Blaze is a novel written by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman. King begins the book with 'full disclosure' that this is a trunk novel written as Bachman in late 1972 (when he was about 25) along with a few others that never got published. Once King made it big with titles like Carrie and Salem's Lot, these trickled into publication under his pseudonym (including The Running Man and Thinner) to see if they would be accepted on their own merit. Blaze was one that sat in the dark for 30 years, as he never thought it 'worked'. He didn't even have a proper copy, just a faded xerox lost in a box somewhere. In 2008, it made it to the light.
Blaze is a hulk of a guy, a little slow in the head after being abused by his father so many times. Bouncing between care homes and foster homes, he grew up a delinquent until he met George Rackley, a small time con man who showed him the scams. George is dead now, but Blaze keeps talking to him and looking for guidance as he steals cars and robs grocery stores. The big score they never pulled is still waiting, and Blaze decides to pull it off. Breaking into a wealthy house, he kidnaps a baby for ransom, only he forgets to tell them that. On the run from the police with the baby in tow, he has nowhere to go.
King goes into the back story of George and Blaze, it's all competantly written. My problem is, while the story unfolds I'm left with a few hours spent with someone who is abused verbally, emotionally, and physically his whole life, a loner with no friends or family, pulling a stunt that has nowhere to go. George is also a slimy character who uses Blaze as much as he helps him. Not enjoyable or engaging, just a story that started and ended but I didn't find it pleasant or edifying. I can't think of much in it that I will remember. It was an entertainment. Like King says in the first few pages, he didn't think this was good enough to print for 30 years, so if you want your money back, do it before you start reading while you eat.
This was my recent airplane book - a book I would like to read, but don't want to keep. I start them while waiting to board, continue on the plane, and finish on the train home after landing. I usually leave these at the airport for someone else to pick up. As a distraction on the flight, it did it's job, but that's it. Fans of King liked it more than I did.
Read my other reviews of Stephen King:
2008 / Paperback / 372 pages
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