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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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    12,623
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Story
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

First Audiobook and Loved It!

This was my first audiobook. Being a Stephen King fan, I thought I'd download Duma Key and give it a try. Loved the narrator and I had a hard time going to bed at night! I just wanted to keep listening.

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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

Not his best, but still very entertaining

Any additional comments?

This book is worth a listen if you are a Stephen King fan. It is creppy & fun.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

You wont be disappointed if you like King.

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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

Fantastic book and perfect pairing of voice in John Slattery

This book was old-school Stephen King; realistic world with enough supernatural mojo to make it seem way too possible. John Slattery delivers the story in the perfect voice, almost as if Uncle Stevie heard Slattery’s voice in his head as he was creating.

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

Loved it

made me feel inspired to paint. loved the story. good ending too. overall great book.

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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

Phenomenal!

Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down til it was finished. I loved every word 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

another great story from the king of Horror

to be completely honest the story is a little slow to start but definitely worth the listen or read. the story is complete with a unlikely hero and a unique situation I love how King worked in the art community in Florida. very creative this book will leave any arts and crafter both frightened and inspired.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Tantalizing

Like all Stephen King books, the evil, exists just out of the corner of your eye, where it scares you, and robs you of both sleep, and the sense of peace you have when all the lights are on and you think with a rational mind.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Better Than Expected

A hidden gem from the King-dom that explores the dangerous sides of being an artist and a human in general.

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

Amazing Story With Heart filled Curiosity

Would you listen to Duma Key again? Why?

I would listen to this again some day. I love the story. It keeps you guessing and wondering and feeling in touch with the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth Eastlake - Who couldnt love her. I have an affinity for older people in my real life but such a mysterious woman brought to life in this book makes you fall in love with her. Who she was then and who she has become.

Which character – as performed by John Slattery – was your favorite?

I would have to say his consistency with the voices made for all of them to be differentiated and remembered when you hear them, especially with the southern accent.

If you could take any character from Duma Key out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Jack. Just to see what it was like being the keeper for Edgar, I wanna know if he did any sneaking around admiring the art work! I would have.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone! I actually got in trouble for not being able to pull myself out of it! I was stuck in Duma Key! In the book and in my brain!

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