The best thing about the book was perhaps the beginning.

Despite being an author renowned for the horror genre, King managed to bring out the brutality of domestic abuse with such terrifying precision.

The opening scenes were so vivid and powerful that I could almost feel the tension in the air.

I remember beads of sweat collecting on my forehead while reading, as if I was directly witnessing the events unfold.

King's ability to create such a palpable sense of fear and unease is truly remarkable.

It makes the reader immediately invested in the story and eager to find out what will happen next.

The way he describes the emotions and experiences of the characters involved in the domestic abuse situation is both heart-wrenching and eye-opening.

It forces the reader to confront the harsh reality of such a prevalent issue and think about it in a new light.

Overall, the beginning of the book sets the stage for what is sure to be a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

Uneven and thematically haywire. This was not my favorite SK book.

I was really into it during the first third of the novel. The story seemed to have a lot of potential, and I was eager to see where it would lead. However, everything changed the moment she picked up that painting.

Maybe I’ve spent too much time in the Dark Tower series lately, but I truly wish every story didn’t end up in a version of All World somehow. Those were my least favorite elements. It felt like a bit of a cop-out, a way to tie everything together in a rather forced manner.

The story is bloated, and I found myself constantly resisting the urge to skim over most of the Norman-perspective segments. I just couldn't find any interest in them. I could have happily stayed inside of Rosie’s head the whole time. I thought that continually changing viewpoints almost diluted her story. It disrupted the flow and made it harder for me to fully engage with her character and her journey.

All-in-all, this was a rare SK miss for me. I was disappointed, as I usually have high expectations for his works. But this one just didn't quite hit the mark.

Probably my favorite King book, Rose Madder contains some of his creepiest imagery and the best characterization of a woman that he's managed thus far.

It's hard not to get involved in Rosie's problems as she runs from a horrifically abusive marriage. We can vividly imagine the pain and fear she endures.

The supernatural horror aspect of the story doesn't even enter into it until fairly late in the book. King gives you the chance to watch Rosie grow and change.

We see her transformation from a scared and oppressed woman to a stronger and more independent one. This growth sets the stage for what will happen next.

Definitely the one I would loan to someone who wasn't sure about King's more horrifying books, but wanted to try out his writing anyway. It offers a unique blend of a powerful character-driven story and a touch of supernatural horror that gradually builds up.

It shows King's versatility as a writer and his ability to create engaging and memorable characters.

Whether you're a fan of horror or just looking for a good read, Rose Madder is definitely worth checking out.

This has long been one of my all-time favourite books by Stephen King. It is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

With each passing year, its allure and power remain undiminished. The story is filled with vivid characters, thrilling plot twists, and a sense of mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

I am truly looking forward to discussing it with all the peeps in the #ComingUpRoseMadder group read on Instagram. It will be a great opportunity to share our thoughts, insights, and interpretations of this amazing book.

Whether you are a die-hard Stephen King fan or a newcomer to his work, I highly recommend "Rose Madder" to anyone who loves a good thriller. So join us in the group read and let's explore this captivating story together!

I was reading this article with my good buddy, Mel. We both really loved the whole psychological horror aspect of it. It was extremely intense at certain moments, which really added to the thrill. However, I can understand why some people might not have liked this particular story. The reason being the picture storyline. It had a certain impact that definitely prevented me from giving it a full 5-star rating. But despite that, when looking at the overall picture, it was still a great horror story. It managed to create an atmosphere of unease and keep us on the edge of our seats throughout. I would definitely recommend it to horror fans who are looking for something a little different and more psychological in nature.

I found "Rose Madder" to be one of King's most challenging novels to peruse. It unyieldingly focuses on the theme of domestic violence, which can be quite disturbing. The opening part of the novel is extremely powerful and engaging, drawing the reader in and making them empathize with the protagonist. However, as the story progresses, the final portion doesn't quite measure up to the expectations set by the beginning. It wanders into the supernatural realm, which seems somewhat unnecessary and detracts from the overall impact of the story.

I read this novel shortly after it was first published, and at that time, I thought it was interesting and very well-written. King's descriptive language and ability to create vivid characters and settings were on full display. However, over the years, I've never felt the urge to revisit it. Perhaps it's because the theme of domestic violence is so沉重 that it's difficult to read about again. Or maybe it's because the supernatural elements didn't quite work for me.

There’s a reason why King is one of the best writers around.

Even when the stories aren’t the strongest, it’s the strength of the characters that help propel the constant reader through.

Straight from the prologue where the novel introduces young Rosie Daniels’ most shockingly brutal attack from her husband Norman, the reader instantly roots for her to leave this domestic hell.

It’s not until years later after constant abuse that Rosie spots a drop of blood on her bedding and realizes that this horrific situation will kill her.

Fleeing to the next town and finding the sanctuary of a women’s institute is just the start of a new life for her.

King does introduce a supernatural element to the middle section of the book, which feels slightly off kilter compared to the rest of the novel.

However, this section is relevant as it harks back to the beginning of the story and also has a nice sense of foreshadowing. Additionally, the references to The Dark Tower were great.

Norman is one of the best ‘worst’ villains that King has created, and the switching between him and Rosie through the main part of the book was incredibly well written.

By no means King’s best work, but there was so much to enjoy. Gripping characters mixed with a tough subject matter help make this a memorable entry in the King cannon.

Overall, it’s a novel that showcases King’s ability to create engaging characters and a story that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

"It ain't the blows we're dealt that matter, but the ones we survive." This powerful statement sets the tone for the story of Rose McClendon.

A single drop of blood makes Rose realize that her husband, Norman, might actually kill her. So, she bravely decides to leave him and heads to a new city.

I always get excited when the main protagonist in a King novel is a female, as I have a great track record with them. However, with Rose Madder, we just didn't click. My main issue was with the character of Norman. He's clearly a horrible person from the start, but as the story went on, his character became too much of a caricature for me. The over-the-top and exaggerated details, like the constant biting, didn't add anything for me. And the repetition of him mentioning his ATM card was really irritating.

Norman is also not a typical King villain. King's characters are usually more complex, existing in shades of grey. But Norman has no redeeming features at all. He's racist, homophobic, and physically abusive to his wife. Reading from his perspective was very uncomfortable.

I also didn't like that all the sections from Norman's point of view were in italics. It was pages and pages of italics, which hurt my eyes and made it hard for me to concentrate.

However, there were things I did like. Rosie was a kickass female character that I wanted to root for. Her relationship with Bill was beautiful, and they were one of King's strongest couples. I also loved the usual King easter eggs, especially the references to Misery and the Dark Tower series.

The plot did take a strange turn, and at first, I was unimpressed and bored. But over time, I began to appreciate it more. I just think the book would have been better if it had focused more on the domestic violence aspect and Rose's escape from her abusive marriage. The events involving the painting felt a bit stupid and over-written at times.

Overall, it's not a new favorite for me, but I can still appreciate Rose as another awesome leading lady. And I did enjoy quite a few parts of the book. I give it 3.5 stars.

I'm not sure precisely how many times I have delved into this book. However, this time, listening to it being read by Blair Brown and Stephen King was an entirely new experience. I recall awarding it five stars previously, yet now I feel that might not truly do it justice. This book is nothing short of fantastic!

King is an absolute master at writing from the perspective of the "other." Here, he not only presents the viewpoint of a woman, Rose Daniels, who has endured horrific spousal abuse, but also that of the abuser, Norman. I can't even fathom that Tabby would tolerate any form of abuse. She'd surely retaliate swiftly, so both points of view are that of the "other," and yet, they both ring incredibly true. It's beautifully done.

Rose Daniels has been married to Norman, her cop husband, for over fifteen years, and he is an astoundingly inventive abuser. Not only does he know precisely where and how to strike without leaving a mark, but he also resorts to biting. The very thought of being bitten in such a way is almost unimaginable. I can envision a punch, a kick, or a pinch, but a bite? Heaven forbid! The novel commences with a terrifying incident that occurs years before the main story, yet it sets the stage perfectly. We witness the horrors that Rose endures and understand how crucial it is for her to escape quickly and leave no trace when she "wakes up" one day. The fact that, despite her terror, she finds the strength and determination to do so is truly remarkable.

Since it occurs in the first few pages, it's not really a spoiler to say that Rosie does manage to escape. She receives some assistance from some very kind-hearted people, but most importantly, she helps herself. She secures a job that Norman has, in a twisted way, trained her to do better by brutally beating her on a regular basis. How ironic is that? It's a great big "screw you" to him! I truly love that King includes this small but significant detail. Sadly, Norman is never going to be content with letting her go, so he manages to track her down.

Like many of King's books, there is some truly fantastical and mind-boggling what-the-fuckery happening here. These parts are my least favorite scenes in the book. While it doesn't diminish the overall mastery of the writing, I felt it was worthy of mention. This is one of the very few books of his that actually has a happy ending. And if anyone deserves a happy ending, it's Rosie Real, Really Rosie.

Readers be warned: Rose Madder commences with one of the most vivid scenes of violence that I have ever had the misfortune to encounter in the written word. It is harsh, brutal, and heartbreaking in its unrelenting ferocity. The opening pages paint a picture so vivid that it haunts the mind and lingers long after the book has been put down.

This novel weaves a compelling tale of an ordinary, suburban housewife named Rosie Daniels. She makes the brave and life-altering decision to leave her abusive and vicious husband, Norman. Admittedly, I had attempted to read this book on two previous occasions but was unable to progress beyond that brutally disturbing opening scene. It was so mentally taxing that I would simply put the book aside and avoid it for a time. However, this does not mean that I thought the book was bad. Far from it. I believe it is a testament to Stephen King's remarkable writing skills that those few pages could have such a profound effect on me.

I knew deep down that if I could summon the courage to persevere, I would undoubtedly enjoy the book. I just needed to be in the right mental state to do so. Even for King, those initial pages are savage and shattering because they depict a reality that unfortunately exists in the world. This is not a story where the villain is an otherworldly being like an alien, an ancient spirit, or a ghost. No, he is just a man - a corrupt cop with a penchant for violence against women.

One of the aspects of King's writing that I particularly admire is his ability to fully develop his characters. This is certainly the case in Rose Madder. From the central characters of Rosie and Norman to the smallest of side characters, I felt as if I truly knew them all. Rosie was very young when she married Norman, fresh out of high school and with no family or support system to rely on. He became her entire world, and despite the difficulties and abuse she endured, she stayed - until now.

The awakened mind understands the concept of sleep, but for the person who is dreaming, the world of wakefulness, the real world, and sanity do not exist; there is only the demented confusion of the dream. Rose McClendon Daniels slept immersed in the madness of her husband for another nine years.

It is a good book by King. It may not be the best, but it is readable.

It is a novel that hooks you from the beginning. With just that prologue, it is impossible not to keep reading. The author writes to us about Rose Daniels, a woman who tries to escape from her demented and abusive husband while he searches for her frantically. I really liked that King, by bringing out the fantasy side (the painting), shows us a reality; something that many women experience. And starting from that reality, he shows us how a woman decides to say "enough" and escapes from that violence. He shows us how she feels the fears, the insecurities, even the guilt; how she tries to start a new life.

In some parts, it felt quite heavy to me. However, it never reached the point of boring me.

It has a quite good ending.

Good book.

I'm sorry that I had to prolong the reading for a long time due to a busy period of commitments and consequent tiredness.

The story is in the best style of King: fluid, smooth, intense. It reigns supreme over the entire theme of domestic violence, treated without rhetoric or commonplaces, but in a direct form that denotes a lot of documentation. The only drawbacks for me: the recourse to the supernatural which, in my opinion, in a similar novel was not strictly necessary and the ending a bit uncertain, almost attached to a story that, after so many twists and turns, could, in my opinion, also end in a more linear way.

These are just simple personal considerations. For the lovers of King, it is an absolutely must-read text.