The correct answer to the trivia question is King’s addiction to drugs and alcohol.
“Misery,” one of Stephen King’s most harrowing and suspenseful novels, is not only a gripping tale of obsession and captivity but also serves as a metaphor for King’s own struggles with substance abuse.
The character of Annie Wilkes, a former nurse who becomes the captor and tormentor of the protagonist, Paul Sheldon, embodies King’s battle with his addiction.
Annie’s controlling and unpredictable nature mirrors the way addiction dominated King’s life, dictating his actions and leaving him feeling trapped and powerless.
"Annie was my drug problem, and she was my number-one fan. God, she never wanted to leave.”
King has been open about his battles with drug and alcohol addiction, particularly during the peak of his career when he was writing some of his most famous works.
He has described how substances like cocaine and alcohol became integral parts of his daily routine, clouding his judgment and impacting his relationships and professional life.
In creating Annie Wilkes, King personified his addiction, giving it a face and a name, and explored the terror of being at the mercy of something so destructive.
The novel “Misery,” then, is not just a story of a fan’s obsession with her favorite writer; it is a deeply personal account of King’s fight to regain control over his life and creativity.
