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.

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.

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.

- Stephen King wrote Misery on a table located at a converted laundry room in his home, making it one of several novels he wrote in unconventional spaces.
- The novel Misery was inspired in part by King's own experiences with fan reactions, exploring themes of obsession and the relationship between authors and their audience.
- Misery was partly inspired by King's short story titled "The Bodyguard," which was never published, but the idea of an author being held captive by an obsessed fan was reused.

**Paul Sheldon**  
A bestselling author known for his romance novels centered around the character Misery Chastain. He is a tall, middle-aged man with a history of divorce and alcohol addiction.

**Annie Wilkes**  
A middle-aged woman living on a remote farm in Colorado, who is Paul Sheldon's self-proclaimed "number-one fan." A former nurse with a conservative appearance, she exhibits unpredictable mood swings and a dangerous obsession with Paul's work.

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Book Brief

Explore Misery reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief Misery

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Overview

Get ready to explore Misery and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Misery Summary and Study Guide

Background

Misery Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: "Annie"

Part 1: Annie

Misery Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: "Misery"

Part 2: Misery

Misery Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: "Paul"

Part 3: Paul

Misery Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: "Goddess"

Part 4: Goddess

Misery Part 4 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Misery Character Analysis

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Themes

Misery Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Misery Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Misery Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Misery Essay Topics

Misery Teaching Unit

Introduction

Misery Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

Misery Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Misery Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

Misery Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Misery Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

Misery Activities

Essay Questions

Misery Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Misery Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Misery Exam Answer Key

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Misery

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Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Misery?

Paul Sheldon

Annie Wilkes