Is Misery Under Rated

**Big-Pink** · April 3rd, 2009

One of my favourite Stephen King books but i dont many who feel the same way. I love the way how Annie was portrayed as evil yet funny. Probably one of my favourite bits was when she threw the soup and the wall then blamed Paul.

I might be bias as it was the first King book i read and ive only read 5 but aside from Duma Key this was by far my favourite, what does everyone else think?

**aptpupil** · April 3rd, 2009

Big-Pink

I agree. It takes a real writing talent to invent a story where so much of the activity takes place at one isolated location and involves only two characters.

The characterisation, the interplay and the dialogue has to be very high quality to make it compulsive reading. I'm a novelist on a small scale myself, and frankly I'd be afraid to write within such limitations.

Hats off to SK for that one.

**JohnDalglish** · April 3rd, 2009

Hi,

Yes, I agree, and I think it's illuminating that Misery was originally intended to be Richard Bachman's 'break-through' novel.

Long days and pleasant nights

**Big-Pink** · April 3rd, 2009

Originally Posted by aptpupil

Big-Pink

I agree. It takes a real writing talent to invent a story where so much of the activity takes place at one isolated location and involves only two characters.

The characterisation, the interplay and the dialogue has to be very high quality to make it compulsive reading. I'm a novelist on a small scale myself, and frankly I'd be afraid to write within such limitations.

Hats off to SK for that one.

Exactly, to keep the whole book interesting for what is mainly a story that is taking place in one room takes real talent. The idea of also writing a book in a book was great as well. The way he wrote Misery in the book was maybe showing who he writes in real life?

**Noelani** · April 3rd, 2009

Originally Posted by Big-Pink

One of my favourite Stephen King books but i dont many who feel the same way. I love the way how Annie was portrayed as evil yet funny. Probably one of my favourite bits was when she threw the soup and the wall then blamed Paul.

I totally agree, one of King's best stories! Annie is one of my favorite characters in a novel. So darn crazy! I think it's underrated, by anyone who doesn't have it on their top list, but then again, everyone I know loves the story.

**Haunted** · April 3rd, 2009

Originally Posted by Big-Pink

One of my favourite Stephen King books but i dont many who feel the same way. I love the way how Annie was portrayed as evil yet funny. Probably one of my favourite bits was when she threw the soup and the wall then blamed Paul.

I might be bias as it was the first King book i read and ive only read 5 but aside from Duma Key this was by far my favourite, what does everyone else think?

I think we all remember our 'first' with a special fondness.

But I think we can all say that Misery was extraordinary in its concept and execution.

**jackson992** · April 5th, 2009

I love Misery and never knew it was underrated.

**Bryan James** · April 5th, 2009

My only problem with 'Misery' is that I saw the movie way before reading the book.

That whole pre-conceived notion sort of thing we humans have....

Annie was still spot on, either way.

BJS

**S Mcleod** · April 6th, 2009

I agree one hundred percent. Misery is maybe the second or so Best thing King wrote.
The book despite taking place almost completely in a farm house. Is in no way boring.
And maybe best of all, There is No reference to the dark tower. It gets to be it's Own story. And not trapped and ruined by the DT like many other books.
-S Mcleod

**OhmyGod!** · April 6th, 2009

Yeah, I love the book too!

And the weird thing is...I think Annie's REALLY scary. Stephen King did such a realistic job on her...even the funny bits made her more realistic. The whole situation is such a nightmare to get trapped in. And the weirdest part of the book is in my eyes...somewhere (somewhere really in the back of my head) I felt sorry for Annie...maybe that's the most scariest part of the book.