotions, ranging from anger, rage, depression, disappointment, hatred, excitement, exhilaration, courage and also submission. This should ideally make him a well-rounded character and the truth is that I preferred Paul to Annie in terms of characterization but the drawback in this was that Paul was again too obvious. There was no mystery or thrill that such characters usually have. It is an endless pattern of hurt and remorse, which culminates into a grand finale of sorts that was so obvious that one knew about it even before reading it.
The writing, at least according to me, was not really that good either. If this had been the first book that I was reading in the thriller genre or if it was my first book ever, I would have enjoyed it. However, it isn’t that way and sadly for me the writing was too jerky in places and lacked tension in the latter half. Having read two other books by King and having loved both, especially for writing, I felt that this was a let down, a major one at that. The writing was perfect for a movie script and I personally feel that the movie would be much better than the book, a rare case at that, nevertheless it had enough tension and suspense to make a great movie. However, when it comes to reading a book, it felt completely off, to the point of being ridiculous instead of gory and horrifying.
I know a lot of King fans and fans of this book will be disappointed by this review but I have to be honest to myself and the honest fact is that I found this book to be okay. Somewhere in the middle, I had toyed with the idea of giving it a 3 star rating but that was again shot down by later events. So this will remain a 2 star book for me. However, I urge readers not to go by my rating and to experience it yourself. It could just be the case of me and not the book!
January 8, 2021
Primer libro que leí de S. king y resultó espectacular.
Los personajes, la ambientación, todo. De mis favorítos sino mi favoríto de este autor.
Los personajes, la ambientación, todo. De mis favorítos sino mi favoríto de este autor.
December 26, 2018
Misery starts off with the best-selling author Paul Sheldon getting into a car accident that wrecks his legs and he’s rescued by Annie Wilkes, a nurse who brings him to her house to ‘take care’ of him.
Annie Wilkes claims she’s the biggest fan of Paul Sheldon who is widely famous for writing sloppy historical romance novel series featuring ‘Misery’ as the protagonist. Annie is obsessed with Misery.
He was Paul Sheldon, who wrote novels of two kinds, good ones and best-sellers.
In order to write good literary fiction, Paul ended Misery’s existence. However, when the psychotic Annie learns about this, she holds him hostage and forces him to write another novel resurrecting Misery.
Hooked on Novril (a fictitious painkiller that’s highly addictive) and confined to the wheelchair, Paul works on his best Misery book and finds that it's the only thing keeping him alive in face of his captivity and mentally ill Annie doling out punishment depending on her mood.
My first book by Stephen King was ‘The Shining’ that I enjoyed immensely. It didn’t make me jump out of my skin but it was creepy and very well written. This novel, however, was not creepy but horrifying. Also, there’s a reference to the Overlook hotel in ‘The Shining’!
The book was gruesome and full of torture but I could not put it down. It had plenty of twists throughout the story that made it unpredictable and I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what’s going to happen next.
There comes a point when the very discussion of pain becomes redundant. No one knows there is pain the size of this in the world. No one. It is like being possessed by demons.
The book revolves around the two main characters Paul and Annie. Throughout the book, we learn about them and their pasts. I found myself sympathizing with Paul and rooting for him who was trying his best to survive and writing was his only escape.
A little talent is a nice thing to have if you want to be a writer, but the only real requirement is that ability to remember the story of every scar. Art consists of the persistence of memory.
We also get a little glimpse of how the mind of the author works when he’s concocting a story and the expectations and pressure of a writer’s life. And, what’s interesting is that we get to read a book in a book! We learn the story of Misery in little snippets that end in the climax of the book.
Cruelty, after all, was understandable. With insanity, however, there was no arguing.
Not only was Annie insane and ruthless but also smart and calculative. In the end, I found myself understanding the cold logic behind her actions. She was terrifying but she had a sense of humor. I hated her a lot and she made an excellent villain.
If you’re faint-hearted, you might want to skip this one but if you enjoy a good story and can stomach the gore, this book is definitely worth reading.
Read on blog
Annie Wilkes claims she’s the biggest fan of Paul Sheldon who is widely famous for writing sloppy historical romance novel series featuring ‘Misery’ as the protagonist. Annie is obsessed with Misery.
He was Paul Sheldon, who wrote novels of two kinds, good ones and best-sellers.
In order to write good literary fiction, Paul ended Misery’s existence. However, when the psychotic Annie learns about this, she holds him hostage and forces him to write another novel resurrecting Misery.
Hooked on Novril (a fictitious painkiller that’s highly addictive) and confined to the wheelchair, Paul works on his best Misery book and finds that it's the only thing keeping him alive in face of his captivity and mentally ill Annie doling out punishment depending on her mood.
My first book by Stephen King was ‘The Shining’ that I enjoyed immensely. It didn’t make me jump out of my skin but it was creepy and very well written. This novel, however, was not creepy but horrifying. Also, there’s a reference to the Overlook hotel in ‘The Shining’!
The book was gruesome and full of torture but I could not put it down. It had plenty of twists throughout the story that made it unpredictable and I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what’s going to happen next.
There comes a point when the very discussion of pain becomes redundant. No one knows there is pain the size of this in the world. No one. It is like being possessed by demons.
The book revolves around the two main characters Paul and Annie. Throughout the book, we learn about them and their pasts. I found myself sympathizing with Paul and rooting for him who was trying his best to survive and writing was his only escape.
A little talent is a nice thing to have if you want to be a writer, but the only real requirement is that ability to remember the story of every scar. Art consists of the persistence of memory.
We also get a little glimpse of how the mind of the author works when he’s concocting a story and the expectations and pressure of a writer’s life. And, what’s interesting is that we get to read a book in a book! We learn the story of Misery in little snippets that end in the climax of the book.
Cruelty, after all, was understandable. With insanity, however, there was no arguing.
Not only was Annie insane and ruthless but also smart and calculative. In the end, I found myself understanding the cold logic behind her actions. She was terrifying but she had a sense of humor. I hated her a lot and she made an excellent villain.
If you’re faint-hearted, you might want to skip this one but if you enjoy a good story and can stomach the gore, this book is definitely worth reading.
Read on blog
October 23, 2025
سالها پیش فیلم رو دیدم و فقط کلیت داستان رو یادم مونده بوده. برای من کتاب و فیلم تقریباً در یک سطح هستن ولی اگه قرار بود انتخاب کنم، فیلم رو انتخاب میکردم
کتاب یه جاهایی خیلی برام کش اومد و خستهکننده شد و به نظرم کتی بیتس یکی از بهترین نقش آفرینیهای تاریخ سینما رو داره و با وجودِ ملایمتر کردن خشونت توی فیلم، بازم آنی ویلکسِ فیلم به مراتب برام مخوفتر بود
البته احتمالاً دلیلش اینه که کلاً تصویر وحشت رو بیشتر منتقل میکنه تا متن
الان نظر نامحبوبم در مورد کارای کینگ اینه که با وجود اینکه توی میزری یکی از بهترین شرورهاش رو خلق کرده، ولی جز بهترینهاش نیست
مثلاً فیلم اگه سه و نیم باشه، کتاب همین سه هست
و نظر احتمالاً نامحبوب دیگهام هم اینه که فکر میکنم اگه اینم مثل 1922 که توی ایران با اسم زن کش چاپ شده، راوی اول شخص داشت، کتاب بهتری میشد
ولی خب، در کل در طول زمان مشخص شده که کتاب جز کارهای موفق کینگه و نظر من فقط شخصی و فاقد اعتباره. پس اگه میخواید بخونید، بخونید و اهمیت ندید
کتاب یه جاهایی خیلی برام کش اومد و خستهکننده شد و به نظرم کتی بیتس یکی از بهترین نقش آفرینیهای تاریخ سینما رو داره و با وجودِ ملایمتر کردن خشونت توی فیلم، بازم آنی ویلکسِ فیلم به مراتب برام مخوفتر بود
البته احتمالاً دلیلش اینه که کلاً تصویر وحشت رو بیشتر منتقل میکنه تا متن
الان نظر نامحبوبم در مورد کارای کینگ اینه که با وجود اینکه توی میزری یکی از بهترین شرورهاش رو خلق کرده، ولی جز بهترینهاش نیست
مثلاً فیلم اگه سه و نیم باشه، کتاب همین سه هست
و نظر احتمالاً نامحبوب دیگهام هم اینه که فکر میکنم اگه اینم مثل 1922 که توی ایران با اسم زن کش چاپ شده، راوی اول شخص داشت، کتاب بهتری میشد
ولی خب، در کل در طول زمان مشخص شده که کتاب جز کارهای موفق کینگه و نظر من فقط شخصی و فاقد اعتباره. پس اگه میخواید بخونید، بخونید و اهمیت ندید
November 24, 2025
я буквально відчував фізичний біль поки це читав
September 13, 2020
Жага до життя - неймовірна сила!
Кожну сторінку цього роману мене сковував страх, хвилювання, огида, жах від усвідомлення реальності того, що відбувається. Це одна з найстрашніших книг, які я читала, але одночасно - найбільш життєствердна. І після цього роману я таки можу сказати - Кінг геній, дайте ще!
Кожну сторінку цього роману мене сковував страх, хвилювання, огида, жах від усвідомлення реальності того, що відбувається. Це одна з найстрашніших книг, які я читала, але одночасно - найбільш життєствердна. І після цього роману я таки можу сказати - Кінг геній, дайте ще!
January 15, 2023
Це був КІНГ)
В мене болить все тіло. За 3 дні -1,5 кілограми при збереженні режиму. Я читав і просто вкривався краплинами поту від напруження і тривоги - і це не брехня, я навіть отримав на горіхи від дружини за 5 футболок, кинутих в пральну машину (від них неприємно пашіло).
Не жалію, що почав 2023 саме з цієї роботи.
В мене болить все тіло. За 3 дні -1,5 кілограми при збереженні режиму. Я читав і просто вкривався краплинами поту від напруження і тривоги - і це не брехня, я навіть отримав на горіхи від дружини за 5 футболок, кинутих в пральну машину (від них неприємно пашіло).
Не жалію, що почав 2023 саме з цієї роботи.
August 18, 2021
Це було жахливо, страшно, гидко і настільки майстерно - я в шоці 😳
March 26, 2024
Titulo: Misery
Autor: Stephen King
Motivo de lectura: #StephenKingChallenge
Lectura / Relectura: Relectura
Mi edicion: Tapa dura, 333 paginas, Circulo de lectores
Puntuacion: 5/5
Lei este libro hace muchisimos años atras, y releerlo me dio una nueva oportunidad de revisitar una historia realmente escalofriante.
Esta reseña estara enfocada casi por completo en la antagonista Annie Wilkes y la exploracion de un personaje construido de manera brillante.
La historia gira alrededor de una trama donde el terror es palpable de forma constante, donde los monstruos no son seres deformes, con tres ojos y garras..y ahi es donde radica el verdadero horror, personas como Annie Wilkes existen, pueden estar en la fila de un supermercado, o de un banco, ser la maestra de tu hijo, o la señora amable que siempre alimenta palomas en el parque.
Mi reseña podria contener ciertos spoilers (no directos, pero indicios) para hablar de ciertos topicos es necesario hacer ciertas menciones, asi que ya estan advertidos.
Annie Wilkes la lectora constante y la exploracion del fandom toxico
Este es un libro publicado en 1987, pero Stephen King ya es plenamente conciente de la toxicidad de ciertos individuos que pertenecen a un fandom (notese que no estoy generalizando, lo aclaro para que nadie se sienta ofendido).
Annie Wilkes es una fanatica acerrima de los libros del escritor Paul Sheldon (el protagonista de este libro), quien se autoproclama "la fanatica numero uno", pero cuando la escritura de Sheldon toma el rumbo que Annie no desea se desata el infierno.
Annie pasara de glorificar a Sheldon a tratarlo como un objeto de su propiedad, quien estara sujeto a cumplir los deseos de su "fan numero uno". Annie no tendra escrupulos a la hora de conseguir lo que quiere de su escritor favorito.
En el estado delirante de Annie, toma el giro de trama del ultimo libro de Sheldon como una ofensa personal, como si Sheldon quisiera dañarla a proposito, a partir de ese pensamiento, Annie se otorgara a si misma un pase gratis para someter a Sheldon a un infierno de proporciones epicas.
Esta premisa no es al azar, en la vida real Stephen King recibia cartas de fanaticos con serios problemas de salud mental, donde el desequilibrio de esas mentes era tal que hasta llegaron a amenazarlo de muerte. El motivo? King escribio "Los ojos del dragon", una novela de genero fantastico, donde ciertos fanaticos del terror se sintieron "traicionados".
La palabra "fan" o "fanatico/a" realmente no es de mi agrado. Personalmente no me considero fan de Stephen King (aun cuando comence a leerlo en 1.992, y aun hoy sigo leyendo y releyendolo). Sinceramente pienso que el fanatismo tiene una connotacion negativa, ya que a ciertas personas los lleva a una devocion absoluta, posicionando a la persona admirada en un pedestal de deidad, y como resultado el "fanatico" experimenta una especie de ceguera donde la critica no tiene espacio.
En mi caso hay libros de King que me parecen una genialidad, y hay otros libros que no, asi como tambien hay momentos donde el autor parece tener ciertos problemas con sus finales (si sos un lector constante, sabes de que hablo).
La toxicidad en el fandom siempre existio, solo que en los tiempos de ahora, con el surgimiento de redes sociales, todo eso queda mas expuesto, donde personas que dicen ser fans y adorar a su idolo no dudan en decir cosas espantosas si su idolo sube de peso, se cambia el cabello de color o tiene una relacion amorosa (para dar algunos ejemplos), asi como tambien existe el fenomeno de "guerras" entre fandoms.
Annie Wilkes es el reflejo de lo que siempre existio, fanaticos obsesionados sumado a problemas de salud mental es una pesima combinacion. Si a alguien le interesa, pueden encontrar ejemplos reales en los casos: Ricardo López, John Hinckley, Yolanda Saldivar, Kevin James Loibl, Robert John Bardo (solo para nombrar algunos casos). Cuando la admiracion toma el camino de la obsesion entramos en un terreno muy volatil e impredecible.
Annie tambien expone la falta de respeto en el proceso creativo de los autores, Annie demanda cosas a Sheldon como si el autor escribiera exclusivamente para el contento de Annie, solo le interesa el resultado final, y no como el autor llega a ese resultado. Personalmente pienso que los autores escriben para si mismos, publicando aquellas historas que los propios autores se sienten satisfechos.
Muchos de nosotros los lectores terminamos leyendo libros en dos dias, una semana, o un mes..libros que al autor le llevo dos o tres años escribir (o incluso mas tiempo). Ser escritor no es facil, y ser bombardeado con mensajes maliciosos via redes sociales imagino que sera algo espantoso (asi como tambien la situacion inversa, cuando encontramos autores que denigran o insultan lectores porque no les gusta una reseña).
Las criticas siempre deben ser desde el respeto, abierto al dialogo, lamentablemente no muchas personas entienden esto.
Annie Wilkes y las señales de una nula salud mental
Desde un inicio queda claro que Annie no puede ser catalogada como funcional dentro de la sociedad.
Desde temprana edad hay señales alarmantes, donde Annie esta presente, la muerte esta presente. Nadie parece notar esto, y es por eso que en mas de una oportunidad se sale con la suya y se nos presenta todo como "muertes accidentales" o situaciones donde hubo una mala investigacion.
Annie Wilkes es una asesina serial (por la cantidad de victimas en su haber).
Annie es una enfermera, algo que me llama la atencion es que realmente no hay una historia que acredite como y donde ella obtuvo su titulo de enfermera. Podria ser que Annie aprendio todo desde ser autodidacta? Durante la trama nuestra antogonista una y otra vez repite el concepto "no soy estupida", para ella es vital que nadie la tome por tonta o incapaz. El hecho de que su salud mental no sea optima nada tiene que ver con su capacidad intelectual. Y no hay dudas que Annie es una persona muy inteligente, de otra manera no podria haber escapado de la ley tantas veces.
No es al azar la profesion elegida por Annie, al ser enfermera esta en contacto con gente en estado de vulnerabilidad/enfermedad, donde puede desatar su sadismo al extremo ya que las personas podrian empeorar y esto ser adjudicado a una enfermedad/estado pre-existente.
La nocion de que hay enfermeras/os relacionados con casos criminales es algo que ocurre, especialmente en areas de neonatologia (bebes recien nacidos) y gerontologia (ancianos).
Casos notorios: Charles Cullen, Genene Jones, Beverley Allitt, Elizabeth Wettlaufer, Lucy Letby.
Annie es una persona que en la edad adulta presenta un trastorno de aislamiento, no tiene amigos, ni contacto con familiares, tampoco mantiene un trabajo. El trastorno de aislamiento es tal que presenta altos niveles de ansiedad si una persona al azar llama a su puerta.
Annie es una psicopata, en esta patologia esta presente el trastorno antisocial, ella es violenta, impulsiva, con un comportamiento erratico, no presenta sentimientos de culpa o remordimiento. Es sadica, donde la tortura es moneda corriente bajo el precepto "te torturo porque tu te lo merecias" (Annie jamas admitiria la culpa de algo, siempre son los demas).
Su juicio moral esta distorcionado, donde se horroriza de que alguien diga malas palabras, pero no se horroriza de
La bipolaridad es otro rasgo caracteristico de Annie, con sus enormes cambios de humor. Por momentos puede presentarse como un ser amoroso, para luego dar paso a una perversidad sadica de alto nivel, con estallidos de furia sin limite. De mas esta decir que ese grado de imprevisibilidad la convierte en un ser altamente peligroso.
Annie Wilkes la musa, y la caida vertiginosa de Paul Sheldon
Annie es la musa maliciosa de Sheldon, es inevitable que ella no sea su fuente de inspiracion debido a la situacion de cautiverio del autor. Sheldon debe someterse en todo momento a los deseos de Annie, y aun haciendo eso no es garantia de que la volatil de Annie quede satisfecha. La situacionn de Sheldon en todo momento se asemaja a algo como perdedor-perdedor, donde la esperanza de sobrevivir es absorbida por cada acto sadico de Annie. Para Sheldon el proceso creativo va de la mano con el terror de ser torturado, entrelazado con el pensamiento de que terminar la obra tambien podria significar su muerte.
De donde saca Paul su impulso para sobrevivir? En la aceptacion de que ya no tiene nada por perder, y no hay persona mas peligrosa que aquel que ya no tiene nada por perder..
Un aplauso al arte de King, a su enorme talento demostrando que el uso de dos personajes es mas que suficiente para llevar adelante una historia.
Autor: Stephen King
Motivo de lectura: #StephenKingChallenge
Lectura / Relectura: Relectura
Mi edicion: Tapa dura, 333 paginas, Circulo de lectores
Puntuacion: 5/5
Lei este libro hace muchisimos años atras, y releerlo me dio una nueva oportunidad de revisitar una historia realmente escalofriante.
Esta reseña estara enfocada casi por completo en la antagonista Annie Wilkes y la exploracion de un personaje construido de manera brillante.
La historia gira alrededor de una trama donde el terror es palpable de forma constante, donde los monstruos no son seres deformes, con tres ojos y garras..y ahi es donde radica el verdadero horror, personas como Annie Wilkes existen, pueden estar en la fila de un supermercado, o de un banco, ser la maestra de tu hijo, o la señora amable que siempre alimenta palomas en el parque.
Mi reseña podria contener ciertos spoilers (no directos, pero indicios) para hablar de ciertos topicos es necesario hacer ciertas menciones, asi que ya estan advertidos.
Annie Wilkes la lectora constante y la exploracion del fandom toxico
Este es un libro publicado en 1987, pero Stephen King ya es plenamente conciente de la toxicidad de ciertos individuos que pertenecen a un fandom (notese que no estoy generalizando, lo aclaro para que nadie se sienta ofendido).
Annie Wilkes es una fanatica acerrima de los libros del escritor Paul Sheldon (el protagonista de este libro), quien se autoproclama "la fanatica numero uno", pero cuando la escritura de Sheldon toma el rumbo que Annie no desea se desata el infierno.
Annie pasara de glorificar a Sheldon a tratarlo como un objeto de su propiedad, quien estara sujeto a cumplir los deseos de su "fan numero uno". Annie no tendra escrupulos a la hora de conseguir lo que quiere de su escritor favorito.
En el estado delirante de Annie, toma el giro de trama del ultimo libro de Sheldon como una ofensa personal, como si Sheldon quisiera dañarla a proposito, a partir de ese pensamiento, Annie se otorgara a si misma un pase gratis para someter a Sheldon a un infierno de proporciones epicas.
Esta premisa no es al azar, en la vida real Stephen King recibia cartas de fanaticos con serios problemas de salud mental, donde el desequilibrio de esas mentes era tal que hasta llegaron a amenazarlo de muerte. El motivo? King escribio "Los ojos del dragon", una novela de genero fantastico, donde ciertos fanaticos del terror se sintieron "traicionados".
La palabra "fan" o "fanatico/a" realmente no es de mi agrado. Personalmente no me considero fan de Stephen King (aun cuando comence a leerlo en 1.992, y aun hoy sigo leyendo y releyendolo). Sinceramente pienso que el fanatismo tiene una connotacion negativa, ya que a ciertas personas los lleva a una devocion absoluta, posicionando a la persona admirada en un pedestal de deidad, y como resultado el "fanatico" experimenta una especie de ceguera donde la critica no tiene espacio.
En mi caso hay libros de King que me parecen una genialidad, y hay otros libros que no, asi como tambien hay momentos donde el autor parece tener ciertos problemas con sus finales (si sos un lector constante, sabes de que hablo).
La toxicidad en el fandom siempre existio, solo que en los tiempos de ahora, con el surgimiento de redes sociales, todo eso queda mas expuesto, donde personas que dicen ser fans y adorar a su idolo no dudan en decir cosas espantosas si su idolo sube de peso, se cambia el cabello de color o tiene una relacion amorosa (para dar algunos ejemplos), asi como tambien existe el fenomeno de "guerras" entre fandoms.
Annie Wilkes es el reflejo de lo que siempre existio, fanaticos obsesionados sumado a problemas de salud mental es una pesima combinacion. Si a alguien le interesa, pueden encontrar ejemplos reales en los casos: Ricardo López, John Hinckley, Yolanda Saldivar, Kevin James Loibl, Robert John Bardo (solo para nombrar algunos casos). Cuando la admiracion toma el camino de la obsesion entramos en un terreno muy volatil e impredecible.
Annie tambien expone la falta de respeto en el proceso creativo de los autores, Annie demanda cosas a Sheldon como si el autor escribiera exclusivamente para el contento de Annie, solo le interesa el resultado final, y no como el autor llega a ese resultado. Personalmente pienso que los autores escriben para si mismos, publicando aquellas historas que los propios autores se sienten satisfechos.
Muchos de nosotros los lectores terminamos leyendo libros en dos dias, una semana, o un mes..libros que al autor le llevo dos o tres años escribir (o incluso mas tiempo). Ser escritor no es facil, y ser bombardeado con mensajes maliciosos via redes sociales imagino que sera algo espantoso (asi como tambien la situacion inversa, cuando encontramos autores que denigran o insultan lectores porque no les gusta una reseña).
Las criticas siempre deben ser desde el respeto, abierto al dialogo, lamentablemente no muchas personas entienden esto.
Annie Wilkes y las señales de una nula salud mental
Desde un inicio queda claro que Annie no puede ser catalogada como funcional dentro de la sociedad.
Desde temprana edad hay señales alarmantes, donde Annie esta presente, la muerte esta presente. Nadie parece notar esto, y es por eso que en mas de una oportunidad se sale con la suya y se nos presenta todo como "muertes accidentales" o situaciones donde hubo una mala investigacion.
Annie Wilkes es una asesina serial (por la cantidad de victimas en su haber).
Annie es una enfermera, algo que me llama la atencion es que realmente no hay una historia que acredite como y donde ella obtuvo su titulo de enfermera. Podria ser que Annie aprendio todo desde ser autodidacta? Durante la trama nuestra antogonista una y otra vez repite el concepto "no soy estupida", para ella es vital que nadie la tome por tonta o incapaz. El hecho de que su salud mental no sea optima nada tiene que ver con su capacidad intelectual. Y no hay dudas que Annie es una persona muy inteligente, de otra manera no podria haber escapado de la ley tantas veces.
No es al azar la profesion elegida por Annie, al ser enfermera esta en contacto con gente en estado de vulnerabilidad/enfermedad, donde puede desatar su sadismo al extremo ya que las personas podrian empeorar y esto ser adjudicado a una enfermedad/estado pre-existente.
La nocion de que hay enfermeras/os relacionados con casos criminales es algo que ocurre, especialmente en areas de neonatologia (bebes recien nacidos) y gerontologia (ancianos).
Casos notorios: Charles Cullen, Genene Jones, Beverley Allitt, Elizabeth Wettlaufer, Lucy Letby.
Annie es una persona que en la edad adulta presenta un trastorno de aislamiento, no tiene amigos, ni contacto con familiares, tampoco mantiene un trabajo. El trastorno de aislamiento es tal que presenta altos niveles de ansiedad si una persona al azar llama a su puerta.
Annie es una psicopata, en esta patologia esta presente el trastorno antisocial, ella es violenta, impulsiva, con un comportamiento erratico, no presenta sentimientos de culpa o remordimiento. Es sadica, donde la tortura es moneda corriente bajo el precepto "te torturo porque tu te lo merecias" (Annie jamas admitiria la culpa de algo, siempre son los demas).
Su juicio moral esta distorcionado, donde se horroriza de que alguien diga malas palabras, pero no se horroriza de
La bipolaridad es otro rasgo caracteristico de Annie, con sus enormes cambios de humor. Por momentos puede presentarse como un ser amoroso, para luego dar paso a una perversidad sadica de alto nivel, con estallidos de furia sin limite. De mas esta decir que ese grado de imprevisibilidad la convierte en un ser altamente peligroso.
Annie Wilkes la musa, y la caida vertiginosa de Paul Sheldon
Annie es la musa maliciosa de Sheldon, es inevitable que ella no sea su fuente de inspiracion debido a la situacion de cautiverio del autor. Sheldon debe someterse en todo momento a los deseos de Annie, y aun haciendo eso no es garantia de que la volatil de Annie quede satisfecha. La situacionn de Sheldon en todo momento se asemaja a algo como perdedor-perdedor, donde la esperanza de sobrevivir es absorbida por cada acto sadico de Annie. Para Sheldon el proceso creativo va de la mano con el terror de ser torturado, entrelazado con el pensamiento de que terminar la obra tambien podria significar su muerte.
De donde saca Paul su impulso para sobrevivir? En la aceptacion de que ya no tiene nada por perder, y no hay persona mas peligrosa que aquel que ya no tiene nada por perder..
Un aplauso al arte de King, a su enorme talento demostrando que el uso de dos personajes es mas que suficiente para llevar adelante una historia.
November 21, 2015
Kakav bi par iz pakla bili Džek Torens i Eni Vilks :D
Roman pisan u najboljem maniru starog, dobrog Kinga.
Odličan 5*!
April 4, 2022
Una novela que a pesar de sus únicamente dos personajes es una obra maestra. Tendremos a Paul Sheldon, un escritor exitoso y autor de la saga "Misery", una saga que ha decidido terminar, acabando con su personaje principal.
Paul tiene sus manías, como casi todos los autores, y es que siempre termina sus obras en una misma habitación del mismo hotel... asique una vez que acaba su última novela regresa a su casa y por el camino tiene un accidente. Al despertar, se encuentra en una habitación desconocida, Annie Wilkes, su fan número uno, una enfermera retirada, le ha rescatado y se encargará de cuidarlo de la "mejor" manera posible.
A partir de aqui comienza la historia, y comienza la pesadilla de Paul, ya que Annie es una persona desquiciada, peligrosa, violeta, loca, y capaz de cometer actos bastante crueles. Y en su cabeza no entra que Paul vaya a acabar con Misery.
El ambiente que recrea King, es asfixiante pero a la vez, para mi gusto, alucinante, los pensamientos de Paul están muy bien escrito y consigue que te metas de llano en la historia, sintiendo esa tensión, y esa ansiedad que siente nuestro protagonista, y como poco a poco, Annie consigue llevarlo a su propia locura.
Una novela que engancha solamente por saber, como va a salir de esa situación o como no va a salir, que pasara con Annie, y como acabará todo. He dicho que solo hay dos personajes, pero es verdad que a mitad de la novela, aparecen policias que están buscando a Paul y que tendran su importancia en la trama.
Un final para mi fantástico e inigualable. Una obra excelente que recomiendo siempre.
Para los fans de King, aquellos que habéis leido mucho sobre el autor, Paul Sheldon es un reflejo del propio King, o esa es mi impresión.
Paul tiene sus manías, como casi todos los autores, y es que siempre termina sus obras en una misma habitación del mismo hotel... asique una vez que acaba su última novela regresa a su casa y por el camino tiene un accidente. Al despertar, se encuentra en una habitación desconocida, Annie Wilkes, su fan número uno, una enfermera retirada, le ha rescatado y se encargará de cuidarlo de la "mejor" manera posible.
A partir de aqui comienza la historia, y comienza la pesadilla de Paul, ya que Annie es una persona desquiciada, peligrosa, violeta, loca, y capaz de cometer actos bastante crueles. Y en su cabeza no entra que Paul vaya a acabar con Misery.
El ambiente que recrea King, es asfixiante pero a la vez, para mi gusto, alucinante, los pensamientos de Paul están muy bien escrito y consigue que te metas de llano en la historia, sintiendo esa tensión, y esa ansiedad que siente nuestro protagonista, y como poco a poco, Annie consigue llevarlo a su propia locura.
Una novela que engancha solamente por saber, como va a salir de esa situación o como no va a salir, que pasara con Annie, y como acabará todo. He dicho que solo hay dos personajes, pero es verdad que a mitad de la novela, aparecen policias que están buscando a Paul y que tendran su importancia en la trama.
Un final para mi fantástico e inigualable. Una obra excelente que recomiendo siempre.
Para los fans de King, aquellos que habéis leido mucho sobre el autor, Paul Sheldon es un reflejo del propio King, o esa es mi impresión.
May 6, 2024
Ninguna reseña puede hacer justicia a la experiencia que es devorar esta novela, simplemente hay que leerla.
Desde que nos sumergimos en las primeras páginas se puede apreciar que estamos ante una obra de arte. La versión macabra de las mil y una noches. A cocción lenta, con mimo y vesania ocurren los hechos que nos hacen sufrir y desesperar de manera sobrecogedora. Angustia, intriga, dolor... Sencillamente desgarradora.
El personaje de Annie Wilkes es alucinante, puede meterse en tu cabeza con una facilidad pasmosa, aún así no he conseguido odiarla; es más, es con diferencia uno de los mejores personajes que he visto en una obra.
Si te gusta Stephen King y no la has leído aún, que empiece a escalar puestos en la lista de pendientes. Después de leerla vas a tenerte que entregarte al Novril.
—Si tanto ansías tu libertad, Paul —dijo Annie—, para mí será un placer concedértela.
Y tiró hacia atrás de ambos percutores.
Desde que nos sumergimos en las primeras páginas se puede apreciar que estamos ante una obra de arte. La versión macabra de las mil y una noches. A cocción lenta, con mimo y vesania ocurren los hechos que nos hacen sufrir y desesperar de manera sobrecogedora. Angustia, intriga, dolor... Sencillamente desgarradora.
El personaje de Annie Wilkes es alucinante, puede meterse en tu cabeza con una facilidad pasmosa, aún así no he conseguido odiarla; es más, es con diferencia uno de los mejores personajes que he visto en una obra.
Si te gusta Stephen King y no la has leído aún, que empiece a escalar puestos en la lista de pendientes. Después de leerla vas a tenerte que entregarte al Novril.
—Si tanto ansías tu libertad, Paul —dijo Annie—, para mí será un placer concedértela.
Y tiró hacia atrás de ambos percutores.
September 13, 2021
Todos mis prejuicios de lector sobre King han quedado hechos trizas al terminar Misery.
Qué gran narrador, constructor de personajes emblemáticos de la literatura (como lo es en este caso, Annie Wilkes), una trama obsesiva, aterradora y claustrofóbica.
Aunque conocía la historia, por haber visto la excelente película dirigida por Rob Reiner, estaba todo el día buscando el momento para avanzar en la lectura de este libro.
(Debo decir que la escena del quiebre de los talones en la película me resultó mucho más eficaz que la de la amputación en el libro.)
Qué gran narrador, constructor de personajes emblemáticos de la literatura (como lo es en este caso, Annie Wilkes), una trama obsesiva, aterradora y claustrofóbica.
Aunque conocía la historia, por haber visto la excelente película dirigida por Rob Reiner, estaba todo el día buscando el momento para avanzar en la lectura de este libro.
(Debo decir que la escena del quiebre de los talones en la película me resultó mucho más eficaz que la de la amputación en el libro.)
February 28, 2025
Найкраща книга Кінга серед тих, що я читала це безперечно! Історія, що не відпускає навіть після того, як дочитаєш.
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February 8, 2024перше, кожного разу, як повертаюсь до кінга, стається одне й те саме: від книжки буквально неможливо відірватися. цього разу я навіть скіпнув один робочий мітинг, бо НУ ЩО Ж ТАМ ДАЛІ ОХ НАСИПАЙ ЩЕ ОГО ТА ЛАААДНО. дідо має справжній дар, але це ви й без мене знаєте.
друге, дуже подобається його усвідомленість. мало хто наважиться цитувати “колекціонера” фаулза[1] в книжці про кіднепінг. відстороненості й хисту кінга вистачає, аби обережно вплести референси до класики не вдаючись ні до пієтету, ні до плагіату. тридцять років потому він буде робити схожі речі в “біллі саммерсі”, тільки там все буде крутитись навколо тропу «кілер береться за останню справу».
третє, сприймаю “мізері” як пролог до його нонфіку “про письменство”. кінг тут лише краєчком згадує різні літературні прийоми, описує письменницький азарт та стан потоку, обмірковує межу між мистецтвом і бізнесом, приділяє відносно багато часу речам, що мають прямий або опосередкований вплив на робочий процес. неприховані поради він почне давати лише в 2000-ому.
четверте логічно витікає з третього, цей роман — публічний сеанс психоаналізу та химерно (майстерно) закручена афірмація. типу, в якій пекельній ситуації не опинився б пан письменник, все одно він має писати як не в себе, писати через силу, писати, аби відключитись від реальності та не втратити рештки здорового глузду.
п’яте кудись туди ж, роман має доволі прямолінійний постмодерністський підтекст. типу, популярний автор пише про “справжніх фанатів”, котрі не вміють чекати на нові твори, не приймають найменших відхилень від усталеного шляху, та навіть погрожують письменникам, якщо їм щось дуже сильно не подобається. кінгу подібні персонажі немало крові випили свого часу, тож він нормально по них пройшовся. джордж мартін із розумінням посміхається у свою єбєйшу кепку, а патрік ротфусс нервово тамує гикавку.
шосте, паралелі з готичним романом — це любов. знову таки, працюють на різних рівнях. на прямолінійному, бо той текст, що його пише головний герой, пол шелдон, на вимогу божевільної енні вілкс є відверто готичним, принаймні на початку. працює й на рівні сюжетних алюзій: ну, там, трохи попаяний злодій, що мешкає у віддаленому особняку, запроторює героя на умовне “горище” і паралельно потроху втрачає глузд, доки за вікном виє вітер та ллє дощ зі снігом.
сьоме, бджоли? тисяча й одна ніч? бурка? кіплінг? тантал? прокруст? полишу ці теги собі на потім.
кароч, дідо як завжди. шукаєш саспенсний трилер, але щоб ще й містив додаткові шари? та будь ласка, в асортименті.
[1] кінг цитує фаулза в епіграфі до третього розділу: в обраному фрагменті письменництво порівнюється з наркотиком, що допомагає втекти від стрьомної реальності, і ця думка належить головній героїні, але в українській версії “мізері” цей текст прописаний в чоловічій особі. оригінальний шматок доволі відокремлений: можна було б взагалі без згадок будь-якої статі перекласти. з повагою, ваш душніла.
друге, дуже подобається його усвідомленість. мало хто наважиться цитувати “колекціонера” фаулза[1] в книжці про кіднепінг. відстороненості й хисту кінга вистачає, аби обережно вплести референси до класики не вдаючись ні до пієтету, ні до плагіату. тридцять років потому він буде робити схожі речі в “біллі саммерсі”, тільки там все буде крутитись навколо тропу «кілер береться за останню справу».
третє, сприймаю “мізері” як пролог до його нонфіку “про письменство”. кінг тут лише краєчком згадує різні літературні прийоми, описує письменницький азарт та стан потоку, обмірковує межу між мистецтвом і бізнесом, приділяє відносно багато часу речам, що мають прямий або опосередкований вплив на робочий процес. неприховані поради він почне давати лише в 2000-ому.
четверте логічно витікає з третього, цей роман — публічний сеанс психоаналізу та химерно (майстерно) закручена афірмація. типу, в якій пекельній ситуації не опинився б пан письменник, все одно він має писати як не в себе, писати через силу, писати, аби відключитись від реальності та не втратити рештки здорового глузду.
п’яте кудись туди ж, роман має доволі прямолінійний постмодерністський підтекст. типу, популярний автор пише про “справжніх фанатів”, котрі не вміють чекати на нові твори, не приймають найменших відхилень від усталеного шляху, та навіть погрожують письменникам, якщо їм щось дуже сильно не подобається. кінгу подібні персонажі немало крові випили свого часу, тож він нормально по них пройшовся. джордж мартін із розумінням посміхається у свою єбєйшу кепку, а патрік ротфусс нервово тамує гикавку.
шосте, паралелі з готичним романом — це любов. знову таки, працюють на різних рівнях. на прямолінійному, бо той текст, що його пише головний герой, пол шелдон, на вимогу божевільної енні вілкс є відверто готичним, принаймні на початку. працює й на рівні сюжетних алюзій: ну, там, трохи попаяний злодій, що мешкає у віддаленому особняку, запроторює героя на умовне “горище” і паралельно потроху втрачає глузд, доки за вікном виє вітер та ллє дощ зі снігом.
сьоме, бджоли? тисяча й одна ніч? бурка? кіплінг? тантал? прокруст? полишу ці теги собі на потім.
кароч, дідо як завжди. шукаєш саспенсний трилер, але щоб ще й містив додаткові шари? та будь ласка, в асортименті.
[1] кінг цитує фаулза в епіграфі до третього розділу: в обраному фрагменті письменництво порівнюється з наркотиком, що допомагає втекти від стрьомної реальності, і ця думка належить головній героїні, але в українській версії “мізері” цей текст прописаний в чоловічій особі. оригінальний шматок доволі відокремлений: можна було б взагалі без згадок будь-якої статі перекласти. з повагою, ваш душніла.
February 25, 2024
Детальніше – у 26 випуску подкасту "небагатослів".
Те, що Кінг написав топовий роман, - це одна справа. Зовсім інша - коли помічаєш, що це - свого роду рекурсивна алегорія: всесвітньовідомий Стівен Кінг, який теж може мати злети і падіння, пише про Пола Шелдона, який зазнає мук творчості (а ці муки виходять на небачений рівень, коли він, скалічений, потрапляє до дому своєї рятівниці-катівниці Енні Вілкс), а Пол пише роман, в якому зчитуються алюзії на його поневіряння і як автора, і як бранця божевільної Енні. Кінг написав не просто черговий трилер-бестселер, але й роздуми про ціну творчості. Просто загорнув їх у специфічну обгортку.
Те, що Кінг написав топовий роман, - це одна справа. Зовсім інша - коли помічаєш, що це - свого роду рекурсивна алегорія: всесвітньовідомий Стівен Кінг, який теж може мати злети і падіння, пише про Пола Шелдона, який зазнає мук творчості (а ці муки виходять на небачений рівень, коли він, скалічений, потрапляє до дому своєї рятівниці-катівниці Енні Вілкс), а Пол пише роман, в якому зчитуються алюзії на його поневіряння і як автора, і як бранця божевільної Енні. Кінг написав не просто черговий трилер-бестселер, але й роздуми про ціну творчості. Просто загорнув їх у специфічну обгортку.
July 15, 2020
Realno 4.5
Falilo mi je malo više morbidnosti😂. Možda glupo zvuči ali zaista sam očekivala više bizarnih scena, a ne samo ono što je dato u sinopsisu. Kako god, to i nije jedina poenta ove knjige tako da je sve ostalo savršeno odradjeno.
Falilo mi je malo više morbidnosti😂. Možda glupo zvuči ali zaista sam očekivala više bizarnih scena, a ne samo ono što je dato u sinopsisu. Kako god, to i nije jedina poenta ove knjige tako da je sve ostalo savršeno odradjeno.
September 29, 2024
This was terrifying and horrid. The only reason I picked it up is because my goddaughter’s school is putting it on as a play next month, and I wanted to read it first. This is the kind of thing nightmares are made of.
March 27, 2025
ця книга потрапляє в мій топ-3 книг Кінга.
до Кінга можна ставитися по-різному, але, чорт забирай, писати дядя вміє таки майстерно!
я завчасно знала, що книга мені сподобається. о, диво, так і сталось. ну бо книжка про книжки, якби. а ще є згадки іншого мого улюбленого твору Кінга. за що плюсик, безперечно. як і за згадки книг, літературних прийомів, всього того, що занурює читача якраз таки у цю книжкову рекурсію.
книга відчувається, наче занурення в крижану воду. тут і про одержимість, і про тваринний страх, і про залежність, і про жагу до життя, і про межу, яку можна перейти. і про птср, зрештою. що таке страждання і які вони? а що таке справедливість?
Енні постає цим образом наркотичної залежності, що Пола, що самого Кінга. і ми бачимо трансформацію людини, відмову й розірвання ланцюга залежності.
та, власне, сама Енні тепер в списку моїх улюблених книжкових психопатів.
книга просякнута різними образами, проте найважливіші, я б сказала, це:
1) друкарська машинка, яка демонструє компульсивну потребу Пола творити;
2) Африка представляє "реальний" світ поза в'язницею будинку Енні - і зростаючу відстань Пола від цієї реальності;
3) припливи та погода символізують пастку, сили, поза контролем Пола. погода це також і про мінливий настрій Енні, як і пори року.
4) назва книги теж досить важлива, але залишаю це вам на роздуми.
роман можна розбирати дуже детально і обговорювати кожну напружену сцену окремо. неодмінно колись перечитаю ще раз. адже в книзі головне це не розвʼязка, а саме те як відбувається битва двох світів: Енні та Пола. і ця битва прописана масштабно та в кращих традиціях саспенсу.
до Кінга можна ставитися по-різному, але, чорт забирай, писати дядя вміє таки майстерно!
я завчасно знала, що книга мені сподобається. о, диво, так і сталось. ну бо книжка про книжки, якби. а ще є згадки іншого мого улюбленого твору Кінга. за що плюсик, безперечно. як і за згадки книг, літературних прийомів, всього того, що занурює читача якраз таки у цю книжкову рекурсію.
книга відчувається, наче занурення в крижану воду. тут і про одержимість, і про тваринний страх, і про залежність, і про жагу до життя, і про межу, яку можна перейти. і про птср, зрештою. що таке страждання і які вони? а що таке справедливість?
Енні постає цим образом наркотичної залежності, що Пола, що самого Кінга. і ми бачимо трансформацію людини, відмову й розірвання ланцюга залежності.
та, власне, сама Енні тепер в списку моїх улюблених книжкових психопатів.
книга просякнута різними образами, проте найважливіші, я б сказала, це:
1) друкарська машинка, яка демонструє компульсивну потребу Пола творити;
2) Африка представляє "реальний" світ поза в'язницею будинку Енні - і зростаючу відстань Пола від цієї реальності;
3) припливи та погода символізують пастку, сили, поза контролем Пола. погода це також і про мінливий настрій Енні, як і пори року.
4) назва книги теж досить важлива, але залишаю це вам на роздуми.
роман можна розбирати дуже детально і обговорювати кожну напружену сцену окремо. неодмінно колись перечитаю ще раз. адже в книзі головне це не розвʼязка, а саме те як відбувається битва двох світів: Енні та Пола. і ця битва прописана масштабно та в кращих традиціях саспенсу.
August 8, 2021
Знаєте є окуляри VR? Ті що доповненої реальності. То я хочу авторитетно заявити, що з Кінгом ті окуляри не потрібні геть. Він так пише, що ти себе уявляєш ВЖЕ в сюжеті. Ти стаєш свідком всього того, що коїться. Не просто читаєш, а відчуваєш, здається що, весь біль та памороки. От наскільки реально майстерно він вміє писати🙈🙈🙈
Чесно, книга страшна, не уявляю кому і її буду радити, але менше 5 не поставлю, бо повірила кожному слову, думці та дії.
Чесно, книга страшна, не уявляю кому і її буду радити, але менше 5 не поставлю, бо повірила кожному слову, думці та дії.
October 2, 2016
Verovatno najgora stvar koja može da vam se desi jeste da se povredite i da, obzirom na to da ste u nemogućnost da usled povrede pomognete sami sebi, imate tu nesreću da je jedina prisutna osoba koja vam može pomoći psihički obolela.
Pol Šeldon ne samo da je imao automobilsku nesreću u kojoj se povredio, već je imao i nesreću da mu jedina u pomoć pritekne Eni Vilks, bivša medicinska sestra i njegov najveći fan. Pogađate, Pol Šeldon je pisac, a Eni u trenutku kada se nesreća dogodila završava čitanje Polovog romana čija je glavna junakinja izvesna Mizeri. Kada otkrije da je Pol ubio glavnu protagonistkinju, nezamisliv horor počinje za Pola jer Eni odbija da prihvati Mizerinu smrt i odlučuje da natera Pola da napiše novu knjigu o njoj, samo za nju. Maltretiranje, bilo fizičko, bilo psihičko postaje Polova stvarnost i svakodnevica iz koje on mora da pobegne kako bi se spasao. Međutim, u svoj toj borbi Pol uspeva da nađe način kako da počne da piše novu verodostojnu priču o Mizeri, ne znajući da li će je završiti i da li će skončati u Eninoj sobi zatvoren, povređen, osakaćen i gurnut u najdublji ponor poniženja. Situacija je utoliko gora jer Pol saznaje i zašto je Eni bivša bolničarka, a spoznaja tih okolnosti samo produbljuje već postojeći užas.
Borba sa Eni Vilks i sa samim sobom je nešto što će vas držati napetim i nešto što će vas pošteno naplašiti. Koliko je samo hrabrosti potrebno da se prihvati situacija u kojoj se nalazimo i smogne snaga da se nastavi dalje, vidimo u ovoj priči koja se od početka svodi na beg i preživljavanje.
Pol Šeldon ne samo da je imao automobilsku nesreću u kojoj se povredio, već je imao i nesreću da mu jedina u pomoć pritekne Eni Vilks, bivša medicinska sestra i njegov najveći fan. Pogađate, Pol Šeldon je pisac, a Eni u trenutku kada se nesreća dogodila završava čitanje Polovog romana čija je glavna junakinja izvesna Mizeri. Kada otkrije da je Pol ubio glavnu protagonistkinju, nezamisliv horor počinje za Pola jer Eni odbija da prihvati Mizerinu smrt i odlučuje da natera Pola da napiše novu knjigu o njoj, samo za nju. Maltretiranje, bilo fizičko, bilo psihičko postaje Polova stvarnost i svakodnevica iz koje on mora da pobegne kako bi se spasao. Međutim, u svoj toj borbi Pol uspeva da nađe način kako da počne da piše novu verodostojnu priču o Mizeri, ne znajući da li će je završiti i da li će skončati u Eninoj sobi zatvoren, povređen, osakaćen i gurnut u najdublji ponor poniženja. Situacija je utoliko gora jer Pol saznaje i zašto je Eni bivša bolničarka, a spoznaja tih okolnosti samo produbljuje već postojeći užas.
Borba sa Eni Vilks i sa samim sobom je nešto što će vas držati napetim i nešto što će vas pošteno naplašiti. Koliko je samo hrabrosti potrebno da se prihvati situacija u kojoj se nalazimo i smogne snaga da se nastavi dalje, vidimo u ovoj priči koja se od početka svodi na beg i preživljavanje.
July 13, 2025
Ох і книга! Одна з найкращих у Стівена Кінга. Майстерно написана, просто шикарно!
March 4, 2022
Držala me je na ivici do samog kraja. Naročito poslednjih tridesetak strana.
Nisam još sabrala sve utiske, ali nema veze, biće video svakako.
King je uspeo da sa samo dva lika kreira kompleksnu i kompletnu priču. Prava je sreća da je ovo bio buddy read i da sam imala s kim da komentarišem psihološke procese likova i zadrem u njihovu suštinu. Ili barem ono što mislim da je njihova suština.
Iako ima nekoliko scena koje su neverovatno odvratne i brutalne i kakve uvek iščekujem kada čitam Kinga, psihološke igre i psihička stanja likova, koji čine veći deo knjige, ni u jednom momentu čitanja nisu mi bili dosadni. Saživela sam se sa likovima, srasla sam sa njima. Kroz sve situacije sam prolazila zajedno sa njima, što je kod mene retkost, jer sam ja distanciran čitalac, koji voli da posmatra sa strane.
Ovo je bila deveta Kingova knjiga koju sam pročitala i na toj listi od devet knjiga se prilično visoko kotira.
https://youtu.be/ZDnq2Iv84gU
Nisam još sabrala sve utiske, ali nema veze, biće video svakako.
King je uspeo da sa samo dva lika kreira kompleksnu i kompletnu priču. Prava je sreća da je ovo bio buddy read i da sam imala s kim da komentarišem psihološke procese likova i zadrem u njihovu suštinu. Ili barem ono što mislim da je njihova suština.
Iako ima nekoliko scena koje su neverovatno odvratne i brutalne i kakve uvek iščekujem kada čitam Kinga, psihološke igre i psihička stanja likova, koji čine veći deo knjige, ni u jednom momentu čitanja nisu mi bili dosadni. Saživela sam se sa likovima, srasla sam sa njima. Kroz sve situacije sam prolazila zajedno sa njima, što je kod mene retkost, jer sam ja distanciran čitalac, koji voli da posmatra sa strane.
Ovo je bila deveta Kingova knjiga koju sam pročitala i na toj listi od devet knjiga se prilično visoko kotira.
https://youtu.be/ZDnq2Iv84gU
August 8, 2025
Opinião em vídeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuPT...
Li Misery em 1998, mas vi o filme pela primeira vez nos anos 90 e inda hoje, mais de 30 anos depois, esta história continua colada à minha cabeça e ao coração.
Misery é o meu livro preferido do mestre Stephen King.
Para quem nunca leu King, este é um ótimo ponto de partida. Não é um calhamaço, é super acessível e tem um ritmo viciante. Paul Sheldon, o escritor preso no gelo e depois… na casa da sua “número um fã”, Annie Wilkes (para mim, a melhor vilã de sempre). É uma história de tensão pura, obsessão e clausura.
A adaptação ao cinema é fidelíssima, Kathy Bates está monstruosa e o enredo é simplesmente brilhante.
Se ainda não leram, façam favor. E se já leram… é sempre bom voltar.
Clássico absoluto. Não há mais nada a dizer.
Li Misery em 1998, mas vi o filme pela primeira vez nos anos 90 e inda hoje, mais de 30 anos depois, esta história continua colada à minha cabeça e ao coração.
Misery é o meu livro preferido do mestre Stephen King.
Para quem nunca leu King, este é um ótimo ponto de partida. Não é um calhamaço, é super acessível e tem um ritmo viciante. Paul Sheldon, o escritor preso no gelo e depois… na casa da sua “número um fã”, Annie Wilkes (para mim, a melhor vilã de sempre). É uma história de tensão pura, obsessão e clausura.
A adaptação ao cinema é fidelíssima, Kathy Bates está monstruosa e o enredo é simplesmente brilhante.
Se ainda não leram, façam favor. E se já leram… é sempre bom voltar.
Clássico absoluto. Não há mais nada a dizer.
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