The Unorthodox Chapter Design of "Misery"

Analysis of "Misery" by Stephen King

📖 Misery is a classic suspense novel by Stephen King.

✍️ I studied Misery and discovered techniques you can apply to your own writing.

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My analysis is broken into four posts:

Part 1: How to put readers into the mind of a character

Part 2: The unorthodox chapter design of Misery

Part 3: Why contradiction makes characters compelling

Part 4: How to layer settings like Stephen King

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Here is Part 2:

Misery doesn’t have chapters in a conventional sense.

The novel is made up of four parts which are numbered and named:

• Part I: Annie

• Part II: Misery

• Part III: Paul

• Part IV: Goddess

Each part is broken up into chapters:

• Part I = 36 chapters

• Part II = 23 chapters

• Part III = 48 chapters

• Part IV = 12 chapters

The chapters vary in length, ranging from multiple pages to even one sentence.

When a chapter ends, the next begins immediately below; there’s no need to turn the page.

Take a look at the first and second chapters of the book:

Every time the reader reaches a new part, the chapter count resets to one.

Here’s how Part II begins:

So why did Stephen King use such an unorthodox chapter design?

There are 4 benefits of this approach:

1. It’s easier to keep reading

Forget the idea of a “page-turner,” readers don’t have to lift a finger to continue reading Misery.

All they have to do is glance further down the page.

2. More opportunities for suspense

The chapters in Misery are generally shorter than that of an average novel.

This format allows King to create suspense by frequently ending chapters in the middle of the action.

Reader are then given the decision whether or not to keep reading.

In that moment of decision, they’re held at the edge of their seat as they decide whether or not to continue.

3. The book becomes addiciting

Your brain gets a hit of dopamine whenever you complete a task or accomplish a goal.

This is happening every time you finish reading a chapter.

The more chapters, the more dopamine.

Readers will chase that feeling of accomplishment.

4. Easier for readers to pick up the book

Since the chapters are typically shorter than what you would find in other novels, it’s easier to jump in and do a bit of reading throughout the day.

You’ll be able to start and finish entire chapters within one reading session, unlike a other more traditional novel where you might not even be able to finish one.

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Continue reading my Misery analysis:

Part 1: How to put readers into the mind of a character

Part 2: The unorthodox chapter design of Misery

Part 3: Why contradiction makes characters compelling

Part 4: How to layer settings like Stephen King

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