Dreadlocksmile reviews:`The Gunslinger' is the first instalment for Stephen King's fantasy epic series `The Dark Tower'. Written over a period of almost 30 years, over seven books, spanning for a total of 3712 pages, this really is an epic saga.
This is the shortest book of the series, lasting for a mere 238 pages. The book introduces the reader to Roland (the Gunslinger) whose journey to reach the dark tower is first set in motion.
The novel builds up slowly, allowing the reader to become accustomed to King's Dark Tower world. Characterization takes on an important role throughout the novel, getting the reader to know and feel for Roland and the few other characters that appear in the pages. With the journey the reader is taken on through the seven books, this first novel does the task of setting the scene and introducing the complex and original character of Roland perfectly. The book is often described as the prologue to the series, which seems a suitable comment to make.
As a stand alone novel, `The Gunslinger' is a rather slow and laborious novel, that gradually builds to the next platform of the saga. But the book is an important introduction to this gripping epic, giving you a good entrance to the series.
The new and revised version of this book includes the story having been expanded and revised along with a sixteen page Introduction & Forward as well as a 28 page excerpt from the beginning of the second book in the series `The Drawing Of The Three'.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1E9I2DU3DO1HG/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm`The Drawing Of The Three' is the second instalment in the epic `Dark Tower' fantasy series. The story runs for a total of 450 pages within the 3712 pages the entire series spans for, taking the reader firmly into the saga of the gunslinger Roland and the barren world King has created.
This second novel deals with introducing Roland's newly found companions, interweaving their stories within different periods of time, with the aid of magical doorways. The novel manages to cover essential ground for the continuation of the series, giving the reader further insight into the quest at hand.
King's characterization of these newly introduced characters is superb. Ok, so that is really the main purpose and thrust behind this second novel, but it really is a truly captivating read from start to finish. With the schizophrenic Odetta Holmes (whose evil split personality is named Detta Holmes) immediate similarities can be made with that of Gollum in JRR Tolkien's `Lord Of The Rings' novels. But once King begins to explore the character within the book, you find that the character is in no way copied or cloned from that of Gollum. King has managed to produce a unique and beautifully original double-character that injects a dark tension into this developing tale.
I am aware that many readers opinions are that this novel is really the first part to the Dark Tower series, with "The Gunslinger" merely serving as a prologue. I can understand that view but in reflection I somewhat disagree. Both books serve as a great platform to begin this epic saga with, setting the scene and introducing the characters beautifully, whilst still delivering individual storylines to keep the reader entertained.
The book includes an eight page Introduction by King written in January 2003 that also appears in `The Gunslinger'. At the end of the book there is a 10 page excerpt taken from the beginning of the third book in the series `The Waste Lands'.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2W827MO4TEKJK/ref=cm_cr_rdp_permStephen King's novel "The Waste Lands" is the third instalment of the seven part epic "Dark Tower" series. The novel runs for 512 pages out of the series total of 3712 pages.
Here we see Jake finally reunited with Roland Of Gilead once again, as the group continue their quest towards the Dark Tower. The novel develops the characters previously set down in the last two novels, allowing the reader to become further attached to this unique collection of individuals.
The book takes you deeper into King's desolate world as you are introduced into a much more action packed and violent scenario. The tale builds towards the group's arrival at the city of Lud, which has been ravaged by war and time, leaving it in a almost post-apocalyptic state. A war is being fought between the two different inhabitants of the city as Roland's group try to make their way through its streets and towards the wastelands that follow.
King has managed to keep up the characterization throughout the book whilst managing to keep the novel fast paced and full of surprises. More hints as to the reasons behind this massive quest are thrown in to the tale, without actually revealing the true nature of it. This will keep you guessing at the underlying air of mystery about the whole series. The novel also clears up some of the intentional loose ends from the last two novels, that draws the books tighter together.
The book is a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish, ending with another dramatic cliff-hanger to lead into the next instalment "Wizard And Glass".
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1HME8EL6I4W71/ref=cm_cr_rdp_permStephen King's novel "Wizard And Glass" is the forth instalment of the seven part epic "Dark Tower" series. The novel runs for a whopping 840 pages out of the series total of 3712 pages. Within the book you also have the usual introduction by Mr. King that's well worth the read, running for just six pages. There's also an Afterword at the end, giving the reader a little more insight into the writing of the book.
Anyway, by now you are already well into the epic journey of the Dark Tower series, with a good understanding of the five major characters (including Oy that is). The book begins exactly where we left off, with the massive cliffhanger at the end of "The Waste Lands". King tackles this well, bringing about a good introduction into this next book.
From here on in, we are sent back in time to when Roland was a young gunslinger, as he tells the story of his past and how he got to where he is now. This is basically the whole novel, which is nicely book-ended on either side.
Roland's tale brings out a whole new and complicated side to the character that we have been getting to know over that last three novels. The story shows further the honour of being a gunslinger, as well as how they are perceived. Cuthbert and Alain play large roles within the story, as does Roland's first love. His entire background and upbringing shows how this previously secretive character has grown into the man he is now.
At this stage through the series, I would say that this novel delivers by far the most insight into the characters enriching the series immensely. It is certainly not the fastest of paces, but is an enjoyable read that is difficult to put down.
Personally, I found the ending to the novel a little rushed, and dare I say forced? I know what you're thinking...840 pages and I think it's rushed! I won't spoil it for you, but the way the novel is constructed, left King with a quick fire ending that didn't really reflect the importance and build-up to the situation. Well, that's what I think anyway!
The next instalment in the series is entitled "Wolves Of The Calla".
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1BR66ZN3S8W8H/ref=cm_cr_rdp_permStephen King's novel "Wolves Of The Calla" is the fifth instalment of the seven part epic "Dark Tower" series. The novel runs for 611 pages out of the series total of 3712 pages. The book starts off with King's `final argument' which is the last introduction to the books for the series. There's also a two page `afterword' at the end giving the reader a little more insight into the writing of the book. As in all of the other `Dark Tower' books, the large version includes colour illustrations by Bernie Wrightson that depict scenes within the tale.
Taking off from where we left the last instalment "Wizard And Glass", the book takes a while to really get going. King spends a long time setting the scene again, no doubt aware that when the book was first released there had been a six year gap between the two novels. Once the plot finally begins to take shape, King builds on the suspense of the battle that will inevitably take place. A whole host of new and uniquely interesting characters are introduced throughout the novel, drawing the reader deeper into the strange atmosphere of Mid-World.
From "Wizard And Glass" the reader has now found a new and deeper love for the character of Roland, which King utilises with developing on the characters little traits and quirks. As the storyline builds, King carefully weaves in clever sub-plots that incorporate some of his other previous novels. This, as I'm sure you are by now aware, has been a recurring theme within the "Dark Tower" series, but never so dominating as within this book.
The tale mounts to its final conclusion, which although short, delivers an action packed climax that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Yet again, the novel closes on a dramatic cliff-hanger, setting the reader up for the next part of this epic adventure "Song Of Susannah".
All in all, I found the book an enjoyable read from start to finish, but unlike previous instalments, the story-line seemed to weaken somewhat through the middle. King is a writer who certainly likes to write for pages and pages simply setting a scene. For me this ended up with each chapter seemingly over padded, which on occasion made the novel seem to loose itself. Nevertheless, the novel was certainly a good read.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R13N4CWIW518S4/ref=cm_cr_rdp_permStephen King's novel "Song Of Susannah" is the sixth instalment of the seven part epic "Dark Tower" series. The novel runs for 427 pages out of the series total of 3712 pages. Unlike within the previous installations, the book does not include an introduction from King himself (Wolves Of The Calla delivered his last `argument'). However, the book does finish with a two page afterward. Again, the hardback version includes some full colour illustrations (ten in total), this time by Darrel Anderson.
The story begins directly from where the previous novel left off, throwing the reader once again into the mysterious world King has created. From the very beginning, the tale picks up a fast pace, setting down clever twists and turns for each one of the main characters we have followed closely throughout this adventure. With a similar construction of the storyline to that of "Wolves Of The Calla", the fragmented plot lines that gradually draw together is a lot tighter within this action packed novel.
King develops upon the character of Susannah's multiple personalities, bringing out further layers to their rich personalities. Whilst the three separate tracks of the story weave their way through the book, King takes his almost surreal angle of bringing in the real world by introducing himself as a major character within the book. This brings a whole new and original approach to the saga, which tricky as it sounds, works surprisingly well. In doing this, the Dark Tower series becomes a more involved and personal adventure for King.
The novel draws to a close with a chapter constructed from the pages of the character of Stephen King within his own novel. These fictional accounts detail the real life of the writer in a way that reflects the parallel world from the series. Confusing as it sounds, it does work very well, bringing all the previous books tighter together and linking them to our own reality.
All in all, I found this instalment into the "Dark Tower" series one of the most rewarding and enjoyable reads of all the books so far. Short as it is compared with the previous books, "Song Of Susannah" is rich in its storyline and cleverly ties in almost all of the previous events laying the ground for the final book to complete this epic journey. An absolute pleasure to read.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/RT4035LIWHZSK/ref=cm_cr_rdp_permStephen King's novel "The Dark Tower" is the seventh and last instalment of the epic "Dark Tower" series. The novel runs for 683 pages out of the series total of 3712 pages. The book does not include an introduction like in some of the earlier instalments, but it does end with a final two page Author's Note that wraps up King's writing experience with the whole Dark Tower adventure. Again, the hardback version includes some full colour illustrations (twelve in total), this time by Michael Whelan.
By now, you will be completely submerged within the Dark Tower series. With this final book you will be hoping for all the loose ends to tie up nicely together and Roland to finally make it to the Dark Tower itself. It's been a long journey to this final book, and like me, you will feel very attached to all the characters involved. King acknowledges this sympathy that readers will have with the characters and uses it with full force from the very beginning of the novel to produce a final book that delivers a hefty impact throughout.
From the very beginning of Roland's epic journey the tension has constantly spiralled upwards towards this grand finale that each reader will have been picturing in their heads for the last 3000 pages or so. King keeps up the tension within this final novel, picking up the pace as we draw closer to the conclusion.
I won't ruin the ending for anyone who hasn't yet made it there, but I can see why many readers either loved the outcome or hated it. We all knew that King was never going to write a simple ending to the series, and I'm sure that the vast majority of readers would not want that. I personally thought that it ended in a well thought out way, doing the whole series justice. Obviously this has not been the same opinion as many others have, but I think that those who have read the whole series will agree that this book as a whole is a very well written and enjoyable read.
King does bring all of the plot lines in together, neatly weaving them into a final pathway that ultimately ends with the Dark Tower. Each of the previous books is brought in to this final tale, showing their place with the adventure and plotting out a map of Roland's life.
Fiction and reality are again brought in to question within the novel, allowing the reader to feel perhaps even more a part of King's Dark Tower world. Once again, we are shown King's literary career, as many of his previous pieces of work become interlaced with the series.
At the end of it all, I was left feeling entirely satisfied with what I had spent so long reading. For me, everything was wrapped up in a fashion that kept me guessing throughout. The plot held twists and turns, with suspense and building tension, along with great characterization and a heart wrenching storyline. I would very happily recommend the entire series to anyone who is at all interested in giving them a read. I just wish that it wasn't all over now...
As a final thought...I wonder if they will ever make the series into films. I hope to god that they don't choose Mick Garris to direct them if they do!
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