Rose Madder

Amazon.com

After 14 years of being beaten, Rose Daniels wakes up one morning and leaves her husband -- but she keeps looking over her shoulder, because Norman has the instincts of a predator. And what is the strange work of art that has Rose in a kind of spell? In this brilliant dark-hued fable of the gender wars, Stephen King has fashioned yet another suspense thriller to keep readers right at the edge.

Book Description

This is the story of Rose Daniels, "the most richly portrayed female King's ever created."* Escaping from her macabre marriage is not as easy as fleeing to a new city, picking a new name, finding a new job, and lucking out with a new man. Not with a husband like Norman...

Customer Reviews:

A truly wonderful piece of work.......2007-10-07

This book tore at my heartstrings and kept me reading until 2 am. It happens to be one of my favorite reads of all time. So much that I have to keep a copy of this one cause I tend to wear the pages out fast from reading it too much...This just happens to be a story that you just can't get sick of. Way to go Mr. King!

Daughters and Sisters.......2007-10-01

I'm a huge Stephen King fan!! However, I don't blindly love all of his work. Rose Madder is an excellent story. An abused woman goes on the run from her abusive cop husband. She runs far away and is taken in by an excellent women's shelter, called Daughter's and Sister's. Her husband has gone completely nuts and is hot on her trail. The woman has a new outlook and good new friends, but are they strong enough to go up against a killer with nothing to lose? Add in a magical painting that opens into another world, and boom! Magic!!

One of My Favorite King Stories.......2007-08-30

I first read Rose Madder eagerly years ago when I was starting high school- and I just finished it again today. I bought it a short while ago since I was curious if the loving memory I had of the story would happen to still be the same after all this time. And it is truly.

Rose Madder- a story about an abused wife finally running away from her monster of a husband- is not a favorite for everyone, so I will not promise to anyone interested in cracking it open that you will enjoy it. Every author has a book or books even that splits their fans and for King fans Rose Madder is just that one to do it. Some love it, some hate it- some only preferred a certain part of the story and felt it could have been written better.

To me, I think the book as it is is quite strong, compelling and at times even terrifying. It's strengths in my opinion outweighed its weaker points and King's solid writing altogether is very much here as it is in many of his successful works.

And unlike others, I feel the fantasy parts of the story where Rosie steps into the painting were very exciting and creative. I think some would have preferred her to stay in the real world throughout the novel though, and maybe just imagine being in the painting instead and although I could see that working I still much prefer how he did it- by allowing her to actually step into the world. The settings in both the fantasy and real world nonetheless are both equally well done. Other strengths of this novel in my opinion are the characters- except for Bill. Everyone else I had no problems with at all but Bill was a tad on the cheesy side in my opinion. I am glad Rosie found a sweet guy definitely- but sometimes he just felt kind of like the perfect Prince Charming type and it did rub me the wrong way sometimes. He didn't really have much of a personality either... he was just the ultimate nice- guy. I think King should have built him up a little more that's all- flaws and all.

There are really no other problems I find with this novel though except for the Epilogue. Although some King fans absolutely hate the ending- I don't but I felt it could have been written in a better way. I understand it but nonetheless it isn't entirely satsifying. You just get the feeling it could have written better that's all.

Overall Rose Madder I find a very good novel. It kept me turning the pages, mostly out of fear as abusive husband Norman kept getting closer to Rosie and her new life with her new friends and eventual lover. And the fantasy parts of the novel were a nice treat, a way to get pulled out of the terror of Rosie's reality and get a view of a rather limited but fascinating fantasy. I recommend it for King fans- but again, can't promise you how you will feel after you start reading it. The King crowd is pretty split on it, but it seems most agree it has its strengths and is worth at least a try.

4/5

INCREDIBLY good book which works on several levels.......2007-08-29

Stephen King at his best. Rose Madder is a rip-roaring crime thriller, an updated version of ancient myths, a realistically romantic love story AND the heartrending account of one woman's hellish nightmare at the hands of one of the cruelest, most misogynistic, rascist, homophobic sadists i have ever encountered in fiction. Full of subtle nuances and symbolism, as well as thought provoking and emotionally powerful scenes, this novel is awesome stuff!

Really Rosie Real.......2007-07-19

Rose Madder is a touching tale of a woman whose husband; also a police chief, abuses her and how she manages to escape his obsession and resources to find her. As the reader, you find you are with Rose in spirit as she breaks free of Norman and leaves the town he has authority over. I felt empowered as a woman to see another take control of her life however, I was disappointed to find she meets another man and falls in love. I wanted to see Rose build a life without a man to validate it and protect her. The details of the painting that Rose purchases are hard to grasp and a little repetitive however, very original that it should have such a consistency throughout the novel. Some points of the novel are told from Norman's perspective; his narrative almost makes you feel sympathetic towards him, a very interesting touch and a classic writing style of Stephen King's. My copy of the novel has a picture of the painting, I hope that yours does too because it makes the novel even more eerie. This novel reminds me of a Shakespearian tragic-comedy (an ironic genre). Rose Madder is a romantic-horror; it touches the heart but makes the spine tingle.

Average customer rating:

Rose Madder
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: 0340640138

Average customer rating:

No muy bueno

El retrato de Rose Madder
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Debolsillo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0307376583
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

Por fín Rose Daniel se ha decidido de abandonar su casa, y con ella la sistemática brutalidad de su marido. El brutal marido se lanza, con su enfermizo sadismo a seguirla y cazarla. Es una novela obsesiva, plena de simbolismo oscuro y amenazante, que conmueve nuestro lado oscuro.

Customer Reviews:

No muy bueno.......2002-03-04

Este libro relata la historia de una mujer que huye de su marido que la maltrata.
Realmente este es uno de los peores libros que he leído de Stephen King. La historia es muy lenta y poco atractiva, No lo recomiendo a menos que seas un verdadero fan de Stephen King.

Average customer rating:

Rose Madder

Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HK7XLM

Stephen King/Delores Claiborne-Insomnia-Rose Madder

Average customer rating:

Three page-turning novels by the King of Horror
Even at half-power, Stephen's still the King
Rose Madder was a fast page turner
The King of Horror

Stephen King/Delores Claiborne-Insomnia-Rose Madder
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews:

Three page-turning novels by the King of Horror.......1998-04-22

I've been a Stephen King fan since I was in fifth grade (when I first read Misery), and I will be for life. He has never disappointed me. From his epic Dark Tower series (which is great) to his short stories he always writes with great depth. In the three books here: Rose Madder, Insomnia, and Dolores Claiborne he has yet again put together a trilogy of masterpieces. In Rose Madder a young wife finally works up enough strength to leave her abusive husband, who is also a cop. The cop doesn't let her go that easily and follows her cross country and tries to kill her. King throws a twist into the story, however, once the wife can enter a painting and go back and forth through time. A must read. Insomnia is about an old man who at first can't sleep but then begins to see "visions" and people who can cut the thread of life, so he knows who is going to die. His nemisis in the story is the Crimson King who...I don't want to tell to much. This story gets a little long at parts (near the middle), but it is a very long book anyway. Good read. Dolores Claiborne is about a woman who finds out her husband has had sexual experiences with their young daughter. During a solar eclipse she kills him and nobody ever finds out who did it, until... I love how this book ties in with Geralds Game. To find out how read the books. This one is very good (the movie was okay too - but not as good). So, I think everyone should read these books because they are 1)suspensful, 2)entertaining, 3)written by Stephen King, trust me you won't be disappointed. by the way my favorite Stephen King book is "IT"

Even at half-power, Stephen's still the King.......1998-04-16

Stephen King's ascent from free-lance scribe to multi-million-selling-brand-name-writing-industry is a fascinating case. His scintillating first novel, "Carrie", was published in an era where horror novels were quite out of vogue--but it still succeeded. His third effort, "The Stand", was an 800+ page monolith that broke every rule from "How To Become A Best Selling Novelist"--it was long (verrrrry long), multi-layered, and really really dark. But again, King succeeded. By the time the nineties rolled around, King's loyal fan base knew that their man could be relied on to deliver an entertaining, readable, and verrrrry long fright-fest. Through hard work and consistancy, Stephen King had deservedly earned the total trust of his readers. But sometime around 1988, I suspect the prolific scare-meister realized that his fans would, with very little question, follow him anywhere. So the Horror King decided to put it in cruise control. "Stephen King's Latest", a set of three novels from the early nineties, epitomizes the problems of King's more recent work. In "Dolores Clairborne," King's fascination (or obsession) with his homestate of Maine kills an otherwise interesting little mystery. The picayune historical details about the state, combined with the native-Maine dialect that permiates most of the dialogue, turns the book into somewhat of an endurance test. In "Gerald's Game", King semi-overbearing, soapbox-jumping attitude about feminism (he's all for it--what a guy!) overrides the clever, sexually-charged premise. And the creepy (and verrrrry long) "Insomnia"--though closer in tone and spirit to vintage King outings like "The Stand" and "The Dead Zone"--is in dire need of an editor's red pencil. All that said, this troika of books nonetheless demonstrates that even at half-power, Stephen King is a true pop fiction craftsman who will always be able to snare a reader by the cortex, and not let go. "Dolores Clairborne", "Gerald's Game", and "Insomnia" are relatively tasty in their own right, but to experience Steve at full power, stick with the early stuff.

Rose Madder was a fast page turner.......1998-04-14

One of King's best. Going through time by entering a painting. What a concept. The whole story was riveting. You cant put it down, because you want to know, what's going to happen to Rose next??????

The King of Horror.......1998-04-14

These three stories are not King's best works, but they are indeed great works. King's books are always interesting and fun to read. He has made an art of horror in modern literature.

The first story, Dolores Claiborne, is really a story about the trying times between a mother and a daughter. Dolores has been accused of killing the elderly lady she has taken care of for years. Her daughter, who she has not seen in years, comes to help her with the her legal problems. Soon the story takes a turn, going back 20 years to another murder that might have been done by Dolores. It was the murder of her husband...This is a very interesting story that takes wild turns and twist until the dramatic end.

Insomnia is the second novel included in this collection. This is a longer story about a man whose bad case of insomnia drives him near madness. But is his sleep problems all mental, or is there an outside force working on him and the town he inhabits? This story won't put you to sleep.

The last story in this collection is Rose Madder. Rose's husband, a small town cop, seemed like a good man when she decided to marry him, but she soon finds out she is wrong. He turns out to be a monsterious wife beater. She lives in hell with him for 10 years before finally walking out on him while he is at work. With nothing to her name she heads to the big city. But still she is not safe from her maniac husband, who begins a killing spree across the country to find his wife, Rose, and to make sure she knows that no one ever leaves him.

This is a great collection of Stephen King's novels. So get it, turn off all the lights in your house, and enter King's nightmare world of horror.

Average customer rating:
14 STEPHEN KING (+ pseudoynms) Books: Lisey's Story, Heart's in Atlantis, The Dark Half, Tommyknockers, Night Shift, Dolores Claiborne, Rose Madder, The Stand, Talisman, Regulators, Misery, Firestarter, Memory of Running, Journals of Eleanor Druse (Unboxed Set of Suspense Thriller Horror Books)
Stephen King , Eleanor Druse , Ron McLarty , Richard Bachman , and Peter Straub
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WICE54

Product Description

14 STEPHEN KING (+ pseudoynms) Books: Lisey's Story, Heart's in Atlantis, The Dark Half, Tommyknockers, Night Shift, Dolores Claiborne, Rose Madder, The Stand, Talisman, Regulators, Misery, Firestarter, Memory of Running, Journals of Eleanor Druse, (Unboxed Set of Suspense Thriller Books), in either Hard or Softcover, (See Seller Condition Comments), Shipped in one package to save on shipping costs.

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ROSE MADDER
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RAS30W

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Rose Madder
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Editions 84
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

Rose Madder
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Editions J'ai Lu
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000KYC0YK

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Rose Madder
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Book Club Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M66UJM

Amazon.com

To this second book of her Bar Cynster series, Stephanie Laurens brings a thorough command of Regency style, as well as graphic, uninhibited love scenes. Elegant, commanding Vane Cynster graciously bows to fate when he seeks shelter from a storm and meets the woman he realizes he's destined to marry--Patience Debbington, the spinster niece of Vane's kindhearted godmother. Although her attraction to Vane is immediate and electrifying, Patience distrusts "elegant gentlemen" like her father, who broke her mother's heart by failing to return her love. To pursue Patience, Vane settles into his godmother's household, which consists of various poor relatives and assorted hangers-on, and is caught up in the search for a petty thief and occasional "Spectre" who is harassing them. It requires all of Vane's investigative abilities to catch the criminal, and all of his considerable powers of persuasion--as well as many ardent couplings with Patience--to convince her that family, loyalty, and love come first for him. Laurens is especially skillful at capturing Regency males, aristocrats whose refined restraint barely masks their powerful underlying urges. Appearances by others of the extended, devoted Cynster family ensures that readers will become increasing attached to this ongoing series. --Ellen Edwards

Book Description

He vowed he'd never marry.

To Vane Cynster, Bellamy Hall seems like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London's husband hunters. But when he encounters irresistible Patience Debbington, Vane realises he's met his match ...

She vowed no man would catch her.

Patience isn't about to succumb to Vane's sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses leave her dizzy and his caresses made her melt; but Patience has promised herself she'll never become vulnerable to a broken heart. Is this one vow that was meant to be broken?

Customer Reviews:

Stephanie Laurens delivers again!.......2007-03-08

Once again, Stephanie Laurens serves up a delicious tale about the Cynster men. I love the characters and the subplot of mystery and danger, but as always, her love story takes the cake. An EXCELLENT read!!!

Not so good!.......2006-12-27

After a few Stephanie Laurens' books, I almost gave up but someone told me about her first Cynster book - Devil's Bride. When I saw a good deal on the Devil's Bride/A Rake's Vow combo, I bought it.

Devil's Bride did not disappoint me but A Rake's Vow did.

How many times can Vane "arrogantly raised his brows", or "coolly arrogant, raised a brow", or "quirked a brow", or "a brow arogantly quirked"? I counted, in one instance, 5 in 2 pages. I attempted to say: "Stop raising your eyebrows or you will stick with a surprised expression forever" - just like my mother always said.

Vane was my favorite of all Devil's cousins and Ms. Laurens did not do him justice in this book. Why did he feel that Patience is "The One"? There was no indication or explanation for the way he felt - just that it was "fate".

I think I am done with Ms. Laurens. Her style of writing is not to my liking. I like Mary Balogh or Jo Beverley better. Their books are not trenched with sex scenes and you know why the couples fall in love.

Not to Bad.......2006-03-26

This is the second in the Cynster Series after Devil's Bride. This is cousin Vane's story. He meets Patience at his godmother's estate and instantly knows she's fated to be his bride. The problem with that, is you never really know why. Towards the end of the book he decides he loves her but earlier in the book you never really know why she is the special one to him. I did like that the whodunit Ms. Laurens likes to put in each of her Cynster novels is more of a challenge this time. But that kind of fizzles out in the end too. However, this is still a satisfying story and anyone interested in the series should read it.

A Real Drag.......2005-06-27

Okay, for those of you who are Bar Cynster fans, here me out, not that I need to defend my opinion in anyway.

I believe Stephanie Laurens has exceptional writing skills, especially when it comes to her love scenes. I really believe that in that particular case, she's at the top of her class in this area.

But what I find typical of her stories is that her love scenes usual sizzles while her surrounding story/mystery-line fizzles.

The characers and mainly the plot surrounding the love story appears either uninspired, half-hearted and lagging. In fact, the only sure-fire thing you can look foward to (and never be disappointed in)is the love scenes themselves.

Unfortunately, I find it to be the very case with "A Rake's Vow". For one, she tries to convince us that Vane is this alpha-male, ladies' man that does as he pleases. He, just like all the Cynster males, vow that they shall never marry.

I don't know if its just me, but I truly would like know why they were so against the martial state in the first place. This was never made clear, so you never knew the real motives behind the "Bar Cynster" get-togeter to begin with....

Anyway, Vane then suddenly meets his match -all of a sudden- when he meets this 26 year old spinster who has nothing to claim to her name but an annoying younger brother and a cat.

For all we hear of how dashing these Cynster males are, Vane's love interest, with the way she was described as this spinster who never really got out much, doesn't really suit his tastes, in my opinion. I just feel that Patience (the herione's name)could have had a lot more going on for her than was described in her side of the story. Compared to all the other heriones in the Bar Cynster series, she's the most boring!

Besides the characters not being overly consistent with their viewpoints, the mystery just plain as hell, sucked. After reading 4 of her books, I am convinced more than ever that S. Laurens lacks the talent to write a decent plot/mystery line to hold together the romance that helps build her characters and push the story along.

I find that it is not so much the characters that lack depth so much, but the plot itself and with this book - like most of her books- I get bored easily after reading only 10 pages or less, despite the well-detailed, page-scorching sex scenes.

I am one of those people who appreciate a well-thought out, engaging mystery, if there is to BE one, along with the tittilating sex..... But if I had to choose ONE aspect over another, I'd choose a good plot/mystery over steamy love scenes all the time.

A "Rake's Vow" could do no justice for me, I am sorry to say...

great.......2005-03-27

well this book is really great i thought. i haven't read devil's bride so i was unprejudiced that way though, although this wasn't my first step. laurens novel and by faaar not the first romance i've read!

I'll admit the mystery could have been done a bit better...I had figured out who the culprits are, but not why they were and exactly what they were doing...so there was a bit of suspense.

The romance was very well worked out...The chemistry between Vane and Patience was very believable (and YES the sex scenes are also believable...even though the regency era was officially 'prude' doesn't mean that people were!) Laurens is the master of the steamy, emotional love scenes, and while there were plenty of them in this book, there weren't too many.

Yes you could get annoyed at Patience for her constant refusal of his marraige proposal, but once the author explains her reason, you can understand.

I also thought it was a bit odd how quickly Vane changed his mind not to get married...almost as if by that time in the book the author decided not to continue on that point.

wonderful book, i look forward to reading the rest of the series!

Average customer rating:

Excellent Stories Begin What Promises To Be An Excellent Series!

Devil's Bride and A Rake's Vow
Stephanie Laurens
Manufacturer: Avon A
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060847522
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Book Description

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Cynsters! When I embarked on the stories of the Cynster clan, I knew they fascinated me, but I had no idea how much they would appeal to readers. This volume contains the books that first introduced readers to the glittering, glamorous, passionate, and sometimes dangerous lives of the Cynster cousins and their ducal dynasty.

In Devil's Bride, the head of the dynasty, Devil Cynster, 6th Duke of St. Ives, is caught in a compromising position with a governess. He astonishingly offers marriage, but Honoria Anstruther-Wetherby has no interest. Devil is convinced, yet someone is not so enthused, and accidents start to occur. Can Devil convince Honoria that marrying him will be a more exciting adventure than anything she's dreamed? And if he succeeds, will they both survive?

In A Rake's Vow, Vane Cynster, Devil's cousin and closest friend, determined to avoid Cupid's dart, takes refuge at his godmother's country house, where fate throws Patience Debbington literally into his arms. Vane is impressed; Patience is not. But as both become embroiled in a mystery involving ghosts, thefts, and ultimately attempted murder, Patience learns that she can place her trust in this rake's vow, because it's one that comes from the heart.

I hope you enjoy your first exciting taste of the Cynster world -- let the romance, adventure, mystery, and sheer passion sweep you away!

WARNING: The Cynsters are addictive.
Stephanie Laurens

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Stories Begin What Promises To Be An Excellent Series!.......2006-08-14

These first-two-books-in-one begin the Cynster series and an excellent beginning it is! Since DEVIL'S BRIDE and A RAKE'S VOW are the first two books, I suggest you look under each title for the individual reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed them both! I'm looking forward to reading more of her novels and continuing the Cynster series!

Average customer rating:

Devil's Bride/A Rake's Vow

Manufacturer: Harper Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1582881073

Product Description

Two great stories in one book. Stephanie Laurens is a great Romance writer. You will love these.

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A Rake's Vow
Stephanie Laurens
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PMJBOE

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Devil's Bride and A Rake's Vow
Stephanie Laruens
Manufacturer: Avon Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF5YMK

First Four Cynster Novels (1) Devil's Bride; (2) A Rake's Vow; (3) Scandal's Bride; (4) A Rogue's Proposal (Cynster Series)

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First Four Cynster Novels (1) Devil's Bride; (2) A Rake's Vow; (3) Scandal's Bride; (4) A Rogue's Proposal (Cynster Series)
Stephanie Laurens
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000T8ZDCI

First Four Cynster Novels - Set #1 - (1) Devil's Bride; (2) A Rake's Vow; (3) Scandal's Bride; (4) A Rogue's Proposal (Cynster Series)

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First Four Cynster Novels - Set #1 - (1) Devil's Bride; (2) A Rake's Vow; (3) Scandal's Bride; (4) A Rogue's Proposal (Cynster Series)
Stephanie Laurens
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: B000T8UGD4

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