For those unfamiliar, The Dark Tower novels are a series of fantasy/western/sci-fi/post-apocalyptic novels by Stephen King. The series is about Roland, a gunslinger, marching across a world that has "moved on" as he relentlessly seeks The Dark Tower. What is the Dark Tower? Is Roland a good person or a madman? Come and see.
I won't get into the finer details of the plot, but one of the interesting things about the novels is that they are the nexus of the majority of Stephen King's books and they suggest a shared universe existing in his writing. In fact, once you have read The Dark Tower many of his existing works take on new/different significance.
Anyway, I read these in middle school and high school. I basically thought they were the coolest books I had ever read at the time. Lately, I have been going back through them.
Overall I'm having a good time with them. They aren't exactly high art, but the world-building is mostly pretty good and the imagery is still pretty strong.
Anyway, I'm not finished with them yet but here are my thoughts so far:
- The Gunslinger: I figured this would be the best one, becuase I remember it being a lot more poetic and dark. It's kinda odd though. The story is good and the character work is strong, but the prose feel kinda try-hard. This shit ain't Blood Meridian. Still, it's a great world and it's revealed well.
- Drawing of the Three: As a kid this was my favorite. Even then I didn't think it was the "best" but certainly a page turner. Now? Honestly parts of it felt really dopey. I think the problem is that Eddie Dean is just not as funny as King thinks he is and Detta is... well. We'll get back to her.
-The Wastelands: Pretty good. The opening is a little dopey and I forgot that the riddles are mostly in the next book. I like Tick Tock Man. I actually like the village and Oy and all that. I like finding the downed plane. I like the early climax with the Demon House. Overall the pacing is just kinda annoying now. Like, you spend a lot of time just waiting for the next door to drop. It felt like we were spinning our wheels. King sounds bored sometimes.
- Wizard and Glass: Hot take! I think this is maybe my favorite. I remember liking it as a kid, but as an adult it's been my favorite so far.
After the riddles, It just feels like King was energized here. The writing is a lot more clever and the world building is really nice. I'm not sure I buy Susan Delgado's inner life (been thinking of having my wife read a few chapters) but this digression from the plot feels less egregious when it's all there for the taking. Plus, the supporting cast feels more fully formed to me than the main cast from the main story in a lot of ways. I like the love story. I like the intrigue.
- Wolves of the Calla: I remember hating this one as a kid. Curious how it feels now. I just remember Doctor Doom throwing Harry Potter Sneetches.
- Song of Susanna: I haven't reread this yet. Honestly I don't remember what it's seven about. Very curious.
- The Dark Tower: I think I liked the ending more than most people. Curious to get back to it.
--- a few other thoughts ---
Detta Walker: Guys... I dunno. I think I get it. I think I do, but some of her stuff is written in a way that is kinda... let's say... presumptuous. The text acknowledges that she is a cartoonish stereotype. Yet, I don't think that enough is done to earn it.
The Movie: No, I am not reading this becuase of the movies (It's for D&D inspiration actually) but I will be watching them. No, I have no issues with the casting. Excited to see what they do and how they handle it. I have no faith they will be any good though. I don't think the strength of the source material was the plot really.
The Revised Editions: I am reading the revised versions. So far I'm not noticing anything egregious. It all flows fine to me and I actually understand King's rationale in doing them.
Anyway, talk among yourselves. I am kinda curious, what other stuff should I read? I know there are other books that talk about Cuthbert and Alain but I don't remember them. Worth a read?
I won't get into the finer details of the plot, but one of the interesting things about the novels is that they are the nexus of the majority of Stephen King's books and they suggest a shared universe existing in his writing. In fact, once you have read The Dark Tower many of his existing works take on new/different significance.
Anyway, I read these in middle school and high school. I basically thought they were the coolest books I had ever read at the time. Lately, I have been going back through them.
Overall I'm having a good time with them. They aren't exactly high art, but the world-building is mostly pretty good and the imagery is still pretty strong.
Anyway, I'm not finished with them yet but here are my thoughts so far:
- The Gunslinger: I figured this would be the best one, becuase I remember it being a lot more poetic and dark. It's kinda odd though. The story is good and the character work is strong, but the prose feel kinda try-hard. This shit ain't Blood Meridian. Still, it's a great world and it's revealed well.
- Drawing of the Three: As a kid this was my favorite. Even then I didn't think it was the "best" but certainly a page turner. Now? Honestly parts of it felt really dopey. I think the problem is that Eddie Dean is just not as funny as King thinks he is and Detta is... well. We'll get back to her.
-The Wastelands: Pretty good. The opening is a little dopey and I forgot that the riddles are mostly in the next book. I like Tick Tock Man. I actually like the village and Oy and all that. I like finding the downed plane. I like the early climax with the Demon House. Overall the pacing is just kinda annoying now. Like, you spend a lot of time just waiting for the next door to drop. It felt like we were spinning our wheels. King sounds bored sometimes.
- Wizard and Glass: Hot take! I think this is maybe my favorite. I remember liking it as a kid, but as an adult it's been my favorite so far.
After the riddles, It just feels like King was energized here. The writing is a lot more clever and the world building is really nice. I'm not sure I buy Susan Delgado's inner life (been thinking of having my wife read a few chapters) but this digression from the plot feels less egregious when it's all there for the taking. Plus, the supporting cast feels more fully formed to me than the main cast from the main story in a lot of ways. I like the love story. I like the intrigue.
- Wolves of the Calla: I remember hating this one as a kid. Curious how it feels now. I just remember Doctor Doom throwing Harry Potter Sneetches.
- Song of Susanna: I haven't reread this yet. Honestly I don't remember what it's seven about. Very curious.
- The Dark Tower: I think I liked the ending more than most people. Curious to get back to it.
--- a few other thoughts ---
Detta Walker: Guys... I dunno. I think I get it. I think I do, but some of her stuff is written in a way that is kinda... let's say... presumptuous. The text acknowledges that she is a cartoonish stereotype. Yet, I don't think that enough is done to earn it.
The Movie: No, I am not reading this becuase of the movies (It's for D&D inspiration actually) but I will be watching them. No, I have no issues with the casting. Excited to see what they do and how they handle it. I have no faith they will be any good though. I don't think the strength of the source material was the plot really.
The Revised Editions: I am reading the revised versions. So far I'm not noticing anything egregious. It all flows fine to me and I actually understand King's rationale in doing them.
Anyway, talk among yourselves. I am kinda curious, what other stuff should I read? I know there are other books that talk about Cuthbert and Alain but I don't remember them. Worth a read?
