The Dune by Stephen King, 2011
The magic trick:
Multiple mysterious moments that drive the reader’s interest
What an absolute pleasure this story is. Sure, it’s not completely original or unpredictable. But who really cares when you’re so clearly in the hands of a master craftsman? This story doesn’t just create a single mystery for the reader to ponder. It throws several – we’re talking maybe seven or eight – oddities and little moments that make the reader raise their eyebrows with wonder out there to drive suspense. It’s riveting. Each sentence tumbles into the next. You want to read more of this story to find out what happens. Which probably sounds simple but it’s pretty rare.
And that’s quite a trick on King’s part.
The selection:
They get down to business. Mrs Riley has left decaf coffee, which Wayland rejects in favour of a Co’-Cola. He makes copious notes as the Judge dictates the changes in his dry courtroom voice, adjusting old bequests and adding new ones. The major new one – four million dollars – is to the Sarasota County Beach and Wildlife Preservation Society. In order to qualify, they must successfully petition the State Legislature to have a certain island just off the coast of Pelican Point declared forever wild.
‘They won’t have a problem getting that done,’ the Judge says. ‘You can handle the legal for them yourself. I’d prefer pro bono, but of course that’s up to you. One trip to Tallahassee should do it. It’s a little spit of a thing, nothing growing there but a few bushes. Governor Scott and his Tea Party cronies will be delighted.’
‘Why’s that, Judge?’
‘Because the next time Beach and Preservation comes to them, begging money, they can say, “Didn’t old Judge Beecher just give you four million? Get out of here, and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!”’
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