Misery

Rating:
Summary: Another enticing read!
Review: I know I say that about alot of King books, but there are a few I don't like. Misery is best read... then watch the movie... then read it again. I love what they did with the film, but the book is always a great way to create your own vision.

I'm not a big reader so anything that has me wanting to pick the book back up several times a day ranks high with me.

Rating:
Summary: Was I in misery while reading this book? Definitely not!
Review: I have to say that Steven King's novel, Misery, was the best Steven King novel I have ever read. Usually when I read one of his novels, I'm disappointed with the levels of sex and swearwords that replace the horror associated with the name Steven King.
In Misery, Paul Sheldon, the protagonist, had a passionate fear of Annie Wilkes, the antagonist, and aside from the physical damage she caused him, the psychological damage was far worse, and more captivating for the reader. The mood of seclusion was felt due to the fact that, for most of the story, there were only two characters. Out there in the wilderness, anyone could get away with murder, and no one would know. Although Paul feared for his life, he also burned with a greater passion; to resurrect his romance novel heroine, Misery. Sure, Annie cut off Paul's foot and thumb, but she also reanimated Paul's desire to write. In fact, the need to complete this novel was the only thing keeping him from making an actual attempt at escaping. These conflicts of interest, life and freedom versus once again having creative genius, make the book intriguing and hard to put down; as Paul would say, the gotta.
I definitely recommend this novel because the constant fear of a psychopathic ex-nurse who likes to use an axe, an electric knife, and a riding mower to get her way demanded my full attention. I also like the hallucinated ending Paul makes up for himself. At that point, I did put the book down because it was a little too creepy then. I had become so involved in the lives of these fictional people that I could feel Annie in my room too. The book was a little more realistic for me because I live in Colorado and have lived in Boulder. The story takes place in the mountains right around that area and the factual parts of the book, like names and locations, were familiar to me, which made the book seem more real. Once again, Steven King's Misery is a (horroribly) good book that hooks the reader and never lets go until the end.(I would have given it 6 stars if I could have; it was just that good!)

Rating:
Summary: King's best non-Dark Tower book...
Review: This book is SK at his best. The characters in this book have such depth and dimension, they completely take you away from your reality and envelop you in theirs.

This novel was perhaps the most suspenseful I've ever read, and the ending is fantastic. If you've seen the film (also great), buy the book, too, because there are enough differences to make the book better! Go get it!

Rating:
Summary: Chills down my spine!
Review: Stephen King took me into a world of torture, pain, and exiety! Annie Wilkes is a horrifing chracter that gave me chills down my spine. She seemed so real. This book is about a writer who is kept as a prisoner in his number one fan's isolated house. Her name is Annie Wilkes. SHe is a psyco that wants him to write another sequel to "Misery," Annie's favorite series. If little Paulie does something wrong... she has different ways to keep him going with his writing.. a sledge hammer and such. Read this book! You won't put it down! One of King's best ever! (not recomended to children, strong use of profanity!)

Rating:
Summary: Yet another astounding novel from the King of horror.
Review: Stephen King again delivers to his readers the truely terrifying material we expect. Admittedly I was a little frustrated by the length of the novel and the gaps between momentous occasions, but it is the attention to detail which really brings this novel to life.
The fact that the tension and anticipation to read more arises from the actions of a formidable person as apposed to a supernatural force intensifies the terror we share with Paul Sheldon and his mentally disturbed number one fan, Annie Wilkes.
This book was an excellent read from start to finish (even though some parts dragged a little).
I would say to anyone who hasn't seen the absolutely appalling film adaptation, which doesn't portray the true terror of Annie - don't bother! You MUST read this instead!

Rating:
Summary: Watch the movie instead
Review: Wonderful plot. Appalling storytelling. That pretty much sums up the novel. You are better off watching the movie instead, where James Cahn and Cathy Bates put up a fantastic performance.

Confession: I don't like SK's style anyway. I managed to read just 2 of his book till the end (The Shining and Misery). I read Misery after I watched the movie. Bad idea. The novel doesn't come anywhere close to the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Average King
Review: King is the king... of his own creations. I will not deny that this is a good book, with good development. It is better than most of what this man has written, in that it actually holds the interest of the reader for the most part. If you enjoy King's writing, this is a great book to read. If you are alone and want a "freaky" thriller, this is a great read also. I wouldn't recommend it to somebody trying to find a truly amazing novel. King's ideas flow, but his plots, characters, and words do not. Enjoyable

Rating:
Summary: The word monotone could have been coined to describe this
Review: very interesting to read the other reviews. This book was completely wrecked for me by its unrelieved er ... misery. In all Kings best work (and I'm a big fan), happiness and unhappiness compliment each other nicely, balancing the tone of the novel.

The other very simple fault King is prone to, an american disease almost, is too many 'happy' endings. In his best works, like pet sematary there is always doubt and ambiguity. Why are americans so addicted to happy endings in horror novels?

Rating:
Summary: The best stephen king book
Review: I loved this book. It was much scarier than his other books in the fact that it can happen in real life. Most of his other books are about things that can't happen; the supernatural, ghosts, werewolves, etc. Misery started some of his more mature style of writing; writing about the inner demons that really do, sadly and scarily, live inside some people. Misery also started King's writng about things that can happen. The best book. and the best movie go see it too.

Rating:
Summary: Misery Made Me Miserable
Review: Before finally picking up Misery, I had read many great reviews for it. Three of my friends had even recommended the book to me. I just had a feeling this book was gonna be good. Boy, was I wrong.

In the fictional world of Misery, best-selling novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued after an automobile accident by his number one fan. Annie Wilkes saved his life, and Paul as a prisoner, is forced to pay her back with his greatest work. If it isn't perfect, she's got an axe on one hand, and a rife on the other.

I like action. Everybody likes action. Don't get me wrong, for I did not expect Misery to be action throughout but the repetitive imaging and symoblizing just does it. It becomes a real drag. The story begins to pick up around page 70. Then it slows down after a few pages. Then it speeds up again around 250, only to mire until the last couple of pages.

The worst part of Misery is reading the novel Paul is constrained to write for his number one fan. As a reader, I was tortured to read fifty or more pages of Paul's writing. No exaggeration, nor offense when I say that I thought Charles Dickens took over. At one point, Paul can no longer type so he begins to write the story longhand. You would agree that he has the worst handwriting because you cannot read a thing. I don't know if this is only the case for the mass paperback edition, or King intended it.

Misery is all in one setting - Annie Wilkes's territory. With this drawback, King is left with no choice but to fill it up with an indepth description of the captive's mentality. I am astonished by those who claim Misery to be a page-by-page thriller.