Bajkovita i krcata simbolikom, nisam očekivala.

It was a world filled with fairy-tale and cryptic symbolism. I had not expected such a thing.

To my surprise, there was no typical violence and psychotic character. One would not say that it was a king's realm.

It was a strange and unexpected place, with its own unique charm and mystery.

The lack of the usual elements of a traditional story made it all the more interesting and captivating.

I found myself drawn into this world, eager to explore and discover more of its secrets.

Perhaps this was a new kind of adventure, one that would lead me to places I had never imagined before.

As I walked through this strange land, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises awaited me.

Would there be more hidden symbols and meanings to uncover?

Only time would tell, but for now, I was content to simply soak in the beauty and mystery of this unusual place.

I really enjoyed reading this. It was a first time read for me, so I really had no idea where the story would go.

The story itself was truly inspiring. I was also extremely fond of the dark tower connections. Norman is a real life monster.

Through King's remarkable writing, we truly get a sense of just how obsessive and insane Norman is. At times, I felt as if I was actually in Norman's head, and it was downright frightening!

I would most definitely read this again. It had such a captivating hold on me that I can't wait to experience it all over again. The way King weaves the story and creates such vivid characters is truly a work of art.

His ability to make the reader feel so deeply involved in the narrative is something that sets him apart as a great writer. I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.

What a great book, Mr. King. It even seems to me that it has a good ending.

It is a harsh tale about abuse and survival, with King's touch, and Rose Madder as a counterpoint and reflection of the struggle and rebellion.

I really liked this one. We continue on our way to the tower.

This story delves deep into the complex emotions and experiences of the characters. The description of the abuse is vivid and heart-wrenching, but it also shows the strength and determination of the survivor.

King's writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. The addition of Rose Madder adds an interesting layer to the story, representing the inner turmoil and fight for freedom within the protagonist.

Overall, it is a powerful and thought-provoking book that I would highly recommend to any fan of King's work or anyone interested in stories of survival and redemption.

Original Article: The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. It helps to keep our bodies healthy and strong. Regular exercise can also improve our mood and reduce stress.

Expanded Article:

The significance of exercise simply cannot be emphasized enough. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and strength of our bodies. When we engage in regular exercise, it has a profound impact on our overall well-being.

Not only does it enhance our physical condition, but it also has a remarkable effect on our mental state. It can improve our mood, making us feel more positive and energetic. Moreover, it serves as an effective stress reliever, helping us to unwind and relax after a long and tiring day.

In conclusion, we should all make exercise an essential part of our daily lives. By doing so, we can enjoy the numerous benefits that it has to offer and lead a healthier, happier life.

4.5 stars.

This is a wild story that features one of King's most likeable protagonists. She is incredibly sharp, courageous, and resourceful, which makes her a truly engaging character.

On the other hand, her spouse is, in my opinion, easily King's most horrifying villain. He has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and his actions are truly despicable.

I was shocked by the extent of what the main character experiences as she flees her abuser. Many parts of the story had me flinching in horror.

Despite the gruesome aspects, I was still invested in her evolution and the lives of the friends she meets along the way. The story is equal parts heartwarming and gruesome, which makes it a truly unique and underrated King novel.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with complex characters and a gripping plot.

This is the story of Rose, a woman who endures horrific abuse for 14 long years at the hands of her sociopathic husband Norman, a policeman. One day, she finally snaps and runs away. Norman then proceeds to track her down, taking a month off from his job to go to the city where he discovers she has fled, with the intention of murdering her in the most horrible way possible. He has already murdered at least one person, and there are hints that he may have killed more. He also enjoys dishing out physical abuse to anyone within his power.

The book begins as a tense read, with very convincing depictions of domestic violence. However, it takes a supernatural turn once Rose is settling down in her new life and visits a pawn shop. There, she is'smitten' by a painting of a woman on a hilltop, dressed in a pseudo-Greek costume. Once on the wall of Rose's rented room, the painting starts transforming and eventually draws her into it, where she meets the very scary woman, her assistant, and other supernatural characters. Norman soon begins killing the people who have helped Rose, narrowing down her whereabouts and leading to the final confrontation.

The story relies on a lot of coincidence. Despite repeated statements that Rose has gone to a large city, people seem to bump into each other with ease, and the steps that lead Rose to her dream job are a bit too convenient. The nice boyfriend also comes across as a bit characterless. However, the character of Gert is likeable, and what she dishes out to Norman at one point is especially enjoyable.

The supernatural element is not very successful. The sections set in the painting are very drawn out and slow down the pace of the book. The connection between Rose and the 'other Rose', or the reason why the demi-goddess is suffering from a disfiguring disease, is unexplained. There are also a few name drops of other King books, but these don't add much to the story. The whole seeds/tree epilogue is mysterious, and there are many things that are not made clear, such as the vixen.

One oddity is the name given to the bull in the maze, which is Erinyes in Greek mythology, one of the names for the three female deities of vengeance. It's as if the bull and Rose Madder swap roles in the book. The book contains graphic descriptions of violence, which may be an issue for some readers. The long sections in italics in Norman's mind are also quite harrowing, as he holds extreme racist, misogynist, and anti-LGBTQIA+ views.

All in all, given the flaws, I would rate this book at 3 stars. It is enjoyable in parts but not so much in others.

It's a 3.7.

That's an improvement compared to the last time I read it.

However, Norman Daniels is truly, truly terrifying.

I don't believe the supernatural elements in this work are as effective as they typically are in King's other works.

Moreover, for me, the final third of the novel is the weakest part.

This is always a disappointment.

It's a bit of a letdown considering the build-up and potential that the story had.

Nonetheless, there are still some redeeming qualities in the book.

The characters are well-developed, and the overall atmosphere is quite engaging.

Despite its flaws, it's still a decent read, but it doesn't quite reach the heights that some of King's other works have achieved.

Excellent. I give it 4.5 only because the ending is a bit short for my expectations.

To comment on this novel, first of all, I have to mention that I have read more than 40 books by King. In some of them, his style varies a little, but all are recognizable as his works, even those he has written in collaboration with another author. However, in this one, "Rose Madder", I couldn't recognize it at all. It is written in a completely different way. This shocks a bit at the beginning if one expects to find a familiar way of narrating and a certain type of plot. But, when one leaves that expectation aside, one can enjoy this great book.

A complex theme such as gender violence is addressed from the perspective of the victim. The story is enjoyable, despite the terrible events narrated. The supernatural takes its time to arrive, it only appears towards the middle of the book, but it is so interesting and raises so many questions that it is worth the wait. The ending, as I already said, didn't convince me completely. There are many questions left unanswered and it is a bit predictable. And the epilogue I consider unnecessary, it doesn't add anything interesting.

I leave you a video about King's decalogue (in case you're interested): https://bit.ly/48YnNaa

The story started out really strong, captivating my attention right from the beginning.

However, things took a turn once Rosie stepped into the painting. That's when it kind of lost me. I firmly believe that this book would have been significantly better had the paranormal aspect not been added to it.

Moreover, towards the end, once the bad guy was finally taken care of, the story should have wrapped up quickly. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case. It continued for a good minute after that.

After listening to such a long audiobook, I was really eager for it to be over already. I just wanted to reach the conclusion and move on. It felt like the extra continuation was unnecessary and dragged out the overall experience.

Overall, while the beginning was promising, the addition of the paranormal element and the drawn-out ending detracted from what could have been a great story.

This book, I loved it.

I have read it three times and each time I am amazed at how well Stephen King describes the thoughts and feelings of the evil woman.

The video presentation of the book is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjgK....

Stephen King's writing is truly captivating. He has a unique ability to bring his characters to life and make the reader feel as if they are right there with them.

The story of the evil woman is both thrilling and disturbing, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

If you are a fan of horror or mystery novels, then this book is definitely worth reading.

You will not be disappointed.

While reading this book, I constantly found myself forgetting that it was a Stephen King novel.

It indeed has its fair share of twists and turns, just like his typical works. However, this one was far more profound than a simple tale of good versus evil.

"Rose Madder" is an emotionally charged account of an abused woman, Rose, who is striving to break free from a tormenting life. As she embarks on a journey to seek freedom, she experiences what is depicted as a psychological breakthrough.

King also delves into the shortcomings of the system that fails to safeguard women in situations similar to Rose's. Regrettably, there are some graphical and language issues throughout the book. But considering the nature of the dialogue and the themes explored, it is not entirely unexpected.

Overall, despite these minor flaws, "Rose Madder" offers a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of a woman's struggle for liberation and the flaws within society that contribute to such hardships.

“But she stayed where she was a moment longer, like an animal which has been kept in a cage so long it cannot believe in freedom even when it is offered.”

A single drop of blood on her bed sheets made Rose McClendon realize that her husband, an abusive and extremely violent cop, might actually kill her one day. Her only hope for survival was to flee as far away from him as possible. But Norman couldn't fathom that his wife had the audacity to leave him, and he wouldn't rest until he had one final "talk" with her...

Rose Madder commences with a vivid and harrowing scene of violence. It is brutally disturbing and left me so shocked that I had to set the book aside and engage in something else. I simply wasn't prepared for that. The tales that terrify me the most don't involve a supernatural villain, a ghost, or a vampire, but rather a simple man. Reality is often far more terrifying than any horrible fantasy. The first half of the book evoked the same anxious and claustrophobic sensation I experienced while reading Gerard's Game, only in this instance, it was even worse.

What I adored:

- Rosie! What an extraordinary character! I believe King did an outstanding job of depicting this fragile woman as she discovers her inner strength throughout the entire book. There is an amazing evolution, and I relished how she transformed and reclaimed her life. Her thoughts are believable and genuine, and Rosie is truly well-written.

- I feel somewhat guilty for admitting this, but I also relished reading the chapters from Norman's perspective. He is one of the most despicable human beings I've ever encountered in literature, and he just keeps getting worse! I think that reading both viewpoints is what truly made the story succeed. He is terrifying, crazy, and at times exaggerated, yet so incredibly real.

- All the secondary characters who assisted Rose in one way or another. Reading about these individuals warmed my heart and reminded me that there are more good people in the world than bad.

What didn't work for me:

- The painting. The dreams and everything associated with the painting bored me to a certain extent. I found those sequences a bit absurd at times, and in a sense, they disrupted the flow of the story for me. I understand their connection to the Dark Tower series, but I would have preferred no magical elements in this particular novel.

- The ending is good, and I enjoyed it, but it is far too long. It drags on and weakens the conclusion of an otherwise incredible story, in my opinion.

For these reasons, Rose Madder is not the 5-star read I had hoped it would be, but it is still a really excellent novel.

4 stars.