A review by phil629
Blaze by Stephen King, Richard Bachman

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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

I must say I have enjoyed the Blackman novels (one to go) and actually prefer them to King’s other works. Here we have a fairly simple but sad tale but by exploring the narrative from the antagonist's perspective is a captivating concept, and not every writer can successfully evoke empathy for the so-called "bad guy." In the case of Blaze, despite his wrongful actions, his innocence and generous nature make him an unexpectedly endearing character. The storytelling delves into the tragic events of his life, compelling readers to genuinely feel sympathy for a man whose primary desire was a simple, happy life. This book resonated with me.