Stephen King Fans discussion
Dark Tower Series
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The Dark Tower Series
I love Wizard and Glass, I feel like it's the best written book out of the series.
Deb wrote: "I love Wizard and Glass, I feel like it's the best written book out of the series."So far, I've noticed each book gets better an better. The story, writing, and characters all become better with each book.
My first read through the series Wizard and Glass was my least favorite. I was like, "seriously? We are stopping our journey to the tower for this brick of a book all about Roland's past? Come on!" On my second read through I agree with Deb that it is the best written book of the series. Not only that, but it's my favorite book of the series. My first read through the series I was rushing trying to get to the end so please if you are reading this series for the first time, please, take your time, enjoy the ride. If you don't, King will scold you at the end!
I will keep that in mind. I've been reading it a little slowly only because I haven't been crazy about the break from the Ka-tet to explore Roland's past. But I will keep an open mind as I go forward.
I've just started my second time through The Dark Tower series and I'm feeling the same way! The first time through the plot sweeps you up. I just needed to know what would happen next, as soon as possible. The second time through the story is much richer. I'm picking up on connections that I didn't notice before, and truly loving revisiting MidWorld. Reading it with the Concordance as a reference has been eye opening as well.My first time reading, The Song of Susannah was my least favorite book. I'm eager to see if my impression changes this time around.
One of my favorite lines.... control what you can control maggot... when everything around you is losing cohesion.... I plant this line in my head and smile as the fools that I'm dealing with do not read literature.... makes feel like I'm one up on them... thank you dark tower...!!!
Hey, Jessica, how is the Concordance organized? Is it broken down book by book or is it just strictly a reference?
Strictly a reference, and very easy to navigate. I am only on the second book so I haven't had to use it excessively yet. But even within The Gunslinger there were some references I definitely didn't catch the first time through, simply because I wasn't familiar with the language.
Since you find it useful I may have to pick it up before I start on the journey again. Thanks for the info.
It's also worth reading the graphic novel for a little more background information on Roland and I also loved The Wind in the Keyhole. I've been rereading the whole series for the third time but just can't follow through on the last one. :( Can not wait for the movie!
What about the casting choice for the movie? What do you guys think? I'm excited to see Idris Elba as Roland.
Evan wrote: "What about the casting choice for the movie? What do you guys think? I'm excited to see Idris Elba as Roland."I think he will do a great job. I'm pretty excited to see what they do with it.
Since I started the books after the movie announcement, I haven't had any trouble picturing Idris Elba as the gunslinger. I get he's supposed to look more like Clint Eastwood but Idris is an amazing actor who I think will do the role justice. I can easily see him as the gunslinger as I'm reading
I think Idris Elba will be a fantastic representation of Roland. He has the perfect demeanor to play this character. And as Sai King said, "To me, the color of the gunslinger doesn't matter. What I care about is how fast he can draw...and that he takes care of the ka-tet."
Jessica wrote: "I think Idris Elba will be a fantastic representation of Roland. He has the perfect demeanor to play this character. And as Sai King said, "To me, the color of the gunslinger doesn't matter. What I..."What about Matthew Mcconaughey as the man in black?
That will be interesting! Matthew McConaughey would never have been who I pictured but I think he can pull it off. The Man in Black is kind of a smart ass, and I think that suits MM well.
Kubrik changed the entire dynamic of the plot not just the color of the actors skin. I don't think we can make the assumption the movie will be dramatically different just yet
Just another adaptation that will be pointless Either stick to the book or do not bother.
Roland images remind of Clint Eastwood in the good the bad and the ugly so the casting of this movie on the gunslinger is just stupid
Jessica wrote: "I think Idris Elba will be a fantastic representation of Roland. He has the perfect demeanor to play this character. And as Sai King said, "To me, the color of the gunslinger doesn't matter. What I..."I agree with you on Idris Elba. And if King is happy with the final product and agree it captures the feel of the characters then that will be a step in the right direction. I think the casting has been fine, it isn't how I pictured Roland but I don't have a problem with it at all as long as the script is well done.
Deb wrote: "I love Wizard and Glass, I feel like it's the best written book out of the series."I know I'm saying this over and over again, but W & G is simply my favorite book, period... of any book I've ever read.
Sorry but King is always fine with the direction because he feels that the book and the movie are two separate entities. However, the words of Detta ring loud and clear; no matter how you slice the bread, it's still white bread according to Detta Walker.....her words not mine.
Matthewcross87 wrote: "kubrik didnt change any ones skin colour , but he did make a movie that had nothing to do with the shining other then character names and hotel name"That's my point. We haven't seen this movie yet so we can't comment on how close to the plot it will be. People are only making judgments based on a change of skin color. Roland might be white in the book but he's black in the movie. Does it really matter? Roland's skin color really isn't a matter of story telling (except when it comes to Detta Walker insulting him) so it won't affect the dynamic of the story. We should give him a chance before we judge him harshly.
I just don't think it's fair to judge the story line of a movie that has yet to come out based on one minor skin color change. And to compare that skin color change to an entire plot change of The Shining. They are two separate things. I'm going to see the movie and give it a chance and have no problem with Idris Elba as Roland, even if he doesn't match the book version.
Back to the books, who liked the first book The Gunslinger? I thought the end was exciting but the majority of the book I didn't care for Roland. Since then he's become a more relate-able and like-able. Anyone else feel this way?
Yes and know EvanIt worked with Morgan Freeman as Red, but he is an outstanding actor. I cannot say that about Idris Elba until I see the movie and I have not seen him yet in anything. But I do have a vision of Rowland of what I read on paper and he does not fit what I see so far. And I do like Detta Walker because she says what she feels and does have every right to feel that way because of Jack Mort, which I was happy he died the way he did in the drawing of three...
One more point... these directors, writers, producers etc etc need to take noticed that Stephen King is well known and respected across the globe. And this I know because I play SK trivia on quiz up and I have played against people everywhere, which I was best in world for August 2016, which I do not have the energy to repeat that.... I'm just saying SK's work transcends generations across the freaking planet and rightfully so.... don't anger the hand that feeds the mouth; I'm just saying.....
Evan wrote: "Matthewcross87 wrote: "kubrik didnt change any ones skin colour , but he did make a movie that had nothing to do with the shining other then character names and hotel name"That's my point. We hav..."
I totally agree with your points about the movie. It's too soon to judge, and I think the skin color change has such little bearing on the overall story arch that it's not a serious concern. At least, not for me.
I really enjoyed the book the The Gunslinger; I just finished my second read of it. I agree that Roland is very unlikable in this book. But I think that is intentional. Roland as a character evolves so much through the course of the book series. So I think in The Gunslinger you are seeing, in a way, the worst version of Roland. He's been alone for so long he has nothing left in him but his quest. His character development is just incredible.
That is true. He's developed so much in just the three books I've finished so far. I love his realization that these people are his friends.
Jessica wrote: "Evan wrote: "Matthewcross87 wrote: "kubrik didnt change any ones skin colour , but he did make a movie that had nothing to do with the shining other then character names and hotel name"That's my ..."
Right, Jessica. Way back when I posted that they could make an issue of skin color or not. It doesn't have to matter. After all, the
world has moved on, and so many things have happened. With Detta/Susannah though it is an issue and as long as there's no ethnic interaction on the point... then no problem.
I am having a bit of difficulty following the plot in "The Gunslinger". Does it get a bit easier to follow?
Andy wrote: "I am having a bit of difficulty following the plot in "The Gunslinger". Does it get a bit easier to follow?"Definitely.
Andy wrote: "I am having a bit of difficulty following the plot in "The Gunslinger". Does it get a bit easier to follow?"It definitely does! When I recommend this series to people, I always find myself telling them to keep with it, keep reading. The Gunslinger has ended up as one of my favorites of the series, but it is definitely the most different out of them all, in my opinion. Once you get more into the series, it makes more sense. The first time I read them, I actually read the first 3, and then went back, started over and read through all of them.
Nick wrote: "Andy wrote: "I am having a bit of difficulty following the plot in "The Gunslinger". Does it get a bit easier to follow?"Definitely."
Thanks. I just finished it and am starting the second book tonight.
Jessika wrote: "Andy wrote: "I am having a bit of difficulty following the plot in "The Gunslinger". Does it get a bit easier to follow?"It definitely does! When I recommend this series to people, I always find ..."
Thanks! I just wrapped it up and am looking forward to starting the next book tonight!
Evan wrote: "Recently, I started reading The Dark Tower books for the first time. I've always heard people talk about how good they were. I can't believe I didn't start them sooner! I'm currently on Wizard and ..."I just started in March.. Up to #4 also.. Love the series.
Jessica wrote: "I've just started my second time through The Dark Tower series and I'm feeling the same way! The first time through the plot sweeps you up. I just needed to know what would happen next, as soon as ..."I'm on my first read through and I'm thinking of buying it for reference!
Jake wrote: "My first read through the series Wizard and Glass was my least favorite. I was like, "seriously? We are stopping our journey to the tower for this brick of a book all about Roland's past? Come on!"..."Jake, ever my twinner, says it perfectly. Upon my first read of the series, W&G was my least favorite. I was so invested in the ongoing story in the present that I didn't have the patience to appreciate this huge block of hundreds of pages of backstory (to new readers that also felt that way, I'd recommend reading Wind through the Keyhole, DT 4.5, after finishing the rest of the series, but that's just a personal preference of mine). Upon re-reads, I find I enjoy W&G more every time I read it, though my favorite still is and will always be the Waste Lands (like Nick with W&G, it's my favorite book I've ever read by any author).
Evan, have you read any of the closely related books? If you're interested in a list, here's some of the ones commonly included outside of the official 8:
-The Eyes of the Dragon - Backstory on an important DT character
-The Stand - Backstory on an important DT character
-'Salem's Lot - Backstory on a DT character coming up in book 5
-The Talisman - Introduces many important concepts important throughout the DT series
-Black House - The Talisman sequel, relates heavily to DT 7 especially
-It - Info on a guardian of a beam, like Shardik the bear, that will have bearing later on in DT
-Insomnia - Contains 2 DT characters and plot is heavily about DT
-Hearts in Atlantis - About a DT character coming up later, specifically the first novella is VERY DT related
-Everything's Eventual - Short story compilation book. Two of the stories, The Little Sisters of Eluria and Everything's Eventual, have DT characters. The Little Sisters of Eluria is specifically a Roland prequel.
-The Mist - Novella with relations to DT plot points
The only book I had read before I started DT was Salem's Lot, and I felt that was just fine and reading the rest after didn't detract from the story at all. They just enhanced it when I re-read. I did feel glad to have read Salem's Lot first though, I'd recommend it if you have the patience to read it before you start or finish book 5.
A lot of people have a suggested reading order that twines these in with the 8, but as a person that was frustrated by W&G the first time because I wanted Roland's current story so badly, I'm much too impatient and could never survive doing it that way =P
I referenced a reddit list, and it does include a reading order if you're interested, but please be warned for possible spoilers that I removed in the above:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheDarkTower...
The Dark Tower series were some of the earliest King books I read. Every other work of his I see links to now. The series is the nexus of everything he's written. I love that added layer to his stories. Some have greater links then other, but once you've read them you'll be on the hunt for links in every other book of his.
I think of it the other way around he makes a final link to everything he has written in the DT series. I read most of his other works before the DT series personal reasons only LOL. I avoided it like capt. Trips until my daughter insisted I read it unfortunately I didn't get a chance to finish it before she passed away and wish I had so I could discuss it at length with her.
Luke wrote: "The Dark Tower series were some of the earliest King books I read. Every other work of his I see links to now. The series is the nexus of everything he's written. I love that added layer to his sto..."Agreed, Luke! The Dark Tower books were some of my first King reads as well. I've since read and loved most of his books - still a few to check off my list! However, I recently started reading The Dark Tower series again, in anticipation of the movie release. It's been an entirely different experience. I loved the books the first time through but missed nearly all of the connections to his other works. I still loved the series immensely; it definitely pushed my love of Sai King to a new level. Now, reading it again as a more experienced constant reader, it has been fascinating seeing how many crossovers there are between DT and King's other works. It's allowed me to enjoy DT in an entirely new way.
Like Luke and Jessica, the Dark Tower series was one of my first King books. I had only read Carrie, IT, and Salems Lot before I read the series.Luke and Jessica, do you like that you read the series first? I do :)
I was glad I read Salems Lot first, but that's the only one I'd say I felt I needed. I like that I read all the other related ones after, especially Insomnia.
Speaking of things being read beforehand- I saw on a different thread that a copy of the Gunslinger was released that had Little Sisters of Eluria at the beginning. That's one prologue I think should definitely be read at the end. I feel like the first thing anyone should read involving this series is "The Man in Black Fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed."
Having a hard time with wizard and glass for some reason.
Nicole wrote: "Speaking of things being read beforehand- I saw on a different thread that a copy of the Gunslinger was released that had Little Sisters of Eluria at the beginning. That's one prologue I think shou..."Absolutely! That line definitely speaks to the journey ahead for Roland.
Nicole wrote: "Speaking of things being read beforehand- I saw on a different thread that a copy of the Gunslinger was released that had Little Sisters of Eluria at the beginning. That's one prologue I think shou..."I agree. Both the Little Sisters of Eluria and The Wind Through the Keyhole I feel are best read after the series; not during. The first line of The Gunslinger is so epic and perfect! It's a crucial starting point for the Dark Tower.
Nicole, agreed! I am really glad The Dark Tower was one of my first King reads! I have been able to appreciate all of his other books through the lens of DT.
Patricio, I encourage patience with Wizard and Glass, especially if it's your first time through the series. It can be hard to take such a detour into Roland's past when the tower is calling, but it is well worth your time! Wizard and Glass has become one of my favorite King books.
mrbooks wrote: "I think of it the other way around he makes a final link to everything he has written in the DT series. I read most of his other works before the DT series personal reasons only LOL. I avoided it l..."Damn! Mr. Books - just knowing your daughter passed away hurts. Can you tell us a little more? Even how and why she insisted that you read the dark tower.
Patricio wrote: "Having a hard time with wizard and glass for some reason."Okay, so W & G is my favorite book but I sometimes tell people that it's the best thing King ever wrote and the worst. I'm sure the predominant feeling of those who dislike it is the fact that you are sidetracked. I get that. But there are a few other things wrong with it too. If you like the train story, then that's all good. It's certainly in keeping with the previous book, though IMHO maybe the riddles could have been better. The Roland Susan Delgato romance is a hell of a story and captures so much of world that King was building I found it wonderful, fabulous, the outcome notwithstanding. As for the Wizard part. That really was weak. But some of the outcomes of Roland's story are there. I wish he had kept them separate. Anyway, Glass 5 stars, Wizard 1.
Wizard and Glass was my favorite book of the series, and I loved it the first time I read it. Also, I had read many of King's other books before I ever tackled the Dark Tower series.
Nicole, yes I love that I read the series first. It's made everything else I've read richer, knowing in some way it's all connected to the Tower, however slim that link may be. Insomnia, Eyes of the Dragon, Saloms Lot etc were great knowing the Dark Tower series. And The Talisman and Black House (two of my favourite non-Tower books) are also great knowing the series.Also agree you have to start with that classic line. The one I have found with The Gunslinger though with several people, is it's probably the hardest going of the series and has put some people I know off the series. I see it similar to that of the first episode in an epic tv series. It's sets the scene for everything that follows. Must admit for myself... I like The Gunslinger so much more on my second read. What does everyone else think?
Patricio, it wasn't so hard for me but I read Wizard and Glass before I realized It was part of a series, actually got almost halfway through the book before I figured that it was part of a series. I finished it anyway and when I read the whole series I read it in it's rightful place. Jessica is right give it time and patients it is well worth it.
Luke wrote: "...The Gunslinger though with several people, is it's probably the hardest going of the series and has put some people I know off the series. I see it similar to that of the first episode in an epic tv series. It's sets the scene for everything that follows. Must admit for myself... I like The Gunslinger so much more on my second read. What does everyone else think?"I agree! I think we've all seen a lot of people put off by it that might really enjoy the rest of the series. We just try to tell them "IT GETS BETTER, PLEASE HANG IN THERE!" I admit when I was 15-16 and trying to start this series, I started and stopped and started and stopped and read the first 10 pages 6 separate times before I finally kept going. I felt it started slow but once I pushed through, by time I finished half of the second book, I was a Dark Tower junkie for life.
And Luke, like you said, when I re-read it, I liked it better the second time :).
What are everyone else's thoughts on the series? Hoping to stay away from spoilers since I'm not finished yet.