Blaze

[Kinglutz]

I just started Blaze and it is great so far. But why in the foreward does S.K. write that it is a good thing that "Rage" is out of print? It was pretty good, and even more important today.

[JRLauer]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe after the shooting in a high school at West Paducah, Kentucky Sai King decided to take the book out of print because a copy of it was found in the locker of the shooter.

[Moderator]

It wasn't because of that one, or any single one, it was because of the several school shootings combined that he finally came to the choice to pull Rage from future printings.

[ally88]

Hi Kinglutz and welcome:smile2:

So have you finished Blaze yet? I would love to hear your opinions on the story when you do, in particular about Clayton Blaisdell Jr, i couldn't help but feel sympathy for the poor guy:sad:.

[JohnDalglish]

So have you finished Blaze yet? I would love to hear your opinions on the story when you do, in particular about Clayton Blaisdell Jr, i couldn't help but feel sympathy for the poor guy:sad:.


Hi,

Indeed, I think that's an amazing thing to have been able to with what must be his starkest prose yet, he makes ALL readers feel for Blaze.

And as he said in the Introduction, 'I also determined to strip all sentiment from the writing itself, wanted the finished book to be as stark as and empty house without even a rug on the floor'.

To create sympathy for a child kidnapper like that is an astonishing piece of writing IMO

At first, I didn't particularly enjoy Blaze, specifically because of the sparseness of the prose, but it still stuck in my mind the way he'd used that very starkness to create the sympathy for Blaze, and when I re-read it again I enjoyed it far more than I had the first time.

Long days and pleasant nights

[tillyn]

Ally88, i felt the same way, i wanted him to live and be happy, sad character, funny how Sk can make you feel that way. Poor Clay had a hard life.

[Blaine is pain]

I feel also a lot of sympathy for this poor guy.

Blaze has become one of my favorite books even if it ends quite sadly

SK's focus on only one character is clearly a success ! I will surely re-read it soon !

[Watahoot]

Ah yes, I enjoyed Blaze very much.

And I agree with John when he says it takes some great writing to make the readers feel sorry for a child kidnapper!

[Dark Reader]

I've just finished Blaze and after struggling a little to get into it i ended up really connecting with Blaze and thoroughly enjoying it.

Like John said i too find it incredible i could feel sorry for a character who does what blaze does. Mr Kings genius at work there for sure.

Is it only me or does Blaze remind you of Tom Cullen at all?

[constantreader85]

I can't get into this book. i tried to read it but i couldn't. I can't get any empathy with the main character.:sad:

[Hans]

I just finished Blaze and I really liked the book. Amazing I never thought I would feel sympathy for a child kidnapper.

What catched me the most -

1) How different his whole life could have been if Mr. Bluenote who offered him a job he liked, didn' t die back then.

2) That he got a great son who went to Boston University - and never knew about him

Great book!

[The Outsider]

I've just finished Blaze and after struggling a little to get into it i ended up really connecting with Blaze and thoroughly enjoying it.

Like John said i too find it incredible i could feel sorry for a character who does what blaze does. Mr Kings genius at work there for sure.

Is it only me or does Blaze remind you of Tom Cullen at all?

Yeah he does in a way. Even though he does bad things, he seems like a very innocent, very vulnerable big mother of a guy. And in the end, I really couldn't stand to see the inevitable happen. He was just a misunderstood guy, to me.

But all in all, it was a very good work, and I enjoyed it a lot. First "Bachman" I've read so far.

[Wilkes]

Great book and very sad in a way:down:

[Manxkitti]

This book has been sitting on my shelf for 2 years. One of these days I'll actually read it.

[jules17330]

I can't get into this book. i tried to read it but i couldn't. I can't get any empathy with the main character.:sad:

You are missing out on this one. Try reading it again. I had a hard time with this book at first but by the middle/end I really enjoyed it. Blaze is a great character.

[doowopgirl]

I just started Blaze and it is great so far. But why in the foreward does S.K. write that it is a good thing that "Rage" is out of print? It was pretty good, and even more important today.
I loved Blaze myself. Thought it was very Of Mice and Men only Lennie got left on his own. I think Rage could be considered 'inspiration' for wrong minded individuals

[ally88]

You are missing out on this one. Try reading it again. I had a hard time with this book at first but by the middle/end I really enjoyed it. Blaze is a great character.

Blaze is a great character. I really think this could make an amazing movie with the right director/actors.
I might try and re~read this soon, although it does make me feel sad.
I never found any difficulty getting into the story, from page one I was hooked and whizzed through it.