Stephen King's Cujo Sequel Makes Me Want A Follow-Up To This 16-Year-Old Book By Him

Summary You Like It Darker's Cujo sequel reminds me of another underrated Stephen King novel that deserves a revisit.

The novella "Rattlesnakes" in You Like It Darker features references to King's 2008 novel Duma Key.

Despite King's reluctance to write sequels, a follow-up to Duma Key could be a welcome addition to his literary universe.

While You Like It Darker’s Cujo sequel is already a follow-up to a Stephen King story, it made me wish for a sequel to another one of the author’s underrated horror novels. Not all of Stephen King’s books need to be revisited, but I think many of the author’s stories deserve an update. The writer himself seems to agree with me on this point, judging by his latest collection. The short story collection You Like It Darker features a direct sequel to Cujo, a story similar to King’s 1987 novel The Tommyknockers, and a Flannery O’Connor short story retelling.

Although You Like It Darker’s satisfying spin on “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” isn’t a case of King revisiting his back catalog, it is further proof that the author has recently been reaching into the past for inspiration. Perhaps the most explicit instance of this is You Like It Darker’s novella “Rattlesnakes.” This story is a direct follow-up to Cujo, the killer dog novel that was later adapted into a movie. “Rattlesnakes” reintroduces Cujo’s Vic Trenton in a tale that is dark, ominous, and one of You Like It Darker’s best stories.

Related The Scariest Story In Stephen King's You Like It Darker (& Why It's So Terrifying) Stephen King’s stories in You Like It Darker explore a wide range of fears, but one of them stands out as the most terrifying and disturbing.

You Like It Darker's Cujo Sequel Makes Me Want A Follow-Up To 2008's Duma Key

Duma Key’s Story Could Be Revisited In A Sequel

However, Cujo isn’t the only early King novel that “Rattlesnakes” references in its literary ghost story. “Rattlesnakes” takes place on Rattlesnake Key on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I immediately recognized this setting from an earlier King novel and, sure enough, the story soon referenced 2008’s underrated Duma Key. This largely forgotten novel is one of many King stories that blend fantasy and supernatural elements with horror drama. Duma Key was reasonably well regarded by critics upon its 2008 release, although its promised movie adaptation never materialized. However, “Rattlesnakes” didn’t make me miss this unmade movie.

The handful of oblique references that the novella made to Duma Key’s events were fun.

Instead, the Cujo sequel from You Like It Darker left me longing for a sequel to Duma Key itself. The handful of oblique references that the novella made to Duma Key’s events were fun, and it was chilling to discover that there were plans to rebuild the eponymous setting after it was destroyed in a tropical storm. However, this just made me realize how much I’d love to see more from the story of Edgar Freemantle. A construction worker who loses his arm in a workplace accident, Edgar is plagued by a brain injury that leaves him unable to choose words.

Stephen King's Cujo Sequel References The Author's 2008 Novel

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When Duma Key’s story begins, Edgar is sent to the titular seaside setting so he can learn to be with himself again. Frustrated by his slow recovery and divorce, Edgar finds solace in drawing for the first time since his childhood. However, a strange, evil force closes in as Edgar spends more time indulging in art, and Duma Key gradually grows scarier as the book’s story continues. Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers already explored the ways in which art can be used as a metaphorical stand-in for inner demons, but Duma Key took this idea further in its deeply creepy story.

The nods to the novel are only enough to leave viewers eager for more.

Unfortunately, Duma Key doesn’t have a sequel, and “Rattlesnakes” is as close as King has come to revisiting the novel’s story. The Cujo sequel might reference the setting of Duma Key, but the nods to the novel are only enough to leave viewers eager for more. While “Rattlesnakes” makes a perfect companion piece for Cujo, I was frustrated when it reminded me of how much Duma Key needs a follow-up. Now I can’t wait for a Duma Key sequel and, unfortunately, I know that the odds of this happening are pretty low.

How A Duma Key Sequel Could Work (& Why It Probably Won't Happen)

King Rarely Writes Sequels Despite His Literary Universe’s Potential

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Stephen King doesn’t tend to write many sequels, although he did break his own rules for 2014’s The Shining follow-up, Doctor Sleep. Since that sequel wasn’t as acclaimed as the original and Doctor Sleep’s darker movie adaptation struggled to recapture the magic of 1980’s The Shining, it makes sense that King usually steers clear of sequels. However, I think he should make an exception for Duma Key. Duma Key comes from a divisive period in King’s career when he received as many negative reviews as positive ones, which could prove to be a good thing.

Duma Key’s sequel could revisit the world of King’s novel.

Expectations wouldn’t be unduly high for Duma Key’s sequel since, although well liked, the original novel wasn’t universally acclaimed and didn’t receive a major adaptation. As such, Duma Key’s sequel could revisit the world of King’s book without worrying about letting down a big fan base. Duma Key left a lot of ambiguous mysteries unsolved and “Rattlesnakes” reminded me just how much the book deserves a sequel to explore these. Thus, I hope You Like It Darker’s Cujo sequel prompts another Stephen King follow-up from the author in the future.