The Dark Tower

[Opal]

I got given the first two in this series for Christmas, but decided not to read them until after my exams. Unfortunately two days ago I made the mistake of having a "quick look" at The Gunslinger (book one). I just finished it. :o

All I can say is that it was amazing. I've never read anything by Stephen King before, I always thought he wrote horror stories, but this was amazing, and I think I'll have to be checking out some more of his work in the near future. I'm not quite sure what genre this should come under, as far as I can tell it's set in the future, but there seems to be magic of a sort, and sorcerers, so I'm guessing it's Fantasy-ish.

One thing that confused me slightly was trying to work out how old Roland is. To begin with I imagined him in his 30's, but there's a reference to 35 being old, and I'm guessing he's not an "old man". Immortality also came up briefly, but there's references to death as well so I'd guess Roland isn't immortal.

Anyone else got any thoughts on this? Anyone else even read this? :)

[My Friend Jack]

How can I put this?... age is a function of time... and time is... different since the world moved on!

Glad you enjoyed Book 1 - if you think that was amazing, wait until you get through the rest - Book 4 in particular, which I think is King's best work (but I haven't read 5, 6 or 7 yet!).

[Purity]

Absolutely can not recommend these books highly enough! I read The Gunslinger when it was first published in the late 80's and have bought each book as it has been published after that (which means I've been reading them for nearly 20 years :eek: )

As for Rolands age, I wouldn't think about it too much, it'll all become clearer as you read more! If you're curious, try www.TheDarkTowerCompendium.com - a fantastic website that will answer all sorts of questions for you and give you better background on some of the main characters/places.

If you go on to read any of Kings other work you'll notice that he ties many of his books into each other through characters, places etc. Books I would recommend that specificly tie in with The Dark Tower would be Insomnia and Salems Lot (that one you HAVE to read before Dark Tower 5!).

Let us know what you think as you read more!

[My Friend Jack]

Purity - I read Insomnia when it first came out in paperback. So far I've only read up to Book 4 of the Dark Tower. Because of a conversation I had with a bloke on the train before Christmas, I'm aware of the link with Salem's Lot. However, I'm not yet sure of the link with Insomnia. Can you (without giving anything away) give me a clue as to what the link is? Is it a character, or a concept (or is it something I've already read about but didn't spot the link?).

The other books that tie in a lot more clearly are the two that King co-wrote with Peter Straub - The Talisman and Black House.

[Opal]

Just so I can be clear on this... Can I read the Dark Tower series alone, or is it neccessary to read Salems Lot etc alongside them? Would it make as much sense if I read it afterwards? :confused:

[My Friend Jack]

I think it would be worth reading Salem's Lot before reading DT Book 5.

[Purity]

Jack - In Insomnia Ralph and Lois save a young boy (Patrick) and his mother from death when they stop Ed from crashing into the town hall and they also meet agents of the Random and the Purpose (Clotho, Lacesis & Evil Bald Doc). You can expect to see Patrick again before Roland reaches the Tower, and hopefully to learn more about the Random & Purpose. I hope that makes sense, I'm trying not to give anything away!

Fiona - You don't need to read any other books in order to understand The Dark Tower series, they work fine stand alone. King just links a lot of his books together so it can help you get some background on characters when they pop up in more than one novel.

[Purity]

The other books that tie in a lot more clearly are the two that King co-wrote with Peter Straub - The Talisman and Black House.

I think those are the only two of his books that I haven't read. Started Talisman once but just couldn't get into it. I'll have to try again!

[Opal]

Made a start on book two last night... and its looking good! Might be on to the next one by the end of the week! And I like the way it had a recap at the beginning! More books in long series should do that! :p

[Tess]

Fiona if you enjoyed The Gunslinger then be prepared to be blown away with The Drawing of the Three! As Purity has already said this series can't be recommended enough, wonderful stuff.

[deirdreofthesorrows]

To my mind this is one of the greatest tales ever told! I have read Stephen King for more years than I would like to admit to, but the Dark Tower series is The best by far.

The themes are carried through in Hearts in Atlantis, IT, Salems Lot, The Black House and its sequel, The (Little) Sisters of Eluria,Insomnia, The Stand, I think Its absolutely incredible the way King has linked so many of his tales to what surely must be his magnum opus. Cant rate them (and him) highly enough.

[mrsdoyle]

I'm a huge fan of the Dark Tower books. I am about to start on Song for Susannah fairly soon, (the trouble is I keep reading other books and getting sidetracked). I became hooked on them about 6 years ago and of course after his dreadul accident, it was a long wait for the Wolves of the Calla. Well worth it though.

[Opal]

Might be on to the next one by the end of the week!
Maybe that was a bit ambitious. Although two days ago I was only 100 pages in, and I just finished! So it could be just finding the time to read properly I guess.

Anyway, I loved it! That "Final Shuffle" was suprising to say the least! Although I had been wondering from the start if Roland was one of the Three himself...

One thing I was wondering, at the front of the books the number 19 appears before the title. I know this was a significant number in the first book, but how does it relate to the second? Or is it relevant to the series in general?

Anyway, off to make a start on The Waste Lands... :D

[My Friend Jack]

I am appalled at my poor memory! I'm on Book 5, and I can't remember the "Final Shuffle" that Fiona mentions. The number 19 is certainly significant in Book 5, I do know that!

Fiona - give me a subtle hint as to what the final shuffle was... please? I only read it 2 months ago. :(

[Opal]

MFJ - Final Shuffle is the last chapter of the book. If you can call it a chapter - there seem to be chpters and sub-chapters everywhere! It was when Susannah first appeared - that was the bit I wasn't expecting!

[My Friend Jack]

OK, thanks, I think the problem is that I have tended to blur each book into a single story, and forget which event occurred in which book.

[Silvergirl]

I am a real SK fan, but have had a trouble with The Dark Tower series, maybe it's because I am not so keen on fantasy/sci-fi stories. I enjoyed The Gunslinger and then got a bit 'lost' with the next one. Not to be deterred I have decided to wait until the series is completed and then read them all in one go, probably when I am retired!

[My Friend Jack]

Er - the series was completed last year. Volume 6 is currently out of print, but is due out in paperback within a few weeks. Volume 7 is still available in hardback. Try it again, Silvergirl, it really is good, especially if you've already read the other books mentioned in this thread.

[Silvergirl]

Ooops - thanks My Friend Jack.

I have just been to the library where they had the last installment on the shelf! It seems ages ago that I read The Gunslinger so I will start again from the beginning. I remember at the time Stephen King said he had written these stories at the request of his son, who was obviously into 'fantasy'. Looks like the 'to read' pile just grew.

[Lei-Lei Jayenne]

This is a great series of books, finished it at the end of last year, loved the epic-ness of it.

[Opal]

I've just finished The Waste Lands... I was about 100 pages from the end and meant to read a chapter or two but just couldn't stop! These books just keep getting better and better in my opinion! :D

So now to go and dig out volume four, Wizard And Glass I believe it is...

[Tess]

Wizard and Glass is the one that most people have problems with because it deviates from the main story and goes back to when Roland was younger. I personally loved this as it gave more insight into Rolands painful past, something only really hinted at before. Fiona, what did you think of Oy? :D

[Opal]

Fiona, what did you think of Oy? :D
I loved him! He was so cute... Made me want one! I'm hoping he makes it to the end, I can only imagine how upset Jake would be if something happened to him! Actually, thats one thing I was thinking about... I'm assuming Roland, Jake, Eddie and Susannah all make it to the end, but what if they don't? :(

And even worse is the thought that the series might not have a happy ending - I'm not good with sad endings (cried for ages at the end of Lord of the Rings!), but I can imagine that its a possibility with this series. Now don't anyone go telling me if it's happy or not, I find it hard enough to not flick to the end of each book as I get it to check everyone's ok! :o

[Tess]

I don't wish to give anything away about the ending but have to say that I was very pleased :)

That’s not an indication on whether it was happy or not, I wouldn’t dream of ruining it for you Fiona, I was pleased because it had me gripped until the very end, and you can't ask for much more! There was a lot of hype about the final books and I was anticipating them for a while so I was relieved that King was able to finish the series on a high (again this is no indication on the outcome, it was a high because it was just soooo good :p )

[Opal]

Well its good to know the ending is worth it! Feels like its going to take me a while to get there, but I won't give up! :D

[My Friend Jack]

I'm STILL waiting for Volume 6 to turn up!

I thought that the sheer atmosphere (such a difficult thing for an author to create, I'm not really sure how they do it) of Wizard and Glass was outstanding. And in Wolves of the Calla (I'm going to be vague so as not to give the game away) there were some clever references which actually made me laugh out loud when they were revealed right at the end. Five books in, I can honestly say that I have never found a series of books that has entertained and delighted me as much as the Dark Tower.

Fiona - when you next get to a Book Barn or Waterstones, look out for Stephen King's The Talisman which he co-wrote with Peter Straub. Then read the sequel, Black House. Both include visits to the world of Roland of Gilead.

[Silvergirl]

For those beginning their 'Dark Tower' journey, or considering this excellent series, have a look at www.thedarktower.net/connections/roadmap.php to find the links to other Stephen King novels.

[My Friend Jack]

Well, my copy of DT VI did eventually arrive, and I'm about a third of the way in. Don't get much reading time at the moment as I'm working in Reading which means 3 or 4 hours in the car, and a fairly long working day as well.

Fiona-1984 - have you made a start of DT V yet?

[Opal]

MFJ - I've kinda started DT5.... its the current book by my bed, but I'm only about a chapter in so far. I also seem to remember being told to read Salem's Lot before DT5, so I'm trying to decide which to tackle first! :confused:

[My Friend Jack]

Fiona - having now got to within 30 pages of the end of DTVI, I can assure you that it doesn't matter if you haven't read Salem's Lot - there is plenty of explanation and flashbacks. That said, I guess you might appreciate the flashbacks a bit more if you have read SL...! Be aware, though, that SK was a more conventional horror writer at the time of SL, even though he had already started work on DTI by that time - but you'll find more about that when you reach DTVI!

[Tess]

Can't wait until you have both finished the series, I am itching to discuss the last book :p

[Opal]

Well I decided to leave SL til after I've finished DT - I really want to get through these books - I need to know what happens! :p Sadly it's going very slowly at the moment though, I'm only 60 pages into DT5. I'm hoping my workload will let up soon and I'll be able to finish the series before my exams (although given that they're less than a month away I think that may be a bit optimistic!) :(

[My Friend Jack]

Finished DTVI last night! Absolutely fascinating stuff. So many aspects. I hate to use the word, but it really fits: awesome.

[Tess]

Excellent MFJ, I can finally discuss the final book with someone! I haven't visited this thread for a while or I would have posted sooner, anyways, shall we...

What did you think of the loop ending? I know some people were disappointed but I thought it was fantastic. King mentions the journey being the most important thing, many people were eagerly anticipating what would be at the top of the tower and by making it another journey was a brave but very cool move from King.

I was physically shaking as I turned over the last few pages. When King pauses to give you a choice to continue I had to put the book down and take some deep breaths, I have never been affected by a book in that way, as you have so perfectly said -awesome!

I also cried like a baby over the deaths of Jake, Eddie and my darling little Oy!


Long nights and pleasant days :D

[My Friend Jack]

Hiya, Tess. Actually, the post you responded to was me finishing Vol VI, but I've now finished VII as well!

I liked the ending, too. The alternatives were either (i) a fully happy ending - and as SK says, no-one lives happily ever after - or (ii) the Crimson King wins. SK's loop idea was clever and unexpected, which was what I was hoping for.

One thing that I've been wondering is, does Roland end up with a different set of companions each time, or do Eddie and co join him each time? And what will happen when Roland turns up at the Tower with the Horn of Eld?

I never cry over books or football, but the deaths of Roland's companions certainly brought a lump to my throat!

I think I'm going to have to revisit a number of SK's other books (many of which I've read before). I've seen lists of books that are supposed to have a DT link, and I'm sure that IT was one, but I can't recall any obvious link (although I was half expecting Mordred to be the link). Any thoughts?

[Opal]

I feel I need to say that its taking a huge amount of willpower for me to not click on that little spoiler button in the last two posts. Not that I want to know what happens, but its just so tempting! :(

[My Friend Jack]

I must admit, I felt a bit guilty about posting a reply to Tess, knowing that you were still on DT5!

[Opal]

Well I'll catch up with you eventually... As soon as exams are over I'm going to make an effort to read quicker (or more often anyway :p) so give it a few weeks and I'll be after DT6 off you.... :D

[My Friend Jack]

The only way Fiona will catch up with me is by reaching the Dark Tower and starting all over again! Sometimes I think I must be the Man In Black!

[Tess]

Sorry to tempt you Fiona but best of luck for your exams :D

I haven’t read IT so wouldn't no of the connections although I believe this to be one of the minor ones. King has many connections in his books with some being very obvious such as Salems Lot, others I think are just a nod to his fans and leaves you with a satisfied smirk when you find them ;)

I think the horn makes this time Roland's last journey. This is because this was Roland's quest and not that of a gunslinger, yet it was repeatedly mentioned that the Gunslinger's were the Guardians of the Tower. Roland is not going to the Tower to protect it, so much as to find it and unlock it; he has forgotten the face of his father. He is not doing this as a guardian of the Tower as he seeks the top room by any means required. Now, with the Horn, he is not doing this quest out of sheer personal feelings, but also as a true gunslinger, one who has remembered all those who have died. He honours these by bringing the symbol of Gilead to the Dark Tower, signifying the Guardianship of the Tower.

Rolands love for his ka-tet may have helped him to subconsciously realise this and so when the loop occurs he now has the horn, the ka-tet has helped Roland and he has helped them, although sadly, I now believe their paths will not cross again.

'And will I tell you that these three lived happily ever after? I will not, for no one ever does. But there was happiness. And they did live..... that’s all, that’s enough.'

Spine-tingling stuff!

[My Friend Jack]

Thanks, Tess, I like that.

You should read IT - one of the best books about childhood that I've ever read. Sure, it's a bit creepy, but SK creates a wonderful atmosphere, a feeling of nostalgia, a kind of yearning for lost youth - very clever story-telling.

[Lady Lazarus]

I must confess, I recently read 74 or so pages of The Gunslinger, and couldn't finish it! Am I the only one who doesn't like these books?!! I have read a Stephen King book before ("The Shining") and liked it, but I couldn't get on with this one. I don't normally like 'fantasy'-style books, but after hearing so many people rave about this series, I thought I'd broaden my horizons and give it a go... oh well!

[Grammath]

Stick with it, Lady L, it gets better.

I'm part way through "Wizard and Glass" (DT 4) at the moment and so far, although it is the shortest, I found "The Gunslinger" the hardest to get on with of the volumes I've read. I think this is because it was the most un-Kinglike.

If you have the revised edition published a couple of years ago, in the introduction to that King more or less admits that "The Gunslinger" is really a piece of juvenilia in thrall to "The Lord of the Rings" et al and should be viewed as such. The subsequent volumes are much more recognisably his in style - and length!

[Opal]

I'm with Grammath! Although I've not read any of King's other work I'd definately say that each of the Dark Tower books gets better as you go along, and with each one you get more and more hooked! I can't wait for tomorrow when my exams are (finally!) done and I can get back to having enough time to read them again!

Stick with it! :)

[Lady Lazarus]

Stick with it! :)
Oops.. I've, erm, given up now! It's just not 'me' ... if I don't like a book by 74 pages in, I doubt if I'd ever finish it to be honest!!

[My Friend Jack]

Shame, LL, but there's no point in carrying on if you're not enjoying it - especially with another 6 volumes before you get to the end.

Have to admit, I struggled the first time I tried the Gunslinger, in 1992/3. I tried again last year and suddenly it clicked.

[Lei-Lei Jayenne]

Finished this series recently, and while i was very impressed and do consider it up there as possibly King's best work, the ending disappointed me. Don't want to get into it and spoil it for others, but i thought it lacked a little adventurousness on King's behalf.

[My Friend Jack]

I believe that (pre-apocalypse) both RR and Opal had said they were reading this series (in fact, Opal has been reading it for years!). I am amazed to see that it's nearly 2 years since I finished the series - I still think about it from time to time, and would still put it at the top of my all-time favourites.

[Royal Rother]

Well I started reading The Gunslinger a couple of weeks ago and found it rather hard-work I have to say. Eventually finished it but it felt very much like a scene-setter and not an awful lot more. It merited a meagre 2 stars on my (admittedly pretty harsh( ratings.

However I launched straight into The Drawing of The Three and loved it! Top notch stuff.

I have now moved straight onto The Waste Lands and am about 100 pages into that already. Enjoying that a lot as well so I am very pleased I stuck with it!

[Tess]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the series RR (and that the DT discussion survived The Crash), whenever I hear of a new reader I feel like joining them and starting the series again.

I agree that The Gunslinger is a little hard to get into first time but I think it becomes better once you've read the other books. The Waste Lands is my favourite in the series, not that I think it gets worse thereafter.

[Opal]

I believe that (pre-apocalypse) both RR and Opal had said they were reading this series (in fact, Opal has been reading it for years!). I am amazed to see that it's nearly 2 years since I finished the series - I still think about it from time to time, and would still put it at the top of my all-time favourites.
Thanks for that. Yes I have been reading it for years and I'm going to make another bash at finishing soon cos it's half term this week! And I am NOT turning into you and your rubbish attempts to get through LotR. In fact with that for inspiration I'll get through DT quickly. ;)

Seriously though, this has to be the only series I keep trying to finish and never get anywhere with! I will not be beaten!!! :D

[Royal Rother]

Finished The Waste Lands (Bk 3) this week. Excellent fun. I had forgotten how good Stephen King can be.

I don't find it easy to picture the scenes described in a book, and probably miss out on a fair bit as a result, but I have an exceptionally vivid picture of Roland's world which must be testimony to the excellence of the writing.

[Royal Rother]

Nearly finished Book 4, Wizard & Glass.

Once again, it is very very good, but I must admit to struggling slightly with it as the knowledge that there is going to be no happy ending for Roland and Susan makes it a little less enjoyable for me. I can handle sadness in a book (hate it in a film) but I don't enjoy the anticipation of it!

Edit: Now finished and I would confirm my observation above.

[My Friend Jack]

I must admit to struggling slightly with it as the knowledge that there is going to be no happy ending for Roland and Susan makes it a little less enjoyable for me.

Actually, I felt that knowing that the ending would not be entirely happy rather added to the enjoyment, in an odd sort of way. There was a kind of resigned inevitability to the outcome which is what made that volume so memorable.

Like Tess, I feel I will have to start all over again!

[Royal Rother]

So, I paused a few months before moving onto Wolves of The Calla (DT5).

I am about half way and thoroughly enjoying it, as expected.

Brilliant drawn-out storytelling. I can't help but remember Mr In Between's savage criticism of Stephen King when reading what I consider to be a magnificent saga. ;)

[Hazel]

I can't help but remember Mr In Between's savage criticism of Stephen King when reading what I consider to be a magnificent saga. ;)

Ah, those were the days :rolleyes:

[Grammath]

This reminds me I really must go back and finish DT7 at some point. I stalled on about page 250 earlier this year. Considering how far I've got with the saga, it seems a bit daft to abandon it at this point.

[Royal Rother]

I haven't seen any mention of this before so are you DT fans aware that there is a Marvel / Stephen King collaboration in progress with the 1st release due in February?

See the link and watch / listen to the trailer - sent a shiver up my spine.

http://www.marvel.com/darktower

[My Friend Jack]

Your new avatar had a similar effect on me, RR!

There was some mention of this pre-crash, I think - I even had a Roland avatar for a short time, before I found one that showed my love of reading books.

Thanks for the update, RR. I imagine Amazon will let me know when it's available as it hits two of my hot buttons - King and Marvel!

[Royal Rother]

Just finished Wolves of The Calla.

Best of the series so far for me. (And I haven't read Salem's Lot...)

Should I now go straight into Song of Susannah or dive into Change of Regime? Decisions decisions....

[Royal Rother]

Just finished Song of Susannah - weakest of the series so far (after The Gunslinger) but still enjoyable.

I just didn't find the whole Susannah / Detta / Odetta / Mia thing that gripping.

Still, having read the 1st Chapter on DT 7 in the back of SOS that was certainly gripping so I think I'll have to steam straight on through to the conclusion of the series.

[My Friend Jack]

SofS was definitely the weakest of the series, although I tend to forget where one book ended and the next began.

WotC was terrific - it's rare that I chuckle at a King book, but the JKR and Marvel references were inspired.

It must be 2 years since I finished the DT saga, and I normally forget 95% of plot, scenes and characters in that time. So much of this series remains in my mind, however, and I can never see a street scence in New York without wondering if the book shop or the rose are just around the corner.

RR - 'Salem's Lot is an odd book in the context of the DT, because I don't think King had any idea that he would bring Father Callahan into the DT at the time of writing SL. If you haven't tried them already, the two books he wrote with Peter Straub (The Talisman and Black House) are excellent, and one of the stories in Hearts In Atlantis features a character who pops up in DT7.

[Opal]

Well I'm making yet another attempt at this. I've decided that given how I've read the first 4 books at least three times now and remember them pretty well I'm starting with Wolves of the Calla this time. No idea whether this will help, but somehow stuff always seems to get in the way after a few books so I think I stand a chance!

I got a few chapters in last night (just meeting Mia for the first time now) and will hopefully finish early today and be able to get a little further in! :D

[Royal Rother]

Well I'm cracking on with the final book; it ain't half long! As well as having the most pages of the series it's also got almost twice as many words on each page as the rest of them.

The first book I virtually HAVE to read with glasses - due to both the size of the print and deteriorating eyesight.

As I read more my eyes get worse. No coincidence I suppose...

[Opal]

Well I'm cracking on with the final book; it ain't half long! As well as having the most pages of the series it's also got almost twice as many words on each page as the rest of them.
I was under the impression that last two were shorter!!! I don't know why since I have copies of all of them around my flat somewhere... they defintely won't be going to school to read under the desk... :(

[Grammath]

The last volume's a big old beast, about 650 pages, although I suppose that's quite modest by Stephen King standards.

[roddglenn]

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series and the ending was fitting imo. I like the references to many of his other works, including The Stand on top of those that have already been mentioned. Nice to see Randall Flagg pop up in it.

[Opal]

To be honest I don't really care how long it is, as long as it's worth it! And it does seem to be judging by the non-spoiler posts I've read. Book 5 is calling at the moment, despite the piles of washing up calling me... Seems I might get there this time!

[Royal Rother]

The last volume's a big old beast, about 650 pages, although I suppose that's quite modest by Stephen King standards.
But the fact that it has much smaller print than all the other volumes (and in fact most modern books) means it must have at least 1/3rd higher word count than normal 650 page novels.

Right, I'm going to do a word count comparison this weekend across the volumes!! ;)

[megustaleer]

Right, I'm going to do a word count comparison this weekend across the volumes!! ;)And I thought I didn't have a life? :eek:

[Royal Rother]

:D Okay, so I just word counted an average page of DT6 and DT7; the former had 360 words, the latter had 450 words. So 25% more...

[Royal Rother]

Your new avatar had a similar effect on me, RR!

There was some mention of this pre-crash, I think - I even had a Roland avatar for a short time, before I found one that showed my love of reading books.

Thanks for the update, RR. I imagine Amazon will let me know when it's available as it hits two of my hot buttons - King and Marvel!
This might be of interest...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Tower-Gunslinger-Born-Premiere/dp/0785121447/ref=pd_sbs_b_shvl_img_1/026-0092091-9625233?ie=UTF8&qid=1193392426&sr=1-3

Incidentally, I am approaching the final chapters of the series now. I will be sad to finish...

I think I might have to invest in the Concordance books or similar to wean myself off gradually.

[Opal]

Well I've been away all week with my boyfriend, took him back home with me to visit mum and little sister which was fun! Somewhere in between the visiting I managed to read though... got through the rest of Wolves of the Calla on Tuesday morning while boyfriend was sleeping, then read most of Song of Susannah yesterday afternoon/evening during the 5 hour drive back to Lincoln. Even persuaded him that I needed my phone light on so I could read in the dark!!! :D

Am now part way through the final book... seems like (with no interrupting disasters) I might finally finish after nearly three years! Late tonight or sometime tomorrow is my guess... I can't help it, I have loads of stuff I should be doing but no-one to stop me curling up and reading!

Minor spoiler for SoS: I really love how Stephen King has written himself into the books... so random yet somehow it works!

Question is will I now beat RR to the finish? ;)

[Royal Rother]

Probably - but I only started the series in 2007! ;)

[Opal]

Well yes, but I'm going to conveniently ignore that! ;)

I'm still enjoying (and a third of the way through) book 7, but I think 6 was the most unputdownable for me... no idea why but I couldn't put it down!

[Royal Rother]

Superglue?

Actually I found 6 the least gripping (apart from 1 of course). So far 7 is best of the lot for me. Tremendous stuff.

I've only got about 100 pages left so I might just pip you at the post. (The extra hour will help tonight...)

[Opal]

You must have finished my now... Sadly I'm only half way through, things like food shopping and work keep getting in the way! Most of my classes have tests tomorrow so I might take it to school and read it while they sit in silence... :D

[Royal Rother]

Finished!

Excellent stuff.

My only (very minor) negative about DT7 is that in common with most of his work he isn't great at endings (the other DTs aside, which weren't really the end of stories anyway). It is ultimately very satisfying but he just doesn't seem to pace an ending particularly well, in that it doesn't pick up towards the end, just stays at the same pace so the conclusion seems almost to come upon the reader by surprise, without a real crescendo. Interestingly King almost seems to acknowledge this in the epilogue.

Still, a fantastic series that I shall miss; I shall definitely invest in the Concordance books by Robin Furth to squeeze a bit more pleasure out of it.

[My Friend Jack]

So glad you enjoyed it, RR!

And Opal, I assume boyfriend was driving you back to Lincoln?

Can I recommend that - after a break of a few weeks - you give the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant a go?

[Opal]

And Opal, I assume boyfriend was driving you back to Lincoln?

Can I recommend that - after a break of a few weeks - you give the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant a go?
Yes he was :D

And I'm not sure I can face those ones yet, maybe after Christmas!!! The Dark Tower books I actually enjoy but those ones never really felt as good... Still only half way through book 7, didn't think I could get away wth reading it at school sadly :(

[My Friend Jack]

They are heavy going, I must admit!

[Royal Rother]

Perhaps I should give them a miss then... :confused:

[Jeremy DEagle]

What about this? I have it on preorder and can't wait!

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/3447435/Dark-Tower-Gunslinger-Born-Premiere/Product.html

[Royal Rother]

I gave the Amazon link on the previous page...

Agreed, can't wait - but I think I will as it'd be a damn fine thing to fill a spare moment or 2 on Christmas day!

[Opal]

I finished!!!!!!!!!!

:dance:

Three years and I'm there! Now off to read all your spoilery comments...

[Royal Rother]

Wahey! :)

[Flingo]

I finished!!!!!!!!!!

:dance:

Three years and I'm there!
Welcome back to the real world, Opal! :D

[Jeremy DEagle]

The gunslinger Born was very disappointing- its basically the story from 'Wizard and Glass' retold as a graphic novel :(

[Royal Rother]

Sorry, am I being thick or is it a typo but what is Bown? :confused:

[Royal Rother]

The gunslinger Born was very disappointing- its basically the story from 'Wizard and Glass' retold as a graphic novel :(
Why would that be disappointing? Were you expecting a new story? I suppose it would have been nice if they were a whole new set of stories but to be honest I don't think that is a realistic expectation.

Anyway, I thought it was very impressive. I am not into this genre at all and it is probably the first comic book I've read since Spidey in the 70s, but the graphics, colours and style were stunning.

What I found particularly rewarding was that the pictures, the scenery and people were very much as I had drawn them in my mind.

Sometimes King can go to extraordinary lengths and minute detail to paint a picture with words but I am not a very visual person (not that I'm ugly or anything!) - seeing Marvel's collaboration with King producing images that were so familiar was somehow reassuring!

I am very much looking forward to the next segment - the lobstrosities should be interesting!!

[My Friend Jack]

(not that I'm ugly or anything!)

:o

[roddglenn]

I loved the DT books and thought that no.7 was particularly rewarding the way everything was tied up very well at the end. But I hear what you're saying about his endings being a little out of whack sometimes.

[David]

This news (http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/04/30/da-vinci-code-director-to-make-the-dark-tower/) should be of interest to Dark Tower fans.

[My Friend Jack]

I have very mixed feelings over that. None of King's better books have translated well onto TV or film. I thinks that's down to the way that King builds his stories in a non-visual way, analysing the mental state of characters, creating a sense of foreboding and building in flashbacks as a way of setting scenes and enhancing characters. Often I have watched a King movie and thought, "Well it was true to the book, everything that happened was as written, so why didn't it work?" It's nearly always because there's so much to the story that simply can't be shown on a screen.

I'm really not convinced that it would work...

[Opal]

I'm really not convinced that it would work...
Me neither, although possibly not for the same reasons - I've never seen any other of Stephen King's adaptations for a start! I assume they would plan to start with The Gunslinger for the movie then spin off into TV shows (just judging from the context), but I don't think this would work. Whilst it's a good book, I always thought that it felt a bit like a prologue to the rest of the series, and to be honest I'm not a huge fan of the first two books individually, they contribute to the series and in that way are important but I don't recall feeling like the story got going til later on.

Now if they consulted me I'd start with Wizard and Glass as a movie then spin into a TV series starting with The Gunslinger. Personally I think Wizard and Glass is a much stronger independent book and could make a fantastic stand alone film. All the inevitable unanswered questions would then be answered in a TV series of the rest of the book, maybe going back to the big screen for the final book, which really does deserve it.

But y'know, that's just me ;)

[Claire]

If nothing else, I'll forever be grateful to BGO for introducing me to the Dark Tower series. I'd never heard of them until I read the beginning of this discussion, several years ago, and I've since read and loved the whole series.

Astonishing books - I read most of them in our campervan on various holidays and always finished one feeling really hungry for the next one - but not quite wanting to dive straight in, because I didn't want to get to the end too soon.

I may be way too late for any discussion, cos you all finished them ages ago, but I will come back and add some thoughts to this thread at a later date - it's been fascinating to reread the whole thread this evening, and get your impressions all over again.

[Kiki2658]

can any1 pls help me...wats the dark towers about?there r so many series and is the story continue from book 1 2 book 2...?

[NancyB_Orlando]

I presume you are talking about Stephen King's series? There are seven books in the series and I highly reccomend it. The first three are especially good but leave you wanting to know what happens to the characters. It can be a little loopy at times but is a great read as a whole, especially if you are a fan of fantasy. There is an official website that has loads more info
http://www.stephenking.com/DarkTower/index.html

[Royal Rother]

Oscar Winner Javier Bardem has been offered the role of Roland Deschain in the upcoming Dark Tower films and television series.

http://www.stephenking.com/news.html

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/dailyrecord3/feb2011/4/0/javier-bardem-image-2-277702173.jpg

Yeah, I can see that working ok although he might have to lose a stone or 2 to achieve the hollow cheek look...

[Hazel]

Thanks for the pic RR, made my day.

[Royal Rother]

http://www.nndb.com/people/733/000109406/javier-bardem.jpg

[lunababymoonchild]

Biiiiig difference there! :D

[Hazel]

Shudder.

[Endlessknight]

Bardem? Really? I just don't see it. I've always imagined Roland as 6'4" Roy Keane

http://www.sportcartoons.co.uk/wallpaper/roykeane.jpg

http://i2.listal.com/image/406442/600full-roy-keane.jpg

http://www.freebetting.co.uk/images/roy-keane-ipswich-football-news.jpg

[My Friend Jack]

Good news for fans of the Dark Tower, book 4.5 is due out in around 4 months...

http://t.e.macmillan.com/r/?id=hf01ba2,34c21de,36b5df0&WT.mc_id=undefined

[Claire]

Facebook keeps randomly telling me that this new Dark Tower book, "The Wind Through the Keyhole" is coming out soon. I'll be really interest to know what you all make of it when it arrives. It does seem a little bit odd to go back to the series and write a novel to fill in a gap between two existing ones.....I'm not sure that I'll rush to read it - I'll wait to see what the general reaction is first!

Anyone got it on pre-order already??

[My Friend Jack]

Not yet, I can't decide whether to get it on the Kindle or h/b...

[Tay]

Yes I have it on pre order with Amazon.

[Claire]

Not yet, I can't decide whether to get it on the Kindle or h/b...

I have all the rest in paperback, so if I bought it (which I won't be able to resist for ever....) I would have to get the paperback so it could go on the shelf with the rest. (And I shall be cross if they have redesigned the cover, so it doesn't match, too!)

Look forward to hearing your opinions, when you read it, MFJ and Tay.