Blaze: A Novel by Richard Bachman
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Book Reviews of Blaze: A Novel
Book Review: great read and highly recommended
Summary: 4 Stars
A bit of confession first, Stephen King has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid. I did stop reading his books when they started to become the size of phone books. About a month ago I saw this book at the local bookseller for $5.99 and said, "What the heck."
Stephen King explains in the foreword that this was a trunk book. Basically, he wrote it along time ago and put it away. He eventually "found" it again, rewrote some parts and put it out under his alter-ego Richard Bachman.
What I liked: The story is more along the lines of Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption versus Cujo, Christine, etc. Essentially this book follows the life and times of Clay Blaisdell, jr. aka Blaze. The chapters alternate between the Blaze's last caper and his earlier life. Stephen King allows the story to build nicely and by the end of the story you feel sympathy for the main character and wish things could have turned out differently for Blaze.
What I disliked: Some characters, such as George, were not fully developed.
Last word: Overall, this was a great read and it is highly recommended. It illustrates that we are not always masters of our own destiny as events out of your control can and will change the course of your life.
Reveiwed by Matt
Book Review: Richard Bachman lives again!
Summary: 4 Stars
This was an enjoyable read from the first page. It was intriguing to see King developing his early style. I'm not sure how much he edited before he published this attic-box novel, but it reminded me a lot of some of the stories from Night Shift and his early novellas (Rage, Roadwork).
The story follows a slow witted character, Blaze, who successfully performs a kidnapping with the help of his dead companion who acts as a conscience or voice of reason the entire time. It's very reminiscent of "Of Mice and Men" which is what I think I remember King saying he was going for at the time. Imagine "Of Mice and Men" where George is dead, but Lennie still hears his voice and lives a life of crime.
I like how much Blaze's character is developed throughout the story, but for as short as the book is, he starts to get old. King gives you a couple of breaks from Blaze by developing minor characters and showing the news stories surrounding the kidnapping, but you're stuck with Blaze for most of the novel. The ending of the novel is sudden, yet predictable.
But if you have an afternoon or two to spare, sit down with Blaze. I think you'll really like him.
Book Review: Trite, but so full of heart, I couldn't resist
Summary: 4 Stars
I can't remember reading such a trite, manipulative novel. It almost felt as if it were being written for teens. This predictable story of a Blaze, a guy with a heart of gold who never caught a break in life and was pulled into a life of crime, was one that pulled me in in spite of my attempts to resist. If you're looking to find fault with this novel, you'll have lots of opportunities, but Blaze is such a lovable and sympathetic character, and George is a great sidekick, that I quickly gave up finding fault and just plain enjoyed this book. It's funny and crude, in a juvenile sense, and it made me smile. The book starts out in the present, as Blaze is planning his great kidnapping caper. The novel alternates between the present and the past, telling Blaze's life story. I liked both stories equally. This novel captured my heart like a 5 star book, but it felt too much like a cheap guilty pleasure for me to give it that top rating. It felt like a teenager's first attempt at writing a novel, with all the cliches. But the young writer was Stephen King, who can grab your heart with the best. If my review has not turned you off from this novel, I expect that you'll love it. I did.Book Review: Amazing Stephen King
Summary: 4 Stars
Although not one of the Stephen King's finest books, manages to keep the reader focused on the pages till the very end. Combining the natural with the supernatural, it will amaze everyone. It refers to a criminal who manages to kidnap a millionaire's son. Then while entertaining the reader with the adventure part, Stephen King manages to get into the depths of the human soul, as he gives details about the psychological fluctuations of the characters.Book Review: Stephen Kings does of Mice and Men
Summary: 4 Stars
Really reminds me of Mice and Men. I enjoyed it. Not the best book ever or the worst but was a good read.