I'm so excited about this next read, I can barely stand it. For a little update, I decided to call it quits on the Interview with A Vampire series for now. It's not that I didn't enjoy what I have read, but it is a bit dense for my liking at the moment. I've been continuing my Stephen King binge and this review shall be no different! I'm very happy to present Misery by Stephen King!
I don't want to get bogged down in the beginning here, so let's get started!
First Impressions:
- I have heard so much about this book, that I kind of already had an idea about how I'd like it. (Not the mention all the pop culture references this novel has created) I really couldn't help but include it in my latest book haul. It has such a wicked reputation... I honestly can't wait to delve fully in.
- I loved how this book starts off. It begins right in the middle of the action, really. Another reason why I love Stephen King is for beginnings like this. I'm not one to enjoy an extremely long exposition, and this book delivers on that for sure.
- Right out of the gate with the, well, Misery! I can already tell this book is going to be insanely shocking, and maybe even downright horrifying. Movies and TV can only portray King's writing so well... he really is the master of horror.
Plot:
- This book is centered around a writer named Paul Sheldon. He has finished the last installment of the Misery series, and has finished the first chapter of his next novel. Paul is traveling in Maine when his car crashes and he is presumably left for dead. However, a woman rescues him... but turns out to be his nightmare.
- The woman's name is Annie Wilkes, and she is nothing short of insane. She lives out in the high mountains of Colorado, far away from much of civilization. Boasting of being Sheldon's "biggest fan" she pulls him from his vehicle and takes him home. Paul wakes up in a room, one in which he'll spend most of his time for the next year, with seriously disfigured legs. We aren't sure what turn the story is going to turn, until Annie finds the newest Misery novel. A novel which brings to an end the popular series, killing off the main character (and Annie's favorite heroine).
- The newest novel sends Annie into fits of rage, and Paul is injured countless times at her hand. These injuries are a bit too graphic for me to include details (and it would spoil the fun).
- Paul soon realized that this woman is not going to let him go. After many disturbing injuries, she pushes Paul to burn a manuscript for his next non-Misery novel and return to the popular series. She forces him to begin work on Misery Return (against his will of course).
- Over this time of helpless creation, Paul becomes addicted to pain medication (Norvill specifically) and begins to play the part of Annie's pet.
- The bulk of the book is Paul slipping slowly into insanity, barely being kept alive by Annie (perviously a nurse) as he completes a novel for her. But, one day, Annie leaves Paul unattended for several hours. He manages to maneuver the rinky-dink wheel chair Annie confines him to, and begins to snoop around her home. What he finds changes the fear in these pages into pure terror. Annie owns a scrap book. A collection of all the lives she's taken (mostly those who had her as a caregiver) with each photo including an endearing nickname for the dead.
- At this point, Paul understands exactly who he is dealing with. I don't want to include the bulk of her insanity as I found it really haunting and surprising. I'll leave the horror up to you, lovely reader.
- As the book draws closer to an end, the town seemingly becomes suspicious of Annie and the missing Paul. Being a top tear creative, Paul is sure is car was found and that he is being looked for. Sure enough a Sheriff stops at the cabin, asking questions and showing Paul's photo around. Annie plays the part well, but can't eliminate all suspicion. Paul, on the other hand, decides that this is his break. He makes himself known to the officer.... much to the horror of the reader.
- Annie swoops in and murders the young Sheriff (the way is much too horrific to include here) and disposes of the evidence. Paul, at this moment, feels completely hopeless. He is then locked in the basement, left the dead, until Annie returns from hiding the body at her "Laughing Place". What he doesn't know is that she will return and the end is coming soon.
- Paul soon attacks Annie, just barely knocking her out cold, and collapses with exhaustion as the next round of concerned officers show up (presumably looking for their comrade). They see Paul (in a wheelchair, missing a foot, missing a thumb, severely thin and pale) and immediately rescue him. Paul screams, pointing to the bedroom (his bedroom) where Annie is presumably dead. The officers find her dead in the barn, desperately grasping onto a chainsaw. He has finally rid himself of her.
Opinion/Other thoughts:
- I gave much more detail in this review than I am used to giving. This book demanded a deep recounting, and I couldn't deny it that. There is so much more gruesome and haunting parts in this novel, but I wouldn't want to spoil the nitty-gritty.
- Overall, I loved this book. This is a classic example of real terror; helplessness, fear, disgust, triumph. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good scare. The only thing I will warn against is for people who have weak stomachs. King, as always, made me a bit nauseous with his portrayal of injuries. I was sick to my stomach at some point, in a good way of course. Younger readers should probably steer clear until they have the constitution to handle something this gory.
Well this is the end of this review. I'm wanting to make these entries longer than before. If you agree, just drop me a comment below or like this review! Hope you all have a truly scary weekend.
My love,
K.
