Stephen King: Misery

Stephen King, in full Stephen Edwin King (borned September 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.), American novelist and short-story writer whose books were credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction in the late 20th century.

King graduated from the University of Maine in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in English. While writing short stories he supported himself by teaching and working as a janitor, among other jobs. His first published novel, Carrie (filmed 1976), about a tormented teenage girl gifted with telekinetic powers, appeared in 1974 and was an immediate popular success. Carrie was the first of many novels in which King blended horror, the macabre, fantasy, and science fiction. Among such works were Salem's Lot (1975), The Shining (1977; filmed 1980), The Stand (1978), The Dead Zone (1979; filmed 1983), Firestarter (1980; filmed 1984), Cujo (1981), Christine (1983; filmed 1983), It (1986), Misery (1987; filmed 1990), The Tommyknockers (1987), and The Dark Half (1989).

In his books King explored almost every terror-producing theme imaginable, from vampires, rabid dogs, deranged killers, and a pyromaniac to ghosts, extrasensory perception and telekinesis, biological warfare, and even a malevolent automobile. Though his work was disparaged as undisciplined and inelegant, King was a talented storyteller whose books gain their effect from realistic detail, forceful plotting, and the author's undoubted ability to involve and scare the reader.

By the early 1990s King's books had sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, and his name had become synonymous with the genre of horror fiction. King also wrote the short stories collected in Night Shift (1978), as well as several novellas and motion-picture screenplays. Some of his novels were successfully adapted for the screen by such directors as Brian De Palma, Stanley Kubrick, and Rob Reiner.

Stephen King is probably the most popular author now writing. There are over 150 million copies of his novels in print and he makes $2 million a month from his books and the films of his books.

He was born in 1947 in Portland, Maine, USA and became a full-time writer after his first novel, Carrie (1973), was sold for $400,000. Many of King's books have been made into films.


Misery

Paul Sheldon is famous writer. His books about Misery Chastain, the young woman from England in 19th century, hit the heart of readers, especially women. But Paul himself was bored from this neverending love story. For him, it was only the way to make money. In the last book he made decision: Misery died during childbirth. Now he feel free to begin new career. He finished new book: story about car-thief called Fast Cars. When he was delivering the typescript to his publisher, he had a crash.


When he awaked from unconsciousness, he saw a woman sat near him. She said him, that she is Annie Wilkes and she is his greatest fan. Paul's nigtmare was ready to begin. Annie Wilkes was madman. She refused to call doctor, although Paul had injured legs. She gave him a lot of Novril, which is drug against pain. She hold him in her personal prison.

She discovered, that his new book isn't about Misery. She was disappointed. But she was angry, very angry, when she discovered, that Paul let Misery die. She cut him his leg with axe. After this event she run out to the place in the woods, where she was happy - to have her "Laughing Days". She let Paul without his pain-killing drugs. When the pain became worse, Paul managed to open the doors from his room. He took the drugs and searched the house. He found an album with newspapers' cuts. According to this cuts, Annie killed a lot of people, but no one can prove it. He tried to open the door, leading outside from house, but this was impossible. He didn't know, that Annie placed hairs on everything, so she knew surely, that he was out of his room.

When Annie returned, she offered Paul a way to live. She wanted to have only her book - about Misery's return. Paul agreed. He started to write. How long he could write, so long he could live. But the quality of typewriter was bad. When he complained about it, Annie cut him his thumb and used it as candle on cake. But the situation became better. One day came a detective. Annie send him away, but another day came a young policeman. Paul managed to throw something through window. Policeman saw him, but Annie was faster. He killed him by lawnmower.

But Paul decided to fight against Annie. He prepared a trap. He had a scramble with Annie. And in the time of greatest danger, the police came, because detective had very seriously suspicion about Annie. Paul was free. He had a great achievements with his new book about Misery's return. But Annie still lives in his dreams.