Blaze (novel): Difference between revisions
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'''''Blaze''''' is a novel written by [[Stephen King]] under the name [[Richard Bachman]]. King announced on his website that he "found it" in an attic. The story concerns Clayton Blaisdale, Jr. (known as "Blaze" for short, thus the title), a mentally challenged small-time con artist who kidnaps a millionaire's infant grandchild, in the hopes of fulfilling the dreams of George, Blaze's deceased best friend and partner in crime. The chapters alternate between Blaze's past -- which covers his childhood (including how he came to be brain damaged) and his entry into a life of crime despite an otherwise sweet demeanor -- and his current caper, in which he imagines that he is still constantly advised by his friend George. Despite the helpfulness of (the imaginary) George's advice, and a hint of pscyhic ability, Blaze's world begins to crumble during his kidnapping venture, especially as he bonds with the baby. |
'''''Blaze''''' is a novel written by [[Stephen King]] under the name [[Richard Bachman]]. King announced on his website that he "found it" in an attic. The story concerns Clayton Blaisdale, Jr. (known as "Blaze" for short, thus the title), a mentally challenged small-time con artist who kidnaps a millionaire's infant grandchild, in the hopes of fulfilling the dreams of George, Blaze's deceased best friend and partner in crime. The chapters alternate between Blaze's past -- which covers his childhood (including how he came to be brain damaged) and his entry into a life of crime despite an otherwise sweet demeanor -- and his current caper, in which he imagines that he is still constantly advised by his friend George. Despite the helpfulness of (the imaginary) George's advice, and a hint of pscyhic ability, Blaze's world begins to crumble during his kidnapping venture, especially as he bonds with the baby. |
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This book is mentioned as one of Stephen King's earliest books, written in late 1972 and early 1973, in between drafts of ''Carrie''. He had two books to follow ''Carrie'', this one and '''Salem's Lot''. The editor chose ''[['Salem's Lot]]'', although he warned King that he would be typed as a horror writer. |
This book is mentioned as one of Stephen King's earliest books, written in late 1972 and early 1973, in between drafts of [[''Carrie'']]. He had two books to follow ''Carrie'', this one and '''Salem's Lot''. The editor chose ''[['Salem's Lot]]'', although he warned King that he would be typed as a horror writer. |
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The book also contains "[[Memory (Stephen King)|Memory]]," a short story that was first published in 2006 and which King has since worked into ''[[Duma Key]]''. |
The book also contains "[[Memory (Stephen King)|Memory]]," a short story that was first published in 2006 and which King has since worked into ''[[Duma Key]]''. |
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Revision as of 13:56, 5 July 2007
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| Author | Richard Bachman (Stephen King) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror |
| Publisher | Scribner |
Publication date | June 12, 2007 |
| Publication place |  USA |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 288 pp |
Blaze is a novel written by Stephen King under the name Richard Bachman. King announced on his website that he "found it" in an attic. The story concerns Clayton Blaisdale, Jr. (known as "Blaze" for short, thus the title), a mentally challenged small-time con artist who kidnaps a millionaire's infant grandchild, in the hopes of fulfilling the dreams of George, Blaze's deceased best friend and partner in crime. The chapters alternate between Blaze's past -- which covers his childhood (including how he came to be brain damaged) and his entry into a life of crime despite an otherwise sweet demeanor -- and his current caper, in which he imagines that he is still constantly advised by his friend George. Despite the helpfulness of (the imaginary) George's advice, and a hint of pscyhic ability, Blaze's world begins to crumble during his kidnapping venture, especially as he bonds with the baby.
This book is mentioned as one of Stephen King's earliest books, written in late 1972 and early 1973, in between drafts of ''Carrie''. He had two books to follow Carrie, this one and 'Salem's Lot. The editor chose 'Salem's Lot, although he warned King that he would be typed as a horror writer.
The book also contains "Memory," a short story that was first published in 2006 and which King has since worked into Duma Key.
King's comments on the book
On King's website, the following was posted in the "Future Works" section on November 28, 2006:
- "Many of you have been asking for more information about publication of Blaze following Steve's mention of it on his recent Lisey's Story book tour. This is another Bachman novel which he recently rediscovered. The original manuscript of Blaze was 173 pages long and was written in 1973. He has rewritten the first 100 pages. A lot of it needed editing to make it more timely since the 1973 references no longer worked. He's hoping to get it done by the end of the year. No publication deal has been signed, but he's sure there will be one."[1]
In an interview with Lilja of Lilja's Library (posted January 16, 2007), King said:
- "I have been thinking about [Blaze] off and on for a while and every time I would think about it... you know I did the early books as Richard Bachman books and this is going to be a Bachman because it came from the same time. It was written right before Carrie and finally I thought to myself...the reason I’ve never done it was because, in my memory at least, it was a tearjerker of a book, you know it was kind of sentimental and just kind of...every now and then I think of what Oscar Wilde said about "The Little Match Girl." He said that it’s impossible to read about the little match girl without weeping tears of laughter and... you know something that is so sad it’s actually funny."[2]
Connections to other works by King
When Blaze is at the pay phone and it doesn't take his quarters, it says "but- bool! - it wouldn't take his quarters"
References
External Links
- King's official website.
- Blaze at HorrorKing.com, a fan site
- Interview with King about Blaze, fan sites and The Haven Foundation at Lilja's Library (a fan site)
- The first two chapters at King's website
