Misery

Published: 1987

Misery (1987) is a claustrophobic psychological thriller about bestselling romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued after a car crash by former nurse Annie Wilkes, his self-proclaimed 'number one fan.' When Annie discovers Paul has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain, in his latest manuscript, she holds him captive, forcing him to write a new novel resurrecting Misery while subjecting him to psychological and physical torture. King wrote Misery during his recovery from cocaine and alcohol addiction, later acknowledging that Annie Wilkes represented his addiction—a controlling force demanding more of the same from him—while Paul embodied his desire to move beyond genre fiction. The novel strips away supernatural elements entirely, focusing on human horror and the terrifying dynamic between creator and obsessive fan. Critics hailed Misery as one of King's most accomplished works, praising its tight focus, psychological depth, and meta-commentary on writing and fame. The book won the 1988 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel and remains highly regarded in King's canon. The 1990 film adaptation starring James Caan and Kathy Bates (who won an Academy Award for her performance) brought the story to an even wider audience. King has frequently cited Misery as a personal favorite among his works, appreciating its stripped-down nature and exploration of the writing process under duress. For many readers, the novel stands as King's most mature and refined work from this period, demonstrating his ability to create maximum terror without supernatural elements. The book's exploration of the toxic relationship between creators and their audience remains prescient in the social media age, making it perhaps more relevant now than when first published. Annie Wilkes consistently ranks among the most terrifying villains in literature, made all the more frightening by her human complexity.

Themes

• Obsession
• Captivity
• Fan culture
• Pain
• Art and control

Adaptations

• 1990 Oscar-winning film starring Kathy Bates and James Caan

Collector Notes

Won the first Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. First editions are widely available, but film tie-ins and signed copies remain popular with collectors.