Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Misery  By  cover art

Misery

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Lindsay Crouse
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.99

Buy for $17.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The number one New York Times best seller about a famous novelist held hostage in a remote location by his “number one fan.” One of “Stephen King’s best…genuinely scary” (USA Today).

Best-selling novelist Paul Sheldon thinks he’s finally free of Misery Chastain. In a controversial career move, he’s just killed off the popular protagonist of his beloved romance series in favor of expanding his creative horizons. But such a change doesn’t come without consequences. After a near-fatal car accident in rural Colorado leaves his body broken, Paul finds himself at the mercy of the terrifying rescuer who’s nursing him back to health - his self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes.

Annie is very upset over what Paul did to Misery and demands that he find a way to bring her back by writing a new novel - his best yet, and one that’s all for her. After all, Paul has all the time in the world to do so as a prisoner in her isolated house...and Annie has some very persuasive and violent methods to get exactly what she wants...

“King at his best...a winner!” (The New York Times)

“Unadulteratedly terrifying...frightening.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Classic King...full of twists and turns and mounting suspense.” (The Boston Globe)

©1987 Stephen King, Tabitha King, and Arthur B. Greene (P)1992 Penguin Highbridge Audio

Featured Article: From Page to Scream—35 Spine-Chilling Listens that Inspired Horror Movies


There’s nothing better than turning off all the lights, grabbing a cozy blanket, and settling in with a good horror flick. Many of those standout suspenseful flicks have distinguished literary roots—based on books written by some of the most masterful authors in the genre. Here’s a spotlight on the books behind exceptional horror movies—a few of our favorite spooky or terrifying tales that will no doubt have you sleeping with the lights on.

What listeners say about Misery

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,314
  • 4 Stars
    1,399
  • 3 Stars
    272
  • 2 Stars
    37
  • 1 Stars
    46
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7,550
  • 4 Stars
    1,093
  • 3 Stars
    275
  • 2 Stars
    71
  • 1 Stars
    43
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7,555
  • 4 Stars
    1,147
  • 3 Stars
    252
  • 2 Stars
    40
  • 1 Stars
    29

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great job

The narrator did a great job with the voicing. There is a really subtle nod to Kathy Bates performance of the character. Love it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

32 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Edge of your seat disturbing

This was a great story. I really enjoyed it. This really lived up to the hype of the old king.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Slow start, but great book

The book is great. However, the narration is almost monotone. The voices are not good and don't have much effort put into them. The sad thing is that it could have been great because the dialogue is so outstanding. BEWARE: This book has creepy music that is played during the entire novel. It is so annoying and was a huge mistake by who ever made that decision. Finally, I have one more problem with the narrator. She didn't not say the chapter numbers. That is a pet peeve of mine, but it is also important. It creates flow. Her flow was so bad because of this. She would just keep going right into the next chapter. I am still happy with the audiobook, but it was a let down in some aspects.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Lindsay Crouse was superb. Stephen King was absolutely amazing. This guy can write anything. Kudos!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Don’t be fooled by good narration reviews.

The book itself is excellent, but the narration is horrible. It is so flat, and there is no life. Random music also plays during the reading and it sucks you out of the story. I wish there was a different narration for this novel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why the cheesy music?

I love this book and it was read great but the music was annoying and unnecessary

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Misery loves company

Here is another one of Stephen Kings novels that I had seen the movie before eve reading the book.... all I can say is, justice was served by both filmmakers with respect to the authors vision.
The narrator did very well in Annie to life and while at the same time voicing Paul. Trying something. There are some confusing parts in the book where the interplay of the book "Misery's Return"' was voiced, or conversations in Paul's own mined were hard to decipher, however the narrator separated these words parts perfectly with haunting music.
One thing I did differently from all other audio books I have listened to in the past, was I read along as I had a copy of the hard copy book that I had Unsuccessfully been able to get through before... with the narration in the background, often at double speed and often at 1.25, this made the audiobook much more enjoyable and rewarding.
Great book, great narration, I am glad this one is off my list after nearly 25 or so years after trying to initially read it... glad I kept the hardcover copy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Worst Narration ever

I actually took a chance on this because of raving reviews of how wonderfully narrated the book was. I understand that everyone has different opinions, but I couldn't make it past chapter 3. And I also understand that there are only two characters, but there was absolutely no change in voice from one to the next. There was no performance at all, it was simply read. It was reminiscent of the talk-back apps they have out, very monotonous, single tone, steady pace from one sentence to the next. Maybe it was the story itself (which relies heavily on dialogue) boring me to tears, but I was trying too hard to concentrate on who was talking that I couldn't get into it. If that's your cup of tea, then by all means, listen on. But for me, it ruined the entire experience.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • ss
  • 11-17-19

Take. The. Music. Out.

My goodness. Be a good doobie now and take that awful off putting harpsichord out

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great work of King.

If you could sum up Misery in three words, what would they be?

Excellent thriller. Amazing.

What did you like best about this story?

The overall plotline.

What about Lindsay Crouse’s performance did you like?

er voices for Annie was excellent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Afraid I can't think of one, since there's already been a film version of it.

Any additional comments?

A must-have for fans of Stephen Kng.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful