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Blaze: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 11,786 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Master storyteller Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) presents this gripping and remarkable New York Times bestselling crime novel about a damaged young man who embarks on an ill-advised kidnapping plot—a work as taut and riveting as anything he has ever written.
Once upon a time, a fellow named Richard Bachman wrote Blaze on an Olivetti typewriter, then turned the machine over to Stephen King, who used it to write Carrie. Bachman died in 1985 (“cancer of the pseudonym”), but this last gripping Bachman novel resurfaced after being hidden away for decades—an unforgettable crime story tinged with sadness and suspense.
Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., was always a small-time delinquent. None too bright either, thanks to the beatings he got as a kid. Then Blaze met George Rackley, a seasoned pro with a hundred cons and one big idea. The kidnapping should go off without a hitch, with George as the brains behind their dangerous scheme. But there's only one problem: by the time the deal goes down, Blaze's partner in crime is dead. Or is he?
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"I loved this book. Started out a little rough to follow and is a total departure from the usual King stories. I put it away in 2 weeks, for myself that's a big deal. I don't read very fast. Mostly before bed and in spots on the weekends. I'd likely to re-read on a road or plane trip again soon."
— AJ (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Stephen King, who "buried" Bachman in 1985, here revamps a 1973 manuscript by his alter ego that he says is something of an homage to James T. Farrell, Jim Thompson, and Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Powerful and moving, it's a worthy tribute, especially to Steinbeck.”
— Booklist -
“King's brilliance is in making his readers root for the kidnapper rather than the authorities.”
— Daily Telegraph -
“Perhaps because it was written relatively late in his apprenticeship (and perhaps because it's had the benefit of a recent stylistic makeover), Blaze emerges as the best of the Bachman books, a minor but solidly entertaining addition to King's prodigious body of work…Ultimately, Blaze stands on its own and deserves to be judged for what it is: a small, honestly crafted story filled with genuine narrative pleasures, and with the promise of better things to come.”
— Washington Post
Blaze Listener Reviews
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" Great book...classic Stephen King! "
— Brandi, 2/14/2014 -
" King says this is one of his trunk novels from the early 70's. That's exactly where it should have stayed. "
— Robert, 2/12/2014 -
" Rawsome! "
— Alli, 2/11/2014 -
" I did this one on audiobook, and it probably earned closer to 2.5 stars. The story and characters weren't exactly compelling, but interesting enough to hold my attention throughout. The ending was predictable, as was much of the book; but Blaze's character was sufficiently endearing, and Stephen King a sufficiently good storyteller, that (if nothing else) it was an easy "read." Not a favorite, but likable enough. "
— Mandy, 2/10/2014 -
" A nod to Of Mice and Men, and a pretty fast paced read. One of the better new King books "
— Marianne, 2/7/2014 -
" Excellent. Great stuff what i have come to expect from the bachman pen name. Emotional believable characters that you actually care about, thank god he released this and duma key to turn around his horrific (in a bad way) writing lately. "
— Dean, 2/5/2014 -
" Even at King's most boring he still gets you invested in the characters. This was a freakishly depressing book, he knows exactly how to catalogue the myriad of indignities and horrors that people experience in their life times. "
— Dodie, 1/20/2014 -
" This book was so boring. "
— Deborah, 1/5/2014 -
" I'm not a good reviewer, honestly I don't comment or do this. But I think this book is one of the best book I've ever read in my life. "
— Jam, 12/17/2013 -
" This was an excellent story. I was not sure what I was going to feel about it going in, but it held my attention in a big way. Bachman/King can write like no one's business... it might not be fancy, it might not be perfect, but it is engrossing..... "
— Brett, 11/16/2013 -
" I enjoy Steven King and movies done by his books. This book I didnt like at all. Boring. But I had to finish it. "
— Desislava, 11/14/2013 -
" Great story; a departure from the typical Stephen King story. "
— Gabriel, 10/4/2013 -
" Sad, sad book! "
— Juliann, 7/10/2013 -
" After reading King's foreword I thought I wouldn't like it, but it ended up being one of my favorite of his .. or Richard's ;) Enjoyed it and kept my interest from the beginning. I miss Blaze already. "
— Donna, 5/2/2013 -
" Pretty good so far, it's always sad to read about a bright kid being abused. "
— Christopher, 3/16/2013 -
" Really liked this....kept me guessing, quite frankly, about one of the central characters up to the end. Illustrates King's ability to create sympathy/likeability for a character that isn't necessarily a good person. "
— Anthony, 3/14/2013 -
" It was a really amazing book, I couldn't put it down. It was impossible not to like Blaze. If only he could have had a chance.. a real one. "
— Letti, 10/18/2012 -
" sad story, but very good, very well written. he is just as good as bachman as himself (well, almost) "
— Judi, 9/13/2012 -
" This was a good story. This was well written. It was a book that when you finished, you went "meh". "
— Rohan, 9/10/2012 -
" This "Bachman book" was a lot of fun - and it fits in with the other early King works pretty well. Sure, it's derivative of "Of Mice and Men" but watching King progress as a writer is fascinating. "
— Karlton, 8/12/2012 -
" The prose is pretty clunky at times and you might skip a paragraph or two, but the plot moves with delightful anxiety at times and involves an actual kid being kidnapped which is surprisingly rare given the name. "
— Ryan, 1/27/2012 -
" This is a decent book, but a "trunk" novel. One that King came across from the 70s when he was still writing as Bachman. It's an interesting enough story, and you can see where characters have evolved and appeared in other novels. "
— Magic, 11/1/2011 -
" When I heard about this unpublished book in the Stephen King Companion in 1989, I PRAYED that someday I'd get a chance to read it. Shoulda left it unpublished, dude. On the plus side, it killed a Tampa - Baltimore flight. "
— Comedian999, 5/18/2011 -
" This book has two stories in it, one set in the present and the other the past of the main character. Both are very simple tales beautifully told. "
— Paul, 4/28/2011 -
" This was a bit predictable, but I did like it. Poor Blaze - everytime he got a break in life, it got messed up. "
— Susan, 4/22/2011 -
" Not that interesting story but worth reading. All about kidnapping. "
— Michael, 4/21/2011 -
" okay - it had it's moments, <br/> <br/>didn't enjoy it as much as the blurbs on the back led me to believe I would, <br/> <br/>might be a long while before I read King again as the last one I read - Cell didn't rock me either "
— Col2910, 4/21/2011 -
" I enjoy Steven King and movies done by his books. This book I didnt like at all. Boring. But I had to finish it. "
— Desislava, 4/18/2011 -
" A fast read and a good, engrossing Stephen King story. I'd like to give it another 1/2 star (3 1/2) "
— Betty, 4/12/2011 -
" Even at King's most boring he still gets you invested in the characters. This was a freakishly depressing book, he knows exactly how to catalogue the myriad of indignities and horrors that people experience in their life times. "
— Dodie, 4/10/2011 -
" I read this a few years ago. Blaze is a small time criminal with a sad past whose partner isn't with him anymore and he's struggling to get along. "
— Lorraine, 4/8/2011 -
" I loved this book!!A super touching story with a main character I couldn't help adoring.He made me sympathize with him to a point I forgot about the ethical parts of the story.Totally amazing. "
— Lena, 4/6/2011 -
" I loved this book, what a change from the normal writings of S.K. A heartwarming story yet it will still break your heart at the same time. Read it in one day, i just couldn't put it down. One of my all time favorite reads!! "
— Rachael, 4/2/2011
About Ron McLarty
Ron McLarty is a veteran actor of television, film, and stage as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He has more than 100 television appearances to his credit, including as a series regular on Spencer for Hire and Law & Order. His film career began in 1977 with a performance in The Sentinel and continued with such films as The Postman, Flamingo Kid, and, most recently, How Do You Know? His stage credits include Broadway and other productions. He has narrated more than 100 audiobooks, earning nine Earphones Awards and recognition by AudioFile magazine as a Best Voice in Mystery & Suspense in 2009 and 2010. He has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Awards and then won the award in 2001 for Best Mystery Narration. He is also an accomplished playwright and an acclaimed novelist.