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Misery

Misery is a 1987 psychological horror novel by Stephen King.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Misery is a 1987 psychological horror novel by Stephen King. It follows novelist Paul Sheldon after a car crash leaves him captive in the home of Annie Wilkes, his obsessive self-described number one fan. The novel is widely known for its themes of obsession, captivity, and the relationship between creators and audiences.

Plot

The story follows Paul Sheldon after he is rescued from a car crash by Annie Wilkes, who takes him to her isolated farmhouse instead of a hospital. When she learns he has killed off her favourite character, she forces him to write a new manuscript under her control.

Themes

Misery examines obsession, dependence, artistic control, and the dangers of fandom. It is also frequently discussed as a story about the power imbalance between author and audience.

Publication and reception

The novel was published in 1987 and became one of King’s best-known works. It received major genre recognition, including the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.

Adaptations

The novel was adapted into a 1990 film starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, with Kathy Bates winning an Academy Award for her performance. It was also adapted for the stage in 2015.

Key facts

  • The novel was first published by Viking Press on June 8, 1987.
  • It centres on Paul Sheldon, a novelist injured in a car accident and held prisoner by Annie Wilkes.
  • Annie Wilkes is a former nurse and Paul’s self-proclaimed number one fan.
  • The story explores obsession, isolation, control, and survival.
  • Misery was adapted into a 1990 film directed by Rob Reiner.
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Canadian context

Misery is widely read in Canada as part of Stephen King’s internationally popular body of work and is commonly discussed in Canadian literature, horror, and film contexts.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Misery?
Misery was written by Stephen King.
When was Misery published?
It was first published on June 8, 1987.
What is Misery about?
It follows novelist Paul Sheldon, who is held captive by Annie Wilkes after a car accident and forced to write for her.
Who are the main characters?
The central characters are Paul Sheldon and Annie Wilkes.
Was Misery adapted into a film?
Yes. It was adapted into a 1990 film directed by Rob Reiner.
What awards did Misery win?
It won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel in 1987 and was nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1988.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_(novel)
    Supports: Publication date, plot overview, and basic novel details.
  2. Stephen King — https://stephenking.com/works/novel/misery.html
    Supports: Official synopsis, publication timing, and main characters.
  3. SuperSummary — https://www.supersummary.com/misery/summary/
    Supports: Themes, awards, and adaptation references.