Blaze

Title: Blaze

Author: Richard Bachman

Published in: 2007

Date read: 24th December 2020

Score: 5/5

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Crime

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Blaze" is a crime novel by Stephen King, published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. It's a dark and poignant story about a mentally challenged con man.

The protagonist is Clayton Blaisdell Jr., known simply as "Blaze." He's a physically imposing man, but after a childhood injury inflicted by his abusive father, he has significant cognitive impairment, leaving him vulnerable and childlike in many ways.

The story unfolds with Blaze kidnapping a baby, the infant son of a wealthy Maine family, from their isolated summer home. This kidnapping is not Blaze's original idea; it's the culmination of a meticulously planned scheme devised by his deceased partner, George Rackley, a shrewd and cruel con man who recently died. Throughout the novel, George's ghost or hallucination acts as Blaze's constant companion and tormentor, continually reminding him of the plan, offering cynical advice, and undermining Blaze's fragile self-confidence.

As Blaze tries to execute the elaborate ransom plot, he struggles with the complexities of George's instructions, his own limited understanding, and his unexpected developing affection for the kidnapped baby, whom he names "Joe." The harsh winter weather and his own blunders further complicate his efforts.

The narrative frequently flashes back to Blaze's horrific childhood in various orphanages and institutions, revealing the abusive and neglectful experiences that shaped him and led to his fateful encounter with George. These flashbacks provide crucial insight into Blaze's character, his damaged psyche, and the manipulative dynamic of their partnership.

The novel is a tense and tragic cat-and-mouse game between Blaze and the authorities, particularly the FBI, who are closing in. It explores themes of innocence and corruption, the long-lasting effects of trauma, the blurred lines of morality, and the desperate yearning for connection and love, all filtered through the eyes of a deeply flawed but ultimately sympathetic protagonist. "Blaze" is a character study of a man trying to complete a task beyond his comprehension, grappling with the echoes of a past that refuses to die, and finding unexpected humanity in a desperate situation.

Comments:
Magnificent story telling. I previously ignored the "Bachman books" but have gone back to read them and they do not disappoint. I genuinely could not put this down, ideal for me as King's books sometimes take me a long time to get through.

Books that we've read by Richard Bachman (6):
Rage (1977), The Long Walk (1978), Roadwork (1981), The Running Man (1982), Thinner (1984), Blaze (2007)