Reading Blaze

**Nero** · September 8th, 2009

I'm reading Blaze for the first time.

A couple of things so far.

The wallet that Blaze and John find at the theater, with the initials RKF... Randall Flagg?

And with the bare bones style of the book, there seemed to be a lot of detail and time taken to describing the baby's "Joe's" eyes... were they gunslinger eyes?

And why does Blaze himself feel "spoilt" or "ruint", like he belongs in a Calla somewhere?

Still reading, just making observations as I go...

**teejay17** · September 10th, 2009

Originally Posted by Nero

I'm reading Blaze for the first time.

A couple of things so far.

The wallet that Blaze and John find at the theater, with the initials RKF... Randall Flagg?

And with the bare bones style of the book, there seemed to be a lot of detail and time taken to describing the baby's "Joe's" eyes... were they gunslinger eyes?

And why does Blaze himself feel "spoilt" or "ruint", like he belongs in a Calla somewhere?

Still reading, just making observations as I go...

Those are some good observations. I'm going to have to go back and reread this novel.

**ginapenn** · October 6th, 2009

I'm reading it right now but can't get into it for some reason. Perhaps I'm a little distracted by my own book I'm writing at the moment but for some reason I'm just not bonding with this character. I need to keep trying.

**Bryan James** · October 6th, 2009

There may be some tenuous connection, but I think synchronicity is at play here.

Did Jack London write only one story about a dog? Did Andy Warhol paint only one ugly picture? Did Jenna Jameson...well, you get my point.

~BJS

**michal** · October 7th, 2009

I think it's interesting that you find so many DT hints in that book, considering that it was written so many years before the people of the calla were created. Personally I found this book to be a mixture if Mr. King and J. D. Salinger (and I was hardly the first one to spot THAT connection

).

**Perse Jr.** · October 19th, 2009

I did catch some of those DT connections, but most of all, I have to admit I'm a teeny tiny bit bored.

It's not easy to admit that; I am an avid, die-hard SK fan. But, here I am on page 218, and I'm kind of tapping my foot and checking my watch. I'm already thinking about what to read next, and that RARELY happens during an SK novel. Hopefully it'll turn for me soon. I am hoping Blaze comes out on top because overall he's had some tough breaks and seems to have a kind (if not, dim or ignorant) heart.

**ginapenn** · October 21st, 2009

I just finished it yesterday and have to say, I kinda liked it. At first it was a hard book to get into, the main character just wasn't speaking to me, but I found so many little things about this story that reminded me of Mr. King himself (from things he's revealed through On Writing), his other stories (referencing Shawshank, etc...) and then, wonder of all wonders, Blaze really got to me. I started to like him. And then the end came and I was disappointed. Overall, I really liked it. Not high up on my faves list but it was a good story.

**Perse Jr.** · October 22nd, 2009

I have to say I change my mind! I'm really enjoying Blaze now, and I am really bummed because I've only got about 20 pages left. Wish it was longer now! The whole part about Bluenote's farm really got me sucked in (I loved the whole summery-kid, good-old-days feel about it).

And I found a "bool!" on page 258!

He had a panicky moment when it seemed he had no change, but he found two quarters in his pants and another in his coat pocket. Then--bool!--his money came back in the coin return. Directory Assistance was free.

**doowopgirl** · October 26th, 2009

Originally Posted by Nero

I'm reading Blaze for the first time.

A couple of things so far.

The wallet that Blaze and John find at the theater, with the initials RKF... Randall Flagg?

And with the bare bones style of the book, there seemed to be a lot of detail and time taken to describing the baby's "Joe's" eyes... were they gunslinger eyes?

And why does Blaze himself feel "spoilt" or "ruint", like he belongs in a Calla somewhere?

Still reading, just making observations as I go...

Keep reading it should become apparent

**wally wonder** · November 12th, 2009

reread this a week or so ago. want to check out the stand and see what theater that was. probably no relation to where j & blaze went, but that "lost" in the classified reminds me of hearts/wolves of the calla. but why is reagan described as 'old white elvis daddy,' george's term for him. guess i'm looking at when blaze was written and lacking any other "date" info in the story, i presumed a time-line from say the 60s. and ronnie, as we came to know him, was where, in hollywood winning one for the gipper? or was that earlier, during the black and white era?

i liked the use of george's voice, blaze making doo by imagining george there, offering advice, etc.