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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

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story.

Excellent narrator. Mr. King created very vivid characters that are essential to a good tale.

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king scores again

great narration really liked the story line long time fan will stay long time fan...

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It's Stephen King, what more can I say?

Great listen. John Slattery does an excellent job. It's a typical Stephen King-kinda creepy story. It's been quite a while since I have read any of his books, but I will be listening to more in the future. So far my all time favorite is The Stand.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Wireman Loves This Story

Probably a very good book, but without question Duma Key is a fantastic audiobook. Not sure why this story gets so little love when compared with other of King's novels, particularly when one considers that Jerome Wireman is easily one of the best supporting characters in King's vast universe. John Slattery's telling of the story is excellent, but his voicing of Wireman really seals the deal and makes this one of my favorite King audiobooks.

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Duma Key : A Novel by Stephen King

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book! Stephen King has always been hit-or-miss with me but I really loved this book. John Slattery does an excellent job narrating and I couldn't help but chuckle each time he voiced the lead character's 'stress doll'. I fell that his characterizations are spot on and well read. The ending is a smidge anti-climactic but this book is all about the journey and not the ending. I believe that this book will appeal to most audiences and is well worth the listen.

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King is in fi e form with this one

I absolutely loved it. I was fully engaged from the first second to the last.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Lessons from life?

This is classic SK with an added attraction...the influence of the serious accident Mr. King experienced is as interwoven as the ink to the page. The pain, the doubts, the fears, even the mysteries of healing, all of these echo what must have been some of the most personal thoughts and sentiments of Mr. King. Knowing that there is a very real sense of empathy only intensifies the reality of a serious accident.... that many can only imagine. And in truth, don't we all enjoy any sense of identifying with the author on a personal level? The "gonna get you in the dark" horror is certainly there, combined with my favorite element of SK novels..it could happen to you. Or to your neighbor. The characters are well developed as is the background, allowing one the ability to mentally visualize the scenery and action. This talent to convey the feel, smell and sights of the novel is the very thing that upgrades a novel from good to excellent for me.

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Pure SK.

Never disappoints with another great story. He kept it going pretty steadily and kept you wanting more.

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Great story, very well read.

The usual Stephen King, metaphorically rich, well written and very fun to enjoy.
The reading was transparent enough to never be distracting, his expression of accent or emotion fit in very well and fell right to the background, allowing my focus to remain on the story. Bravo!

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Spell Binding

Where does Duma Key rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Of the many books I have in my library this is my favorite.I have listened to it many times. It's my go to book when want a good story. It is like an old movie that you never get tired of seeing.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is so intriguing: Every chapter is not what you expect. John Slattery Does not just narrate this book somuch as he performs it. it's as if you were watching a movie.

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

EDGAR FREEMANTLE is my my favorite character. Don't know who he is? GET THE BOOK.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"White Is The Absence Of Memory". Edgar Ferrmantle

Any additional comments?

This story will make you happy, sad, fearful, joyful and finally exhusted.

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