Misery

Stephen King

Jan 2016 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Lindsay Crouse

About this audiobook

The #1 New York Times bestseller about a famous novelist held hostage in a remote location by his “number one fan.” One of “Stephen King’s best…genuinely scary” (USA TODAY).

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

“King at his best…a winner!” —The New York Times
“Unadulteratedly terrifying…frightening.” —Publishers Weekly
“Classic King…full of twists and turns and mounting suspense.” —The Boston Globe

Ratings and reviews

Has a whole lot of "gotta", along with a whole lot of (at times gratuitous) gore. But overall very entertaining, and has some interesting ruminations on the process of writing itself.

Such a wonderfully neurotic character to make this story absolutely perfect! I loved the "Story within the story" that is merely touched on in the movie version. Along with so many other changes for the movie. This book is just one of my favorites... (it's so hard to pick just 1 or 5) I've read just about all of King's books and eventhough they are not for everyone, I can't imagine anyone not liking this book!!

I have to say that this is my very favorite book and movie by Stephen King. I thought it was fascinating and unique and I really loved it. But if you really want to read a book that's really psychologically bizarre I think you should read "Adam" by Ted Dekker. The only thing disappointing is the people they pick to read these books. Their voices are undramatic they got the kind of voice that's just normal everyday and it adds no intensity or interest it's like listening to a newscaster.

About the author

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, Doctor Sleep, and Firestarter are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.

Lindsay Crouse is an award-winning veteran of the New York stage. In television she has guest-starred on Law and Order, E.R., C.S.I., NYPD Blue, Alias, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Some of her best loved films include The Verdict, House of Games, The Insider, Daniel, Slapshot, Indian In The Cupboard and Places in the Heart, for which she received an Academy Award nomination.