I blamed myself for the abuse, assuming that I had brought this on myself, due to my poor decision making skills. However, this was finally a way out for me, as I was unable to leave prior to this. Ostensibly, I left because my ex had cheated on me. I was called “fat”, “worthless,” “stupid,” “bitch,” and probably lots of other names that I now choose to forget. The abuse was both emotional and physical. And I consider myself to be strong and independent.įor nearly seven years, I endured abuse. I also consider myself to be resourceful, even scrappy. In fact, I have been told I am quite intelligent. In fact, I had a pretty good family life. No, I did not grow up with parents who abused me in any way. Somehow, I found myself in an abusive relationship. I had thought that I was lucky to find love at a young age, and figured I was set for life. I had gotten married at the relatively young age of 22. However, sometimes it was also a literal prison. Sometimes this was only a metaphorical prison. 1.75 million first printing BOMC main selection simultaneous Penguin Audio paperback sale to Signet.Nine years ago (almost to this very date, in fact), I began a journey.įor seven years, I was trapped in a prison. The book is a phantasmagorical roller-coaster ride, peopled by a broad array of indelibly characterized men and women and fueled by an air of danger that is immediate and overwhelming.

The story of Rose's joyous growth from tortured wife (her persecution gruesomely but realistically portrayed) to independent woman alternates with the terrifying details of her husband's deliberate pursuit to create unflagging tension. Crowded with character and incident, the novel builds to a nearly apocalyptic conclusion that combines the best of King's long novels-the breadth of vision of The Stand, for example-with the focused plot and careful psychological portraiture of Dolores Claiborne.

At the center of the action is heroine Rose McClendon, a battered wife who starts life anew by leaving her police officer husband, a consummately cruel man depicted by King as a paragon of evil. Relentlessly paced and brilliantly orchestrated, this cat-and-mouse game of a novel is one of King's most engrossing and topical horror stories.

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