Duma Key: A Novel
by Stephen King
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Book Reviews of Duma Key: A Novel
Book Review: Very creepy and atmospheric
Summary: 5 Stars
Any New England snowbird can empathize with Edgar Freemantle's instant fascination with the west coast Florida sunset.
"As that light skied upward, orange faded to a breathless Maxfield Parrish blue-green that I had never seen before with my own eyes...and yet I had a sense of déjà vu, as if maybe I had seen it, in my dreams."
Whether it's the novelty of a sunset over water or being closer to the equator or further west in the time zone, there's no denying the light really is different in Florida and King perfectly captures the newcomer's wonder. It doesn't seem the least strange or foreboding that Edgar runs for his colored pencils and works feverishly to capture the color.
Edgar has come to Duma Key from Michigan to revitalize himself after a horrific accident in which he lost an arm, badly damaged a leg and suffered a head trauma which months later still causes aphasia, headaches and bouts of depression and anger. He had nearly died and often wishes he had. His marriage is over and he feels suicidal and out of control. A self-made man who is used to propelling the world in the direction he wants it to go, Edgar hates his new helplessness.
But Duma Key almost instantly works its magic. Every day Edgar walks the beach, growing stronger, and every evening he attempts to capture the sunset on paper, though it's a while before he succeeds as well as he did on his first night.
Although he hasn't done more than doodle in 20 years - too busy building the contracting business which has made him a wealthy man - Edgar's artistic ability grows in leaps and bounds, keeping pace with his insatiable drive.
But this is Stephen King and while the reader enjoys, even participates in Edgar's renewal, we know there's a worm somewhere in paradise. The first inkling Edgar gets is after an email from his favorite daughter, Ilse. Seized by the drawing urge that grips his right arm (the missing one), Edgar draws the boyfriend he's never met and the heartache that awaits his daughter.
Other psychic pictures begin to come to him, scarier ones. The tension builds like a slow drumbeat in the distance, insistent but far away. Then Edgar learns that he's not the only one on the island with special gifts and the island itself may have secrets it doesn't intend to share. At least not until it's good and ready.
Bouts of drawing, and later painting, leave him ravenous, as if he's been emptied of what fuels him. His productivity rockets in tandem with the talent that bowls over everyone who sees his work; from the local caretaker to the respected art critic and knowledgeable gallery owner.
Edgar is a bit bemused by the wow factor but he takes his new talent in stride. He is a powerful, determined character with a big, healthy ego. Edgar comes across as just the sort of driven, self-made man he's supposed to be, dropped in his tracks, but not out, more active than introspective, making a start on a whole new life.
The Duma setting, crucial to the plot's success, essential to the scare factor, is so vivid you can smell the brine and see those mesmerizing sunsets. It's beautiful, exotic, wild and sinister. "Overhead a heron glided across the darkening sky, a silent long-neck projectile."
It's a place with dark secrets and darker plans and Edgar may not be as in control of his gift as he thinks he is. King has another big winner.
Book Review: King's Third Act begins
Summary: 4 Stars
When my best friend asked me what makes 'Duma Key' a Stephen King book, I had to think about it. I knew just what she meant: what makes it creepy, scary, where's that touch of the supernatural? I realized that what I had been describing to her didn't sound much like a King novel, and there is reason for that.
This isn't an easy novel to read. Edgar Freemantle, our intrepid protagonist, suffers a pretty horrific accident in the early pages, loses his right arm along with mental and physical function, his wife divorces him, he endures lots of painful therapy, considers suicide, and witnesses a beloved dog getting hit by a car, which he kills to end its suffering. This is all in the first chapter, mind you. Edgar's journey, as we are told about it, is one of a fast plummet, and then a hard scrabble for every inch as he finds out what he's still capable of in his "other" life. As he has done several times recently, King re-addresses his own brush with death in a car accident, but this time I think he went far deeper with it, really exploring what it means, and the kind of effect it can have on the life he's now gotten back. In Edgar's journey we see reflections of King's own -- not the same experiences, but colored by the same brush.
It's not just his trauma we see in 'Duma Key' either, but also, perhaps, some of how he sees being an artist. Edgar is not a writer like King, but in his recovery he rediscovers a forgotten talent for drawing, and eventually painting. It's refreshing to see King writing about art without writing about writers, as he so often does, and his perspective on the creative process here is an interesting one. Edgar's talent comes upon him like an itch in his missing right arm, and his pictures form in front of him as he watches his hand recreate what he sees in his head. How he gets there, and how he learns to refine the talent, is an interesting story itself.
But what makes it a Stephen King story? Where is that hint of the weird and the scary? Believe me, its there. It's there when Edgar starts to discover that what he paints is related to things he shouldn't know about, and sometimes what appears on his canvas has an effect on the real world too. Its there when Edgar sees two little girls down a darkened stairwell, gazing at him silently even when he's pretty sure they're dead. It's there almost from the beginning of the book, more and more as the story progresses, in subtle hints and clues all the way through. This is definitely a Stephen King novel, but it's not necessarily a King novel we've seen before. This is something a little bit new.
So keep in mind, while 'Duma Key' is not "vintage" King or a return to his old days, and includes many elements of King's recent work, what I think we're seeing in this book is a new hybrid of styles. There are pieces of King's early work here, but it is also the work of a more mature, methodical writer, one who has a little more something to say. He still tells a great story, but this one has some real meat to it. Perhaps we're seeing the beginning of a new kind of Stephen King novel, one which breaks many of the stereotypes he's built up over the years, but still tells a story in a way that only Stephen King can.
Here's hoping.
Book Review: An Aging Fan's Opinion
Summary: 3 Stars
I used to crave Stephen King's books! In my 30s and 40s, I read just about every one almost as soon as they came off the press, but all that stopped about 20 years ago. I'm not quite sure why. I suspect I slowly ceased to be interested in the supernatural and turned my attention to other types of fiction. But I remember very fondly the eerie, skin-crawling terror that would come over me as I read his works, my personal favorites being "The Shining," and "Misery."
What caused me to read "Duma Key?" Well, somewhere in the many newspapers and magazines I read routinely, I came across an enthusiastic review of Stephen King's latest supernatural thriller, and that old urge absolutely overpowered me--the urge to read a book once again that would frightened me out of my skin. I asked myself: Was it possible for Stephen King to work his supernatural literary magic on me after all these years and take me to the brink of terror and beyond? I honestly hoped so. But after finishing the book, I am sorry to report that the answer is no--it didn't work. I could no longer suspend my disbelief and, like a child once again, enjoy the pleasures of a good scary story.
I'm afraid it is my loss--the problem is probably me, not the book or the author. Some people must just outgrow the ability to enjoy the supernatural. Perhaps it's because in the last twenty years I've become all too aware of actual worldwide atrocities--e.g., psychopathic torture killings, sadistic rapes, genocide, ethnic massacres, global warming, ecological destruction, and countless other worldwide barbarisms. As a result, the supernatural seems just plain silly.
Did I enjoy "Duma Key?" Yes, in a way, I did. The story of a powerful businessman destroyed by a freak construction accident and redeemed through art--now, that was fascinating. There is considerable sophistication and psychological depth to the story. So indeed, I found the first two-thirds of the book--the part where King takes meticulous care to develop his characters and their relationships with one another--totally intriguing. In particular, I loved King's portrayal of the close father-daughter bond between the main character, Edgar Freemantle, and his youngest daughter, Ilse. But the last part where the supernatural events started to kick in with increasing intensity...well, there is where my pleasure dwindled, and frankly, I eventually couldn't wait for the book to end.
Will I ever read another Stephen King book? If he sticks to the purely supernatural, the answer is: probably not. But I really like King--the man can write! I admire his careful character development and casual, in-the-moment prose and dialogue. If he ever chooses to write another eerie purely psychological thriller, I'll probably take the bait and read it. Better still, King might do something entirely new in his mature years and start writing literary fiction. In interviews he makes it clear that he loves to read literary fiction, maybe he'll pick yet another pseudonym and turn his prodigious skill away from thrillers and the supernatural in a wholly new, and perhaps more purely literary direction. Now, that's something I'd love to see! And, why not? Personally, I think he might do it very well and surprise us all.
Book Review: BROKE MY HEART AND SCARED ME TO DEATH
Summary: 5 Stars
Since my first encounter with SK decades ago (I believe it was Salem's Lot) I have followed him ever since, greedily snatching up any and all of his books, and I have had many joyous moments (Night Shift, It, The Shining) and some where I truly did not care for the book at all (Cell comes to mind) but the latter are extremely rare.
In this latest book, I was truly stunned and surprised because while I was expecting an excellent read, I was literally overwhelmed by this story which has so much going on in it and touches so many aspects of the human condition I was speechless, and moved to tears more than once and scared witless as well.
SK not only excels at writing, he KNOWS people, he KNOWS us and what makes us tick and uses that knowledge to the maximum. He paints with words, sorry for the cliche, but in this particular book, it is very apropos.
I have been sketching since I was old enough to hold a pencil and his descriptions of his painting and the colors, how they looked to others, the reactions, etc absolutely fascinated me. I wanted to SEE them for myself and kept looking at the dust jacket wishing there had been more of Mr Freemantle's artist's eye represented.
The characters were richer and more believable and touching than in any of the previous books; Wireman was a joy as was the old lady, who reminded me very much of a lady I knew here in Florida some years ago. His descriptions are dead on and how the characters interact with each other are beyond my poor abilities to describe; suffice to say this is the most HUMAN book I have ever read from this author and it (sorry again, my cliches want out) made my soul sing to read them.
We read SK because we want to be scared out of our minds and in this respect the author does not disappoint; but here we have for the first time, people we care passionately about and situations which are frighteningly real, a combination which makes for a most unusual and wholly satifying read.
I wanted so much to savor this book and take my time, but was unable to stop myself from devouring it at record speed and now am going through it again at a more leisurely pace, because it is so good and so worth reading again so as not to miss anything.
I envy those who have not yet had the good fortune to read this book, and strongly urge any and all to do so at the earliest opportunity. You will NOT be disappointed.
As always, when reading Mr King's work, I had strong, vivid visuals throughout but in this book, it was like watching my own private DVD of the book as the pictures never left my mind and I never thought I was reading, but rather, watching an incredible story unfold.
I can't remember any other book I have ever read touching so many different emotions, from fascination to fear/dread and humor and sorrow so great it made me cry, whch is a very rare event for me.
How Mr King thought of this or how closely it follows certain events in his own life, I don't know, but he certainly brought me along for the ride, and one ride I am looking forward to repeating again and again and again.
I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart (yes, I know, another one, forgive me) and kudos for a novel which is truly brilliant from every aspect and on every level.
Book Review: Making Florida Scary, The King is Back
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok, before I begin, let me say that I am biased because the book is set in Florida. I was born in Tampa and except for a brief 3-year study/work trip to Japan, have lived there all my life. It is so cool to see my hometown in print. Actually Tampa shows up a lot in Duma Key. I often go to Davis Island and know the little shops and cafes that are described.
Second, I started reading Stephen King when I was 15-years old. The first novel that caught my mind was IT. I loved IT. I even like it better than the fan favorite, The Stand. So every King book to me is judged aganist IT. Duma Key holds up with me just as fine as IT, not better, but at least in the same room of the house.
For awhile I was getting tired of King. When Lisey's Story came out I didn't rush out to buy it. The first time in my life I didn't buy a Stephen King novel on the release day. Nor did I ask for a copy for Christmas. I read the short story, The Mist, also when I was 15 back in junior high and when I saw the movie last Christmas, I was so disappointed. Then 1408 came out and that renewed my interest. Then a friend told me that Duma Key was filled with stories on Florida and that Tampa, St Pete, and Sarasota are all mentioned. That was enough for me to give it a chance.
Duma Key is a wonderful quick read. It doesn't have all the long drawn out character build up and plot points that occur in so many of King's novels. It takes me a 100 pages or so to get into a King book and get passed all that. Duma still has hidden plot points but they are done so subtley this time that it wasn't annoying.
The entire novel is first class and will no doubt be read years after. But the last 200 pages are the best. Sometimes you have to wait that long before you get into the funhouse and see what's behind the curtain that's being pulled apart by grimy rotting skeletal fingers. The ending is a fast rollercoaster ride that King is famous for. He doesn't diappoint in the ending. I won't go into details but I didn't feel cheated at the end. I felt cheated at the ending for The Mist (both the movie which made it worse and the story in Skeleton Crew), The Stand, and the worst ending for me is still the last book in the Dark Tower series. That just stunk.
Duma isn't like that. It ended like a warm Florida sunset.
By far my favorite character in the book is Wireman. He has so much good humor and cheer that you want someone like that for a friend. Just drinking green tea, staring at the Gulf, and talking.
Most of the places mentioned in Duma Key are real and I've been to a few of the places mentioned. King takes those places and makes them real and offers his own slant which I have never thought of.
This is the first of his Florida books and let's hope there is another Florida book and that its just as good or even better.
If like me, you thought of giving up on King after years of reading everything fresh off the press, give Duma Key a read. He's still got the power to entertain. I think the new setting away from Maine is doing him good.