The Dark Tower

[dhwilkin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaOH Though not as prolific, there are a few ties between Desperation + Black House and the Dark Tower as well.

Yeah, I didn't really mean standalone as in no ties to the DT series, that was poor word choice on my part. More like, they were just plain great books even if you hadn't read anything else by King.
Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS Black House though, I thought was terrific. I force myself to read Tailsman first to get the character background. All in all, great stuff. I'd like to see him do more like that. -Jeff

You have no idea how terribly disappointed I was that Jack Sawyer wasn't a Gunslinger, or at least given some sort of role in the DT series. I kept hoping and hoping all the way through book 7.

 

[eyeteeth]

I like the series very much but only read to book 4 as I didn't want to lug around a hardcover on the subway, which is where I did my reading. My favourite book was the recollection of the teenaged adventure of Roland and his friends.

If the wait for paperbacks of 5, 6 and 7 is too long I'll have to cave for the hardcovers. I was reading but didn't finish The Stand so long ago that I don't remember why I stopped reading.

 

[NaOH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeteeth I like the series very much but only read to book 4 as I didn't want to lug around a hardcover on the subway, which is where I did my reading. My favourite book was the recollection of the teenaged adventure of Roland and his friends. If the wait for paperbacks of 5, 6 and 7 is too long I'll have to cave for the hardcovers. I was reading but didn't finish The Stand so long ago that I don't remember why I stopped reading.

My copy of Song of Susannah is paperback... Hold on.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...Fencoding=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...Fencoding=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...Fencoding=UTF8

That should do ya.

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaOH My copy of Song of Susannah is paperback... Hold on. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...Fencoding=UTF8 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...Fencoding=UTF8 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...Fencoding=UTF8 That should do ya.

They appear to be trade paperbacks at 9 inches in height rather than the 7 inch mass market paperback. I think I'll reread #4, just to be in the swing, and get the trade paperbacks. My sympathy for the teenagers and suspense of the drama fully engaged, I found #4 riveting.

Thanks NaOH

In a bid to bide time, I tried getting into the Martin books with Game of Thrones but couldn't due to the period inauthenticy of how characters relate to eachother.

 

[NaOH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeteeth They appear to be trade paperbacks at 9 inches in height rather than the 7 inch mass market paperback. I think I'll reread #4, just to be in the swing, and get the trade paperbacks. My sympathy for the teenagers and suspense of the drama fully engaged, I found #4 riveting. Thanks NaOH In a bid to bide time, I tried getting into the Martin books with Game of Thrones but couldn't due to the period inauthenticy of how characters relate to eachother.

I must warn you, though:

Stephen King writes himself in.

It's almost inexcusable, but I forgave it because, holy ****, it's the Dark Tower.

 

[philodox]

Just picked up the first book today... too bad it is a letdown compared to the rest of the series, but I guess you have to start somewhere.

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ Zanth the first book is not that good and seems to be written in a different style then the next 2 books. Just to give you some hope hehe. Biggie.

I think it could be the years between the writing of the first, second, etc.
1982, 1987, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2004 & 2004.


Quote:

Originally Posted by NaOH I must warn you, though: Stephen King writes himself in. It's almost inexcusable, but I forgave it because, holy ****, it's the Dark Tower.

I don't know what this means. What is "writes himself in"?


Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox Just picked up the first book today... too bad it is a letdown compared to the rest of the series, but I guess you have to start somewhere.

Er, what? You read the later issues before the first?

You really are on a bus somewhere between here and there.

EDIT:Oh...according to what is being reported here, I see.

 

[NaOH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeteeth I think it could be the years between the writing of the first, second, etc. 1982, 1987, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2004 & 2004. I don't know what this means. What is "writes himself in"? Er, what? You read the later issues before the first? You really are on a bus somewhere between here and there. EDIT:Oh...according to what is being reported here, I see.

He, Stephen King, is a character in the book. Literally.

As in, "Stephen king said: 'Bla bla bla, I'm Stephen King.'"

He wrote in the part about him almost getting killed by a drunk driver. It's a central event in teh story.

You'll see, at any rate.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

I'm up to book 5 now. This is a strong series.

Biggie.

 

[Zanth]

Honestly guys, how great is this series? I am struggling to finish the first novel. I'm not saying I'm necessarily busier than any of you folks but I am a busy guy and I don't get a lot of free time. In my spare time I do enjoy reading and I like a good meaty plot. I've read other King novels and some have let me down and I fear this may be one of those series. I'm also obsessive about completing a series when I start it. The only time I have faultered was when I discontinued reading the Wheel of Time series after getting half-way through the second novel, realizing he was plagerising Tolkien to the nth degree and figuring he was milking the storyline like nobody's biz with him up to 11 or whatever novels at a whopping number of pages each. I just don't have the time to invest in something like that, nor the desire.

So...if you guys REALLY think this story gets much better I'll stick with it but dang...I'm falling asleep reading it

 

[saturnine]

It most definately gets better, stick with it! The second and third (Drawing of the Three & the Wasteland) are my favorite in the series, and the Wasteland is in my top 10 novels of all time list.

The Gunslinger was written early in King's career, and is a lot slower to gain momentum than the rest of the Dark Tower series. Just finish it quickly and grab the Drawing of the Three

 

[zotjen]

For me, the series really didn't get rolling until the fourth book. You'll also appreciate it a lot more if you're familiar with all of King's work.

 

[NaOH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zotjen For me, the series really didn't get rolling until the fourth book. You'll also appreciate it a lot more if you're familiar with all of King's work.

Yes, of course.

'Salem's Lot, The Eye of the Dragon, The Stand, everything has neat little tie-ins and contributions.

 

[chadbang]

What is the "Final" book in the series? I got to the book which goes into flashback about Roland's first love and snoozed out of the series. I loved books I, II, and III, but then I got confused and lost where I was in the series. What number in the series was that love story book (although the part about Roland defeating his teacher was good)? I also loved Black House and liked the appearance of the tower at the end. If I skip the flashback love story (just moves so damn slow), what's the next book in the series?

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth Honestly guys, how great is this series? I am struggling to finish the first novel.

"Zanth the first book is not that good and seems to be written in a different style then the next 2 books. Just to give you some hope hehe."

The first book is only like 200 pages so get it over with.

Biggie.