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.

[~Ally~]

Hi Kinglutz and welcome

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.

[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.

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.