What I’ve just read:
“Duma Key” by Stephen King
Stephen refers to his devoted fans as “Constant Readers”. I read “The Stand” when I was in 6th grade. I was transfixed and instantly converted into a constant reader. For that, I owe him my complete gratitude and respect. “The Stand” was only the second book I had read that wasn’t assigned by a teacher (“The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson was my first). Ironically, a high school English teacher is still assigning me reading material, but that can be addressed in another blog entry. I read nearly every other book Stephen King has written (an entire library full of his magic and horror).
Nevertheless, I read all 600 plus pages of “Duma Key” and I am sorry to say that the book was a total waste of time. Typically I have a 50 page rule, but I’m more forgiving and patient when it comes to my idol Stephen King. However, this story’s biggest weakness was its lackluster vision and unconvincing plot based on a warped imagination. It was a story about paintings coming to life, and perhaps a miniature figurine that had to be submerged in fresh water in order to stop it from torturing people. I have an overactive imagination, but even I couldn’t come up with something so ludicrous and painfully diminutive despite the expansive conglomeration of text comprising the huge novel. Stephen might have done better to write about a bowel movement. At times, I was embarrassed for my idol. I can’t believe I made it through all those pages only to suffer one of the most pathetic endings I’ve ever experienced in literature.
This does not mean I’ve turned on Stephen. He is a regular columnist for “Entertainment Weekly” and I totally love his articles. However, I’m beginning to think that King should have stuck to his official retirement announcement. His current imagination needs to stay safely tucked within the confines of his demented (slightly aged) brain.
Will I give him another chance? Sure! I only hope he writes his next story about something worthy of my time.
There was one quote that caught my interest from “Duma Key”:
“Okay. As the mathematician said when he divided by zero, here goes nothing.”
Last year it appeared I could do no wrong on my book selections. I read such amazing books as “I Love You, Beth Cooper” by Larry Doyle, “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy and “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult. This year has been a bust so far. I haven’t read a fantastic book yet.
I’m currently reading “The Monsters of Templeton” by Lauren Groff. This may be the book that turns the tide. It was recommended by a high school English teacher though…
PS
My pick for best book of 2006 has just been made into a major motion picture. I hope “The Ruins” is even half as good as the novel.
I just read that the movie isn’t so great even though it was written and developed by the author of the book 
