A nice easy read. Good main character with lots to like. ( )

I had given up on reading a Stephen King novel because most of his later novels read like a parody of his earlier work, pre The Stand. I soon discovered that this was part of King's earlier work and I'm glad I gave it a try. I loved this book. The lean, spare writing was classic King. The characters and especially the lead character captured my imagination from the beginning and I soon felt so much sadness at the helplessness of Blaze's circumstances. Where it eventually led was tragic, but I still am glad I got to know this character and was allowed to know him without King's later excesses in narrative and prose. I highly recommend it to King fans and to those discovering King for the first time. ( )

I've read many negative reviews concerning this book and I've got to say that I think they're all nuts. I haven't enjoyed a King novel this much since The Regulators and even then it's not one of my favorites. Blaze is more than just a mere trunk novel as touted by King himself. Rather Blaze takes us back to the early works of King when he was at his best; exciting, fresh and raw, (and not long of tooth). It is a well written perspective into the life of one truely unfortunate man. It is a modern telling of The Grapes of Wrath that was done with aplomb, style and grace. Blaze should be a character that is hated and reviled and yet the reader finds themselves eagerly cheering him on. It is a fast paced read that is definitely hard to put down. This novel takes it's honored place amongst my King collection to be happily recommended and read again. I won't soon forget this book. Thank you, Steve. ( )

This book was, by far, one of the worst trunk novels I've ever read. And that's pretty bad if you consider the fact that trunk novels are usually terrible. I was reading it, praying for a point - but at the end, I realize there was no point and I had a bad taste in my mouth. The characters, as sketchy as many of them were, had some potential...But they were just written by the wrong man. ( )

I love Stephen King but I didn't love this book. :/ ( )