Book Review: Blaze by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King)

Blaze is a big, dumb, gentle giant in the vein of Lennie from Of Mice and Men in this homage to that Steinbeck classic. Like Lennie, Blaze's naivete and need for acceptance are his most endearing qualities and his most dangerous. At the mercy of those smarter than himself, Blaze is the willing tool of con men and other petty criminals until he tries the biggest crime of his life on his own to prove himself to George. Blaze knows that George is dead, as is everyone else Blaze ever loved. Until he met little Joe.

This Stephen King "trunk novel" was written in the early 1970s and rewritten for its first publication in 2007. Like the other Richard Bachman publications, this isn't horror. It is a human tragedy, a commentary on the treatment of the disadvantaged, a sympathetic tale of one of society's rejects.

When we meet Blaze he is on his way to carrying off George's big dream, that one big job. His conversations with George help him, haunt him and push him through the steps to pull of the caper. Blaze never doubts his mentor's advice. He does doubt his own abilities. George shows up when Blaze needs him the most, helps him through and abandons him again. Finally, George prompts Blaze to perform the unthinkable and Blaze rebels.

The relationship between George and Blaze is complex. George needs Blaze for such simple things as reminders on changing his shorts and brushing his teeth. George needs Blaze to carry out his plans, to be a partner he can trust to not steal the "swag."

Flashback chapters are scattered throughout the main story. King uses these to tell the story of how Blaze came to be where he is. From an abusive father to an orphans' school that warehoused the boys, from the one true friend to George's casual care for the giant with a knack for crime, the fates are stacked against Blaze and still he tries. Each of these chapters is a compelling story in its own right. A tragedy within a tragedy and a building block making Blaze what he is today.

Blaze is a fully developed character, the other characters are somewhat flat and one dimensional. There are few other sympathetic characters, even among the children encountered during Blaze's youth. Despite that certain shallowness this is an enjoyable read and I found myself rooting for Blaze to succeed even as I was appalled at his actions. This novel feels like it was written in a different era, a time of less sophistication, a simpler time.

The foreword, titled "Full Disclosure" tells of the history of this novel and Stephen King's feelings about it. He talks of the rewrite that made it into the novel that was finally published. He took the sentimentality out of the writing, leaving the bare bones of the story. The emotions the reader feels come from the story not so much from purple prose.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the other Bachman books. Stephen King's writing shines through.