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A review by kazd
Rose Madder by Stephen King
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Some VERY memorable characters in this novel (as is the case with almost all Stephen King novels). Norman Daniels is a character that will live in my head forever, he is dark and violent but in a sinister, cold and calculating way.
In typical King fashion, there are plenty of subtleties and nuance in this novel, centered mostly around character development. Norman is a copy (a Detective), seemingly unaware of how his boastful self-promoting bravado and chest beating actually helps Rose (who he COMPLETELY underestimates) escape and stay free of him as long as she does.
The novel slips into magical realism about halfway through - my advice, if you're not familiar with this in a novel that is not completely set in that realm, is to just go with it. Relax and enjoy the weirdness.
In typical King fashion, there are plenty of subtleties and nuance in this novel, centered mostly around character development. Norman is a copy (a Detective), seemingly unaware of how his boastful self-promoting bravado and chest beating actually helps Rose (who he COMPLETELY underestimates) escape and stay free of him as long as she does.
The novel slips into magical realism about halfway through - my advice, if you're not familiar with this in a novel that is not completely set in that realm, is to just go with it. Relax and enjoy the weirdness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence