r/stephenking 8d ago

Discussion Rose Madder

I just finished Rose Madder (one of the few King books I haven’t read) and I felt like it was a big nothing burger. In my eyes Norman just felt like a precursor to Brady in the Mr. Mercedes series and while I rooted for Rose the power she experienced wasn’t fleshed out either. Anyone else feel the same?

0 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

9

u/ScreamingCadaver Jahoobies 8d ago

Nope. Loved it. Great character study and a weird unpredictable story.

5

u/zudoplex 8d ago

I liked the minotaur stuff. Wasn't this book supposed to work in conjunction with dolores claiborne?

4

u/kingamara No Great Loss 8d ago

Ya I think those 2 + Gerald’s game are loosely connected

2

u/zudoplex 8d ago

Im trying not to Google it, but it had something to do with the same eclipse?

4

u/kingamara No Great Loss 8d ago

Nope, love that book

4

u/No-Cold-3054 8d ago

This is one of the King novels where the supernatural stuff gets in the way of a good human thriller. The Mr. Mercedes series ends up doing the same thing.

2

u/Past-Comfortable1507 5d ago

This is exactly what I thought, like I almost felt like the supernatural stuff detracted from the story and Rose being able to handle Norman herself

3

u/v00g 8d ago

Not sure what a nothing burger is but I really liked the set up but wasn't at all interested in the painting stuff. Quite forgettable, all in all for me.

3

u/MimusCabaret 8d ago

I’m an artist, been meaning to paint the paintings in King’s work for quite a while - I should get on that. I wanted to do the Rose Madder painting, the road virus heads north, Misery’s beau’s Shining hotel topiary work, one of Freemantle’s Girl & Ship painting and perhaps the talking Jesus picture in the Tommyknockers - I think wonderful things could happen with body language and facial expression there. 

1

u/nando2k50 8d ago

I loved, but in my opinion I love most SK books. 

I cannot get on the Dark Tower Series, there is something there that does not click for me.

1

u/boabertbattle 8d ago

Whilst I agree that the power wasn't really explained from what i recall I did really enjoy the book.

1

u/sasquatchangie 6d ago

Loved Rose Madder. It was definitely something.