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btrz7's review
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder
stars_and_stags's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first chapter is very dark and the opening pages are horrific to read.
There are also quite a few words & phrases that were quite shocking to hear in 2023.
Overall, I like the journey Rose goes on but I perfectly understand why some choose not to read this. It’s a tough read.
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
tifftastic87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It made me more emotional this time around for sure but it was... Definitely 90s. Its always hard when King writes from his villain's perspective because they are always truly horrible and its hard to hear the language they use about other people. However it does truly make you hate Norman.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ditte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Stalking
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
stacymania's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
*I also mention devices used in Duma Key & Lisey's Story
I really wanted and expected this to zoom into my Top King's. I originally claimed a five star rating, but I have to admit it wasn't a perfect read.
Firstly, I found the pacing to be really uneven. Being a Constant Reader I'm all for slow burns, however this one started off hot and lost its way, getting a little boring honestly, before finding itself again in the second half.
Lastly, I found most of the characters fairly one dimensional, especially for the first half of the book. Rosie absolutely kicked ass in the second half and Norman was absolutely diabolical the whole way through. I just didn't come to adore Rose as much as I anticipated, which makes me sad and I found most of the secondary characters quite flat.
That being said, MVP goes to Gertie. Her triumphant takedown of Norman had me cheering outloud! She's hilarious and badass!
I wanted this to be up there with Dolores Claiborne and Gerald's Game, yet I found it didn't hold the same power.
The supernatural element was pretty neat, but I'd have to say Duma Key does the haunted painting in a more effective manor and Lisey's Story has a more intoxicating "dream" world.
The last act of this book was a thrill ride, and redeemed my previous boredom. Although things seemed to line up almost too perfectly, I found this section tense and emotional.
Rose Madder is worth the read and has a brave message for anyone going through or who has survived abuse, it just landed middle of the road King for me.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Murder
gemdnnlly's review against another edition
2.25
There’s so much repetition and it feels like King was just trying desperately to reach 500+ pages
Graphic: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism
nessa_lou30's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, and Cannibalism
Minor: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Violence, and Murder
shirtypantser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Homophobia
angielisle's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rose Madder is a combination of a quintessential King thriller and Greek mythology. The story is told from the 2 main characters points of view in alternate chapters which very slowly reduce in length. It's barely noticeable until the final third of the book where you are being swept into the faster pace this trick creates, like a whirlpool.
Rose Madder is brutal, tense, thrilling, violent and supernatural but it's also moving, emotional and hopeful. For me, the mirror world/largest metaphor ever used was almost too much. It takes a significant suspension in disbelief but I learned to appreciate it.
I also found it difficult to believe that a woman traumatised by domestic abuse would so easily enter into a new relationship and so smoothly. I was rooting for them though.
My final criticism is in the very end of the book. It's hard to describe it without giving any spoilers so I'll just say that I found 'remember the tree' unnecessary.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder