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Original poster

The Dark Tower series - can't stop reading

70 replies

IWouldIfICouldButICant · 02/04/2016 12:49

I read The Gunslinger a while back, and didn't feel motivated to carry on, though I love Stephen King. Then I picked up the next one on a whim at the airport and am hooked. I've just finished Wizard and Glass and am dreading getting to the end. I say that as a complete non-fantasy fan, too. But there is no one I know who wouldn't think I was crazy - I've tried to persuade people who like similar books to give it a go, and they all say "Stephen King? Fantasy? No thank you...". Was hoping to find some like minded people here!

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HoundoftheBaskervilles · 02/04/2016 12:59

I loved them, fell a little bit in love with Roland, how much have you got left to read?

Hygge · 02/04/2016 13:14

The Dark Tower books are brilliant. You're so lucky to be reading them for the first time.

I did the same thing with the Gunslinger, picked it up, didn't take to it immediately, left it a bit and then read as much as could and impatiently waited for the rest. I think Wizard and Glass was just out in hardback so I got that far and had to wait.

People can be very dismissive of Stephen King. They are absolutely missing out on so much more than what they think he is.

I think the Dark Tower books, and probably all of his books, changed after his accident, it would be interesting to see how they were if he'd never had that happen to him.

There's so much in the DT books, and if you've read his others you will spot DT bits in them and bits of them in the DT books.

I've just bought a set of DT travel posters. The Western Sea, with the Lobstrosities, Blaine, and the DT itself. I'm itching to get them framed and up on the wall now.

TonySopranosVest · 02/04/2016 13:24

Heart heart HEART the DT series (and everything ever written by SK actually)

I vividly remember waiting with much anticipation for the next book to come out and getting quite frustrated that he was taking too long. Grin

Have you read The Talisman? That and Eye of the dragon are another couple of fantasy novels by SK that you might like. Eye of the dragon is sort of a kids book but it's so excellent.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/04/2016 13:25

I think Wizard and Glass is a great book. Not wild about the Dark Tower ending though. Love Roland.

Original poster
IWouldIfICouldButICant · 02/04/2016 14:08

I read Eyes of the Dragon as a teenager and loved it. Really surprised, thinking back, it didn't inspire me to read The Dark Tower sooner.

The posters sound great, Hygge, though not sure I could bear to look at Blaine or the Lobstrosities at breakfast everyday! And you're right about the connections to the other books, which I'm loving - when they end up in post-Captain Tripps almost Topeka, I had a real shiver of recognition. Even more when they found the note under the windscreen wiper saying Mother Abagail was in Nebraska. Must reread The Stand when this is done!

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insancerre · 02/04/2016 14:16

Love anything by SK
Dark Tower is epic
And Roland is one of the greatest literary characters of all time
Stephen King is on Facebook and he posts quite a lot, mostly about his dog

Hygge · 02/04/2016 15:31

They're not as bad as they sound IWould, they are in a travel poster style so not as gruesome as they might be.

Take a look here as they have lots of other literary and film posters too.

I'm thinking of ordering DS the Jurassic Park set.

Mine arrived in a box with "all hail the crimson king" written on it under the eye sigil and a might have done a little scream at the postwoman as she handed it over when I saw that. Grin

TonySopranosVest · 02/04/2016 16:04

OMG Hygge - my purse just screamed when I saw that site!

trebleclef101 · 02/04/2016 16:14

I love everything by SK, and definitely enjoyed the Dark Tower series.

I was lucky enough to come by the series after it was complete so could read them all in one go without waiting for the net to be released!

After reading the series suddenly everything else by SK made a lot more sense, especially books like Hearts in Atlantis. I love the interconnectedness of everything he writes.

Hygge I think I've just round my new favourite website!!

SmellOfPythonInTheMorning · 02/04/2016 16:21

I'm going to be the odd one out...I loved The Guslinger and from there on I liked the subsequent ones less and less until I read the last two just out of pure curiosity about the ending, rather than actual interest.

Original poster
IWouldIfICouldButICant · 02/04/2016 16:23

I can't imagine how frustrating it would have been to have to wait for each one to be published before reading it. It's not as if he got on with writing them!

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SmellOfPythonInTheMorning · 02/04/2016 16:26

He told a story once about a little lady who wrote to him to say she was so happy he didn't die in the accident because she really wanted to find out how the dark tower books would end, and could he please hurry up as she was rather old please? Grin

TrionicLettuce · 02/04/2016 16:32

I adore the Dark Tower books, so much so that I've got a (small) DT tattoo Blush I'd like another one of this illustration of Oy as well.

I love them as they are themselves but also because of how much they tie together with so many of his other books. DH and I keep talking about starting a big graphic illustrating every single connection between his books but it would be a bit of a mammoth undertaking so we've never got round to actually starting it!

Those travel posters are fantastic, might have to get some. Rather more affordable than this painting (double SK geekiness as the main character in The Mist was painting it at the start of the film Grin) which I would sell my soul just to own a print of.

I remember the hoo ha there was when the final book came out (like others I only started reading them once they were all out) and all the way through I was worried I'd hate the ending but I actually thought it was perfect.

I think I might have to dig them out and have another read.......

exWifebeginsat40 · 02/04/2016 16:36

just a warning - Wolves of the Calla is a massive slog. after that the pace picks up and it's bonkers all the way.

my Kindle is knackered after trying to do the software update and all my DT books are on it :(

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IWouldIfICouldButICant · 02/04/2016 18:30

I've just downloaded it...hope it isn't too much of a slog! I was looking forward to a bath and early night with it.

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exWifebeginsat40 · 02/04/2016 18:44

I mean, it's still good but there is a LOT of information in it. it's a pivotal part of the story so there's a great deal of exposition.

once you've read it I'd love to know what you think of it...

ClashCityRocker · 02/04/2016 18:51

Ooh I liked wolves of the calla.

Didn't like song of susannah that much, personally.

But I love the DT series - it's amazing to think he wrote the first one when he was 19. I suspect that's why it's not a 'grabber'.

My favourite is The Wastelands, I think. I love the descriptions of Lud.

I also think Susan Delgado is a bit of wet hen.....

There's a book, I think it's called 'the wind through....something or other' that slots in just after wizard and glass, I believe. It's not part of the main story but has all the characters and another tale of Roland's youth and is a good read - but doesn't need to be read in book order.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/04/2016 18:53

Nooooo I love the Susan/Roland thing.

Original poster
IWouldIfICouldButICant · 02/04/2016 18:58

I'll report back shortly! Desperate to get the dcs to bed so I can get going.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/04/2016 18:59

Love the DT and Roland is mine, so you can all get right back!

The Susan/Roland thing bores me - I usually skip most of it on re-reads.

The posters sound amazing.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/04/2016 19:01

Love 'Wolves' - hated 'Wind through the Keyhole'.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/04/2016 19:01

And the Susannah/Mia business goes on too long and gets a bit tedious imvho.

exWifebeginsat40 · 02/04/2016 19:02

The Wind Through the Keyhole is a side-trip from Wizard and Glass and I loved it..

HumphreyCobblers · 02/04/2016 19:06

Oh those books. They haunt me (thanks to Remus who got me to read them in the first place)

I read Song of Susanna when eight months pregnant. This was not a good idea.

LilacSpunkMonkey · 02/04/2016 19:09

Oy! Oy!

Love Oy so very, very much.