Horror · Thriller
Misery
Novelist Paul Sheldon is pulled from a car wreck by his self-described number-one fan, who nurses him in her remote house. When she reads his latest manuscript, she makes him rewrite it.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1987
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 384
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a tight, two-person thriller about obsession and trapped creativity.
Skip this if you are uncomfortable with graphic physical cruelty or captivity stories.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Misery
- What is Misery about?
- Novelist Paul Sheldon is pulled from a car wreck by his self-described number-one fan, who nurses him in her remote house. When she reads his latest manuscript, she makes him rewrite it.
- Who should read Misery?
- Read it if you want a tight, two-person thriller about obsession and trapped creativity. Skip it if you are uncomfortable with graphic physical cruelty or captivity stories.
- How long and how fast is Misery?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 384 pages, first published in 1987.
- Does Misery have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Torture, Addiction, Kidnapping, Mental illness.
- Can I borrow Misery for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Misery; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Misery?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Shining, The Woman in the Window.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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