Loved this book!

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Anduan Pirate Princess

Well-Known Member
Oct 13, 2015
768
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Rhode Island
I just finished listening to this as an audiobook, and I'm so sad that it's over. Aside from it being a very gripping story, Duma Key was visually stunning to the mind's eye. I don't know if I appreciated it more because I am (sort of) an artist, but every word assaulted my senses in the best way possible. I am now so in the mood for a visit to Florida, or at least to the beach.

I really cared about the characters, which I can't say for some of King's books that I have read so far. I found the premise to be deliciously chilling, too. I don't get spooked by a lot of "classical" horror entities, like vampires or zombies or aliens, which is why I seem to not be able to get through The Tommyknockers at the moment. But I am fascinated by ghost stories and supernatural activity, especially when it has a historical aspect. The artistic theme was just the icing on the cake.

As always, there is a fair amount of humor scattered about. I love that the best about Stephen King's writing; to be in the middle of a tense, horrifying situation, but then suddenly find yourself giggling at some perfectly phrased exclamation or description that catches you off guard.

I have nothing but high praise for the audiobook, too. It was read by John Slattery (aka "Roger Sterling" from Mad Men), and his vocal acting added a lot to the magic of the story.

Overall, excellent! This may become one of my favorites.

P.S.- I forgot about the subject of possessed dolls! Usually, this gets a big eye roll from me as it's usually laughably cliched, but I do understand that a lot of people are terrified of dolls. (I am a doll collector, and as I am writing this, there are at least 30 dolls in stands staring at me, and those are only the ones on my computer desk, lol.) In this story, though, the doll thing didn't bother me as much as I thought it would when it was first mentioned. I like the fact that the main character was helped a lot by his therapy doll, and that he wasn't ashamed to take comfort in her. I think this helped to balance out the idea of Perse as an "evil doll."
 
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GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I just finished listening to this as an audiobook, and I'm so sad that it's over. Aside from it being a very gripping story, Duma Key was visually stunning to the mind's eye. I don't know if I appreciated it more because I am (sort of) an artist, but every word assaulted my senses in the best way possible. I am now so in the mood for a visit to Florida, or at least to the beach.

I really cared about the characters, which I can't say for some of King's books that I have read so far. I found the premise to be deliciously chilling, too. I don't get spooked by a lot of "classical" horror entities, like vampires or zombies or aliens, which is why I seem to not be able to get through The Tommyknockers at the moment. But I am fascinated by ghost stories and supernatural activity, especially when it has a historical aspect. The artistic theme was just the icing on the cake.

As always, there is a fair amount of humor scattered about. I love that the best about Stephen King's writing; to be in the middle of a tense, horrifying situation, but then suddenly find yourself giggling at some perfectly phrased exclamation or description that catches you off guard.

I have nothing but high praise for the audiobook, too. It was read by John Slattery (aka "Roger Sterling" from Mad Men), and his vocal acting added a lot to the magic of the story.

Overall, excellent! This may become one of my favorites.

P.S.- I forgot about the subject of possessed dolls! Usually, this gets a big eye roll from me as it's usually laughably cliched, but I do understand that a lot of people are terrified of dolls. (I am a doll collector, and as I am writing this, there are at least 30 dolls in stands staring at me, and those are only the ones on my computer desk, lol.) In this story, though, the doll thing didn't bother me as much as I thought it would when it was first mentioned. I like the fact that the main character was helped a lot by his therapy doll, and that he wasn't ashamed to take comfort in her. I think this helped to balance out the idea of Perse as an "evil doll."
evil_dolls.png
 

lovely1

Well-Known Member
May 16, 2010
337
437
Trinidad and Tobago
I read Duma Key awhile back what I remember distinctly was the phantom arm of the main character and how he still felt it. I remember the doll falling into the sea and the paintings. I remember the house all by itself in the Florida Keys. It was a very well done visually assaulting and atmospheric read. I would re-read again. I loved this book.
 

Sunlight Gardener

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2013
375
1,273
In my humble opinion you won't find a better story.....anywhere. Been a King reader for 20+ years and this one is still tops to me. I've read it or listened to it on Audio probably 6 times total and I never tire of it. In fact it seems to get better each time. But I always make sure to wait 2 or 3 years before I go into it again. God, do I love that story!
 

Marty Coslaw

Low-BDNF Gork
May 19, 2018
177
720
37
DC
In my humble opinion you won't find a better story.....anywhere. Been a King reader for 20+ years and this one is still tops to me. I've read it or listened to it on Audio probably 6 times total and I never tire of it. In fact it seems to get better each time. But I always make sure to wait 2 or 3 years before I go into it again. God, do I love that story!
I haven't re-read Duma yet, but I've known for a while that I definitely will someday. It's got to be one of the most enjoyable King books in terms of pleasant, fun story content, with so much of the beginning of the book consisting of exploration of the island and naps.
If you're still in the mood for fun books about artists with supernatural abilities, try Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore.
 

urrutiap

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2009
324
1,017
I still have the old hardcover of Duma Key and its been a long time since I read the book. Duma Key is one of the few Stephen King books i need to reread. My reading goal for this summer
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
If this book is made into a movie I would like this song to play as Edgar steers his boat along Lake Phalen, a close-up of his pained, haunted eyes as the wind blows back his hair. We will see him from afar as he drops the canister into the still waters. This song has eerily appropriate lyrics and it possesses the sadness and loss that Edgar feels by the end of the novel. Yet, it's somehow hopeful.
 
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