Book Reviews of Duma Key

I've always hated it when people said "such and such book is so and so's best work ever!" That being said, I'm going to admit that DUMA KEY is, indeed, one of Stephen King's best books ever. Probably the best he's had in the last few years.

The great thing about DUMA KEY is that it's not out-and-out horror that grabs you right away. It's an isidious type of evil that's at work in this story, and it's actually the very real character of Edgar Freemantle who makes it worth reading. The horror, which comes later, advances the plot very well, but watching Edward tumble, soar, and then crash through it all is what makes the book one that's hard to put down.

If you like King, if you like stories of horror mixed with the supernatural, and if you want a book you'll read within a matter of days, then DUMA KEY is for you. It's that good!

I'm sure that with so many books under his belt King has a few clunkers, but so far I've not come across any. Duma Key is an ominous, atmospheric ghost story, reeking of Southern Gothic. The location, a semi-deserted Florida key, is as strong a character as any of the human players, and that's saying something.

Duma Key is the story of Edgar Freemantle's second life. In his first life he was a happily married Minnesota contractor. A devastating accident leaves his brain damaged, one arm amputated and his previous persona in tatters. He moves to Duma Key, begins painting with an unsuspected talent and fervor, and meets his neighbors, the key's elderly owner Miss Eastlake and her mysterious caretaker Wireman.

Duma Key and its inhabitants have their own secret hidden lives, and the ghosts surrounding them echo the newly awakened demons in Edgar's own mind. As in any good horror story, the demons and ghosts on Duma Key won't be content to stay quiet.

King delivers a creepy, character-driven ghost story that's as much about the ghosts of our former selves as about a real sea-spook. The characters are well drawn, enigmatic without being unlikable, and worth the time it takes to get to know them. Once you know them, its impossible not to follow their macabre and inescapable fate.

I really enjoyed this one. I have read many of King's books and have enjoyed them all. I really liked this one, although it was sad in at times and made me cry. Other times it made me laugh. I am glad it had a closing end...unlike his book Cell. I live in FL and liked it being set in FL! You really fall in love with the people in this book, and it kept me interested all the way through. Thanks for another great book!

One of his better books in awhile. As usual, the plot is upstaged by the character development and attention to detail. I was engrossed by his descriptions of the art scene and of the way he pinned despair of being in pain. The character Wireman was so memorable I made it my screen name here at papersawp...you won't be disappointed.

I enjoyed this book more than I have other recently written King books. I had given up on King for a while but I am glad I picked up this one. Parts of the story are really creepy. The whole book kept me interested and wanting to read further.

Boy, I really like the characters in this novel. I wish I had enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed Edgar and Wireman! I'd like to say I couldn't put it down, but near the end I was mostly just trying to get to the end to see how their stories turned out.

Not my favorite of all his books but he is such a great story teller - it is still really enjoyable. The personal interactions are excellent and only when he gets to the end (the bad guy part) was it less than totally great for me.

This book sucked the breath out of me.

It's that good.

i wasn't really thrilled with this book. while it was some what a mystery, it just didn't ring as a 'stephen king' for me. there are plenty of details to give you the whole picture. not too much action. you can pretty much predict what is going to happen.

Stephen King never ceases to amaze me. This book included was like most other books by him, twisted and at sometimes hard to follow but definitely worth the read. It is a page turner to say the least and keeps you wondering what will happen next the whole way through. I would suggest this read to anyone that enjoys the variety and twist and turns in Stephen King's writing style.

A gripping tale of suspense, the story started a little slowly but as it unfolded I was captured by the growing drama. The gradual revelation of dark, mystical forces at work in the protagonist and on the island drew me in until I could scarcely put the book down.

I really loved this book, as I do all Stephen King books, but this is one of his best I think.

fdgreat book and moved right along with boring parts.I would suggest this book for a stephen king fan. Havent quite read it all but Im almost there!

"On Duma Key, a man who should be dead finds healing in the solitude of painting...but Edgar Freemantle is far from alone. After a terrible construction site accident severed his right arm, scrambled his mind and imploded his marriage, the wealthy Minnesota builder faces the ordeal of rehabilitation alone and enraged. Renting a house on a stunningly beautiful and eerily underveloped splinter off the Florida coast, Edgar slowly emerges from his prison of pain to bond with Elizabeth Eastlake,a sick old woman whose roots are tangled deep in Duma Key. Abnd as he heals, he paints - feverishly, compulsively, his exploding talent both as a writer and a weapon. For Edgar's creations are not just paintings but portals for the ghosts of Elizabeth's past...and their power cannot be controlled."

I loved the first half but found the last half a little ridiculous, even for King.

I little long winded, but a great read.

Pretty good story and characters.... compares to IT are evident...

A typical Stephen King tale of horror. A well written novel that will keep you entertained in a fashion that wills you to get to the next chapter. The good, innocent characters get sacrificed while the evil get shelved for another day. Probably not one of his best works but somewhere in the middle of the pack. Definitely worth the time to read.

On Duma Key, a man who should be dead finds healing in the solitude of painting....but Edgar Freemantle is far from alone.

After a terrible construction site accident severed his right arm, scrambled his mind, and imploded his marriage, the wealthy Minnesota builder faces the ordeal of rehabilitation alone and enraged. Renting a house on a stunningly beautiful and eerily underdeveloped splinter off the Florida coast, he slowly emerges from his prison of pain to bond with the sick woman whose roots are tangled deep in Duma Key. As he heals, he paints compulsively, his talent both a wonder and a weapon....for his creations are not just paintings, but portals for the ghosts of the past and their power cannot be controlled...... a very excellent book.

Incredibly awesome book! The best Stephen King I have read in a long long time. Kept me captivated!

This is the first Stephen King book I've read. I didn't think I'd like his books but a friend gave it to me so I though why not. Once I started I couldn't put it down definitely a little twisted but I really did enjoy and plan to read more of his books.

Not my favorite from Stephen King but it did keep my interest long enough to finish it's 600+ pages. I did like the art aspect of it, the other-worldy thing sparking creative thought. What is it that compels artists need to create? Hmmm . . . M3

Just like Stephen King of the "Good Old Days" I really liked this book. It started out slow but worked itself into a frenzy. Get ready for some good old excitment, along the Flordia Coast. What a wonderful summer read.

worst attempt was to read The Stand, which I found to be too realistic... So I sat him aside for a while. I'm really glad I got back into him, and Duma Key was a great book to start with.

I think this book was brilliant. King writes from Edgar Freemantle's point of view. We get to go through his rehabilitation with him. In the begining I had a hard time understanding what Edgar was trying to say, but as the book goes on and Edgar learns to speak again, and I got used to how he talked I didn't notice the speech problems.

The story took me a VERY LONG time to read. I think I bought this one back in March and I just finished it, so just shy of 6 months. Part of this was because I was reading other books and part of it was because the beginning was kind of slow. But once I got about halfway through and was really connected to the story it only took me a few days to finish it.

As the story got going, and I started to figure out what was going on, I couldn't stop reading it. I had a few sleepless nights with this one.

As usual King's writing takes you on a trip along with the characters. I could see what was going on clear as day. There was very little that I couldn't picture. Even the weird stuff was described so well I could see exactly what King was describing.

This was a great book, and I'm glad I stuck it out. 700 pages seemed pretty daunting, but there was so much that made the story that had it been cut to make the book shorter I know I wouldn't have liked this one. If you like Stephen King and haven't read this one go get it, it's well worth it. If you've never read King and think 700 pages is too much just take my word, you won't be disappointed. Just promise you'll read through at least halfway before you decide if you want to finish it or not.

another great stephen king!

this book was very well written with , humor , emotions, and ghost. i'd recommend it.

This is Stephen King's best work. Maybe not his scariest, but definitely his most heartwrenching. The story is seamlessly woven; you find yourself caring about the characters almost without realizing it is happening. Which makes it all the more stomach dropping when the horrors begin...
Paul is a millionaire in the construction business until an accident leaves him handicapped physically and mentally. He goes to Duma Key to find a reason to live, or find a way to die...instead, he finds that he has a true talent-a gift for painting that surpasses his wildest expectations...until he beings to realize that someone...or something...else is controlling the paintbrush.
Staphen King is a master at drawing the reader into his mind and showing us all the dark corners. I can't wait to see what he comes out with next..

King is BACK! For you Constant Reader, this is a must read. Classic King. For anyone just starting out w/King, you may get a big overwhelmed w/this one, but keep w/it, you won't be disappointed!

I loved the characters of this VERY scary book (I can picture a Grudge type movie resulting from this) but the story/plot does fall short, very short. There was so much detail in first 3/4 of the book, I often wondered where it was all going and much of the time, it went nowhere. A long drawn out book with one of those seemingly rushed endings that leaves you wondering what the heck happened (any why). Sorry Mr. King..love ya, but this book was a disappointment.

very good one of his best