Only if you've been there can you understand Rose's place. When Stephen King mentions the coppery smell on page 8 it says it all. . I was an abused wife and embarrassed and confused and afraid. I made it out . I had a friend who was married to a police officer,and I knew she was being abused. I gave her my copy of Rose Madder because I didn't know how to broach the subject of her abuse with her. She didn't confide in me, I just knew from having been there myself.
She didn't want to read a 'scary book' as she called it, but by page 10 she knew why I had given it to her. She is successfully living on her own now.
It saved her life, I am convinced of this.

Thank you
Thank you
and thank you again Stephen King for attacking the issue of abuse with this book. It was a bold brave act and you deserve credit and respect!

jj