Misery Characters

Ian Carmichael is a character in Paul Sheldon’s Misery series. He is married to Misery Chastain, and Geoffrey Alliburton is his best friend. Misery’s supposed death drives Ian close to insanity, and he remains in a mentally fragile state throughout Misery’s Return.

Crysilda Wilkes is Annie’s deceased mother. In life, she was married to Carl Wilkes, Annie’s father. According to Annie, her mother was the only person who was ever “on [her] side.” A large portrait of Crysilda hangs in her parlor.

Carl Wilkes is Annie’s deceased father. In life, he was married to Crysilda Wilkes, Annie’s mother. Based on Carl’s obituary, which states that he died after tripping over some clothing and falling down a set of stairs, Paul believes Annie killed him and made it look like an accident.

Mrs. Ramage is a character in Paul Sheldon’s Misery series. She is Ian Carmichael’s “crotchety but lovable” housekeeper. Mrs. Ramage helps Geoffrey Alliburton dig up Misery’s grave after she is buried alive in Misery’s Return.

Tom Twyford is a former police officer who taught Paul the mechanics of car theft while he was writing Fast Cars. Thanks to Tom’s expertise, Paul is able to pick the lock on his room with one of Annie’s bobby pins.

Mr. Rancho Grande is a Sidewinder official who comes to tell Annie that she has missed a quarterly tax payment. His presence causes Annie to panic, binding and gagging Paul in the guest room.

Careless Corrigan is an invented character in a game called “Can You?” which Paul used to play at camp. The object of the game was to imagine a way for Careless Corrigan to get out of whatever trouble he’d found.

Colter is a character in Paul Sheldon’s Misery’s Return. A gravedigger for the local churchyard, Colter informs Geoffrey that there are scratching sounds coming from Misery’s grave.

The Roydmans are Annie’s neighbors. According to her, they are always looking for something amiss at her house, so they can gossip about it or get her into trouble with Sidewinder officials.

Ralph Dugan is Annie’s ex-husband. He was a physical therapist who worked in the same hospital as Annie when they met. Ralph divorced Annie after a year and a half, on the grounds of “mental cruelty.”

Andrew Pomeroy is a young hiker whom Annie picked up and later murdered. Annie views Paul’s car crash as “the hand of Providence” because it happened at the exact spot where she dumped Pomeroy’s mutilated body.

Duane Kushner is a young police officer investigating the disappearance of Paul Sheldon. Annie kills him with her riding lawnmower.

David, whose real name is Wicks, is a Colorado state police officer investigating the disappearance of Duane Kushner. Paul nicknames him “David” due to his small stature in comparison to his partner “Goliath.” David questions Annie about Kushner’s and Paul’s disappearances, and he ultimately saves Paul.

Goliath, whose real name is McKnight, is a Colorado state police officer investigating the disappearance of Duane Kushner. Paul nicknames him “Goliath” due to his large stature in comparison to his partner “David.” Goliath questions Annie about Kushner’s and Paul’s disappearances, and he later rescues Paul.

Hezekiah is a character in Paul Sheldon’s Misery’s Return. He is an African man who serves as Ian and Geoffrey’s guide while they try to rescue Misery from the Bourkas.

The Bourkas are a fictional African tribe who appear in Paul Sheldon’s Misery’s Return. Sometimes called “the Bee-People,” the Bourkas worship the stone idol of a goddess carved into a cliffside, whose head holds caverns full of gigantic bees.

Paul’s father is the father of Paul Sheldon. He is married to Paul’s mother. He died suddenly when Paul was in college.

Bryce Bell is Paul’s literary agent. According to an article in Annie’s scrapbook, it’s Bell who reports Paul missing.

Mrs. Roman D. (“Virginia”) Sandpiper is a Misery fan who transformed a room in her house into “Misery’s Parlor.” She writes many letters to Paul which support his conviction of the power of literary obsession.

Tony Bonasaro is the main character of Paul Sheldon’s latest novel, Fast Cars, which Annie forces him to destroy. He is a car thief.