Misery

The novel's second section begins with the first chapter of Misery's Return, the novel Annie is forcing Paul to write. The novel is dedicated to Annie Wilkes. It begins with Ian Carmichael, Misery's husband, coming into their house after a rainstorm. Ian reflects on Misery's "long and hard" labor and how the bleeding the labor caused could have killed her. Mrs. Ramage, the Carmichael's maid, greets Ian as he walks inside. Ian hears his son crying in the other room but knows his "capable nurse" (110), Annie Wilkes, will take care of him.

Misery enters the room and greets her husband. Ian runs to her, holding her in his arms. Mrs. Ramage remembers how Misery had only survived her labor because the doctor arrived and performed a transfusion with Ian's blood. Ian tells Misery he would have died with her if she had died. She hushes him and they kiss.

After reading the first three pages of Misery's Return, Annie tells Paul, "It's not right." Taken aback, Paul asks her what she means. Annie says it's beautiful but "it's a cheat" (112). Annie points out the continuity error between the end of Misery's Child and the explanation of how Misery survived giving birth.