Duma Key: A Novel by Stephen King Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Duma Key: A Novel
Book Review: Also disappointed
Summary: 3 Stars
For the record let me state that I,too, am a big King fan. I have been since the first book of his I ever read (The Shining). However, I must confess that this latest book, Duma Key, left me longing for, what I consider, the "old days"; the REALLY scary days. I completely agree that Duma offers great characterization and in depth relational conflicts, but this is not a "horror" book in my humble opinion (and who am I anyway...).
I can say Mr.King is an excellent writer and this book will not in any way deter me from reading his future musings. Just don't expect the "leave the lights on" feeling you may have gotten from his other books. Personally, Duma Key made me think of Pirates of the Carribean, in so much as the description of a particular ship and the inhabitants of said ship. I was hoping for more creativity when the actual "scary" part of the story arrived.
My apologies to Mr. King. He still is the one the greatest American authors of all time. Not to mention his Entertainment Weekly gig that never fails to deliver.
Book Review: Always Bet On A Sure Thing.
Summary: 5 Stars
I lay in bed and finished reading the final pages of Duma Key. I've read nearly all of Stephen King's novels and I've enjoyed almost all of them but none of them anywhere near so much as I enjoyed this one. I have never in my life become so emotionally invested in the characters of a novel. I closed the book and sat up in bed, thrilled I had read it, crestfallen I was now through. It was after midnight but I wasn't tired. I needed something else to read. Yard sales, flea markets and used bookstores have proven a treasure trove of new reading material for me. I looked to my sagging bookcases, each shelf filled to or past capacity, the top of each case piled higher still with a slew of unread books stacked haphazardly one atop the other like gravity defying towers in a story by Doctor Seuss. Which one would I read next? I had any number of novels to choose from. Would any of them be as good as Duma Key? Would any of them even come close? Would I be willing to bet on that? With Duma Key still held in one hand I shook my head and grinned. I fluffed up the pillows. I swung my legs over and slid my feet back under the covers. I lay back down. I opened to page one. I began reading Duma Key again. Always bet on a sure thing.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: An amazing novel, one of King's recent bests
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has quickly gone to the top of my favorite King novels. Personally I thinks it's his best since "Bag of Bone", which is another of my favorites.
Our man character has lost him arm in a work related accident and goes to remote little part of Florida to recover. His doctor tells him to try and do something he loves to relax and our man Edgar decides to start painting again. He turns out to be quite a prodigy but not only are his paintings good, they have the eerie power to foresee and change events.
What I also liked about the book is that besides the creepy and scary aspects of it, there's also a lot of heart and soul espeically between Edgar and his neighbour/friend Wiremen. Also there is a mystery going on too involving ghosts and murdered children, which compelled me to read even faster to find out what happens.
Such a great book. On my top ten King list for sure.
Book Review: Another Hit
Summary: 4 Stars
What I like most about King's work is that there is no preset formula (however Bag of Bones comes close). In this case, he creates a hero who is likable but not without faults, arms him with a rag tag team of supporters and pits them against a terrifying antagonist (with its own set of supporters) and then allows the two groups to do their stuff. A fun and entertaining read highly recommended.