Have never been so scared reading a book

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Lina

Committed member
Jun 24, 2009
3,356
6,024
Russia
Yesterday I finally finished reading the book, so now I am ready to give my opinion about the whole story.

First of all, I loved it, I really, really loved it! Though, it was not easy for me to continue reading it. I was afraid I would give it up after the first 60 pages or so. Not because it was difficult for me to read due to the language or anything, but because I was awfully scared. The subject of domestic violence is too hard for me, as I had my own experience of this, and it is horrible. So, I have probably never hated any character as much as I hated Norman. And I was so worried about Rosie and Bill... And I respect Rosie as she is such a strong woman, she managed to stop this madness, to escape from her home. And Norman received what he deserved.

The part about the painting was a bit strange, but in general I love these stories about paintings influencing us or coming alive, and so on. That reminded me of the short story The Road Virus Heads North which I also loved.

Well, to sum up, I liked the book. It was very, very hard to read it... I think I even cried a few times when reading the descriptions of the life of Norman and Rosie. But the book is really great!
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
Lina,
Thank you for your view of Rose Madder. It is one of my favorites by Stephen King as well. Domestic Violence is a such a hard topic because so many people have suffered it.

One of the ways I have started to heal is by starting a quilting group at my church; all quilts will be donated to victims of domestic violence. We have 6 quilts in process, 3 are nearing completion. People at my church don't know why I have selected this issue, it is for one who still suffers in silence and despite all of my love and support will "until death do her part".
 

A.C.T_Guy

Active Member
Aug 21, 2014
33
172
Rose Madder is my most recent SK read. While i have no experience of domestic violence, I found the early stages hard going, reading what Rose had been through. But at no stage did I ever contemplate putting it down, and i was rewarded as SK's insertion of humour that starts to appear at about the half way stage is when I started to realise that things were probably not going to end well for Norman.
The supernatural twist with the painting was different, but fine with me as i like that kind of stuff.
 

Mack

Member
Oct 15, 2014
19
82
34
I quite disagree. I personally loathed this book. I think it was by far the worst novel SK has ever written, and I think he agrees, he himself called it a "try-too-hard" book and it shows in his writing. Parts of it were just too trite and pretentious for my liking, the characters were all appalling (I was rooting for the death of all of them in a brawl). Urrr gh. :blarf:
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I quite disagree. I personally loathed this book. I think it was by far the worst novel SK has ever written, and I think he agrees, he himself called it a "try-too-hard" book and it shows in his writing. Parts of it were just too trite and pretentious for my liking, the characters were all appalling (I was rooting for the death of all of them in a brawl). Urrr gh. :blarf:
I like it - I may read it again, since I own it!
 
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NightaangelDK

Member
Nov 6, 2014
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Copenhagen, Denmark
I loved reading this book.
I couldn't put it down i just had to find out what happened next. Rosie's developement through the book was fantastic, it made me think about how much we can do if we fight for it, and how you can bounce back from horrible experiences if you have people to help around you.
 

Paranoid Paintbrush

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2014
77
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UK - south-west
This is one of my favourites :) I recently re-read it, and I'm kind of tempted to try interpreting the painting...wish me luck, haha! :) But definitely, I could read this one again and again; I just love the journey it takes you on, and the sense of karma it portrays.
 
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