Not sure where you got the idea that we'd consider King 'pedestrian', you might check out the threads and see what we read. There are lots of King fans here. Im not one only because horror is not a genre I enjoy (tho his Eye of the Dragon was fantastic) I suspect there might be a King thread somewhere, lemme see if I can find it.

I have enjoyed most of King's books and did buy Duma Key but haven't read it yet. I will be going on vacation in 3 more weeks and had thought to take it, but it is too big a book to tote around, I prefer pbacks to take on planes and read in airports because they are not too heavy & fit in my handbag.
I am glad to hear that you thought it was good, I look forward to reading it soon.

Pat

I did a search for Duma Key but didn't do one for King! Should have thought of that. I sure didn't mean to sound insulting! I lurk here all the time and read many of the posts, I just hadn't seen anything on King. Guess I should have looked harder.

Rayma was our resident King expert and super-fan :) She hasn't posted in a while, though.

I used to read a lot of Stephen King, and I loved The Stand.

Personally I think some of King's novels are bound for the "classic" shelves of the future.
Very few can compare to King's ability at character development.
Having said that, I bought Duma Key for my son (26 yr old) who has read all of King's titles. He has not lent it back to me yet :>0
My son recently read "The Heart Shaped Box" by King's son, Joe Hill. He said it was very good and went on to read a collection of short stories by Hill which he also liked.
Seems we will have King's publishing for quite some time.

Jeannie

I read and liked Duma Key, too. 'Wireman' is undoubtedly one of the best characters in recent fiction! ("...maybe si, maybe no. That's what Wireman says.")

I was very surprised by Joe Hill's "Heart Shaped Box". It was disturbing and dark, but quite original. Very hard to put down. I haven't read his short stories but I'll be watching for the next novel.