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Gerald's Game

Gerald's Game is a psychological horror novel by Stephen King, first published in 1992.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gerald's Game is a psychological horror novel by Stephen King, first published in May 1992. The story follows Jessie Burlingame, who becomes trapped and isolated after a sexual game with her husband goes fatally wrong, forcing her to confront both immediate danger and buried trauma.

Plot

The story begins with Jessie and Gerald Burlingame at a secluded summer home, where a sexual game goes wrong and Gerald dies. Jessie is left alone, restrained, and struggling to survive while confronting traumatic memories and unsettling mental experiences.

Publication history

Gerald's Game was first published in 1992 and later reissued in different editions. Publisher and catalog listings identify Stephen King as the author and place it in the horror/fiction category.

Themes

The novel is known for blending suspense with psychological and emotional themes. It examines power, coercion, memory, survival, and the effects of childhood trauma.

Film adaptation

The novel was adapted into a 2017 Netflix film directed by Mike Flanagan. The adaptation stars Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood.

Key facts

  • The novel centres on Jessie Burlingame, who is left handcuffed to a bed in a remote house after her husband Gerald dies.
  • It was published in May 1992 and is widely identified as a psychological horror novel.
  • The story combines physical survival horror with themes of memory, trauma, and internal conflict.
  • Stephen King's official site lists the work as a novel released in May 1992.
  • The book was adapted into a 2017 film for Netflix, directed by Mike Flanagan.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Gerald's Game through Stephen King's broad popularity in Canada and through its availability in Canadian libraries, bookstores, and streaming-film catalogs.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Gerald's Game?
Stephen King wrote Gerald's Game.
When was Gerald's Game first published?
It was first published in May 1992.
What genre is Gerald's Game?
It is generally categorized as psychological horror.
Who is the main character?
The central character is Jessie Burlingame.
Was Gerald's Game adapted into a film?
Yes. It was adapted into a 2017 Netflix film directed by Mike Flanagan.

References

  1. StephenKing.com — https://stephenking.com/works/novel/geralds-game.html
    Supports: Author, title, publication month, and basic plot summary.
  2. Google Books — https://books.google.com/books/about/Gerald_s_Game.html?id=tnc-PgAACAAJ
    Supports: Author, publisher, page count, and genre classification for the 1992 edition.
  3. Google Books — https://books.google.com/books/about/Gerald_s_Game.html?id=E-UbDQAAQBAJ
    Supports: 2016 edition details and mention of the Netflix film adaptation.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald's_Game
    Supports: General plot overview and note that the book was adapted into a 2017 film.