Originally, I posted this in New Writing, but the book's been out a little while now so I thought I'd post it here too.

Undoubtably his best book since Bag of Bones, Duma Key is both evocative and peppered with echoes of earlier works, most notably Bag of Bones (although this work far surpasses that one) and indeed even The Shining, with perhaps a dash of Pet Sematary thrown in.

Like other long-time fans, I must admit that King lost me a little after Wolves of the Calla, which in my humble opinion, starting going somewhat awry after Harry Potter merchandise entered proceedings...
I digress. Duma Key is so good it made me feel a little guilty for doubting King's continuing skills, but, much like Edgar Freemantle, the main protagonist of this novel, King took a big knock a while back and perhaps that even showed on the page...

Sure, this novel is a tad too long, sagging briefly in the latter third, but it recovers admirably and every great work must have its flaw.

Duma Key has all the right elements for a classic horror novel. It keeps you guessing right up until the last few pages and in many parts is unputdownable. Other parts are achingly beautiful. But there is a sense pervading its sun-drenched and sandy pages that the real horror here is all about loss and how to cope with it. The slightly rushed finale seems to bolster that fact and we move swiftly on to the TRUE finale, what the story seems really all about - facing the demons that haunt our dreams, healing and letting go. There is also much to be said about art, all compelling and right on the button.

To explain the plot would be to give too much away and hinder another readers' enjoyment. Put simply, if you appreciate Stephen King - even if you think you have read his best and think that he is past it - pick up this book and give it a whirl. You might be surprised. Duma Key paints a dark and magical picture, and sails over the ghostly horizon leaving the reader hungry for more.

JB

Great book! I agree it is a bit too long, but then most of King's novels are guilty of that, and I say that as somebody who loves a great many of them.

I thought the character arc of Edgar through the book, including his changing relationship with his wife, and the discovery of his 'gift' and friendship with Wireman were all depicted brilliantly.

King crafted a great story with some really well drawn characters - back on form.

I have just picked up his new collection of short stories - Just After Sunset, can't wait to get stuck in.

Kris

I'm about to brave Cell. Well, I've read all of his other works so don't want to let the side down.

You're right, the characterisations in Duma Key are up there with some of King's best.

JB

I really enjoyed Cell - has a fantastic beginning and first half in general, though it runs out of steam a little toward the end, but it is a fast read and, for King, quite short - hope you like it!

Kris

It's nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, but it does feel a tad superfluous. I mean, King has written this end-of-civilization scenario so much better in The Stand and the premise comes over as a little weak. It's also a tad irritating how the characters just 'flash on' the causes of the disaster and the rest is all I Am Legend mixed with Dawn of the Dead. Far from his best, in my opinion, but a classic compared to his worst (Dreamcatcher, in my opinion) and yes, it is a fast read. I started it yesterday and am over half way through. It's ok, but not brilliant.

JB

Hi JB
The Stand comparison you make is a good one, Cell could be decribed as The Stand-lite in many respects - similar premise, but shorter, not as well thought out, with less memorable characters.

I beleieve he thanks Romero in the intro, if memory serves, so Dawn of the Dead was definitely on his mind while writing...

Completely agree about Dreamcatcher, it is the only book of his I have never completed, and I doubt I ever will.

Kris

I'm onto Lisey's Story now, bringing me up to date again (apart from the new one - he doesn't get tired, does he?)

Dreamcatcher was abysmal. Most of all, I hated the way that the back cover made you think it was a sequel to IT and then it turns out to be this big sloppy mess. You didn't miss much.

King indeed thanks Romero and Richard Matheson (who wrote I Am Legend) but a writer of King's calibre really shouldn't be nicking ideas from those guys, in my opinion, and writes best when he comes up with his own stuff. That blurb on the back cover of Cell - you won't pick up your mobile for days - yeah, righto!

But King is still 80% excellent, so shouldn't mock too much.

JB

Duma Key is the first SK novel I've ever read and I LOVE it so far. I enjoyed his book on writing and decided to give him a go about a year ago, but chose The Cell, which I found unreadable (sorry - just hated it with a passion!).
But Duma Key is a stonker and a half.

I think you'll enjoy Lisey's Story caroline, something of a return to form I thought. And even though he says it isn't, I am sure it is a little autobiographical - it is about the wife of a famous writer, and how she copes with his sudden death after living in his shadow for years.

Thanks, Kristian. I think I'll give that a go. Am coming towards the end of Duma Key (my socks have been well and truly scared off) and it has struck me that here is a lot of interesting stuff in the book about the nature of creativity, as well as a great story.

Absolutely. I loved the little pieces about art woven into the story. Very on the button, I thought.

JB