Reviews with content warning for Violence - Misery

I read misery in a single weekend. I truly felt transported into the horrific and small world that Paul was trapped in. The premise feels a bit silly, 'a writer is kidnapped and forced to write their series sequel by a violent super fan' but King manages to make it, not just believable, but frightening. Although I will say this book was not as scary as some of the other King novels I've read -a positive in my opinion!

At times the book can feel very meta, the main character mentions how plot points wouldn't happen in a book, moments like this challenged me as a reader to question my own engagement with the story, how it was made and who it is made for. Another interesting theme the story explores is escapism as a coping mechanism. Ultimately Paul's escape from Annie through drugs and writing is effective in the moment, but nonetheless exposes uncomfortable truths about himself that he struggles to cope with. Reading as an activity itself is inherently escapist, so the exploration of escapism held a mirror up to me as the reader and forced me to question myself. It's truly great writing that manages to find the balance between changing the reader and entertaining them.

Content Warnings

buud_w0rm's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

t_bun's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

dantemkunc's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

zaria86's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

tyelperinquar's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Funny that the last book I finished before my reading break was a King book and this book, the one that got me back into reading again, is also a King book.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this one. Everything takes place within Annie Wilkes’s house, and the tension in the book comes from wondering what Annie will do to Paul next, and wondering if Paul will be able to get out of it alive. (Can you, Paulie?)
For fans of more traditional thrillers, there may not be enough action, because there’s a lot of Paul writing and a lot of him just being cooped up in the bedroom Annie keeps him in. But for people who enjoy psychological thrillers, tense character interactions, exploring the psyche of the main characters, and watching how a traumatic situation can change a person, there’s a lot to enjoy.

This is only the second King book I’ve read, but the guy’s a bit weird about sex. There are some non-rape situations in the book that he describes as rape which are really uncomfortable to read, but I guess that’s the goal? Still, I don’t particularly appreciate them. That’s the one thing about King’s writing that irks me— otherwise, I adore how he’s able to craft a narrative and portray characters and the scenes they’re in.

I listened to an audiobook recording of this book— Lindsay Crouse was a phenomenal narrator. Her voice for Annie was absolutely spot-on, and the emotion she can conjure up made the story that much more immersive. Highly, highly recommend giving it a listen for her voice work.

I was really worried the book was going to end with

the scene where Annie chops Paul’s head off

, but that ends up not being the case. Thank God. Figuring out the details at the end about

where Annie was found in the barn and how she was holding a chainsaw

… that was chilling.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Very easy to listen to and pick up. And what can I say, I love reading about men who get into awful situations and are traumatized about it. It’s cathartic. Thanks for your service, Paulie!

Content Warnings

pumkinn's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

More...