11/22/63
by Stephen King
I listened to this story as an audio book on a cross country trip from Kentucky to Oregon. I have to say I absolutely loved it and the time flew by in the car.
As the "King" of horror stories I was pleasantly surprised that this fantasy story wasn't full of horror. In truth is had a little bit of everything from fantasy to mystery to romance. I was happy to have so much time to listen because I did not want to "put it down."
*It's been a few months since I listened to the book so please forgive me for any vagueness here.
The "hero" of the story is told of a gap in time where he can return to the late 50's early 60's. No matter how long he is gone he will always return to the same time he steps through that gap. He is persuaded to return in time and save Kennedy, although it will mean spending several years in the past. The bulk of the story is about those years and when things go right and when things go wrong.
I was expecting a story all about how Kennedy was saved and what the world was like as a result. Instead the story is about the years our hero lives in the past marking time until the assassination. Then ultimately what the assassination means to him personally and what is most important.
King tells an awesome story of time travel and the implications of time in years that flash by in micro seconds. This book is high on my must read list. So high that I am considering reading it now that I've listened to it. I hope you agree.
Any surprise that I give this five of five shots?
Duma Key
by Stephen King
I am the only one who has issues marking an audio book as "read?" I listened to Duma Key on a cross country car trip in December. I had lots of miles and plenty of time to hear the story in just a few days.
I have no doubt that Mr. King is an amazing, top story teller. He's written some excellent stories that are not horror stories that have stuck with me for a long long time. I sort of wish he would write more of those. The one that comes to mind is a short story that inspired The Shawshank Redemption. I remember when the movie came out - I was so confused why I already knew what was going to happen. Inevitably, I watch that movie every time it's on, to me it's the story is that good. The movie Stand by Me was also based on a story from that same short story collection: "Different Seasons." It's been a long long time, but if by any twist of fate I still have my copy of that book, I'm thinking I may have to go back and re-read it.
But I am far off topic here, this was to be a review of Duma Key. I'm not sure if it's a result of it being an audio version, or my age, or the story, but I didn't get as creeped out by Duma Key as I have in the past by King's novels. But I did love the story, the otherworldy influences that make the story possible and the heart breaking effects they have on relationships we are rooting for.
At the center of the story is Edgar Freemantle, who is trying to rebuild his life after a terrible construction accident leaves him disabled and angry. He should have died but instead he survives, dealing with a missing arm and a brain injury that spurs his anger and ultimately destroys his marriage and the life he's built. On his doctor's suggestion he moves to Duma Key in Florida, a remote, mostly unoccupied beautiful island (key) to hopefully promote his recovery and rehabilitation.
He begins drawing and then painting in his new life. Eventually the demand for his talent puts him in the public spot light and it appears may even have a calming effect on the strained relationship with his family. But there are evil forces at work and his art is actually the vessel for this evil to be released into the world. Edgar can stop painting, but can he stop the evil?
I remember the book being released while I was working for Barnes & Noble in Utah. It's a hefty story and the audio version was many hours long. Being as I am not a huge fan of horror stories, picking them up only occasionally, I felt the story could have been easily told in an abridged version. For this reason I am only giving the book three of five stars. The story was good but the length would have daunted me had I not had a long drive or had picked up the printed version.
I maintain King is truly one of our best story tellers. How can a man who makes normally inanimate objects become so terrifying, not be?
