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zone_a3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Blood, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, Lesbophobia, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Abortion, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Police brutality
btrz7's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Gore, Rape, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Incest, Miscarriage, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Violence
stars_and_stags's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first chapter is very dark and the opening pages are horrific to read.
There are also quite a few words & phrases that were quite shocking to hear in 2023.
Overall, I like the journey Rose goes on but I perfectly understand why some choose not to read this. It’s a tough read.
Graphic: Abortion, Antisemitism, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexism, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Addiction, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
gemdnnlly's review against another edition
2.25
There’s so much repetition and it feels like King was just trying desperately to reach 500+ pages
Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, Homophobia, and Misogyny
liminalweirdo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Antisemitism
fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Gore, Antisemitism, and Death
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rose Madder is a combination of a quintessential King thriller and Greek mythology. The story is told from the 2 main characters points of view in alternate chapters which very slowly reduce in length. It's barely noticeable until the final third of the book where you are being swept into the faster pace this trick creates, like a whirlpool.
Rose Madder is brutal, tense, thrilling, violent and supernatural but it's also moving, emotional and hopeful. For me, the mirror world/largest metaphor ever used was almost too much. It takes a significant suspension in disbelief but I learned to appreciate it.
I also found it difficult to believe that a woman traumatised by domestic abuse would so easily enter into a new relationship and so smoothly. I was rooting for them though.
My final criticism is in the very end of the book. It's hard to describe it without giving any spoilers so I'll just say that I found 'remember the tree' unnecessary.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence