Duma Key: A Novel

Edgar Freemantle has suffered a horrible accident: he lost his right arm, and took a pretty good knock on the head. Now he's subject to fits of rage, and his memory is shaky. His two kids are away at college; his wife decides she can't handle him like this and leaves. What else is a man in his position (and with his wealth) to do but move to God's Waiting Room?

Down in Florida, Edgar finds himself renting a luxurious house on Duma Key, a privately owned island cut off from the tourist crowds. He befriends his neighbors: Wireman, a witty Farmer's Almanac type guy who throws out bits of knowledge like popcorn in a movie theater; and Elizabeth, an elderly woman slowly losing her mind...who also happens to have a dark secret that even SHE isn't fully aware of. In this new paradise, Edgar begins to paint...only his paintins are good, REAL good, too good for someone who just picked up a brush. And they tell him things, things he couldn't possibly know. As the painting begins to consume him, as he gains new knowledge of Duma Key's history, Edgar begins to suspect he was DRAWN to Duma Key, that something wants him here...and wants to keep him here, too. Forever.

"Duma Key" isn't truly scary, at least not until the final third (when, yes, you'll be checking over your shoulder for sand-covered ghosts; think of that sketch with Leslie Nielsen from King's "Creepshow" film). It IS, however, a good character study--Edgar's storytelling (and King's prose) is right-on-the-money. "Duma Key" isn't really a horror novel, it's more a psychological thriller. You won't get quite as caught up in it as Edgar does with his painting, but the novel is superbly written, and you'll definitely be left wanting just a little bit more--as is always the case, in King's novels. That's probably why the guy's managed to sell so many books. That, and pure talent. That's a factor.

I AM ONLY 1/4 THROUGH AT THIS POINT BUT DUMA KEY IS A FASCINATING CHARACTER TALE WITH A HINT OF MYSTICISM. THE PLAYERS ARE INTERESTING AND LIKEABLE PEOPLE AND THE STORY, LIKE MOBY DICK CAN BE SEEN AND ANALYZED ON MANY LEVELS REGARDING THE HUMAN CONDITION, FINDING OUR TRUE SELVES, OUR GIFTS, OUR JOYS OUR CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH TRADGEDY, AND TO HEAL. ITS AN UPLIFTING AND BEAUTIFUL STORY. 4 STARS IS FOR THE WRITING WHICH IS KINGS STYLE A BIT SLOW MOVING AND QUIRKY GOING IN STRANGE DIRECTIONS AT TIMES BUT OVERALL AN ENJOYABLE READ

It's a Stephen King novel. Whaddya want?

Yes, it has strong characterization. Particularly if you, like the author, are a stereotypical child of the 1960s, complete with fascination for pedestrian radio rock music and a romantic loathing of all things right wing (both of which manifest themselves numerously, irrelevantly, and/or cartoonishly in Duma Key).

Yes, it is scary. Particularly if you're the kind of person who doesn't have the sense to pack up and get the hell out of dodge once a couple of dead kids pop into your rental home for an evening visit. (I immediately thought of Eddie Murphy's "why don't white people leave the house when a ghost appears" bit in Delirious.)

Yes, it has some sweet dialogue. Especially if you're into abundant affectations of everyday Spanish ("muchacho," "maybe si, maybe no") and French ("a gift, un cadeau").

I will say that Pam Freemantle is very well written. As a woman who offers the occasional emotional and spiritual comforts, but who turns into a force of bitter and protracted anger, indignation, and reproach when the going gets rough, she rings true. Nice work there, Stephen.

Also, it really sucked when you-know-who got clubbed and drowned by you-know-who-else. I felt that (thanks largely to Pam's great, utterly vitriolic reaction). Again, thumbs up, Stephen.

Overall, though, a waste. Demon frogs and evil dolls, LOL!

I'm a King fan but lets face it all the stuff he has written has not been up to his GOOD work. Duma Key should go down as one of his better than GOOD work. Character development, plot and conclusion all work together like a symphony. This book has a BIG story to tell and it's not a short story. I was all INTO it from start to finish. You will not be disappointed in this book.

You can say that Duma Key is not the best book of Mr King but I can tell you that it is a very nice book to read.
As a constant reader of my favourite author I can say that it is another good joyride you are going through.
The first half is the best. The ending is not good enough but....it's Stephen King. So enjoy it.