SK said Rose Madder was a "formula" book to his regret, just read it

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Lindzilla

New Member
Nov 20, 2014
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I'm on a SK reading jag and finally read Rose Madder for the first time. I'd read he said it was one of few (or was it 2?) books written in that manner. His book On Writing gives me an inside view to his writing process and made me want to try the novels I'd passed by like Rose.
Wow, the abuse story was very powerful and had me rooting for the women and thinking of Norman as "Nearly Normal Norman" from the first.
What did you guys think of Rose Madder?
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I enjoyed that book quite a bit. It reminds me of Anna Quindlen's book from a few years later, Black and Blue, except that I find Mr. King's people more believable (lol). I even enjoyed the fantasy element (which tends to get the most criticism).
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Liked it quite a lot. Although, I do tire of the "cop is really a bad guy" theme. It's not just SK, but it's a common occurrence in his work. I get it - he's anti-establishment. It's just really tiresome to the 99.99% of us that take the job seriously and want to do it well.
You're a cop? I knew there was a reason I liked you - good for you! :encouragement::star::thumbs_up:
 

Aloysius Nell

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2014
309
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Yep - and I had to think on it for a minute when I came up with my screen name, to get a SK cop I really liked! I'm sure there's more; Buick 6 had good cops in it, but I just didn't like that book so much. Still better than 98% of the books out there, of course!
 

Aloysius Nell

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2014
309
1,009
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Yes, back on topic, thank you! I liked how Rose never really questioned the alternate reality of the painting. She wasted no time wondering if she was going crazy, if I remember correctly. I wondered about that at first, but I think someone who had been through a marriage like that would be very familiar with "alternate realities" as an escape. She was already putting herself into a trance-like state before she even left him.
 

ALOT

Banned
Jun 10, 2011
130
278
Canada
I'm on a SK reading jag and finally read Rose Madder for the first time. I'd read he said it was one of few (or was it 2?) books written in that manner. His book On Writing gives me an inside view to his writing process and made me want to try the novels I'd passed by like Rose.
Wow, the abuse story was very powerful and had me rooting for the women and thinking of Norman as "Nearly Normal Norman" from the first.
What did you guys think of Rose Madder?
I've read about 80 percent of Steve's stories, and this one was my favorite. Outside of the fantasy part of this story, you wouldn't believe how true to life it is. He must've spoken to a woman with an inside knowledge, because Rose the character, her thought processes. her reactions it's all there. I don't know anything about writing, but by God what a heck of a story. It was intense wasn't it?
 

ALOT

Banned
Jun 10, 2011
130
278
Canada
In reality most traumatized persons have an uncanny knack for dissociation , detachment and the ability to create a fantasy world that makes it bearable for the individual to cope and survive in it. I'm not saying that's what was happening in the story, but for me it felt familiar. I wonder if that's where Steve might have come up with the idea for the alternate world. It was the same thing with the rages she had after the fact. This story would be amazing to persons who've never been abused, but for those with an inside track, all I can say is WOW.
Yes, back on topic, thank you! I liked how Rose never really questioned the alternate reality of the painting. She wasted no time wondering if she was going crazy, if I remember correctly. I wondered about that at first, but I think someone who had been through a marriage like that would be very familiar with "alternate realities" as an escape. She was already putting herself into a trance-like state before she even left him.
 

M&P15

Deleted User
Feb 23, 2015
624
738
I enjoyed this book right up until the appearance of "ze bool" I thought he had created a pretty good real monster in Norman and thought the story could have stayed "un-supernatural", but then again some of my favorite writings are non supernatural: Shawshank and non supernatural horror: Green Mile and 11-22-63.

With so many Dark Tower references in his work, I suppose I will always miss something until I get past my ambivalence toward The Gunslinger and finish that series.
 

ALOT

Banned
Jun 10, 2011
130
278
Canada
With so many Dark Tower references in his work, I suppose I will always miss something until I get past my ambivalence toward The Gunslinger and finish that series.
The first and second book in the series will propel you forward into finishing. It took me a year and a half and still there's plenty I miss. I prefer short stories so when I decided to read the Gunslinger series it felt like a daunting task. But the first story on its own is really good. So that's how I chose to look at it, one book (story)at a time.
 

not_nadine

Comfortably Roont
Nov 19, 2011
29,655
139,785
Behind you
For whatever reason, the first book didn't capture me, and I just haven't yet found the desire to delve into the second. I will eventually.
You must read The Drawing of the Three. It has been repeated before that so many people had troubles with The Gunslinger, myself included. The Drawing will capture you and you won't be able to stop. (!!)
 

Ted Brautigan

Well-Known Member
Aug 5, 2009
79
230
Tampa
Liked it quite a lot. Although, I do tire of the "cop is really a bad guy" theme. It's not just SK, but it's a common occurrence in his work. I get it - he's anti-establishment. It's just really tiresome to the 99.99% of us that take the job seriously and want to do it well.

They're pretty well represented in "From A Buick 8" I thought.