Annie Wilkes is the heroine of Misery, written by Stephen King in 1985. This is one of the most popular and memorable characters from all the writer's work. Annie’s complex and extraordinary image is capable of evoking conflicting feelings among readers: fear, disgust and, at the same time, pity.
Plot plot
The genre of the book can be defined as a psychological thriller. It is noteworthy that in the novel there are no elements of mysticism with which other works of the writer are filled. The plot is based on a complex relationship between a best-selling author and his most dedicated fan.
The writer Paul Sheldon completed a series of novels with the death of the main character named Misery. Having written a new book, completely different in plot and genre, he goes to Los Angeles. But on the way a man gets into a serious car accident and loses consciousness.
Paul comes to life in the house of a stranger, a former nurse Annie Wilkes. She read all his books and does not dwell on Misery Chastain. At first, Paul is grateful for his salvation, he receives food and painkillers, hopes for a speedy visit of doctors and restoration of telephone service.
Annie cares for the patient like a professional carer. But after some time, the writer begins to suspect that the psyche of this woman is not all right. Will she give him the opportunity to call home? The first doubts turn into a serious threat.
Character manifestations
At times, Miss Wilkes behaves aggressively: this is how she reacts to Paul’s new book and subsequently forces him to burn the creation with her own hands. But for him this book was of great importance. Paul mentally addresses future readers: "This work is real and just try to look away." Annie Wilkes acted as a tough critic, and that's not all she can do. It costs her nothing to inflict physical suffering on her idol and kill the young policeman. Acting in her own interests, this woman will not stop at nothing.
But even she can be hurt, and at the end of the novel, Paul understands how to do it. Destroy the most expensive for a devoted reader - the best book about Misery. Annie will never know how the novel ended ...
Nurse Annie Wilkes
At the time when the events described in the novel occur, Annie is 44 years old. She lives all alone, runs a household and periodically travels to the nearest town of Sindwinder. Subsequently, Paul learns some facts from the former life of a former nurse. Born in a dysfunctional family. When she was eleven, she pushed her father down the stairs. Then a neighbor dies at her hands.
Annie Wilkes gets a nurse diploma and gets a job in a hospital, changes her job several times. After reading the old newspaper clippings found in the house, Sheldon realizes that his “savior” was guilty of many deaths. She calmly killed elderly people, infants, and later took her husband’s life.
Stephen King himself drew parallels between the brutal heroine and his alcohol and drug addiction. It was his writing that helped him recover. Perhaps that is why the novel has a happy ending.
The fictional hero-writer finally finds freedom and returns home. The tragic events helped him better realize his life and understand where to strive. At the same time, Wilkes is a collective image of King fans. Sometimes people scare in their desire to be near the idol, imitate him and know everything about his life.
Annie's character and habits
Frequent mood swings make the actions of Annie Wilkes from Misery unpredictable. She jokes and laughs with Paul, then suddenly experiences flashes of rage and a desire for violence. She is religious and does not tolerate swear words, while in moments of anger she herself uses them. Forcing the writer against his will to write a new book about the return of Misery, requires writing faster. And then - he almost cries and apologizes, looking at his tired, wounded hands.
The heroine is not stupid, thanks to her cunning in the past, she managed to escape from prison. Attentive to detail and has a very sharp-sighted look. Easily notices the slightest change in the state of affairs in the room. To deceive this woman is almost impossible: she perfectly understands Paul's feelings and his desire to escape. But again to remain alone, and in the future to suffer punishment, Annie Wilkes is not ready.
To the cinema
In the early 90s, a movie was released on the screens of a book of the same name. The role of "dragon in a skirt" was performed by the not very well-known then actress Katie Bates. The writer was played by James Caan. It is worth noting that the actress received several awards for the role that brought her fame and success.
The plot of the film is slightly different from that presented in the book. He had to be reduced a little, to add some new characters (the sheriff and his wife investigating the case of Sheldon's disappearance). But the image of Annie is conveyed almost accurately, as a woman who can cause both sympathy and deepest hostility. The screen even showed her favorite animal - a pig named after her beloved heroine.
In the theatre
A minimum of characters, a limited place of action and the lack of fiction in the plot made the work convenient for implementation in a theatrical scenario. Already in the 2000s, the first productions appeared. According to Misery, they prepared a special adapted script, and the premiere took place in London. The play was a success with the audience. Now it can be seen in many countries and cities. In the Russian version, the role of the crazy Annie is played by the artist E. Dobrovolskaya. A popular writer is D. Spivakovsky or V. Loginov.