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After finishing Mr. Mercedes, I can see Brady Hartsfield becoming one of Stephen King's more memorable (not necessarily better) villains. Anyone agree or disagree?
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Jeremy Coss
I disagree. I found the book to be boring and uninspired. I forgot the villains name until you said it. Now, Randall Flagg or Pennywise I'll never forget.
Mark Richard
well, I found Brady to be such a cliché. The serial killing mommas boy? Really? And then there is Hodges.. The overweight, divorced retired Detective? That's a joke right? My Fav has to be Trashcan man from the Stand - mainly cos its such a cool name
Nate
I liked Brady as a villain. Unfortunately a lot of his behavior seemed disturbingly familiar in today's young-mass-murderer times. That said, I don't think he'd make my top 5 King villains...or probably the top 10.
Troy
No...he was lame and boring. He didn't even do anything past page 7. This was a boring book. King obviously doesn't care anymore and is using his name to make money. I'm looking elsewhere for my stories.
Melody
I do agree that he will be memorable. I think the most fascinating thing to me was how his mind worked. I am perpetually curious as to the psychology of how a serial killer or mass murderer thinks and justifies their heinous acts. you always wonder is it nature or nurture? in this particular case I think it was both. I think the incest between Brady and his mother was more symbolic of the fact that they were both willing to murder. The dialogue in Brady's mind was some of the most mean-spirited and uncensored by morality that I have ever read in a character. he thought many things the average person thinks but then quickly reprimands themselves for. Of course he takes it to a psychotic level. everything is always everyone else's fault. Masturbating to murder...even his childhood seemed to be an excercise in flat affect...he seemed to be born bad. I loved this exploration of the new millineal murderous mind.
Marty Kirby
He's legitimately crazy, but immaturely so.
Zachary Nelson
I think that brady hartsfield and randall flagg are the same person
Michele
What Jeremy said :)
Supachai Abusali
Yes. Agree.... Brady Hartsfield is one of the BEST WRITTEN VILLAINS of all time. Very well written.
Haydee J
I liked him and hated him so yes I agree.
Stephen Brown
I loved the character. Loved him in End of Watch too. So I would definitely agree with you.
Gunther
I agree, but now that I have the first 2 seasons of Mr Mercedes on TV, I have two different Brady's in my mind... And like always , the one in my imagination is the better version ;-) ;-) ;-)
Ari
I totally disagree. This book is not one of the best from King and Brady Hartsfield is „an okay character” , but not one of the best. Old characters like Pennywise or Jack Torance or Annie Wilkes are the memorable ones.
Ed Vaughn
Damned if this isn't Book 1 of a trilogy!
Regina
to be honest, Brady is one of my fave villains, i have a soft spot to psycho antiheroes (or psycho heroes, like some heroes from silent hill video game), unfortunately what i did not like about him is he's easily tempered or easily got angry, he's like a childish psycho
Thurston
Perhaps the best mentally ill character.
Boudewijn
Well Corey, it seems we're in for a treat. In the second book in this trilogy, it seems that we'll make a re-acquintance with Brady in the third part. And the good news is that this will probably be a good old fashioned horror story a la King that we have grown so fond of in the last years.
Stephen
Not in the league with Flagg or Pennywise. Definitely up there with Big Jim from UTD
Sandra
I agree with Nate. And lets face it. If a modern day's "young-mass-murder" types is going to get or keep young folks reading, then I am all for it. I loved the book. But, I love SK books.
Teresa
absolutely not , he spent most of the book planning to do things and ranting and raving. The villain in needful things is better, in salems lot, hell the hotel in the shining is a better villain.
Adrian Lee
I'm on the fence
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