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readingspells's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As with so many King books there were definite moments in this when it just felt overly long and that we totally had the point but can we please move on now to something happening. I have learned to lean into that with this author as so often when you get to the end you suddenly realise that all of those moments were actually needed to tell a complete and detailed story. However I am not sure that is true this time. Yes it is somewhat true but not completely.
I found some of the chapters will Norman's inner dialogue were almost repetitive in nature and I have to say that large body of italic text was not that easy to read. I keep trying to differentiate it from the rest of the story but bloody hell that italic was hard.
SLIGHT SPOILER
This is a book where I feel like King had tried to be too clever and the result was it lost me a bit. The domestic violence story totally had me hooked and I so wanted Norman to get his comeuppance but the whole painting and super natural part of it seemed to derail that and I was oddly disappointed that Norman's fate does not lay in reality.
However, King writes violent misogynist so well. Normal literally made my skin crawl and the second half off the book where he is hunting Rose was such a gripping page turner that I couldn't put it down.
But then the end, well I won't do spoilers but it just didn't work for me and I the very very end, I didn't even really understand the significance of it and it left me feeling like I wasn't smart enough for this book as my Greek myth knowledge was lacking.
CW: Vivid descriptions of violent domestic violence, miscarriage, physical trauma from abuse and violent misogyny.
I found some of the chapters will Norman's inner dialogue were almost repetitive in nature and I have to say that large body of italic text was not that easy to read. I keep trying to differentiate it from the rest of the story but bloody hell that italic was hard.
SLIGHT SPOILER
This is a book where I feel like King had tried to be too clever and the result was it lost me a bit. The domestic violence story totally had me hooked and I so wanted Norman to get his comeuppance but the whole painting and super natural part of it seemed to derail that and I was oddly disappointed that Norman's fate does not lay in reality.
However, King writes violent misogynist so well. Normal literally made my skin crawl and the second half off the book where he is hunting Rose was such a gripping page turner that I couldn't put it down.
But then the end, well I won't do spoilers but it just didn't work for me and I the very very end, I didn't even really understand the significance of it and it left me feeling like I wasn't smart enough for this book as my Greek myth knowledge was lacking.
CW: Vivid descriptions of violent domestic violence, miscarriage, physical trauma from abuse and violent misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Violence, and Homophobia
memydogandbooks's review against another edition
So long and the super natural bit wasn’t working for me
book_worm_91's review against another edition
4.5
Loved this!!! It was hard to read in places due to the abuse that was being described, but it had me hooked. I felt like the epilogue was a bit rushed though. But overall I really enjoyed the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
bethanyellen73's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bradland's review against another edition
2.0
What starts off as a great Stephen King take on domestic violence and escape of such conditions is later ruined by cheap fantasy. I guess it is common for King to go down the fantasy track but he usually provides some hints near the beginning that the story will go this direction.... but there isn't any... and as a result it feels intrusive, like King thought 'needs more weirdness' after already written most of the story. A real shame because most of the straight forward text is great, in a similar vein to Roadwork, which I consider underrated. Perhaps if the fantasy elements had some coherence about them I could forgive but as someone who has read Talisman and the DT books (and so understands some of what's going on), there is still a lot here that ultimately becomes pointless. In other words, what the hell was the deal with the fantasy bits? Why should the reader care about anything that goes on there? They added nothing to the bulk of the story and only destroy what could have been a decent straight forward novel.
coraline88's review against another edition
4.0
Going into this book, I was slightly hesitant. I'd heard that this was not one of his best works by so many die-hard fans. Even Stephen King himself said this book was a disappointment. Boy, was this book a pleasant surprise. Beware though: trigger warnings for domestic abuse, rape, murder and other violent acts.
Rose Daniels, after having stayed with her husband for 14 years, decides to run away. In doing so, she initiates a cat-and-mouse game that becomes an essential part of this breathtaking thriller, which will keep you turning the pages late at night. Norman Daniels (her husband) was a memorable villain, and though you get glimpses of his past that explain his present behaviour, it doesn't justify his actions. Not unusually for a Stephen King book, there are supernatural elements in this. In this case, it takes the form of a painting called Rose Madder. I really enjoyed this part of the story, and I thought that it contributed to Rosie's character development. Her growing self-confidence is what made the novel such an interesting ride from start to finish, making her a more complex heroine, which readers will pull for.
As for the pacing, I thought that the story progressed adequately, giving the story room for new characters to be introduced and to grow throughout the novel. The ending, which I will not reveal, was quite satisfying for me.
All in all, it was a memorable thriller, with compelling characters, an interesting supernatural twist to it and an underlying positive message. Would recommend!!
Rose Daniels, after having stayed with her husband for 14 years, decides to run away. In doing so, she initiates a cat-and-mouse game that becomes an essential part of this breathtaking thriller, which will keep you turning the pages late at night. Norman Daniels (her husband) was a memorable villain, and though you get glimpses of his past that explain his present behaviour, it doesn't justify his actions. Not unusually for a Stephen King book, there are supernatural elements in this. In this case, it takes the form of a painting called Rose Madder. I really enjoyed this part of the story, and I thought that it contributed to Rosie's character development. Her growing self-confidence is what made the novel such an interesting ride from start to finish, making her a more complex heroine, which readers will pull for.
As for the pacing, I thought that the story progressed adequately, giving the story room for new characters to be introduced and to grow throughout the novel. The ending, which I will not reveal, was quite satisfying for me.
All in all, it was a memorable thriller, with compelling characters, an interesting supernatural twist to it and an underlying positive message. Would recommend!!