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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Stephen King has unearthed and revamped a final Bachman tale. Blaze was originally written in 1973 and misplaced until just recently. It is the story of Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., an unfortunate man whose life began with promise and went downhill from there. As a boy, Blaze was smart and studious, until his father pushed him down a set of stairs leaving him forever changed. Blaze then became a ward of the state and was sent to Hetton House, a home for orphaned boys. Here, Blaze learned the value of friendship but not much else. Blaze is large for his size and not particularly bright, but loyal to a fault, and this eventually leaves him a perfect target for thieves and criminals in need of a strong-arm. After much experience with simple con jobs, Blaze and his partner George have devised the perfect kidnapping. Unfortunately, George dies and Blaze decides to pull it off on his own, sort of. While I enjoyed this dark and bleak tale, I missed the distinctive style that was present in all of the previous Bachman books. I think this comes from the length of time between when it was originally penned and when it was edited (1973 and now). This edition also includes a short story called “Memory” that is the inspiration for King’s Duma Key. A must read for all King fans.
This is one of the few King books I haven’t read before and it’s always a treat to read a new to me King! Or Bachman if you’re being fussy. I think this might actually my fave out of all the stories King wrote under the Bachman name, I got slight King vibes from it as well and I was all there for it! It reminded me a bit of Of Mice and Men and that is NEVER ever a bad comparison because that book is brilliant. But where this book really got me is the characters, Blaze just hit me right in the feels in that aspect! Blaze was such a great character, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him despite everything he does. He’s just a poor misguided soul that I couldn’t help but root for. This was a great story and I already can’t wait to read it again in a couple of years and fall in love with it all over again!
One of those books I started ages ago and set down and never picked back up again. I'm not sure why, as I was really enjoying it. I haven't read much King but the more I read, the more I want to read. This book with a dimwitted main character who has a sharper friend named George was definitely a little two Of Mice and Men for me, but besides that, I quite liked it.
(Actual rating 4.5)
Blaze is a 2007 thriller novel by Stephen King, which was written sometime between 1966 and 1973, but published many decades later under his long-dead pseudonym, Richard Bachman. The story is a very clear homage to Steinbeck's classic [b:Of Mice and Men|890|Of Mice and Men|John Steinbeck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511302904l/890._SX50_.jpg|40283], and I'm always a sucker for retellings.
The book follows Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., a man of low intelligence who was heavily abused in his youth, and his partner in crime, George Rackley, and they manage to pull off many successful cons, and the main plot of the book focuses on one specific crime: the kidnapping of a child.
I find it extremely difficult to comprehend the fact that King wrote this novel decades ago and thought it wasn't good enough for publication. I absolutely flew through this book, and it is easily one of the most enjoyable King reads for me, simply because it is so quick, the narrative is very tight and concise, and the protagonist is one of my favourites that King has ever written. Clayton Blaisdell, known as Blaze, is comedically unintelligent, and he reminded me of one of my other favourite King characters, Tom Cullen from [b:The Stand|149267|The Stand|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1213131305l/149267._SX50_.jpg|1742269]. His backstory is rough, so even though he isn't the strongest, he is mentally (and physically) very strong. He brings a lot of light-heartedness to such a thrilling story, and I really appreciate what King did with his character.
I also think that the ending (no spoilers) was one of the best that King has ever written. I didn't expect it, and it left me feeling many emotions that I can't quite label.
Blaze is a 2007 thriller novel by Stephen King, which was written sometime between 1966 and 1973, but published many decades later under his long-dead pseudonym, Richard Bachman. The story is a very clear homage to Steinbeck's classic [b:Of Mice and Men|890|Of Mice and Men|John Steinbeck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511302904l/890._SX50_.jpg|40283], and I'm always a sucker for retellings.
The book follows Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., a man of low intelligence who was heavily abused in his youth, and his partner in crime, George Rackley, and they manage to pull off many successful cons, and the main plot of the book focuses on one specific crime: the kidnapping of a child.
I find it extremely difficult to comprehend the fact that King wrote this novel decades ago and thought it wasn't good enough for publication. I absolutely flew through this book, and it is easily one of the most enjoyable King reads for me, simply because it is so quick, the narrative is very tight and concise, and the protagonist is one of my favourites that King has ever written. Clayton Blaisdell, known as Blaze, is comedically unintelligent, and he reminded me of one of my other favourite King characters, Tom Cullen from [b:The Stand|149267|The Stand|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1213131305l/149267._SX50_.jpg|1742269]. His backstory is rough, so even though he isn't the strongest, he is mentally (and physically) very strong. He brings a lot of light-heartedness to such a thrilling story, and I really appreciate what King did with his character.
I also think that the ending (no spoilers) was one of the best that King has ever written. I didn't expect it, and it left me feeling many emotions that I can't quite label.
Of Mice and Men vibes ✨ but make it baby ❤️
I found this to be somewhat engaging but would have to agree with King's description in the preface. My first instinct was that it wasn't that great and hence why it hasn't been published until now. The story was interesting, but predictable and just not original. It lacked for me the psychological aspect that I generally enjoy from King.
Wow this is so much better second time around. I gave it 4 stars then but it now deserves 5 . A fantastic story which leaves you feeling sorry for Blaze.
I actually really liked this book, but don't walk into it expecting vintage King. It's a character driven, mind driven book, with characters reminiscent of Of Mice and Men.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the book great to read something different, 3.7 out of 5 stars