Blue Rose is a simple story about a sad and dysfunctional family, but more specifically, about a young boy and his relationship to that family. He has very real emotions and real characterization. I truly felt that this young boy was real. His family was real and his small town was real. Despite the simpleness that can be seen on the surface of the work there is great immersion and depth to Straub's story. Harry, the would be main character of this little yarn, feels oppressed and put down by his young life. His older brother is a mean punk who threatens him and his younger brother, Little Eddie, is a burden. It is a reflection of the normal angers and disparity that a young child may feel in a family that isn't close. So when Harry learns he can hypnotize his brother he takes advantage of the opportunity. He also finds some dark truths and powers existing within himself.
I'm not going to say anymore about the plot or characters because it is such a well written piece that it has to be read and not told by me, a third party. The greatest beauty of this work is the analysis it takes on the human nature of a child, perhaps a disturbed child. If you give a small child dark powers what kind of choices will they make with that power.
Straub is, by far, one of the best horror writers of the modern generation. I feel he has a more eloquent voice than Stephen King does but this gives a creepy and dark contrast to the horrific ideas he focuses on. He is obviously more of a writer in the spirit of the Gothic genre. This makes for some beautiful and yet graphic text. His use and imagery and symbol are beautifully crafted and all the literary elements point towards the main idea of the story.
Summing it Up
Deaths: 2
Language: 4
Gore Factor: 4
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 3
Fun Factor: 1
Overall Rating: 4