I just finished Duma Key last night, and was hoping to discuss it a bit. Particularly the ending, so POSSIBLE SPOILERS ABOUND BELOW!
First of all I want to applaud the fact that SK has returned to a tighter storytelling with this novel. I've been reading King since I was about 12 (25 long years ago). I love his written voice, and I love that he can bring you into a character's mind so completely. But lately, there has been a lot of meandering, and very little scares. I'm very excited about the new short story book coming up, because that is where I began with King, and he really shines with those little daggers.
Duma Key felt new to me. While it was still King's voice, it felt like he was finally coming out of the fog (or Mist, I guess). That accident did a number on him, and I'm just thankful he has barrelled through it. This was the first novel in a while that I felt King had more great stories to tell us, the constant readers.
But here lies my only problem with the novel. WHY did King find the need to take Wireman away in the last two pages? After getting through all of this story, and having created such a great relationship between Edgar and Wireman - why kill him offscreen in Mexico? Now Edgar has nothing. The wife he almost got to love him again now dispises him. The Daughter he loved more than anything is gone. His new found painting abilities are tossed aside after his one "final" painting. Wireman made it through Duma Key with 80 million dollars and a plan to live the rest of his life. Why did King feel the need to cut that new found life so short? I was so happy to have an ending where Edgar might end up in Mexico with his new muchaco. What does Edgar have to live for now? I would have actually loved to have read some further adventures of dgar and Wireman... I guess that isn't meant to be.
It was a great read, though. I couldn't stop reading for the last 1/3 of the book. Looking forward to the next.
I just finished Duma Key last night, and was hoping to discuss it a bit. Particularly the ending, so POSSIBLE SPOILERS ABOUND BELOW!
First of all I want to applaud the fact that SK has returned to a tighter storytelling with this novel. I've been reading King since I was about 12 (25 long years ago). I love his written voice, and I love that he can bring you into a character's mind so completely. But lately, there has been a lot of meandering, and very little scares. I'm very excited about the new short story book coming up, because that is where I began with King, and he really shines with those little daggers.
Duma Key felt new to me. While it was still King's voice, it felt like he was finally coming out of the fog (or Mist, I guess). That accident did a number on him, and I'm just thankful he has barrelled through it. This was the first novel in a while that I felt King had more great stories to tell us, the constant readers.
But here lies my only problem with the novel. WHY did King find the need to take Wireman away in the last two pages? After getting through all of this story, and having created such a great relationship between Edgar and Wireman - why kill him offscreen in Mexico? Now Edgar has nothing. The wife he almost got to love him again now dispises him. The Daughter he loved more than anything is gone. His new found painting abilities are tossed aside after his one "final" painting. Wireman made it through Duma Key with 80 million dollars and a plan to live the rest of his life. Why did King feel the need to cut that new found life so short? I was so happy to have an ending where Edgar might end up in Mexico with his new muchaco. What does Edgar have to live for now? I would have actually loved to have read some further adventures of dgar and Wireman... I guess that isn't meant to be.
It was a great read, though. I couldn't stop reading for the last 1/3 of the book. Looking forward to the next.
Thats the way life is, man, sometimes. We being to get close to the ones we're near and then BAM someone goes and takes it away. It sucks but... thats life.
I just finished Duma Key myself about 5mins ago. I totally agree with RSAvenell, which is why I just went to the trouble to register. It's the one thing about Stephen's novels that kill me. He always has to kill off someone at the end that I've come to love. I HATE THAT HE DID THIS!!! I don't care about real life, I've had enough loss of my own. I thought that finally I was going to have a somewhat happy ending and then, BAM, it's gone. Stephen, if you ever read this, I've been hooked on you since Salems Lot came out. Give me creepy, yeah, but also give me a good(happy) ending for once. PLEASE?!!!
Well darn, I wish I hadn't checked this thread out because I now know someone dies. I'm about half way through, and as I said in an earlier post, I tend to read SK's books in dribs and drabs because they are so few and far between nowadays. But I agree with you RSA, SK has certainly tightened his reigns quite a lot with this one, which only goes to show you can never take the art from a truly gifted artist, it may get a little rusty, but it always comes back thank God. Prank
I just finished Duma Key last night, and was hoping to discuss it a bit. Particularly the ending, so POSSIBLE SPOILERS ABOUND BELOW!
First of all I want to applaud the fact that SK has returned to a tighter storytelling with this novel. I've been reading King since I was about 12 (25 long years ago). I love his written voice, and I love that he can bring you into a character's mind so completely. But lately, there has been a lot of meandering, and very little scares. I'm very excited about the new short story book coming up, because that is where I began with King, and he really shines with those little daggers.
Duma Key felt new to me. While it was still King's voice, it felt like he was finally coming out of the fog (or Mist, I guess). That accident did a number on him, and I'm just thankful he has barrelled through it. This was the first novel in a while that I felt King had more great stories to tell us, the constant readers.
But here lies my only problem with the novel. WHY did King find the need to take Wireman away in the last two pages? After getting through all of this story, and having created such a great relationship between Edgar and Wireman - why kill him offscreen in Mexico? Now Edgar has nothing. The wife he almost got to love him again now dispises him. The Daughter he loved more than anything is gone. His new found painting abilities are tossed aside after his one "final" painting. Wireman made it through Duma Key with 80 million dollars and a plan to live the rest of his life. Why did King feel the need to cut that new found life so short? I was so happy to have an ending where Edgar might end up in Mexico with his new muchaco. What does Edgar have to live for now? I would have actually loved to have read some further adventures of dgar and Wireman... I guess that isn't meant to be.
It was a great read, though. I couldn't stop reading for the last 1/3 of the book. Looking forward to the next.
My thought is author’s choice as in Wireman’s death itself has a purpose in the story.
One idea is fighting great evil does not give Wireman or anyone a free pass thereafter. Each day of living is a gift. So, treat it that way.
I imagined Wireman learned to live each day from top to bottom. And he died, in the open air, in a moment of simple pleasure. I hoped he would have even laughed a little at the irony.
For me, that means the writing caused enough investment in the character to care.
And too, part of Wireman and his wisdom exist in the present for Edgar. The friendship goes on as does Wireman, in a way, to shape the future as Edgar moves though life.
We all decide what an author’s choice means to us. So, that’s just my take.
I enjoyed Duma Key at least as much as I'd hoped. Virtually every human emotion is represented, with imagery fantastically well-written. It was so funny at times I often laughed out loud, was sad enough at others to bring tears, and was meanwhile totally captivated with What the hell is going on? Like all of sK's books, I finished it in no time, and it's not a skinny book. As usual I wondered Where does he get this stuff? How does he do it?
...I love that he can bring you into a character's mind so completely...
I really did get to know (not only) the Edgar Freemantle character, which is saying something considering everything he went through and had to learn. Coincidentally, I identified with him, actually, in that recently I've returned to my first love, painting, and have been struggling with hip pain, severe at times. And I take care of my elderly parents, as in Wireman. So, sK managed to touch me personally--I assume without knowing he was doing so. Granted, I maintain no phantom limbs.
...Duma Key felt new to me...That accident did a number on him, and I'm just thankful he has barrelled through it. This was the first novel in a while that I felt King had more great stories to tell us, the constant readers.
Duma Key is as much a life-affirmating story as I've ever read, despite being a great horror story, after all. It's one of my top three favorite sK novels.
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Duma Key
Originally Posted by RSAvenell
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