Duma Key (2008) by Stephen King is another scary story from the world’s best story teller.

The first 2/3rds of this one are entertaining. … (I should have quit after his art show.)

I laughed out loud. Often.

Wireman is one of the better characters in fiction, I can recall.

At my age, I appreciate King’s many pop culture references. 

But it’s a horror — not my favourite genre.

As usual, there is a fair bit of the paranormal, as well.

And the book is too long. Like most King books. 

Edgar Freemantle, a wealthy Minnesotan building contractor, barely survives a severe worksite accident wherein his truck is crushed by a crane. Edgar loses his right arm while suffering severe head injuries impairing his speech, vision, and memory. During his long recovery, he experiences suicidal thoughts and violent, abusive mood swings, spurring his wife to file for divorce.

On the advice of his psychologist, Dr. Kamen, Edgar relocates southward and rents a beach house on the island of Duma Key, off the Florida coast.  …

King wrote this shortly after he was struck by a van and while he questioned his mortality.

It’s a reflection on aging. And loss.

Dementia.

But it’s also about second chances. 

With absolutely no training, turns out Edgar is a gifted artist. 

At first — that seems a good thing.