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Duma Key  By  cover art

Duma Key

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: John Slattery
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Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2009 Audie Award for Fiction

A terrible accident takes Edgar Freemantle's right arm and scrambles his memory and his mind, leaving him with little but rage as he begins the ordeal of rehabilitation. When his marriage suddenly ends, Edgar begins to wish he hadn't survived his injuries. He wants out. His psychologist suggests a new life distant from the Twin Cities, along with something else:

"Edgar, does anything make you happy?"
"I used to sketch."
"Take it up again. You need hedges...hedges against the night."

Edgar leaves for Duma Key, an eerily undeveloped splinter of the Florida coast. The sun setting into the Gulf of Mexico calls out to him, and Edgar draws. Once he meets Elizabeth Eastlake, a sick old woman with roots tangled deep in Duma Key, Edgar begins to paint, sometimes feverishly; many of his paintings have a power that cannot be controlled. When Elizabeth's past unfolds and the ghosts of her childhood begin to appear, the damage of which they are capable is truly devastating.

The tenacity of love, the perils of creativity, the mysteries of memory, and the nature of the supernatural: Stephen King gives us a novel as fascinating as it is gripping and terrifying.

©2008 Stephen King (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Featured Article: The Shining—Book vs. Movie


Set in the claustrophobia-inducing snow-covered peaks of an isolated hotel in the middle of the Rockies, The Shining is a classic work of psychological horror that’s just about as chilling as it gets. But it’s so, so much more than your classic story of spirits and a man’s descent into madness—it’s also a tender yet deeply painful meditation on addiction, family, abuse, and redemption. Stanley Kubrick rejected Stephen King's initial treatment of the screenplay, and the author was largely dissatisfied with his novel’s jump to the big screen. So what exactly are the differences between The Shining movie and the novel?

Editor's Pick

A Stephen King gateway listen
"Stephen King's Duma Key was my gateway listen; the first audiobook that had me jonesing to get back and press play. Sure, some themes, at first mention, may sound recognizable to the regular King fan, but there's an energy and connection to the material that feels totally fresh; especially as King—who famously suffered his own near-death accident years prior—explores the relationship between healing and creativity. John Slattery (the magnetic Mad Men actor) absolutely nails the tone here, capturing the desperation and volatility of Freemantle’s fragile mind, while also making him a kind of matter-of-fact everyman who quickly becomes a stand-in for your lifelong friend. And when your friend is up against supernatural terror, how can you not listen?"
Doug P., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Duma Key

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    12,630
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Story
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story/Great Narrator

S.K. is a master storyteller and I enjoyed every minute of Duma Key. It's totally worth the credit.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Dark Tower addicts will love this

I loved this book. Stephen King at his very best. The characters are well developed and a truly creepy storeline.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

It wasn't a typical Stephen King book

It wasn't what I expected in a Stephen King book but I enjoyed all of it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Hard to follow at times

This story jumps right in without any character development or back story. I find it hard to follow and figure out who was who. It came together eventually and was an interesting story with twists and turns you won't see coming.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining. A little different for King.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Stephen King never disappoints. The narrator does a great job of expressing the different character's emotions.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

100%

Stephen King is 100% on his game in DUMA KEY. The Perse makes an excellent metaphor for the drag of the dark side as his characters are skillfully developed. Full of twists and turns, the plot kept it all very interesting and stimulating.

John B.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another fine, spooky tale from a master

This is one of those books that actually benefits from the audio format. Stephen King's books deal with the real world and real people, but then things begin to shift into the supernatural. This being the case, his tales begin somewhat slowly so that you get to know the characters and their lives. I know some people who get frustrated with this, but he's not writing traditional horror novels. Without the background, the "spooky part" wouldn't be that meaningful. With John Slatery's fine reading, the characters come even more to life. You really feel like someone is recounting a part of their life to you. Very well done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

stephen king never lets me down. great story, narrator was awesome, enjoyed every minute of it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

WOW. Just, WOW.

I have not felt this attached to characters in a story since childhood. The writing is exceptional and the performance seals this as one of my favorite works of fiction ever. Marvelous

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love scary stories

enjoyed the book .always have loved kings books.going to listen to another book.keep writing love your work

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