Straight outta the gate, know this: Norman Daniels is a d!ck, ok? In my opinion, he’s the scariest King villain.

I love this book. It’s weird with the supernatural painting. It’s right up my alley. Rosie is one of my favorite protagonists in the King Universe. She’s a complex and relatable character, and her journey is both harrowing and inspiring.

Trigger warnings, cause friends, “Rose Madder” has some heavy hitters in that aspect: Sexual Assault/Rape, Domestic violence, and Pregnancy Loss. These are all difficult topics, but King handles them with sensitivity and respect.

As you know, I listen to the audiobook while I read. It’s an ADHD thing, and it’s fantastic at helping me stay focused and engaged. Blair Brown is chefs kiss as Rosie. Her performance brings the character to life in a way that I never could have imagined. And Norman’s parts are read by none other than the King himself. Now I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea to narrate his books. Needful things, amirite? But it was really good here! His voice adds an extra layer of creepiness to Norman’s character. And also heads up, this audiobook has the odd musical moments like Insomnia. They add to the overall atmosphere of the book and make it even more engaging.

Parts of this book are truly a solid 5 stars, and I really enjoy it from all aspects. However, some sections do drag a bit.

Mild spoilers.

The first time I read this was just a couple of years ago. But this time around, I noticed so many other cross-overs within the King universe. There are a couple of connections to Desperation/The Regulators, as well as ties to the Dark Tower. Additionally, I observed a lot of similarities between Norman's experiences of going mad and those of Jack Torrance. I absolutely love the cross-over connotations and almost wish that they were further fleshed out or explored in more detail.

Overall, this is an underrated King book. More importantly, it is an underread book in general. It has so much potential and interesting elements that deserve more attention and appreciation from readers. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Stephen King and those who enjoy complex and interconnected storylines.

I came to this novel in the way I like the most, without having the slightest idea of what it was about, and I have been extremely surprised. In this case, King delights us with a tremendous thriller with a supernatural touch. Perhaps, the fact that this novel is not a horror one has made it pass more unnoticed among his works, but the fact that it is not catalogued as such does not mean that there is no horror within its pages. There is, and it is the worst horror of all, the real one, the one that can be touched... the one provoked by a human being.

After 14 years of savage beatings and abuses by her husband, Rose flees in search of an opportunity to survive, to be free and, why not? also happy. She knows it won't be easy and she also knows that Norman, her disturbed husband, will go in search of her (and she is not wrong), but the longing to finally be the owner of her life is stronger than the fear she has of him.

From the very prologue, the story hooks you, keeping you in a constant tension, and there is no way to break free. The story wraps you in such a way that you will feel every blow and bite on your own skin. You won't believe the lack of scruples of Norman and you will curse his cunning. You will encourage Rose in her flight and you will be happy when luck, or destiny, smiles on her. You will applaud, and enjoy

This is an article that could use some expansion. Currently, it seems rather concise. We can add more details and examples to make it more engaging and informative. For instance, we could describe the specific aspects that led to the 3.5-star rating. Maybe there were certain features that stood out, or perhaps there were some areas that needed improvement. By elaborating on these points, readers will have a better understanding of what to expect. Additionally, we could include some personal experiences or opinions related to the subject matter. This would add a touch of authenticity and make the article more relatable. Overall, with a bit of expansion and refinement, this article has the potential to be a great read.

3.5 stars

Stephen King is indeed one of my all-time favorite writers. However, "Rose Madder" left me rather disappointed.

The beginning of the book was captivating, drawing me in and making me eager to see where the story would lead. But unfortunately, as the narrative progressed, especially after the middle, it became really dull and uninteresting.

I also listened to the audiobook version, which I had high hopes for. After all, it features Stephen King himself as the narrator. One would think that this would be a real treat, but that was not the case. As much as I adore King's writing, he is a truly bad audiobook narrator. His delivery lacks the necessary energy and nuance to bring the story to life.

Thankfully, there is a female narrator whose name I can't recall, and she did a decent job. The parts she narrated were tolerable, but the sections with King were, I hate to say it, lame.

In fact, after the middle of the book, things just went downhill. By the end, when we reached the supernatural part, it was a complete mess. The plot became convoluted and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfactory.

Overall, "Rose Madder" is one of my least favorite books by Stephen King. I can only give it 2 stars, and to be honest, it could easily have been 1 star. But, of course, King is still the King, and his other works more than make up for this disappointment.

The Stephen King Goodreads Discussion Group is embarking on a comprehensive re-read of his works, starting from the very beginning and going all the way to the end. It has been an extensive period since I truly delved deep into Uncle Stevie’s captivating world. However, with a commitment to reading one book per month, I am fully dedicated to this endeavor. My aim is to read and review each book with utmost honesty and profound reflection, offering my genuine thoughts and insights.

Background – “Rose Madder” was initially published in June 1995 in hardcover by Viking Press. In terms of length, my oversized paperback and Kindle both list it as consisting of 547 pages.

Plotline – The short description of the plot is “Psycho, abusive cop husband”. A more detailed account reveals that this is the story of Rose Daniels, a severely mistreated wife of a deranged police detective named Norman, who suffers from mental disturbances. His history of emotional and physical exploitation knows no bounds. He is racist, sexist, and embodies pure evil. When Rose was four months pregnant, he brutally beat her, breaking a rib or two and causing her to miscarry. Norman has a violent temper that is worsening due to an internal affairs investigation into his alleged assault on a suspect.

Finally, after 14 years of marriage, Rose realizes that Norman is out of control and likely to kill her. On a sudden impulse and without any prior preparation, she seizes his bank card one morning and flees town on a bus, having no specific destination in mind. Eventually, Rose arrives in a midwestern city, scared and alone, yet determined to start a new life free from the terror of Norman. It has been a long time since she has been on her own and had to rely on herself for survival, but her newfound freedom requires taking one step forward at a time.

However, Norman is not a man who easily accepts being left, especially when someone takes his bank card. He is skilled at hunting down criminals, and now he is using those same professional abilities to track down his Rose and make her pay. And pay she will, he vows to himself. As Rose rebuilds her life at a women’s shelter and works as a hotel housekeeper, Norman is hot on her trail. Then, to add more intrigue and strangeness to the story, when Rose pawns her engagement ring, she discovers a peculiar painting of a woman wearing a rose madder gown that seems to call out to her and alters her life in unimaginable ways.

Thoughts and Reflections – King delves into the theme of domestic violence by combining horror and fantasy elements, which has both its successes and shortcomings. The dramatic and hard-hitting real-world storylines are effectively presented and highly engaging. However, as King himself acknowledges, the fantasy components feel somewhat contrived and forced. I understand that King needed a means to assist his heroine in obtaining the strength and support to confront her abusive husband, and perhaps he believed that using another connection to his Dark Tower series would achieve this. Nevertheless, for me, it lacked an emotional resonance. This was the most significant weakness of the book for me.

In Norman Daniels, King has crafted one of his most despised villains of all time. There is absolutely nothing likable about him. He is crude, rude, and completely self-centered in every possible way. He radiates pure evil, which stands in stark contrast to his empathetic and endearing wife, Rose, who is easy to root for. She begins as a helpless victim but manages to find a way to break free from her emotional prison and start anew. Witnessing her transformation from a shy and submissive woman to an independent and strong individual was an incredible journey that I found myself completely immersed in. This was the greatest strength of the book for me.

As a side note, I found it quite interesting that in two consecutive books – “Insomnia” and “Rose Madder” – King incorporates connections to his “Dark Tower” series. I am aware that die-hard “Dark Tower” fans relish seeing these links appear in his books. However, at times, it feels a bit forced and clumsy, especially when the storyline deals with such a serious topic as domestic violence. It seems to create more of a clash than a beneficial addition.

Other Notes – There was a film adaptation of “Rose Madder” in the works in 2011, but unfortunately, the project fell through and was never completed.

King stated in his biographical memoir, “On Writing”, that he regarded his novels “Rose Madder” and “Insomnia” as being “stiff, trying-too-hard novels”.

As with other recent novels of King’s, there are connections to his other works, including:
- Cynthia Smith previously appeared in King’s “Desperation”.
- Rose reads “Misery's Journey”, an entry in the fictional series of books written by Paul Sheldon in King's novel, “Misery”.
- The city of Lud from King’s Dark Tower series makes an appearance.

Overall – The real-world storyline of Rose’s escape and her efforts to build a new life away from Norman impressed me enough to rate it five stars. However, the fantasy/Dark Tower elements slightly diminished its impact, lowering my rating to three stars. Overall, I will meet in the middle and award it four stars. This may seem generous, but Rose’s personal journey of growth and development holds significant weight for me.

This is the story of Rosie, a brave domestic abuse survivor. One fateful day, she simply starts walking and leaves behind her life with her abusive husband, Norman, who was not only her high school sweetheart but also a cop.

She manages to find support at a battered women's shelter and begins the slow and arduous process of rebuilding her life. However, Norman is not about to let her go so easily. He employs his cop skills in an attempt to track her down.

This book had its moments. It's not the author's best work, but it's also far from the worst. I particularly liked all the parts that incorporated pictures. They added an interesting visual element to the story and helped to bring certain scenes to life. Overall, it was an okay read that offered a glimpse into the difficult world of domestic abuse and the strength it takes to overcome it.

This isn't the typical sort of book that I usually go for.

However, I have to admit that I was truly captivated by the writing. The author's words seemed to flow effortlessly, drawing me in and keeping my attention from start to finish.

That being said, I could have done without the fantasy element. It just wasn't something that I'm particularly interested in. But, I also recognize that the entire book and its title were built around this fantasy aspect.

Without it, the story would have been completely different. So, while it wasn't my favorite part, I can see how it was an essential component of the overall narrative.

Despite my reservations about the fantasy, I still found the book to be an enjoyable read. The writing was strong enough to carry me through, and I'm glad that I gave it a chance.

Rose Madder is widely regarded as one of the worst books Stephen King has ever published, second only to LISEY'S STORY. It truly fails to meet expectations and is far from being well-written.

The story does have a somewhat workable premise on one level. The idea of an abused woman rebuilding her life while unknowingly being pursued by her crazy husband is a tenable one. However, it all falls apart when King contorts the story to incorporate a supernatural element that is both underdeveloped and poorly conceived.

King attempts to make the woman in the painting seem powerful, but without any backstory, this effort simply falls flat. Similarly, the minotaur, which is supposed to be menacing and set up the tension for the final chase through the temple, ends up being a dud due to the complete lack of development and backstory. The whole "ze bool" element of the story becomes tiresome to read.

King could have easily written this novel as a mainstream story and likely would have done a better job. He seemed to work too hard to contrive the storyline and make a feint at a Dark Tower tie-in. It is rare for King's books to suffer from underdeveloped characters, but this one does, as there is no subplot character development whatsoever.

ROSE MADDER wrapped up what was a painful period for many of his fans. After five not-so-good feminist novels, fans were eagerly awaiting his return to horror. Fortunately, he would follow up this worst book with one of his best, the serialized THE GREEN MILE, rewarding those fans who had stuck with him through the horrible failure of Rose Madder.

This one is, without doubt, an old school Stephen King.

There is a palpable sense of suspense as horrific things unfold and befall the characters. The story weaves in dreamlike sequences that add an otherworldly quality, while also presenting monsters both of the human variety and those that are more fantastical. *Trigger warning* The narrative delves into the disturbing themes of violent and sexual domestic abuse. The miscarriage of a baby due to this abuse is graphically described in the opening few chapters, making it a tough read at times.

There are numerous moments of threat and pursuit that are truly terrifying. The author's use of vivid imagery to enhance the terror is nothing short of excellent. It allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the nightmarish world that King has created.

Stephen King has an uncanny ability to tell a bloody good story. His characters, even the most hateful ones, feel incredibly real. They are complex and multi-dimensional, which makes the reader's investment in their fates all the more intense.

Overall, this book is highly recommended and deserves a solid 5* rating. It is a classic example of King's masterful storytelling and his ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

While this book is not my favorite King book by a long shot, there were indeed parts that I really liked and other parts that were just too over the top for me.

The second half of the book was my favorite. There is a paranormal element that was truly interesting and a delight to read! I am currently doing a first-time read-through of the Dark Tower series this year, so I have been reading some of the tie-in books in between the main books of the series. I am now really curious as to how Rose Madder will fit into the Dark Tower universe!

If you are at all sensitive to domestic or partner abuse, this book might be very triggering for you. Not surprisingly for a King book, there are some rather graphic scenes in it. The main character's husband is one of the most disgusting and morally corrupt characters King has ever written. I must give King this: he definitely managed to elicit some strong emotions in me while I was reading this book!

However, it just got to be a bit too excessive for me towards the end. I almost felt like there was gratuitous violence just for the sake of being shocking. And the language and slurs were also very prominent in this book, which might be upsetting for some.

I would recommend reading this if you want to read all the Dark Tower tie-ins and are a King completionist. Otherwise, I would say it's okay to skip it.

DNFing this at 40 percent because I'm simply not deriving any enjoyment from it.

Typically, I have a great affinity for King's slice of life works. However, aside from the occasional faint hints of the supernatural, that's all this book has offered up to the first 40 percent.

Moreover, this particular slice of life is rather abysmal and not pleasant to read about. Just to be sure, I did peruse a summary of the remainder, and it does become more unusual. But not in a manner that makes it sound like something that would pique my interest.

Consequently, I don't feel as though I'm missing out. Without a doubt, this ranks as bottom tier King for me. But it's not as dreadfully bad as, say, the truly execrable Sleeping Beauties. There's just not enough here to hold my attention and keep me engaged.