Tentatively trying to be back here. How the hell do you navigate this place? dididave elsewhere
Tentatively trying to be back here. How the hell do you navigate this place? dididave elsewhere
Member since:08.03.2005
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Edgar Freemantle has issues. After losing his arm in an accident at work he has become increasingly aggressive to the point were he has lost his wife and become a shadow of his former self. More in desperation than hope, Edgar take his psychiatrists advice and takes a break from it all in the beautiful Florida backwater of "Duma Key". In this place Edgar finds a new purpose and passion in painting and his vivid paintings of sunsets soon begin to attract attention. However, does the phantom itch in his missing arm mean something and why does he seem compelled to paint the tragic story of the doomed sisters of Duma Key?
It has been a long time since I have read a Stephen King novel. After the woeful, self-indulgent tripe that was "Lisey's Story" I have intentionally had a break from my favourite author. As a self-professed "constant reader" I have felt somewhat let down by King over recent years. His works have seemed
to verge more and more into the indulgence and arrogance of someone trying too hard to achieve critical and literary acclaim. Rather than writing with the imagination and creativity that I know King is capable of, I have instead found myself reading more prose and less story. Fortunately, "Duma Key" is an attempt to address this.
This is not to say this novel is not long. At near 600 pages it is the lengthy read you have come to expect from King, and indeed, most authors as of late. It would seem the longer you write the more lyrical you wax! However, at least in this novel time passes quickly as you become engrossed in Edgar Freemantle's story early on and intrigued by his sudden artistic, almost supernatural abilities. Edgar is a likeable, flawed protagonist and his battle with his demons is fascinating throughout. As he flourishes on Duma Key you gain an empathy for his disability and his emerging relationship with neighbour "Wireman" is a compelling and heartwarming one. In fact, despite this being a horror novel in it's essence, this reads more like a story of relationships for long periods.
"Duma Key" itself is also a fantastically realised location. King fills this idyllic little slice of the Florida coastline with an air of beauty, menace and mystery. The heavy, foreboding atmosphere of the other side of the Key provides a perfect contrast to Edgar's perfect house "Big Pink" and King fills the Key with vivid imagery from the smell of the sea to the rattling of the shells under Edgar's beach house.
Initially an uplifting novel about art and emerging friendships, the tale soon progresses into established King horror territory as Edgar begins to realise the Key has a tragic history. As the story unfolds the menace of the sea becomes more and more pronounced and what was an uplifting novel becomes an edgy, scary nightmare. The pace increases rapidly at this point and we begin to fear for Edgar, his friends and his family as a malevolent villain starts to make themselves known. Very much like a Greek tragedy, this novel bares great similarity to another King novel "Rose Madder" but were that novel was fractured, this flows beautifully from start to finish.
As a reader you care about the characters past and present in "Duma Key". Their plights become yours and especially in the case of Edgar and his friend Wireman, you fear for them as it becomes clear that something on "Duma Key" does not like them delving into the past.
Of course, at such a length it is almost impossible for a novel to hold your attention throughout and there are some portions of the novel when your attention may start to wane. There is a great emphasis on the art world and it's inner working and at times the explanations of the creative process slow things down to a bit of a crawl. However, on the whole this is a novel that excites and captivates and is as close to vintage King as I have read in many years. The characters are interesting, the story is tight and exciting and the scares build slowly but to a satisfying level of horror.
As with any good horror novel it is all about whether you want to keep on reading despite the fact you are increasingly scared witless and "Duma Key" succeeds in this on every page. It has that "you want to look away but can't" quality that all good horror novels should have and you will not want to put it down until you know how it all ends. For the first time in ages King has written an intelligent horror novel that his "constant readers" as well as newcomers can enjoy. Accessible and fresh this is one horror novel you should not miss.
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I've had this on my shelf for months, but haven't had the time to start reading it with everything Sue keeps sending me for the Bookbag. I can't remember the last time I failed to dive straight into a new King novel. I guess "Lisey's Story" had an effect on me as well.
Advantages: Fantastic story, chilling, wonderfully woven characters, extremely realistic Disadvantages: Only available in pricy hardback edition at time of writing
OddGodHMK 25.03.2008 (25.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Duma Key - Stephen King
Advantages: Fantastic story, chilling, wonderfully woven characters, extremely realistic Disadvantages: Only available in pricy hardback edition at time of writing
OddGodHMK 25.03.2008 (25.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Duma Key - Stephen King
Advantages: A psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages. Disadvantages: More narrative/less action than in previous Stephen King books.
Advantages: Story hooks you in after a while, vivid writing style Disadvantages: Hard to get into at first, initially unnatural overabundance of main character's thoughts
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