In Stephen King’s novel Rose Madder, Rose Daniels’s abusive husband is named Norman.
Rose Daniels leaves Norman after enduring years of domestic violence. Her escape begins the novel’s central conflict, because Norman is a violent police officer who uses his professional knowledge and obsessive determination to pursue her. Rose’s attempt to build an independent life is therefore threatened by both her past and her pursuer.
The title refers to rose madder, a reddish pigment, and to a mysterious painting that becomes important to Rose. The novel combines realistic themes of abuse, survival, and recovery with fantasy elements. This mixture distinguishes it from a straightforward supernatural adventure.
Rose Madder was published in 1995. Its subject matter has led readers to focus on Rose’s victimization, but the story is also about agency and rebuilding a life after escaping an abusive relationship.