When Edgar Freemantle moves to Duma Key to escape his past, he doesn't expect to find much there. But Duma Key and its mysteries have been waiting for him. The shells beneath his house are whispering to him, and something in the view from his window urges him to discover a talent he never knew he had. Edgar Freemantle begins to paint. Even though he has lost an arm. And the hand he uses is the one he lost ...
Duma Key
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Review
'Fresh and frightening and highly recommended' (Observer )
'King has become such a sophisticated writer that this novel is never less than page-turning ... A first-class beach-read' (Independent on Sunday )
'The true narrative artist is a rare creature. Storytelling - the ability to make the listener or the reader need to know, demand to know, what happens next - is a gift...Stephen King, like Charles Dickens before him, has this gift in spades.' (The Times on CELL )
'King has become such a sophisticated writer that this novel is never less than page-turning ... A first-class beach-read' (Independent on Sunday )
'Another masterpiece'
(The Sun )'The true narrative artist is a rare creature. Storytelling - the ability to make the listener or the reader need to know, demand to know, what happens next - is a gift...Stephen King, like Charles Dickens before him, has this gift in spades.' (The Times on CELL )
About the Author
Stephen King has written some forty books and novellas, including CARRIE, THE STAND and RITA HAYWORTH AND SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION 'from the collection DIFFERENT SEASONS', BAG OF BONES, ON WRITING and CELL. He wrote several novels under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman, including BLAZE 'June 2007'. He won America's prestigious National Book Award and was voted Grand Master in the 2007 Edgar Allen Poe awards. He lives with his wife, novelist Tabitha King and they divide their time between Maine and Florida, USA.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First up: I'm a huge Stephen King fan and have read pretty much everything he's ever written (yes, including the sprawling, genre-defying Dark Tower series) and have weathered the great and not-so-great works he's produced over the years.
So how does Duma Key compare?
If you're looking for the gory, Hammer-style horror of Salem's Lot or the epic scale of The Stand, then I'm going to hazard a guess that this book won't be for you. The Stephen King of today (as opposed to 20/30 years ago) is a much more subtle author - gone are the breakneck, rollercoaster, breathless confrontations and instead comes a more low-key sense of fear and menace. Duma Key isn't a short book, as several other reviewers have taken pains to point out, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. There's much to be appreciated and savoured here from a writer who has the experience and the craft to write a great story... it just might not be the one you were expecting.
Duma Key refers to a small island in the Florida Keys where the main character, Edgar Freemantle, hides himself away for physical and spiritual rehabilitation after a horrific accident on a building job which leaves him scarred and missing his right arm. His wife wants to divorce him, he's angry all the time, and his broken body feels like it belongs to someone else. His recovery is slow but helped by the sea and tranquility at Big Pink, the salmon-coloured artist's hideaway he's renting from the mysterious Elizabeth Eastlake, a very elderly and reclusive woman who owns half the island. Doesn't sound like much, does it? But be patient, because this book has atmosphere in spades.... Read more ›
So how does Duma Key compare?
If you're looking for the gory, Hammer-style horror of Salem's Lot or the epic scale of The Stand, then I'm going to hazard a guess that this book won't be for you. The Stephen King of today (as opposed to 20/30 years ago) is a much more subtle author - gone are the breakneck, rollercoaster, breathless confrontations and instead comes a more low-key sense of fear and menace. Duma Key isn't a short book, as several other reviewers have taken pains to point out, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. There's much to be appreciated and savoured here from a writer who has the experience and the craft to write a great story... it just might not be the one you were expecting.
Duma Key refers to a small island in the Florida Keys where the main character, Edgar Freemantle, hides himself away for physical and spiritual rehabilitation after a horrific accident on a building job which leaves him scarred and missing his right arm. His wife wants to divorce him, he's angry all the time, and his broken body feels like it belongs to someone else. His recovery is slow but helped by the sea and tranquility at Big Pink, the salmon-coloured artist's hideaway he's renting from the mysterious Elizabeth Eastlake, a very elderly and reclusive woman who owns half the island. Doesn't sound like much, does it? But be patient, because this book has atmosphere in spades.... Read more ›
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Cesce
Format:Hardcover
and I write as one who also thought King had lost his way (as did |Heinlein, as the years wore on). I hated Dreamcatcher, quite liked Cell.. but the end of the Dark Tower series really left me flat. Oh, and Lisey's Story wasn't terribly good. But Dura Key was wonderful... his style of writing which, if we are all honest, keeps us reading the stories which aren't so good... paid off again. I can't remember a book which last pulled me in so much and, for me, he has combined his storytelling ability (hard to surpass) with a bit of the old 'supernatural' King. In my view, his ability to tell a story has never diminished; but his later stories have been less than gripping in spite of that. Duma Key is just wonderful; his prose and lyrical storytelling is A1. I truly hope they never attempt to make a film of this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By molko
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
So things kick off with our leading man Edgar Freemantle telling us readers how he's become victim of a terrible accident, leaving him with only one arm and a broken marriage. After a bit of a hoo-haa with several doctors Freemantle decides it's best if he heads off for some solitude. In search of both physical and mental recuperation he arrives at the island of Duma Key off the coast of Florida. Moving into a grand house on the beach that he dubs 'Big Pink', Freemantle soon starts painting in his spare time. It's not long before we make friends with the island's owner Elizabeth Eastlake, and elderly woman who is fighting a losing battle against Alzheimer's, and her carer Jerome Wireman. As we learn more about the Island's history it becomes clear it's home to some pretty disturbing secrets and ghosts that seem to be haunting Edgar himself.
It's a good enough book and I personally didn't find the length an issue. I agree that this is not classic King, there's no frights that one would find in the likes of Salem's Lot or The Shining. But that's not to say it's a bad book. Stephen King is a good writer, full stop. Not just a good horror writer. He delivers us with in depth characters and a beautifully told story with a few minor scares thrown in for old times sake. Not a particularly scary book but not a bad book either. More a spooky mystery than a rip-roaring horror.
It's a good enough book and I personally didn't find the length an issue. I agree that this is not classic King, there's no frights that one would find in the likes of Salem's Lot or The Shining. But that's not to say it's a bad book. Stephen King is a good writer, full stop. Not just a good horror writer. He delivers us with in depth characters and a beautifully told story with a few minor scares thrown in for old times sake. Not a particularly scary book but not a bad book either. More a spooky mystery than a rip-roaring horror.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Poppy Poole
Format:Kindle Edition
I am, like many others, a big Stephen King fan. I must have read almost everything he has written and though I found he had lost his way at one time, with this book I feel he was back on track and at his best. Certainly a long book but not difficult to complete and well worth the read. You will not be disappointed.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Stephen King is an author I left alone for a good few years, but read his 'Under the Dome' just after Christmas, and picked this one off my shelf a couple of weeks ago. It is not his longest novel, but it is one of his best, I think. I like the way he builds character and, and his handling of the growing relationship between Edgar and Wireman was particularly well done. If I have a criticism, it is a tiny one, in that I think he could have developed Jack a tad more.
However, it is a slow paced novel, but that seemed to be entirely in keeping with the themes which he was exploring, the nature of recovery, and the way our minds think and how we interact with other people and also the situations we find ourselves in.
It could be argued that this is derivative, as one of the reviews I read did, but I don't think that is the point. It is not always what you write about, but how you do it, and I feel that King does it better than many other authors about at the moment.
Read, enjoy. I found it worth the time, as I have been glued to the bed until I finished it - always a good sign, ha ha.
However, it is a slow paced novel, but that seemed to be entirely in keeping with the themes which he was exploring, the nature of recovery, and the way our minds think and how we interact with other people and also the situations we find ourselves in.
It could be argued that this is derivative, as one of the reviews I read did, but I don't think that is the point. It is not always what you write about, but how you do it, and I feel that King does it better than many other authors about at the moment.
Read, enjoy. I found it worth the time, as I have been glued to the bed until I finished it - always a good sign, ha ha.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure class
One of the best books I have ever read. A must for any mystery/horror fan. Scary and gripping with unbelievably good twists and turns. Buy now!
Published 17 days ago by Danny p
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
Brilliant. Love Mr King and particularly loved this book. On a par with 'It'. Lets all enjoy his writing for what it is. A chance to loose yourself and be entertained.
Published 25 days ago by Michmellow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Duma key
A great book. Once you have got into it its hard to put down, well worth reading. I am looking forward to reading more from Steven King.
Published 1 month ago by trudy thorn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure excellence
Typical Stephen King book, absolutely riveting. Hope he goes on forever. You have to read this if you like his style
Published 1 month ago by Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
I read this as a library book but wanted it on my bookshelves for repeat reads. Nothing needs to be added, except that i think it one of King's best.
Published 2 months ago by rosalie mackinnon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Trouble in paradise
Read this twice now and enjoyed it more the second time.I'm biased because it is set in one of my favourite places in the world.I liked the supernatural horror of it.
Published 3 months ago by Tracy Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Good
I really enjoyed this, I couldn't put it down once I'd started. Definitely one of his better ones, would recommend.
Published 4 months ago by Miss J L Temple
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another epic from the King
Mix suspense, horror, comedy, mystery with a splash of Gore for good measure, and you get this 'little' beauty. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Blister Fingers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second read
I recently purchased Duma Key for my Kindle after reading it when it first came out. I loved it that much that I decided to read it again.
Published 5 months ago by Mrs Cherril Prentice
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as a present
A book bought as a present for a very keen Stephen King fan. Have been told it is a great story and like all Stephen King books well worth a read if you are a SK fan
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. C. S. Collinson
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