Rose Madder Question.....

[poisonbat]

I am once again trying to read Rose Madder. I have had a hard time getting past the brutal beatings that she suffers in the beginning of the book. It hits so close to home. I left my first marriage over one drop of blood on my sliding glass door and my 3 year old daughter walking into the room. It finally struck me that she is going to think this is ok I left that day. It has been 13 years since then, but I find it difficult to read this book. Brings up terrible old memories for me. Does it move past this??? Or should I just put it back on my bookshelf and leave it??

[paulinekh]

I too read it only a few years after a violent relationship and it is one I must re-read as I know I probably missed loads because of the tears. I saw it as confronting and moving foward and it was hard but i so wanted to know if she would make it out the other side.
WARNING- If rose madder is hard for you DO NOT watch 'I Tina' ,the film of Tina Turners life.I did and I think it was too soon after -I was sick with tears and pain.

[Mr. Jingles]

Posionbat....so sorry to hear that you had a very difficult time. I was never brutally beaten, but the guy I was once engaged to used to threaten me, and once did raise his fists. I cannot possibly know how you feel, but I can understand a bit of the fear. While reading this book, just try and remember it's a story, and even though it will probably bring back a lot of painful memories, at the same time it might be theraputic. I personally read for the pleasure of being taken out of this world and put into make-believe that the author describes, then sometimes looking for parallels to my own life. Perhaps you feel up to facing some demons in your own past. Perhaps you don't. Without spoiling the ending, it's worth the read. You might come away with a renewed sense of self afterwards.

[enbs]

I'm re-reading "Rose Madder" now (for the 4th time? 5th time?) and was also once in a terrible and violent marriage to a crazy man. Less crazy than Norman Daniels, but he had his moments. There were two parts which I thought were especially well done: When Rose finally "wakes up" at the beginning, and the part where she is leaving home. It was surprising to me that a man (even Stephen King) could write those scenes with such accuracy. I "woke up" sitting at the kitchen table, face wet with tears and snot, wondering how I could get through one more day. And then I realized that I couldn't. Not one single day more. The kids and I were packed and on the road within two hours and never looked back. My Norman found us, just as Rose's did (although he did not chew anyone to death, as far as I know), and all Stephen missed about that feeling was the sense that my intestines had turned as heavy and solid as lead. But that was a long time ago and everything came out okay in the end. I re-read all Stephen King's books because I think he is one of the best writers ever. When I am in the middle of one I am truly there, wherever that happens to be.

[delores 74]

I've read it a few times, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that it DOES get past the beatings. I understand it being hard to read given your circumstances, but if you can get past the raw emotions of the first few chapters, I think you will really enjoy it.

[catnoel]

I too have had the same unfortunate experience. I decided to leave because it came down to me or him. Not so sure how that would have ended up. Read the whole thing!!! It is a story about freedom and transformation.

[EMARX]

Any discussion on the subject of abuse can only help. Far too often it is hidden away for all the wrong reasons. Finish the book if you can. Thank you for sharing your story.

[poisonbat]

I too have had the same unfortunate experience. I decided to leave because it came down to me or him. Not so sure how that would have ended up. Read the whole thing!!! It is a story about freedom and transformation.

This has inspired me to move on. Freedom and transformation... I like that.

[Robbi]

This is a great book. I too was in an abusive relationship, verbal and physical, although never to the extreme of our beloved Rose. This book is one of the best I have ever read, the range of emotion is so incredible. I think those of us who have survived abuse all feel victory at the close of the story.

[Presque Vu]

It definitely gets past that! It's a wonderful book, and although I cannot even imagine how it is to go through an ordeal similar to the one in the book, I truly feel that you can enjoy Rose Madder - the character as well! I've read it twice so far, and I think it's truly beautifully written... well, like everything else coming from Sai King!
I really hope you will pick it up again, I think you wouldn't regret it!