Last month our book club decided to attempt Duma Key. It is by far the largest book we have attempted in a one month period — we read Pillars of the Earth also, but as an optional selection, and gave ourselves 3 months to read it.
Duma Key follows Edgar Freemantle after a terrible accident, which results in the loss of his right arm (he’s a lefty, so he’s at least got his good arm remaining) and a serious blow to the head. He has a difficult recovery, and before it’s all over, his marriage falls apart. He retreats to one of the Florida keys, Duma, to start his second life.
On Duma, he starts painting. And he is eerily good at it. He also strikes up a friendship with Wireman, the man who lives down the beach taking care of an elderly woman who has lived on Duma Key most of her life.
Soon, strange things start happening with his painting, and he finds he can predict things that are happening or that will happen. And then, a spooky ship starts showing up in his paintings. The old lady down the beach warns him that the paintings are dangerous. To figure out why, we have to figure out what happened in her childhood.
That’s all i’ll say about the plot. It’s very well written, and i enjoyed it very much. It’s quite spooky in places. I have read a few Stephen King books in my life, but perhaps i’ll pick up a few more.
I definitely recommend it. It won’t change your life, but it’s a good read.