A theory on the inspiration of Duma Key

[johnny39]

I have to think that Salvador Dali's The Persistence of Memory was a major inspiration for this novel.

1. Edgar's surrealist paintings are described as very similar to Dali's.
2. The original short story that the novel grew from was called "Memory".
3. This one's a bit of a stretch, but... Persistence/Perse. I know the deal with Persephone and all, but... maybe just a happy coincidence.
4. The Persistence of Memory's setting is a shore.

[randallFlaggfan1]

Very interesting theory!

[AntD NineNineteen]

I was thinking one of his inspirations for "Duma Key" had to have been Robert Eugene Otto. He was a reclusive artist who lived in Key West. He actually had a doll who he used to talk to and it is claimed he blamed the doll (named Robert) for various wrong doings that used to happen to him or to people he knew. Just seems too much of a coincidence for King not to have known about this guy with the similarities between Otto and this novel. I've been hunting around on the internet for some back-up to this theory but have come up empty thus far.

[geogal]

I read (or saw-maybe it was on The Today Show) an interview with SK and he said the seed for this book was planted when he saw a Caution:Children sign on one of his daily walks and he started to wonder what kinds of children he would have to be cautious about. Amazing where inspiration can come from!