Helpful Score: 8
A husband and wife are playing a kinky game. Then he has a heart attack and dies- leaving her handcuffed to the bed in a remote cabin in the woods.
This very scary (and very gory) book is also an excellent character study.
This book is more character driven and very psychological, with some moments of nail-biting suspense but a lot of introspection. It is not action packed like many of his books, that's why some people don't like it. But it was horribly creepy and disturbing and he does an excellent job getting inside Jessie's head as she slowly unravels.
This very scary (and very gory) book is also an excellent character study.
This book is more character driven and very psychological, with some moments of nail-biting suspense but a lot of introspection. It is not action packed like many of his books, that's why some people don't like it. But it was horribly creepy and disturbing and he does an excellent job getting inside Jessie's head as she slowly unravels.
Helpful Score: 4
This was the Stephen King book that creeped me out the most because it is based on a situation that could happen. The psychological ramblings of a trapped woman is some of King's best works. To this day, just thinking about one of the scenes in that book gives me chills.
Helpful Score: 3
My favorite Stephen King book ever! It is amazing how well he messes with your mind and talks from the point of view of a female. I think, however, him speaking from the dog's vantage point was what really put it over the top for me. It was one sick, twisted mind game and it kept me hooked from the first chapter. Makes you think before you engage in a bit of kinky fun what could happen, even within the confines of marriage. It scared me, repulsed me and yet...I could not put it down! LOVED IT!
Helpful Score: 3
This book really chilled me, not because of crazy monsters or scary magic, but because of the reality of the situation! I mean, come on, who hasn't played those games with their honey, next time I will defintatly have the spare key under my pillow! :)
Helpful Score: 2
OMG!! Awesome!!! This ended kinda strange-but it's SK. I read this one in a day and a half-only because I had to sleep.
Helpful Score: 1
one of King's early books. pretty good
Helpful Score: 1
I cannot even begin to describe how much I loathed this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Jessie and Gerald Burlingame have been married for 20 years. Kinky sex is Gerald's game; lately he has taken to handcuffing his wife to the bedposts. During one such session, via a series of bizarre circumstances, Jessie accidentally kills her husband, and for the next 28 hours she is trapped.
This is another great one by King
This is another great one by King
Helpful Score: 1
One of my least favorite king books, I finally gave up about half way through.
Helpful Score: 1
King does it again!
Helpful Score: 1
Jessie Burlingame has become ever more tired of her husband Gerald's kinky sex games, however, when he suddenly dies during a session, leaving her handcuffed to a bed in a remote house, the game becomes deadly. And now Jessie finds herself caught like a spider in a web, unable to move, afraid of the monster that may lie right outside the house (or inside for that matter!). However, listening to the voices in her own head, she begins to find that not all of the monsters are "out there," some are right inside her own mind!
This is an intense book, a book about horror, but not knife-wielding killers. Instead this is a deep and intense look at the horrors that people inflict on others and on themselves. I found this to be a challenging book~~hard to keep reading, but impossible to put down. It's not a happy book, but it is a fascinating and horrifying read, one that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
This is an intense book, a book about horror, but not knife-wielding killers. Instead this is a deep and intense look at the horrors that people inflict on others and on themselves. I found this to be a challenging book~~hard to keep reading, but impossible to put down. It's not a happy book, but it is a fascinating and horrifying read, one that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Helpful Score: 1
On a warm weekday in October, Jessie and Gerald Burlingame are alone in the bedroom of their Maine summer-house playing a game that isn't listed in Hoyle's. But then suddenly as Jessie hears the click of the second handcuff locking her to the bedposts and sees her husband looming over her, a nerve-snap of recognition tells her that this time Gerald is playing for keeps. Her next move is furious, violent and, she is shocked to discover, deadly. Giving up control is scary enough; it is terrifying when there is no one left to give it to.
Except that Jessie is not alone. Over the next twenty eight hours trapped in a lakeside house that has become a prison, Jessie will come face-to-face with all the things that she has ever feared. and the un-latched back door banging fretfully in the breeze is an open invitation to horrors she has never imagined. Inside the darkening bedroom, shadows gather in mute menace, while inside Jessie's head a taunting chorus of voices whisper and shriek: "Women alone in the dark are like open doors"...and if they cry out for help, who knows what dreaded things may answer...
Except that Jessie is not alone. Over the next twenty eight hours trapped in a lakeside house that has become a prison, Jessie will come face-to-face with all the things that she has ever feared. and the un-latched back door banging fretfully in the breeze is an open invitation to horrors she has never imagined. Inside the darkening bedroom, shadows gather in mute menace, while inside Jessie's head a taunting chorus of voices whisper and shriek: "Women alone in the dark are like open doors"...and if they cry out for help, who knows what dreaded things may answer...
Helpful Score: 1
Stephan King gives us his most ambitious work yet.
Helpful Score: 1
A different kind of bedtime story, stunning, hairy, it will scare you to death, but you have to read on on because you have to know what happens.
Helpful Score: 1
A married couple's attempt to spice up their love life takes terrifying turn from bad to worse. I kept reading even though I wanted to put the book down. Stephen King is is at his creepiest.
Helpful Score: 1
After finishing Gerald's Game, I feel like I have just fallen out of the visionary world Stephen King has written, and anybody can journey to it by picking up this book. From start to finish, this is psychological terror at its best, and if a person was entranced as I was they could finish this book in about 2 days if they felt the need to, because the reader just has to know the outcome to the story or he would go insane waiting to see what happens. Although Gerald's Game deals with some very controversial subject matter, such as child abuse and sex, this book is not overshadowed by the mature subject matter. This was once in fact supposed to be a movie, but the producers had no idea how to show somebody topless for the entire movie without recieving an NC-17 rating, so they just dropped the whole movie idea. Here below is a quick overview of the story and the writing:
Story: As the novel opens, we meet timid Housewife Jessie Burlingame, who is still haunted by an accident from the past, and her husband, Gerald Burlingame, the curious husband who has a slight heart problem. Both of them are vacationing at their Lake House when Gerald decides to pull out his handcuffs and test them out on Jessie. Jessie is then handcuffed to both of the bedposts, with only 6 inches of armroom allowed. With Jessie still locked up and the keys all the way across the room, Gerald suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving Jessie hopelessly handcuffed with no way to get out of the bed. As time passes, Gerald's body starts looking pretty scrumptious to a hungry stray, who ventures into the house and starts turning Gerald into Dogfood. All the while Jessie valiantly tries to get a water glass full of water off the shelf that is just barely out of her reach, but she has to try or else she fears she may just go insane. As her hunger and thirst deepens, Jessie begins having recurring dreams about her disturbing childhood that is tarnished by the memory of her father abusing her as a child. As she learns to deal with her inner demons, she soon notices demons aren't only in her dreams, but in the corner of her bedroom. A gaunt shadow stands there watching her throughout the night, and she realizes to her dismay the shadow is real. The only way Jessie can get out of her predicament is to overcome her inner demons and and try not to go mad, while at the same time she must figure out a way to get out of her impenetrable stronghold with all of her options gone except for an empty glass on the bedstand. Jessie learns to overcome fear and herself in the ultimate battle for survival.
Writing: Stephen King constantly amazes me at his always changing and everdevoloping writing styles, and with Gerald's Game, he once again he has done it. Although not as descriptive as say Cujo or The Shining, Gerald's Game describes things beautifully through similes and metaphors that are well-crafted and thought-out. What really amazes me about the writing is the relentlessness of the plot and how he sounds like the Camp Counselor telling ghost stories around the fire, increasing the tension and making you gasp once or twice for good measure. Stephen King is definitely writing in his "I Want to Tell You A Story" mode, never letting the plot lag and the story get muddled with needless subplots that have no basis. GREAT!
Story: As the novel opens, we meet timid Housewife Jessie Burlingame, who is still haunted by an accident from the past, and her husband, Gerald Burlingame, the curious husband who has a slight heart problem. Both of them are vacationing at their Lake House when Gerald decides to pull out his handcuffs and test them out on Jessie. Jessie is then handcuffed to both of the bedposts, with only 6 inches of armroom allowed. With Jessie still locked up and the keys all the way across the room, Gerald suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving Jessie hopelessly handcuffed with no way to get out of the bed. As time passes, Gerald's body starts looking pretty scrumptious to a hungry stray, who ventures into the house and starts turning Gerald into Dogfood. All the while Jessie valiantly tries to get a water glass full of water off the shelf that is just barely out of her reach, but she has to try or else she fears she may just go insane. As her hunger and thirst deepens, Jessie begins having recurring dreams about her disturbing childhood that is tarnished by the memory of her father abusing her as a child. As she learns to deal with her inner demons, she soon notices demons aren't only in her dreams, but in the corner of her bedroom. A gaunt shadow stands there watching her throughout the night, and she realizes to her dismay the shadow is real. The only way Jessie can get out of her predicament is to overcome her inner demons and and try not to go mad, while at the same time she must figure out a way to get out of her impenetrable stronghold with all of her options gone except for an empty glass on the bedstand. Jessie learns to overcome fear and herself in the ultimate battle for survival.
Writing: Stephen King constantly amazes me at his always changing and everdevoloping writing styles, and with Gerald's Game, he once again he has done it. Although not as descriptive as say Cujo or The Shining, Gerald's Game describes things beautifully through similes and metaphors that are well-crafted and thought-out. What really amazes me about the writing is the relentlessness of the plot and how he sounds like the Camp Counselor telling ghost stories around the fire, increasing the tension and making you gasp once or twice for good measure. Stephen King is definitely writing in his "I Want to Tell You A Story" mode, never letting the plot lag and the story get muddled with needless subplots that have no basis. GREAT!
Helpful Score: 1
I tossed this book into the trash. I have never done that before, and I hope to never do that again. Looking back, I feel remorse for what I did, but at the time I couldn't think of anything else to do with it. The contents literally made my stomach churn. This is one of Stephen King's books that I feel could have stayed locked away in a filing cabinet somewhere.
What the story boiled down to for me:
A woman goes to a vacation spot with her husband. Her husband handcuffs her to the bed, during a sex game, and dies. From that point on we spend a lot of time in the main character's head, where we catch glimpses of her troubled past.
I felt depressed for the main character, and just wanted her emotional turmoil to end. I guess it was a truly terrifying story, because it could be reality for many people.
I feel for those people, but I wish I had never seen this book.
What the story boiled down to for me:
A woman goes to a vacation spot with her husband. Her husband handcuffs her to the bed, during a sex game, and dies. From that point on we spend a lot of time in the main character's head, where we catch glimpses of her troubled past.
I felt depressed for the main character, and just wanted her emotional turmoil to end. I guess it was a truly terrifying story, because it could be reality for many people.
I feel for those people, but I wish I had never seen this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I have always liked Stephen King, but have found that his stuff is either really good or really bad. There does not seem to be any in between. Gerald's Game was one of the good ones. I think it was one of his earlier books, because it shows some good imagination. I liked it.
Helpful Score: 1
Any Stephen King fan will know some of his books are better than others, but all are good reading. This one is no exception.
Helpful Score: 1
Couldn't put the book down
Helpful Score: 1
King is always a great read.
Helpful Score: 1
Stunning I was scared to death.
Helpful Score: 1
Several aspects of this book really freaked me out. Almost too real for me!
Helpful Score: 1
I couldn't put this one down!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Oh, how I hated this book.
Took a long time before I dared pick up another King book.
Took a long time before I dared pick up another King book.
Helpful Score: 1
A different bedtime story .....
Helpful Score: 1
if you like captive novels this is a must read. Megan.
Helpful Score: 1
Stephen King has a unique way of telling a story and making you feel like you are part of it. Gerald's Game is no exception. I experienced fear when the wild animal chewed on Gerald's dead body and loneliness for his wife handcuffed to the bed. I was stunned at her bravery in releasing herself from her bonds. I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. Better than watching a movie. I LOVED IT!!!!
Helpful Score: 1
This Steven King book will scare you to death if you are a woman and may just mark you for life!
Helpful Score: 1
A must read for any SK fan.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book. It was creeeeeeepy, in that 'It could happen to anyone' kinda way. While I was reading it I kept thinking of Edgar Allan Poe's "the Cask of the Amontillado", even though Poe's was a tale of revenge and this one was a chilling tale of ultra bad timing. CHILLING!!
Helpful Score: 1
A typical King novel both well written and rather horrifying. Not a topic I would want to read again.
Helpful Score: 1
The usual sick sadist writing that makes stephen king the excellent writer that he is and all of his followers roaming behind him to get to the next novel he has written takes you places you never thought a mind would go or want to, kept me up at night reading till i got to the end..most excellent. the fate of gerald is horrible yet its a riveting compelling urge that you finish.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was creepy. One of King's better books. You could feel the panic and clautrophobia as Jessie finds herself alone and trying to free herself from her situation. Then, her imagination starts working, or is it her imagination???
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book. Especially because it was mostly focused on one character and the span of the book was not long. It was VERY easy to read & read for hours.
Helpful Score: 1
Long drawn-out book with no interesting ending.
Ann
Ann
Helpful Score: 1
Steven King at his best.
The first time I read the book I loved it. The second time it was too disturbing and I didn't finish it. It is amazing how Stephen King can spend an entire book talking about one character and one setting. Very ingenious.
One of King's small-scale novels focusing on one individual,
not unlike Misery. Most people probably have a hard time
recommending this one and I can't imagine it being filmed,
so it remains very underrated.
The protagonist, Jessie is married to Gerald, and Gerald's game
is handcuffing his wife during sexual play. When something goes
horribly wrong Jessie is stuck on her own and we're there with her.
King can be very, very good at getting into people's heads and
setting up psychological terror and here he does a masterful job.
Of course this is King so expect some great gore a well. Riveting.
not unlike Misery. Most people probably have a hard time
recommending this one and I can't imagine it being filmed,
so it remains very underrated.
The protagonist, Jessie is married to Gerald, and Gerald's game
is handcuffing his wife during sexual play. When something goes
horribly wrong Jessie is stuck on her own and we're there with her.
King can be very, very good at getting into people's heads and
setting up psychological terror and here he does a masterful job.
Of course this is King so expect some great gore a well. Riveting.
This book started out great but then did a huge belly flop. I felt like it never went anywhere. The ending was a huge dissapointment. I thought Steven King would be able to come up with a better way to end it.
OMG my husband and I read this together. SK hit it again his mind trully is a wonder Im totally in love with SK's talent and Mind. I recommend this book to any one who respects being suprised by Sk. This book trully is a MASTERPIECE.
I agree with the other reviewers about how this is a creepy story. The shadows that she sees in the corner are very creepy, and what they turn out to be is even more creepier. I loved this book, it was very greatly written and it was nerve wracking. When you really get into reading it, you feel like you are the main character and that gets under your skin in a good way!
The story is all in the characters head. She is not only trying to think of ways to escape from the handcuffs but reliving the bad moments of her past. Some of the descriptions are gory but not over the top. They helped move the story along and understand the character. They fit the story. What a well written story that was hard for me to put down.
Very good book. The ending wasn't what I expected it to be though.
This book mostly involves psychological terror whereby the heroine, Jessie is forced to face her darkest fears. She is married to Gerald, a successful attorney. In the midst of their sex game, which Jessie no longer wants to play, she is left handcuffed to the bedposts after Gerald dies of a heart attack. Lying there all alone for almost 2 days, Jessie is forced to face her past which she had previously shoved aside in her subconscious. Faced with thirst, hunger, a ravenously hungry stray dog and a terrifying creature who visits her at night, Jessie has all she can do to stay sane and focus on escaping. Most of this book is taken up with Jessie\'s ruminations and discoveries about her past and herself. Interspersed throughout are the moments of painful body spasms and the terrors brought on by the dog and the night. I like Stephen King but some of his books are way too drawn out. This book is 445 pages long and it\'s my opinion that it would have been better if it was 100 or so pages shorter. I skimmed through much of the overdrawn details and descriptions in order to get through the book. By doing that I was able to thoroughly enjoy \"Gerald\'s Game\".
King does an excellent job of storytelling centered around a woman who is abandoned while handcuffed to a bedpost. Awesome and terrifying.
By far, the worst of King's books. This is one of those rare books that I hated so much I really considered just not finishing. I muddled through though in hopes that the ending might be worth the misery of reading it, but alas, it never did get any better. The attempt to make this a compelling, psychological thriller really feel short, I did not find it at all frightening (other than just the idea that this could conceivably happen to someone). Compared to something like "Cujo", this book was just was more annoying than nail-biting and scary. King uses a sort of "stream-of-consciousness" to take us in the protagonist's rambling thoughts and it just did not work for me.
I personally thought that this book was a little wierd I didn't personally like it but I know others might
I am a big fan of King, but this was one of his worst. If I read 100 pages, and dont like it, i quit reading. I struggled to even get that far on this. Reminds me of tommyknockers, which i didnt care for either.
Cuh-reepy. King is the master of giving folks the willies and this one has stuck with me for years.
Truly nerve-wrecking! Hard to turn off the lights after reading.
Scary!!One of kings finest!
Good book
A fabulous King novel!
Good summer beach reading! A little scary, but very entertaining.
Definitely suspensful and a very twisty plot. Good ol Stephen King.
I couldn't finish it, personally I thought it was terrible. And I'm a Stephen King fan :) But others seem to like it.
I am a huge fan of Stephen King and I really enjoyed this book. It had been awhile since I had read any books due to my work schedule, but after reading Gerald's Game I am back on my Stephen King reading fix...reading another one of his books now!
I usually love Stephen King, but I could not get through this one. Graphic sexually violent plot elements with King's usual no-punches-pulled writing style make this a difficult read. I'm not usually a shrinking violet when it comes to graphic material, but this book was intolerable for me.
This book got me at "Hello" but then it seemed to fall flat. This was definitely not one of his best books. I thought it was going to be much better in fact. Just starting the way it did grabbed my attention. The story seemed to almost go around in circles. The ending was not what I expected out of an SK book but I guess he's all about surprises.
Well, how do I put this? Okay but not my favorite Stephen King novel. Definitely scary.
This has got to be one of the worst King books I have ever read and I usually love his books. The only reason I even finished it was because he wrote it...I give it 2 thumbs down unfortunately.
Another terrifying boon by Mr. King! This book will have you afraid of your own shadow .
This freaked me out. It stayed with me LONG after I put it down.
Stephen King at his best with lots of twists and surprises.
Early King writing is typical of his style of effortlessly grabbing you from the first paragraph and holding you spellbound until the end when you are rendered exhausted from the tension, panic and excitement of the grueling experience of a worst case scenario that seemingly could really happen.
It begins with a simple sex game between a woman and her husband involving handcuffs and a bed frame. It continues into the struggle of the woman to survive an episode of terror almost unimaginable.
It begins with a simple sex game between a woman and her husband involving handcuffs and a bed frame. It continues into the struggle of the woman to survive an episode of terror almost unimaginable.
I think one of King's best--weird but not feaky
His worst book ever. I would never read it again or recommend it to anyone unless you need something to put you to sleep.
Loved it!
This book lacks the overt supernatural element of most Stephen King novels i.e. it's more like "Cujo" than "Carrie". A friend once said that "Gerald's Game" scared her because she could actually imagine it happening to her! :>)
Liked it so much, I bought it again. *sigh*
On a warm weekday in October, in the lovely summer home of Gerald and Jessie Burlingame, a game is about to begin. It's a game that has Jessie being innocently handcuffed to the bedposts. Then in one horrible, violent act, Gerald is dead and Jessie--well....
This book was weird & seriously creepy!
hardback copy great for your collection
Book cover shows a different image than the one shown here, but the book is the same!
