Listen free for 30 days

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 + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Misery cover art

Misery

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

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.30

Buy Now for $23.30

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax 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: Stephen King’s 32 Best Audiobooks: The Definitive List

Stephen King is one of the most prolific authors of all time. He has published 61 novels, more than 200 short stories, and six nonfiction books—and he shows no sign of stopping. With such an extensive portfolio, choosing one audiobook can be daunting. We’ve compiled a list of the 32 best Stephen King audiobooks to make the choice easier. Whether you’re looking to get stuck into one of his creepy, classic stories or a sci-fi novella, you’ll find a title on this list that will get your heart racing.

More from the same

What listeners say about Misery

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    354
  • 4 Stars
    82
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    338
  • 4 Stars
    44
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    314
  • 4 Stars
    64
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    3

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

oogie of a read

Narration was fantastic, reminds me of my fave podcaster. Her voice is soothing yet perfectly chilling for the protagonist, Annie. I love King's work. She added 100%. The novel was a great listen; creepy, weird, and always fun.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Over all, great book. Can recomend.

The best anti drunk driving advertisement ever made. Can personally recommend this book, would have liked it more if I didn't have to write a book report on it ;(

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Good book, great narrator.

Like the title says. A classic from King, and a welcome early departure from the supernatural that makes it all the eerier. An absolutely fantastic narrator.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

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

Life with Annie....

I'll open with a question. When Stephen King was in the hospital, recovering from his near fatal accident, and hooked up to everything but the Disney channel, I have to wonder if he ever hallucinated; thinking he was trapped in Annie Wilkes' bedroom instead of resting in a safe hospital room? OR, How about a nurse, giving him a sponge-bath, talking about one of his books (CARRIE?) and sincerely declaring that she was his 'Number 1 Fan'?

All of that said, WOW! Annie's book shelf was, how do you say, 'not properly level'. I mean, PLEASE!!! She complains about Paul's character, in Fast Cars using profanity while, in the beginning of the book, she's swearing, practically threatening him to live. Had Paul been even a tinge more clear headed, he would have died to save himself from that lopsided chick! But then, we wouldn't have a book.


King's giving snippets of the Misery novels , and more of his current project, gives readers an idea of what Annie, and Paul Sheldon's less insane fanbase was so obsessed about. In truth, I could see why Paul would get tired of writing that series. For Annie, though, Misery was a source of escape, As irony would have it, she would become Paul's escape.

I would have given the book perfect marks except for the birthday cake scene. THAT took Annie's insanity to a whole new level! It made her insanity crystal clear, if we weren't clear before, how utterly detached this chick was. Sometimes 'real life' is scarier than the terrors we imagine.

Nearly forgot to mention, I loved that narrator/ performer. Oddly, she had just enough of an ANNIE WILKES inflection to really bring you into the story. She is, to this audiobook, what Kathy Bates was to the movie. Stellar.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Enjoyed way more as an audiobook

I have read Misery previously and every time I struggled with it. Not sure if it was the flow with the ‘Misery’ story mixed in. I just struggled.
I truly enjoyed the audiobook and would listen again.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Fell in love

Thank you Lindsay for this amazing narration, I was on the edge of my seat during the whole book. I can’t accept the fact that I’m done with it, I need more!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Lindsay Crouse nails it!

What a horrific cockadoodie story! The narration was perfect! She definitely channels a Kathy Bates vibe.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

My 2nd favourite book from Stephen King

The reader of this book did an fantastic job especially with the Annie parts. The little music added into the book was actually an awesome touch and refreshing it was perfect for this book, got the mood just right.

Was a very different Stephen King book becuase alot of his books usually have very wide assortment of characters but this book only really had 2 which I really liked and I couldn't help but feel bad for Annie in sum parts even though you really shouldn't since she is a crazy lunatic.

Very good read few slow parts but what do you expect for a book that is basically taken place in a single room in a house the whole time.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Unbelievable!

I absolutely loved this book, the story, the narration, everything was perfect.
Although it was a long listen, I never felt uninterested in what was going on. Some parts felt a bit slow but overall it still kept my interest.
The different voices that Lindsay Crouse used were out of this world, especially with Annie.

I would recommend this book to anyone, so many parts will stick with me and I'll definitely listen to this book multiple times.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Great Book

Great read super engaging and interesting while easy to understand without being too simple. Would definitely recommend one of his best books.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!