Duma Key: A Novel by Stephen King Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Duma Key: A Novel
Book Review: 2/3 was great, but the ending was a retread
Summary: 3 Stars
For the first 500 pages, this book was the most entertaining of the all of the Stephen King books I had ever read. The problem is that this book is about 650 pages. His ending was almost a carbon copy of Desperation, with just the setting being different. The majority of this book was a great read, but I'm starting to see King repeat himself more (I also thought Cell was also a carbon copy of The Stand). He still is the only author who's book I buy whenever a new one comes out, I'd just like to see him be a little more original.Book Review: 2/3rds of a great book, sorta like "IT"
Summary: 3 Stars
Duma Key reminded me of King's earlier book, IT; a really great, unputdownable narrative that leads to one of the stupidest clod-headed endings of any book, ever. The ending of Duma Key is so amazingly stupid, I'd love to tell you what it is, but I don't want to spoil it. But trust me, it's thermonuclear-ultramegaton-bunkerbuster-bomb-style stupid. You will be amazed that a guy as brilliant as Stephen King actually thought that was a good ending. I believe that a potato could probably think up a better climax than the one we have here.
That said, the 2/3rds (maybe even 3/4ths) of the book are just about as engaging and great as anything King's ever written. He did overdo a few things (he needs to work on his dialogue, because nobody actually talks the way these characters do, and that "voice of the shells under the house" thing got overused so much it became annoying) and I rolled my eyes a few times, but overall, I couldn't put the book down. It kept me happily reading for a long time before I hit that pbbbtttth! ending, and so I can't really complain. Despite the denouement, I think I got my money's worth (and I bought the hardback, brand new) and my time well-rewarded. Yours will be, too.
Just make sure you're prepared to cut the guy some slack for that ending. In the meantime, bring along your flip flops, your paintbrush, and a good waterproof flashlight for when it gets dark...
Book Review: 3 1/2 Stars
Summary: 3 Stars
See storyline above.
Okay, this was a fairly good Stephen King novel, but it's still not his best. I think his earlier novels still exceed anything he's had out recently. This novel seems to be more literary. It seems you have to read a lot to get a little. While the writing is excellent, I seemed to have to struggle for it to keep my interest. I guess I probably read too many thrillers, and expect my novels to hook me a little quicker. Still a good effort by the King with an originality one comes to expect.
Book Review: 8 Things I like about Stephen King
Summary: 5 Stars
The reason I enjoy King's work so much is because he has many things going for him consistently: 1. HIS STYLE: Simply put I like the way he writes. I can easily settle in for a 600 page book and lose myself, rarely feeling that he needs to get to the point. 2. WHAT HE WRITES ABOUT - the myth, of course, is that it's all horror but we know that's not true. In Duma Key he writes about family, friendship, art, and even horror of the Lovecraftian elder-god variety. You never know what's coming next. 3. HE'S FUNNY - I can remember being unable to stop myself from laughing out loud on a plane reading Hearts In Atlantis. 4. GOOD PEOPLE - King's main characters are relatable, real people that we care about. 5. FINE DINING VS. FAST FOOD - I usually find his work (at least his later work) to be as weighty and worthy of extended analysis as Ian McEwan but as fun as Harlan Coben. 6. SCARY - Yes, we all know this one. He's still got it. 7. (and this one is huge to me)IT'S ALL UP FOR GRABS - Good people die in King's stories sometimes, even often. In his tales of life and death it's not always a happy ending, so I am always on the edge of my seat because anything can happen! Bittersweet is definitely the word to describe many outcomes. 8. NAILS THE LANDING - He knows how to end a book. Takes his time, even if it takes 100 pages. Very well crafted for maximum effect. I'm not saying I'll like who lives and dies, but it is beautifully done and the last few pages are worth slowing down for. **** How many other authors have even most of these qualities going for them? All these things are happening in Duma Key. Take your time and enjoy.Book Review: A Compelling Read
Summary: 5 Stars
Steven King is a great writer at the top of his form. I was totally drawn into the life of Edgar, a wealthy contractor who looses his right arm in a terrible construction accident. Edgar's healing and leaving the cold of
the midwest for sunny Florida kept me turning the pages.
The only thing I didn't like was the pirate ghost (appearing in one scene only, but I think that it was over-done). It immediately made me think of "Pirates of the Carribean." I would give King an "A" for two-thirds of the story, and an "A-" for the last third.
Yes, I would recommend Duma Key. It's a great summer read.