Duma Key
// January 28th, 2008 // Reviews
by Stephen King
read by John Slattery
Since Stephen King is as much an institution as a writer, I should clarify where I stand on HIM before addressing this audiobook specifically. I have always been a fan of his writing. The Stand is one of my favorite books ever, and I’ve enjoyed nearly everything I’ve read by him on some level. I do not find his writing scary. For me, he’s all about the internal dialogue of key characters. And that’s why most of the movies based on his books have been so unsatisfying. They go for the horror, for the external stuff…which is nothing more than the context in which the story occurs. For me, his talent is for revealing what’s going on inside their heads…not good topics to try to communicate on screen.
Duma Key is the story of Edgar Freemantle, a multimillionaire who’s made his fortune in the contracting business. A crane accident has taken his right arm and scrambled his brain. On the advice of his doctor, he relocates to the Florida Keys and takes up painting…to take his mind off his rage issues and depression. What follows is a story of friendship and discovery that’s very satisfying. But, wait…who wrote this again? Ah, yes…Stephen King. So it must be a supernatural thriller with a healthy dose of gore thrown in, right? Well, of course.
However, I think this is one of King’s most mature stories to date. His touch is gentler. His characters are richer…much more sane, much less psychotic. He still handles words with amazing deftness and paints remarkable word pictures. And he relies less on the frenetic insertion of cultural references. They’re there…but it’s not as ping-pongy as much of his other work. Many reviews and articles have referred to the fact that King himself suffered a near-fatal injury some years back, and that that has fueled this particular work…the anger, the slow recuperation, the depression. Probably so. And probably, he’s figured out by now that he has nothing left to prove. I just noticed a much gentler tone here…and it suits him well.
Prepare to enjoy this story…these characters…and this story that traces back nearly a hundred years. Freemantle finds that he can influence reality thru his painting. It’s an interesting device, not unlike the Ted Dekker device of writing in ancient blank books to create reality. But it’s only one element, not the whole story. It could have gotten silly if Freemantle sat madly painting for the entire story…trying to make the boogey-man go away. Instead, it’s simply a doorway to another world…a world inhabited by a young girl and her family, and a sinister entity who threatens to destroy them all…in the past and in the present.
The audiobook is read by John Slattery. This the first thing I’ve heard him read, but hopefully not the last. He’s one of the most unaffected readers I’ve ever heard. A gentle touch…almost transparent. Comfortably bringing the characters to life. I’ve never heard anyone better. He sets the pace and never lets go. It’s very difficult to maintain that kind of consistency over such a long period (21 hrs). Two big thumbs up for this guy!
Wow… i am going to have to get this audiobook! I love Steven King…just dunno when i can find 21 hours to do so!
Love Steven King. I love his stories, but find myself too busy these days to sit down and enjoy his books. Audio books are easier, but still take time. I love the movies based off his books, but I am sure I’m missing out on some great parts of the stories by opting to watch the movie.
Hi, thanks for recommended this wonderful book, Since Stephen is one of my favorite writers, and I am eager to have this book.
Thank you for an audiobook review. It sounds interesting. I’ve always liked Stephen King so I will probably find time for the book.
Thanks for the review! I am not familiar with John Slattery
I do like the Steven King movies, everyone tells me how much better the books are then the movies but I just can’t sit down a read a book, seems like I don’t have a free minute in the day! The audio track would be a good idea though I never thought about that and it would be a good way to kill time in traffic. Thanks for the article and review.
Extremely imaginative and prolific, Stephen Edwin King wrote over 40 books, including a 7-part series of novels, a 6-part serial novel, and countless short stories, and is one of the world’s most popular writers. Would I listen another audio book by Stephen King? Yes. While I can’t say that I’ll join a Stephen King fan club, I am interested in reading Lisey’s Story, which King has called his best book. I’m particularly interested in what writers deem as their best work.
I love Steven King and i offend listen to audiobooks. Maybe i should check out the John Slattery reading.
I used to love Stephen King’s books. I’ve read practically everything he’s ever written… until a certain point. Sometime, in the last couple of years, King started writing different kind of books. He used to be a strictly horror writer, but then decided to become something else, something more. Unfortunately (for me at least), I just can’t get into his later work.
Now after Duma Key came out and I saw all the glowing reviews all over the net, saying how ‘King is back’ and how this one is one of the best that he’s ever written, I was exited… But sadly, I didn’t like it. In my opinion he takes too much time getting into the story and once the story really starts (somewhere in the middle of the book) it just kind of drags on…
So in my opinion this is not vintage King and we’ll probably never get another vintage King book.
Nice review. Love the Steven King Movies. Never heard of John Slattery though.
Hmmm, I have always enjoyed reading Steven King but I just don’t know if I could do an audio book. I think part of the joy for me is actually reading the book, and making the story how I want it to be in my head. With someone else reading it to me I don’t know how much I could really got lost in the story, may be worth a try though.
Looks like a very good read, but then again so are just about all the books published by Stephen King
Looks good, 21 hours thats pretty intense.
Stephen King is simply brilliant and so are his works. Thanks for the review!
Audio books are always better then other E books. All the books published by Stephan king are awesome. Stephan king is brilliant like his movies. finally thanks for the suggesting this excellent book and your review.