107 pages • 3 hours read
Stephen KingMisery
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1987A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Written in 1987, Stephen King's psychological horror novel Misery tells the story of Paul Sheldon, a best-selling American author, who is rescued from a car accident by his self-proclaimed "number-one fan," a former nurse named Annie Wilkes. His rescuer's obsessive behavior turns perilous as she keeps him captive and forces him to write a new novel, Misery's Return, leading Paul to fight for his life. The book includes graphic depictions of violence and substance use.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Stephen King's Misery captivates with its intense psychological thriller elements and vivid character development. Praised for its gripping narrative and suspense, the novel showcases King's mastery in creating tension. However, some critics find the violence excessive and the pacing uneven at times, potentially alienating readers unaccustomed to horror fiction.
Who Should Read Misery?
Fans of psychological thrillers with a taste for suspense and horror will find Misery by Stephen King captivating. Comparable to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, this novel attracts readers who enjoy intense narratives, complex characters, and the interplay of fear and human resilience.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
860LBook Details
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Classic Fiction