Rose Madder

[kfoisey]

I was very surprised to hear that Rose Madder is not a popular King novel! It is definitely in my "top ten" and I make a real effort to re-read it every few years. The story is universal, something we all have thought about at one time or another (I refer to the domestic abuse, not the painting, though as I child I often wished to "escape" into various paintings, fabric patterns and books) and it's execution is flawless! In past years I have hooked many friends on this book and will continue to do so even as it gets harder and harder to find.

[Ravenreader]

I just finished this one myself and second your confusion. If I can find any fault in Rose Madder, it is that the "world of the painting" concept is too familiar to me after having read Duma Key recently---but even that is an unfortunate coincidence for me, not a fault of Rose Madder's, since it came before DK.


One other thing---the state of affairs between Rosie and Bill at the end of the novel was perhaps a little too pat for my taste.

But all in all a very strong book, seems to get a bad rap on the boards, I agree.

[staropeace]

It was a wonderful book...I loved every minute of it. Uncle Steve got her down pat with this one...been there....done that...also worked in that environment...very realistic with this one...:biggrin2:

[tiger67]

I couldn't agree more - I've re-read Rose Madder probably more than most - It drew me in from the first page (as most of SK's do I have to say), I loved the strong characters, hated Norm with a vengeance and loved it when he got his come-uppance. Also a great insight into domestic violence/abuse and obviously very well researched.

[JohnDalglish]

It was a wonderful book...I loved every minute of it. Uncle Steve got her down pat with this one...been there....done that...also worked in that environment...very realistic with this one...:biggrin2:

Hi,

Couldn't agree more, and I think the incident with the tennis racquet is one of Sai King's most horrific scenes, mirrored by (Lisey's Story spoiler) - The can opener in Lisey.

Marvellous and much under-rated book, even though Sai King isn't that keen on it, describing it as a 'stiff, trying-too-hard novel' (On Writing).

Long days and pleasant nights

[crazycrashink]

I thought this book was excellent. I can't recall her name, but the lady she met at the abuse shelter who tried to fight norm in the park restroom (I think that is where it happened) was awesome! I definitely need to pick this one up and re-read it!

[Ravenreader]

Crazycrashink, you mean Gert? Or Cynthia? It all depends on what you mean by "tried". Both tried---Gert was pretty spectacularly successful, though that wasn't the end of things, of course.

[crazycrashink]

[QUOTE=Ravenreader;270219]Crazycrashink, you mean Gert? Or Cynthia?

I think Gert is who I was thinking of Thanks! I am definitely getting this on my library trip tomorrow!

[coolambindang]

Hell yeah, The women in this book are so realistic and even though some don't start out they all end their lives as strong women. I love this book and am always shocked to hear so many do not! I wish I could pee on them! But really I liked the imagery so much that when Cemetery Dance offered personal, original drawings from Glen Chadbourne of any SK book you wanted I choose Rose Madder. Check out my profile page to see it! It hangs in my house and scares my kids!Hehehehehehhooohhheheheh!Evil smile!

[Presque Vu]

Hell yeah, The women in this book are so realistic and even though some don't start out they all end their lives as strong women. I love this book and am always shocked to hear so many do not! I wish I could pee on them! But really I liked the imagery so much that when Cemetery Dance offered personal, original drawings from Glen Chadbourne of any SK book you wanted I choose Rose Madder. Check out my profile page to see it! It hangs in my house and scares my kids!Hehehehehehhooohhheheheh!Evil smile!

Pee on them! Hahaha, that made me laugh like crazy! This book is definitely one of my favourite, I read it three times so far. I think Sai King might be too critical of this one, since it's really a gem.

[ecoll]

I love reading this book when I'm pissed off at my husband... it's so easy to imagine him as Norman at the end and Poof!! I'm not mad at him anymore.

It's one of my favorites and I re-read it often. (Sometimes when I'm not mad at my husband at all, too:wink2:) The thought of an abused woman getting her sweet revenge is just... well... sweet.

[mannie127]

I was very surprised to hear that Rose Madder is not a popular King novel! It is definitely in my "top ten" and I make a real effort to re-read it every few years. The story is universal, something we all have thought about at one time or another (I refer to the domestic abuse, not the painting, though as I child I often wished to "escape" into various paintings, fabric patterns and books) and it's execution is flawless! In past years I have hooked many friends on this book and will continue to do so even as it gets harder and harder to find.
Am in agreement with your general feelings, and just figure that there are "no accountings for taste." Oh well. Am a dedicated NY Times fan, and wish I had that nickle every time the Times "shot down" one of Mr. King's books, and I found it to be much better than the Times said it was.

[poisonbat]

Wow, I have not read this book in, well lets say a very long time. :eek2: But I think I may just pick it back up and re read it after these posts, Thanks. :smile2::bat:

[karend3]

It is probably because it isn't Supernatural as the others, no demons except inner ones of course. It was a gripping story though,I have read it twice.

[Maddie]

I was very surprised to hear that Rose Madder is not a popular King novel! It is definitely in my "top ten" and I make a real effort to re-read it every few years. The story is universal, something we all have thought about at one time or another (I refer to the domestic abuse, not the painting, though as I child I often wished to "escape" into various paintings, fabric patterns and books) and it's execution is flawless! In past years I have hooked many friends on this book and will continue to do so even as it gets harder and harder to find.


It is my FAVORITE still, it was the one I couldnt put down and its the one that made me aware how much a genius Stephen really is. ;)

[marew1]

:smile2: I read Rose Madder years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It does need to be promoted more. Constant Readers don't know what they are missing!

[blunthead]

I believe sK has expressed surprise that no one has yet wanted to make Rose Madder a movie.

I liked it--sublimely, mythically, memorably, uniquely weird, with one of the most heinous villains I've read of.

[Lord Black Cat]

I enjoyed Rose Madder. It was a little difficult to get into, what a horrific opening. The forced miscarriage? Now that's really scary, especially since it is not supernatural. Once I got into the book, I really liked it.

[Moderator]

I believe sK has expressed surprise that no one has yet wanted to make Rose Madder a movie.

I liked it--sublimely, mythically, memorably, uniquely weird, with one of the most heinous villains I've read of.



He sold the film rights to HBO many years ago (shortly after the book came out), but they never went forward with a production.

[JohnDalglish]

He sold the film rights to HBO many years ago (shortly after the book came out), but they never went forward with a production.

Hi,

Yet again, more fool them, thankee for the info, Ms Mod.

Makes you hope that neither The Talisman nor Dark Tower disappear into their corporate maw, doesn't it?

Long days and pleasant nights

[tillyn]

Rose Madder was indeed a good book.

[E Blitz]

I am actually reading this book at the moment, and I'm having the hardest time finishing it. I absolutely loved the prologue, but it became a chore to contiune it. I won't give up on it though. I never give up on a book. It just feels really padded almost like a short story that has been puffed up to fit a novel's length. I did enjoy the scene outside the park bathrooms, and I like many of the characters, but something just seems to be missing.

One question though, is the "world" that Rosie steps into supposed to be a nod to the Dark Tower series? Having only read one of those books, I wasn't sure, but I know many of King's books tie into that series.

[JohnDalglish]

One question though, is the "world" that Rosie steps into supposed to be a nod to the Dark Tower series? Having only read one of those books, I wasn't sure, but I know many of King's books tie into that series.

Hi,

Maybe si, maybe no LOL.

I strongly advise you to buy The Drawing of the Three (DT2) fifthwith. I promise you won't regret it, and after you've finish Dark Tower (and I believe you'll devour it after Drawing) you should join The Dogan Social Group where all these matters Towerish are discussed sans spoilerism.

In the meantime, DON'T open any DT threads!

Long days and pleasant nights

[coolambindang]

I also always wondered if the painting might not be another doorway to another level of the Tower. We all know that you can get to other levels without a door, perhaps it is another level. I still love this book, I think an HBO movie would have been great, lets hope they still produce it. You all can check out my homepage here to see some great artwork inspired by Rose Madder!

[Annarkie]

One of my favorite novels. I think it's SK's scariest because, besides the painting, it involves things that happen everyday. It's a TRUE horror movie!

[Leland]

I am actually reading this book at the moment, and I'm having the hardest time finishing it. I absolutely loved the prologue, but it became a chore to contiune it.
I felt a bit like this too, E. I finished it three weeks ago and what initially got me hooked was the suspense of the gap closing between Rose and Norman. When the world of the painting became more promenant it sort of lost a bit of its "charm of reality" for me - but by then he had hooked me in so I had to finish it, and it's worth it.

[wally wonder]

One question though, is the "world" that Rosie steps into supposed to be a nod to the Dark Tower series? Having only read one of those books, I wasn't sure, but I know many of King's books tie into that series.

kinda like audry wyler's mohonk mountain meadow, annie wilkes's laughing place (or not), scott's booya moon, jack sawyer's territories, judy's faraway, tyler's kingdom of entirely else. ka.

[smooth operator]

After reading these posts, I feel the urge to give this book another reading. I don't believe I have read it since it was released, and there have been a number of books since then.

[LOTUS]

This one is a top favourite for mee too.
I remember beeing very impressed with the way SK got into the mind of an abused woman and portrated her feelings so truly and lively.I never though that a man could actually understand that so well.
I bought a panting later,thinking of the book.:smile2:

[JRLauer]

I agree, this book is at least my second favorite if not most favorite book Sai King has written. I thought this one would have made it to the silver screen by now.

[Wayniac99]

This book is one of my faves. I've been reading King since the early '80s, and this one's unusual - not unique, but unusual - in that there are no other-world monsters, aliens, vampires, or the like.
Although I'm not a necessarily a fan of the 'horror genre,' I have read everything that SK has published. I was able to recommend this book to my wife, who never reads any horror. I told her that this book contains very real, human themes, and I think she's going to like it.

Part 2 of my comments pertain to suggestions earlier in this thread, that this book would be well adapted to the big screen. While it would likely be an easy transition to a movie, I don't know that there would be any significant payoff, besides, of course, us King fans. IMHO, the only movies that made the transition well were Shawhank and The Green Mile. (and no, I'm not an ex con.)

[E Blitz]

Well, I did finish it. I can't say that I loved it. I'm not sure that I even liked the whole thing. As I stated before, I loved the prologue. I also really enjoyed the "third act" of the book. I'd say from about the point when Rosie and Bill head off for the picnic to the end, I really liked. It's the first and second acts that just drag for me. I kept wanting to scream at the book "Just get on with it!" Of course, I didn't. I wouldn't want to scare my children by screaming at books. LOL

Overall, I'm glad I read it. I may even revisit it after a few years, but it has to stew for a while in the back of my mind.

[Wayniac99]

... but it has to stew for a while in the back of my mind.

I call that 'digesting.'
:smile2:

[tess4da]

I hear you there. I re-read it every year or so, to remind me of why I got out of an abusive relationship, although it was his choice, because I was no longer bowing to him. Uncomfortable subject for men, though, I think. However, for me, I need to reflect on my self-destructive behavior at the time, and remember how proud I felt the day I thought, 'Hey, this is my car! This is my house!' Very cool. Oh, and I can eat what and when I want. :)

[kingfanalaska09]

It's one of my favorites of his it was more of a dark book when I read it I pictured it as a movie I've read Rose Madder twice

[Susanne]

I read it when I was younger and really loved it. It´s one of the books I mention when ppl say Stephen King writes horror only to prove them that they are wrong.

[Zgirlie]

Some book critiques can't be summed up in a standard book review. There are so many variables, like what state of affairs the reader happens to be in. I LOVE Rose Madder, and the main reason I love it is because I was reading it while sitting in my own Pooh's Chair, and the book itself became the Drop of Blood. I can't say for sure if I would still be there if I hadn't read it, but the point is that it helped give me the fortitude to do as Rosie did. Thank you, Stephen King. Did you by any chance forsee THAT kind of ripple effect? :smile2:

[enbs]

Since I'm reading it again right now -- I think Rose is a realistic woman (which must be a difficult thing for a male author to achieve) as oposed to the woman in "Gerald's Game" which I remember thinking was not realistic and obviously written by a man.

[michal]

Sorry to go against the stream here, but I never cared much for this book. May be it is because the world of painting is something I really know nothing about (I have the aesthetic sensitivity of a yak). It was an OK book, but definitely not one of those I'll go back to over and over again.

[jacobtlong]

I just finished this book. I've been meaning to read since I bought it a year ago and I finally got around to it. I'm glad I picked it up. I loved the characters (except for Norman) and the fact that the novel was tied in to the Dark Tower a little bit.

[poisonbat]

I just finished this book. I've been meaning to read since I bought it a year ago and I finally got around to it. I'm glad I picked it up. I loved the characters (except for Norman) and the fact that the novel was tied in to the Dark Tower a little bit.

I tried years ago to read this, but it hit too close to home for me after just a few pages. It went back on the shelf. But I am almost done with it now, and I do love the ties to the Dark Tower. For some reason that just makes me grin. :biggrin2: I am not quite done, but I can not seem to put it down. Loving it ! :love::bat:

[Phil H]

I've just finished this book, and I mostly really enjoyed it.

There were times when I thought he over described things which dragged the pace, but then I perhaps the heavy descriptions (of exactly what people were thinking and doing) added to the eerie quality.

Some of the characters though seemed a bit film-cliche, like the angry woman she asked for directions when she was lost of the way to D & S for the first time and the guy leaning out of the sex shop, so unlikely in real life I think.

I'm probably just being thick but I'm a bit confused about what exactly was going on at the end! I guess we are supposed to be left with a certain feeling of mystery about the whole thing and in reality what happened to rose but it all seemed a bit of a mess. Why did she start to become angry at the end (was she being repaid and what for?) what was it with this tree? what had the fox really got to do with anything? was it all just female symbolism for her? is it supposed to be just what we make of it?

I found it an exciting read in all however and I thought an extremely good and imaginative story with many well thought out and devious knife edges.

[Moderator]

This is from a response Steve gave years ago about some of your questions:

"Rosie discovers that rage doesn't go away just because a person no longer needs it. By planting the tree from the poison seed, she is making an effort to externalize her anger and neutralize it. Think of it as symbolic of therapy, or confession."

Hope that helps.

[Nutty Bavarian]

I finished re-reading Rose Madder last week and while I was reading I remembered a creepy idea I'd had a few years ago when I first read it. Ms. Mod if they do make a mini series this would be perfect I think. After fighting with Gert behind the comfort station Norman is in his car singing "Hanky Panky" and manipulating the bull mask to sing with him. I was listening to my mp3 player and on came Kentucky Rain by Elvis came on. This would be uber creepy for a bloody Norman to be singing.

Seven lonely days
And a dozen towns ago
I reached out one night
And you were gone
Don't know why you'd run,
What you're running to or from
All I know is I want to bring you home

So I'm walking in the rain,
Thumbing for a ride
On this lonely Kentucky backroad
I've loved you much too long
And my love's too strong
To let you go, never knowing
What went wrong

Kentucky rain keeps pouring down
And up ahead's another town
That I'll go walking thru
With the rain in my shoes,
Searchin for you
In the cold Kentucky rain,
In the cold Kentucky rain

Showed your photograph
To some old gray bearded man
Sitting on a bench
Outside a gen'ral store
They said "Yes, she's been here"
But their memory wasn't clear
Was it yesterday,
No, wait the day before

So I fin'ly got a ride
With a preacher man who asked
"Where you bound on such a dark afternoon?"
As we drove on thru the rain
As he listened I explained
And he left me with a prayer
That I'd find you

[SereneShadow]

I don't think it's King's best novel, but it's definitely one of my favorites. I re-read it every few months. For me, it's very empowering, and there's so much symbolism and emotion. I'm also a Greek mythology buff, so that's a fun part of it. The imagery in it is amazing, too. I feel motivated to paint pictures throughout the entire thing (and not just of Rose Madder, either.)

[Jack Roman]

I was very surprised to hear that Rose Madder is not a popular King novel! It is definitely in my "top ten" and I make a real effort to re-read it every few years. The story is universal, something we all have thought about at one time or another (I refer to the domestic abuse, not the painting, though as I child I often wished to "escape" into various paintings, fabric patterns and books) and it's execution is flawless! In past years I have hooked many friends on this book and will continue to do so even as it gets harder and harder to find.

This book I felt like I lived in for the time I was reading it. It help me take my mind off my own life during a really stressfull time in my life.

[Manxkitti]

This has to be one of my favorite SK book. I have it on audio tape and listen to it all the time.

[Tammom4]

Simply said, I think this is his BEST book, and I do consider myself his "Number One Fan." ;)