Title: Misery
Author: Stephen King
Narrator: Lindsay Crouse
ISBN: 9780451169525
Audiobook Length: 12 hours, 11 minutes
Genre: Horror
Origins: Mine. All mine.
Release Date: 8 June 1987
“Paul Sheldon. He’s a bestselling novelist who has finally met his biggest fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes and she is more than a rabid reader–she is Paul’s nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house.
Now Annie wants Paul to write his greatest work–just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an ax. And if they don’t work, she can get really nasty.”
Thoughts on the Novel: Through Paul and Annie, Mr. King illustrates the true definition of fear. Miriam-Webster defines fear as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. This is exactly what Annie causes Paul and the reader. Even before she makes her first major move against Paul, the ancient, ingrained flight-or fight reflexes kick into gear because there is anticipation that something unpleasant is going to happen. Part of this is because it is a Stephen King novel, but the other part of it is Annie herself. At first glance, there is nothing that should indicate that all is not right in Annie’s world, but readers glean that understanding immediately through the minutest of clues, the kind that most readers will never register reading. It is a brilliant bit of writing that allows Mr. King to set the tone so thoroughly with a few innocuous words.
At the same time as Mr. King is establishing the sense of terror that permeates the entire novel, he brings readers a story within a story. In this case, it isn’t just any story. His secondary story is a bodice-ripper of the best kind. The difference in genres and storytelling are not something most authors can pull off, but Mr. King makes it worse. These scenes involving Misery are so trite and inane that they provide the perfect foil for the real-life horror story that has become Paul’s life. They also provide some much-needed levity as Paul’s situation grows more desperate.
In Misery, Stephen King gives audiences what is probably one of his best villains ever. Paul Sheldon sums it up best when he describes Annie Wilkes as a force of nature because that is exactly what she is. Actually, to call Annie insane is to do her character a disservice, for she is more than insane; Annie Wilkes is batshit crazy. Her love for Paul is increasingly odd and downright frightening, as is her rationale for her actions. She acts in no logical fashion, even as her actions themselves are horrifyingly exacting and precise. What truly drives the reader’s horror, however, is not her actions but the possibility of them. Annie is not much of a physical presence in Paul’s life but the suggestion of her appearance is enough to alter all of Paul’s decisions. While Annie performs some terrible deeds in her scenes, it is the idea of what she is yet capable of doing that strikes terror into reader’s hearts. For this reason, Misery will rank as one of Mr. King’s all-time best novels.
Thoughts on the Audio: Unfortunately, Lindsay Crouse’s performance was less than ideal. For one, the swings in Paul’s sobriety and memory flashes were increasingly difficult to differentiate from the rest of the story. There are so many mind games at play for readers, between the book within a book, Paul’s state of mind, and Paul’s vivid imagination, that one needs to be easily able to understand which section is which. Ms. Crouse tried to do so, but it was one of her weaker areas. Another area of irritation for listeners will be Ms. Crouse’s narration of Annie. It is a tough role to enact, partially because of the character herself and because she was so memorably brought to life by Kathy Bates in the movie. However, therein lies the main issue with the audiobook version. Whether consciously or coincidentally or not, Ms. Crouse sounds exactly like Kathy Bates as Annie. Even the timbre of her voice is eerily similar. Given how amazing Ms. Bates’ performance is, this should be a good thing; however, it is not. Instead, it feels uncomfortable and redundant. One expects a new interpretation of the character with a new narrator, and this provides none. As a result, this is one Stephen King novel best read in print.
BOTTOM LINE: One of my favorite King novels. Truly excellent.
Definitely the idea of what Annie might do that was the most terrifying!
She was just so unpredictable. I love that and hate that about her.
The movie of Misery is terrific. Spooky crazy scary. Kathy Bates does a pretty good job as a crazed nut.
Oh, I know. I watched that movie years ago. I want to see it again now that I’ve read the original story to see how it stacks up in my memory and against King’s version.
I haven’t seen the movie, so I liked the audiobook, except for the music marking off the chapters. But I switched to print halfway through and my audio download expired. Then I saw the print version had all the manuscript pages printed out to look like typewritten pages and that made it easier to switch back and forth between the story and the story within the story. I do most of my Stephen King reading via audio, but have read a few others in print and enjoyed them both ways, except was extremely exasperated with the ending of Under the Dome (print) and was glad I hadn’t invested that many audio hours!
Laurie, I’m the same way with King novels – I have listened to them all but one, only because that one is not yet available as an audiobook. I really enjoy listening to him. I think I connect better to his characters. I don’t know. Most of the time, audiobooks are more convenient methods of reading his backlist. I just did not enjoy this one on audio. The story within a story was difficult. The music was annoying. Plus there were my issues with the narrator. I am glad I read most of it in print. I don’t think I would have felt quite as strongly about the story had I continued via audio.
I felt the same way with audio versions of Carrie and The Shining. It was so blah for me.
I always think that I am going to like hearing the story more. Who doesn’t love to be read to? Especially while driving and it’s all oogy out? But the only King book I’ve liked on audio is IT.
I haven’t listened to Carrie yet, but I did do The Shining on audio. I’m not certain if it was the audio performance or the story itself, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with the latter. I didn’t think it was all that scary – except for the topiary trees – even though it is supposed to be just that. Besides, I struggled with the changes between book and movie, so that whole auditory experience was a bit disappointing in general.
It’s good to know the audiobook is less than ideal. I didn’t finish Misery this month but only because I fell into a reading slump. I have Misery in audio too but I’ll probably just continue along with the print version (when I get out of this slump!).
Just hang in there! You will reach a point in the novel where you will not be able to put down the book. Immediate slump relief!!
I am not the biggest fan of Stephen Kings older work, but Misery is one story that I loved! I still don’t do well with audiobooks, so I haven’t tried that version. This is a nicely done informative review.
Thanks, Suzi! I definitely agree that his current works are much better-written and more enjoyable, but like you, Misery will go down as one of my all-time favorites of his. I think it is his first “older” novel of his I’ve read where his voice is mature and he doesn’t delve into the arcane in order to fill up extra pages.
It’s a pity that lindsay wasn’t what you expected. Especially as shes was narrarating such an iconic character! I loved the film but I haven’t managed to get around to the book yet. I recently listened to the Joyland audio book read by Micheal healey and that was amazing I’d highly recommend it
My goal is to slowly get to all of King’s novels. Audio usually works really well for his stories, so I was very disappointed by the narrator of this one. Granted, I could have felt differently had I not seen the movie and had Kathy Bates’ performance indelibly imprinted upon my brain.
Interesting. I usually DO my kingalongs with the audiobook but found the hardcover so skipped the listening this time. I am glad I did! I also just saw the movie (yep, for the first time!) and loved it. I think the changes worked and actually made the movie tamer (I think someone said this on Twitter) but enjoyed it just the same. I’m glad most had seen the movie because otherwise the sledgehammer references would be confusing (I was confused, anyway)
I almost always do my Kingalongs via audio. I did end up switching to the print version about one-third of the way into it. I just did not like the narrator. I need to watch the movie again. I had only ever known the story from the movie version, so imagine my surprise when the sledgehammer does not make an appearance!