Title: Rose Madder
Author: Stephen King
First published January 1, 1995
595 pages, Paperback
Rating: 3.74
Overview
With a drop of blood, Rosie Daniels’ world turns upside down as she realizes her husband wants to kill her. Fleeing with his credit card to a new city, Rosie begins a new life, but her past haunts her at every turn.
When she discovers an old painting at a junk shop named “Rose Madder,” she is inexplicably drawn to it. However, her abusive husband is not far behind, and Rosie must fight to protect herself from his corrupt wrath.
Stephen King delivers a haunting tale of survival, love, and suspenseful twists in “Rose Madder.”
About the Author
Stephen Edwin King was born into a family that would soon fall apart. His father left when he was only two years old, leaving him and his older brother to be raised by their mother, Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King.
Stephen spent some of his childhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his father’s family and some in Stratford, Connecticut before finally settling in Durham, Maine when he was eleven. His grandparents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, were unable to care for themselves and his mother was convinced by her sisters to take on the responsibility.
The family provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen’s grandparents passed away, his mother found work in the kitchens of a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. While at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper and was active in student politics.
He supported the anti-war movement on campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in English and qualified to teach on the high school level.
However, he was deemed ineligible for the draft due to his high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
Stephen met Tabitha Spruce while they were both working as students in the Fogler Library at the University. They married in January of 1971.
Unable to find a teaching job immediately, the couple lived on Stephen’s earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry and Tabitha’s student loan and savings, with occasional income from his short stories sold to men’s magazines.
Stephen’s first professional short story sale, “The Glass Floor,” was in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men’s magazines.
Many of these stories were later gathered into a collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. In his free time, he continued to write short stories and work on novels.
Editoral Review
Stephen Kings Rose Madder, first published in 1995, is a captivating work of suspenseful horror that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Best known for his spine-tingling tales like Carrie, The Shining, and Misery, King is a master of his craft and has created yet another unforgettable story with Rose Madder.
The novel follows the story of Rose Daniels, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage to her husband, Norman. After years of suffering, Rose finally decides to leave Norman and start a new life for herself.
In her quest for freedom, she purchases a painting of a woman leaving a violent man, and soon discovers that it is more than just an ordinary painting. As she delves deeper into the mystery behind the painting, she uncovers a world of supernatural powers and secrets that threaten her very existence.
Kings signature style of combining horror and suspense with supernatural elements is evident throughout the novel. His vivid imagery and descriptive prose draw readers in, making them feel as though they are right beside Rose as she navigates her way through the twists and turns of her journey.
The characters in the book are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them and feel invested in their fates. Furthermore, King does an excellent job of creating and maintaining an atmosphere of tension throughout the novel.
The pacing of the plot is masterfully executed, with just the right amount of suspense and action at the right moments. The themes explored in the book, such as abuse, trauma, and empowerment, are timely and resonate with readers even today.
However, like any book, Rose Madder is not without its flaws. At times, the plot can be convoluted and difficult to follow, and some readers may find the supernatural elements to be too over-the-top.
Additionally, some of the secondary characters aren’t as fleshed out as they could be, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its limitations, Rose Madder is a book that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.
Kings writing style is nothing short of captivating, and the story he weaves is a memorable one. Fans of Stephen King’s work will not be disappointed, and even those who are new to his writing will find themselves sucked in by the suspense and intrigue of the tale.
Overall, Rose Madder is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of horror, suspense, and supernatural fiction. With its well-developed characters, tight pacing, and thematic depth, it is a book that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers.
The Washington Post gives it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, recommending it to anyone looking for an absorbing and thought-provoking reading experience.
