Stephen King's DarkTower series

[Phyrebrat]

Originally Posted by nixie

*Spoiler* *Spoiler* *Spoiler*


When Roland is thrown back to the desert he has the horn,that tells me that the mistakes he made last time round stem from where we first meet him, maybe his mistake was letting Jake fall,he made the decision that catching up with Walter was more important than the life of one small boy.Part of my fascinating with The Dark Tower is speculating what could Roland have done different,the possibilities are endless

I just want to say that I think you have nailed it here Nixie - (I am biased though because that is exactly what my take is on it haha) .

I know everything ain't for everyone but when I read the last line, I had the mental equivalent of 'whoaaa' I was so impressed. I'm a simple reader and I tend to never see things coming even when they telegraph them in lol.

The DT books I thoroughly enjoyed but they aren't my favourite King books. I wonder also, how many DT readers have read The Stand, Christine, Salems Lot, It, Insomnia and all the others that are linked to the Beams

[D_Davis]

Originally Posted by Needle

Could have skipped wolves completely.

Wolves is my favorite of the series. However, I am one of the few who thinks that the last three books are completely awesome.

[Oberyn]

Originally Posted by Needle

I have loved the DT for a very long time, won't say how long 'cause I can be that old! In the last few years I think ASoIaF has given it a real run for my all time favorite, but that is kinda besides the point!

I was fascinated with Roland from the first few pages of Gunslinger, but I must confess it was Eddie who won my heart! That being said Drawing and Wastelands are my favorites. Just all around excellent.

Loved the backstory parts of WaG. and Eddie's endless bs frying Blaine is top of the list, but the rest of it not so much.

Could have skipped wolves completely.

SoS was better, still only good though.

The long awaited DT, loved it for the most part. There were 2 spots that made me throw my brand new 40 dollar book across the room! Guess where?
Rune sorry you were disappointed, I thought it was excellent! Could not imagine a truly better ending!

No One, a word on Walter. Walter was also Randell Flagg in the Stand (don't know if you read that, very different but also an excellent book!) They suffered from the same flaw, arrogance! Makes one easier to kill.

hey needle :-) am planning to read the dark tower series. is it good coz am still confused with the mixed reviews .. am currently reading the stand :-)

[dlsevern]

Don't listen to the negative reviews, it is an awesome series throughout, read it and decide for yourself.

[cruggero]

I received the series as a gift this past holiday. And... ugh, alright. Stephen King is a literary sage, we know that. But I felt there was a lot of disconnect between the books. I'm sure there are reasons for it. Take for example "The Fall of Gilead": the title leaned my thinking toward there being an epic battle resulting in Gilead's fall. I understand espionage is what really leads to the fall, but surely the battle could have been given more of a limelight. So, my only dislikes throughout what I’ve seen thus far, are in my opinion, very lackluster action sequences. They are so, so, so abrupt. It's hard to engage in them.

All in all the art is amazing, and King's narratives as well as dialogues are fantastic.

[dlsevern]

Originally Posted by cruggero

I received the series as a gift this past holiday. And... ugh, alright. Stephen King is a literary sage, we know that. But I felt there was a lot of disconnect between the books. I'm sure there are reasons for it. Take for example "The Fall of Gilead": the title leaned my thinking toward there being an epic battle resulting in Gilead's fall. I understand espionage is what really leads to the fall, but surely the battle could have been given more of a limelight. So, my only dislikes throughout what I’ve seen thus far, are in my opinion, very lackluster action sequences. They are so, so, so abrupt. It's hard to engage in them.

All in all the art is amazing, and King's narratives as well as dialogues are fantastic.

I haven't read them yet, but perhaps the comics would help fill in those parts you felt were lacking.

[cruggero]

The comics are what I have. And apologies, so far it is a 9 out of 10 in my book. It is original, dark, captivating, and has so much to offer by means of entertainment value. I know action scenes in comics don't get too much blow-by-blow, but it wouldn't hurt to have a structured choreography. The reader has to "fill in the blanks" and I don't mind that, it's just... okay, I may not need A, B, C, D, etc; but don't just give me A and D. Does that make sense?

Every panel is so gorgeously drawn it's breath taking. I just think it would be nice to see cause, leading to, and ending with effect.

[Needle]

Originally Posted by Oberyn

hey needle :-) am planning to read the dark tower series. is it good coz am still confused with the mixed reviews .. am currently reading the stand :-)

Oberyn, hi again!

I definitely think you have to decide for yourself but you asked for my opinion so I gladly give it!

Before discovering AGoT the DT series was, hands down, my favorite! As I said above Drawing of the Three and The Wastelands are my favorites of them all. I even advise if you have not begun them to begin with Drawing then at some point going back to Gunslinger. Personally i think Susannah and Calla get kinda far off track but if you are as hooked as I think you will be by then it makes it okay!

The final book, Dark Tower, is awesome! I really did throw it a couple times! I cried more than once. And rejoiced for Roland, and his ka-tet, at the end!

IMHO any story that brings out that kind of emotion is the reason we love to read!

[Oberyn]

thanks for responding needle!! :-) i will sure give it a shot after im done with a list of non fiction books which i have to complete :-)

[Wiggum]

A friend of mine bought me a basic white coffee mug that has, in a Gothic black print, "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed."

I use it everyday.

That poor thing is chipped, stained, and suffering from the need to be retired, but I'm not giving it up.

That line is one of the best things I've ever read

I've taken a couple writing classes, and as an intro to a story, it may well be unmatched.

The books vary in style, and quality, a lot.

He hit a crescendo with The Wastelands, then fell off a bit, reascended with Song of Susannah, then fell off with the finale.

But everyone has a different opinion of them.

And, in that, stands a testament to their worth.

[cruggero]

Okay, I think to term I used "disconnect" is better explained by this; I finished up the "Battle at Jericho Hill." Alieen catches a spear clean through, in and out the sternum, and dies. Then I open up "The Journey Begins" and she makes it out of a pie of dead bodies. Now, not only is there no substantial wound apparent, but the very injury doesn't hold effect. Spear + Through the Sternum (aka the Heart area) does not = I am alive. Nor does it equal being dragged on a gurney for two weeks and being alive.

I'm sorry, I am all for a bit of fiction. But don't suspend my disbelieve with things that counteract the laws of physiology and common sense. There are several circumstances when this happens between books.

Furthermore, I totally agree with that statement about the intro to the series. I has no equal, least not that I've seen. Okay, okay, maybe Star Wars has it beat.

[Grizzgreen711]

I don't know about the rest of you Stephen Kingaholics, but I personally loved the way he even tied Part 1 of Hearts in Atlantis to the beams. I loved Hearts in Atlantis. I'm only 24 and his take on a world I never had the opportunity to live in was impressive.

[Roland19]

Originally Posted by Phyrebrat

I just want to say that I think you have nailed it here Nixie - (I am biased though because that is exactly what my take is on it haha) .

I know everything ain't for everyone but when I read the last line, I had the mental equivalent of 'whoaaa' I was so impressed. I'm a simple reader and I tend to never see things coming even when they telegraph them in lol.

The DT books I thoroughly enjoyed but they aren't my favourite King books. I wonder also, how many DT readers have read The Stand, Christine, `Salem's Lot, It, Insomnia and all the others that are linked to the Beams

I've read all the books you mention, and like them all, (say Thankee) but for me The Dark Tower is the best thing King ever put out.

[Wybren]

I have only just been put on to this series from a work friend, I am currently up to book 4, I think it has to be up there among the best series I have read. I haven't read much of Kings other works, but after this I may have to give them a go.

[Jake Reynolds]

Originally Posted by Wybren

I have only just been put on to this series from a work friend, I am currently up to book 4, I think it has to be up there among the best series I have read. I haven't read much of Kings other works, but after this I may have to give them a go.

Having read all of the books related to DT before I started in with Wolves, I got so much more out of this series than others, so it's good to hear someone enjoying it without having that connection. When you consider that most authors struggle to write a decent sequel, King weaves characters or ideas from almost all his works into a single, central narrative that itself stands as a dark tower at the centre of all his worlds. Impressive for that alone, even if you're anti Stephen King as some are. Haters gotta hate.