Duma Key from Stephen King
Book review
I have read several Stephen King novels up to now. He has a unique style, inducing horror at every turn of the page. His style is usually not too complicated or elegant, and seems to fit his topics well.
He changes this legacy a little bit in his latest novel, Duma Key. His style is much more complicated and he weaves the set of events that lead to a climactic ending very slowly. Poetic images, strong descriptions of places and paintings have a prominent role in this book.
The book tells the story of Edgar Freemantle, who loses and arm and has part of his skull damaged in a workplace accident. He leaves his home town and settles down in Florida in a secluded neighborhood of the Duma Key.
He suddenly discovers a previously unknown painting skill and starts painting feverishly. It's as if his painting is controlled by a greater power and also the resulting paintings seem to be almost too realistic.
He befriends an old woman living nearby and learns about her scarring past. As events unfold, he would find out why his paintings seem to have this much power.
What I did not like about the book is that it is too long. It is good that King uses a more elegant style, but it looks too long for the set of mysterious events the plot reveals.
By the time I reached the end, I had become quite tired and have lost interest in the ending. Still, it is another interesting book by King.