So I finished this today. (Feb 2). Wow. This reads like some sprawling, wrenching Greek tragedy. Just when you think nothing can get worse for the narrator...it does. The tale is of an ex-tycoon named Edgar who's been damaged, wrecked both emotionally and physically in an accident. Marriage breaks and he sets off for Duma Key in Florida. Spending time there recovering, making friends with Jerome Wireman and Elizabeth Eastlake, who've got disturbing secrets/stories of their own, Edgar discovers a latent talent for painting that gets him a lot of recognition and awe- because these paintings come out with brilliance and astonishing speed. But they get them in trouble too- and not paparrazi camera clicking trouble. We're talking paintings of evil here.

Normally I've read Stephen King not for the beauty of his language and superb characterization (though those are definitely his plus points as well) but to just get scared s-less. "Duma Key" is threaded throughout with creepiness, supernatural phenomena, and just weird stuff. But don't expect to get lights-on-hiding-under-the-covers scared. This work has more of the subtle chill of "Different Seasons." What draws you in here is the humanity of the characters- rooting for them, struggling with them- you don't wonder "what's going to happen next" but is "he going to make it through this next." A subtle difference but there.

One thing that irked me- the myth of Persephone, the Queen of the Dead from Greek mythology is a beautiful one. Dark but beautiful, for those of you who know it. King uses this myth but kind of turns it into something really effed up and disturbing. That bothered me. But still, a worthy (understatement) read.