Disappointed

[TEDG65]

Maybe I am more of a King horror fan, but I just finished reading all 8 volumes of the Dark Tower and while I found it very enjoyable at times, I thought a lot of it was bloated and took
too long to get to the interesting parts....I thought the whole story was just ok and Wolves Of The Calla was a pretty good section but Song Of Susannah and other parts just seemed to go on about nothing and were hard to get through....

[Lily Sawyer]

Okay. I can't jump on this bandwagon because I *ahem* haven't read the Tower series in its entirety. :blush:

-That said, I *will* say that I found The Gunslinger difficult to get through. I've been encouraged to continue reading, and I will.

I'm thinking that when I pick up the Tower series again, I'll re-read The Gunslinger so that I'm flush with the entire experience and have a second perspective on it.
Maybe that will be your experience as well if you decide to re-read the series.

[blunthead]

Maybe I am more of a King horror fan, but I just finished reading all 8 volumes of the Dark Tower and while I found it very enjoyable at times, I thought a lot of it was bloated and took
too long to get to the interesting parts....I thought the whole story was just ok and Wolves Of The Calla was a pretty good section but Song Of Susannah and other parts just seemed to go on about nothing and were hard to get through....There are different types of sK works and different types of fans (and the DT series is definitely different). I know that an artist who isn't appealing to someone today can be appealing tomorrow. Maybe you can take the adventure again someday and like it better.

[TEDG65]

I don't know if I'll ever revisit, I started listening to the audio versions just before Summer and I just finished Wind Through The Keyhole yesterday........it was a loooong haul...

[carrie's younger brother]

I don't know if I'll ever revisit, I started listening to the audio versions just before Summer and I just finished Wind Through The Keyhole yesterday........it was a loooong haul...

I'd be interested to know if you read all of them back to back. That could be why you are thinking it was "a loooong haul." I read them as they came out over the years and love them because I had time in between to digest each one. By the time the next volume came out, I was champing at the bit to read it. Just a thought.

[Robert Gray]

Maybe I am more of a King horror fan, but I just finished reading all 8 volumes of the Dark Tower and while I found it very enjoyable at times, I thought a lot of it was bloated and took
too long to get to the interesting parts....I thought the whole story was just ok and Wolves Of The Calla was a pretty good section but Song Of Susannah and other parts just seemed to go on about nothing and were hard to get through....

I notice it lists you as a "Junior Member," which I assume means you are fairly young (or at least younger than me by a good span). Come back and read them again in ten years. Whenever I hear someone say something like, "it took too long to get to the good parts" I cringe just a little bit because I can usually guess what you mean by the good parts. My reaction, for example, is entirely the opposite of yours. I thought the books were entirely too short. That is, by the way, Tolkien's critique of his own work too. I'm not saying (by any means) that you are too young to understand the books. I'm saying you are too young to appreciate them.

[TEDG65]

Yes, I "listened" to them back to back, as I thought if I waited between each, I'd forget the parts in previous books....plus I'm going through every King novel 'til I get to Carrie.....so far so good....the only downers out of all I've digested so far were "Faithful" (found it boring and the dialog corny even though I am a huge Red Sox fan) and Colorado Kid (not much to the story)...

[carrie's younger brother]

Yes, I "listened" to them back to back, as I thought if I waited between each, I'd forget the parts in previous books....plus I'm going through every King novel 'til I get to Carrie.....so far so good....the only downers out of all I've digested so far were "Faithful" (found it boring and the dialog corny even though I am a huge Red Sox fan) and Colorado Kid (not much to the story)...

One other thing to consider is that if you are listening to the SK canon in a backwards chronological order, the true worth of the DT series will be missing something, since you have not yet listened to books in which there are characters, places and events alluded to throughout the DT series. Example: Father Callahan.

[not_nadine]

I notice it lists you as a "Junior Member," which I assume means you are fairly young (or at least younger than me by a good span). Come back and read them again in ten years. Whenever I hear someone say something like, "it took too long to get to the good parts" I cringe just a little bit because I can usually guess what you mean by the good parts. My reaction, for example, is entirely the opposite of yours. I thought the books were entirely too short. That is, by the way, Tolkien's critique of his own work too. I'm not saying (by any means) that you are too young to understand the books. I'm saying you are too young to appreciate them.

Sorry if someone else pointed this out, Robert Gray but member status reflects the number of posts that that was made by the member. That said we sure have a lot of "Senior Members" here! Poor GNT is "Uber" :oh: what's that mean?

You can delete, Marsha if you or anyone else said what I said. :smile2:

[GNTLGNT]

...ahhh, s'ok if you don't care for them and some of the others...not all are to everyone's taste...I WILL give you credit for not coming in, taking a dump on them-and then fleeing back under your bridge...you coulda been a troll, but chose to explain your convictions and reasoning...thanks for that...and do, give the DT series another go IN PRINT sometime....

[Spideyman]

The Dark Tower journey is different than most of the SK books. As one looks to SK works, a universe in fact, there is romance, horror, compassion, themes of good versus evil, fantasy, and adventure. To each his own as to what appeals to the readers taste. Personally, I found the Dark Tower journey to be life altering. Perhaps, at another point in your life, you'll pick up the books again and see the journey in a different light.

[GNTLGNT]

Poor GNT is "Uber" what's that mean?


...diarreah of the keyboard...

[fushingfeef]

It's okay, TEDG65, so they weren't your cup of tea, at least you gave 'em a try. They are quite different from SK's usual stuff so that is understandable that not every SK fan is going to like them as much as his other stuff.

[Robert Gray]

Sorry if someone else pointed this out, Robert Gray but member status reflects the number of posts that that was made by the member. That said we sure have a lot of "Senior Members" here! Poor GNT is "Uber" :oh: what's that mean?

<laughs> I never knew that. I just thought it was the board's nice way of warning us to be gentle with the younger set. I never noticed it on myself then until I was already a Senior. :) I still suspect, given the comments, that the person in question is younger than myself. There is an age (and certainly a mindset) that values only certain things in stories. My "red flag" for this mindset is when I hear people talk about the "good parts."

All that being said, if the poster is as old and jaded as me, my apologies. I still think you are missing the forest for the trees with that mindset.

[doowopgirl]

Please give it another go sometime. When The Gunslinger first came out I tried it and had no interest in it at all. I only got interested after Wind Through the Keyhole. I've told this story before, but I think it's worth one more go. I got a book voucher and saw WTTK in the shop. Read the preface that said it could be read as a stand alone novel. Gave it a go and only wanted more. Read them one after th other until I was done. I was much older this time than I was when The Gunslinger. Maybe time will give you a bit of perspective.

[blunthead]

<laughs> I never knew that. I just thought it was the board's nice way of warning us to be gentle with the younger set. I never noticed it on myself then until I was already a Senior. :) I still suspect, given the comments, that the person in question is younger than myself. There is an age (and certainly a mindset) that values only certain things in stories. My "red flag" for this mindset is when I hear people talk about the "good parts."

All that being said, if the poster is as old and jaded as me, my apologies. I still think you are missing the forest for the trees with that mindset.
Hi, Robert Gray. Imho, in terms of sK appreciation the territory sK covers is the greater determinant. In fact logic might dictate an older person prefer the earlier works. I guess what I'm saying is anyone assuming he can absorb and keep up with sK will be disappointed. That person has the wrong goal. I think the matured sK CR has learned when they get on the ride to cast assumptions aside or else they might miss it.

[SleepingWarrior]

<laughs> I never knew that. I just thought it was the board's nice way of warning us to be gentle with the younger set. I never noticed it on myself then until I was already a Senior. :) I still suspect, given the comments, that the person in question is younger than myself. There is an age (and certainly a mindset) that values only certain things in stories. My "red flag" for this mindset is when I hear people talk about the "good parts."

All that being said, if the poster is as old and jaded as me, my apologies. I still think you are missing the forest for the trees with that mindset.

Kind of a broad brush you're painting with there. By the time DT VII was released I was only 22 and had read essentially the entire King library to that point in time. With that background put out there let me continue... as with almost any work there are points where there are lulls which may be different for each person depending on their personal tastes. "Good parts" could mean action, character development, plot development or any number of things and conversely the lulls could mean any of those things as well. For some people enough of those lulls can sully them on the experience as a whole and this can remain so even into someone's dotage. Hell, it could be something as simple as not enjoying something because you have no point of common reference to draw your interest.

I guess its just a long winded way of saying it may not be an age thing. Also as someone whose first King experience was reading IT as a 4th or 5th grade kid I may be a bit sensitive to the age comments, lol.

[Robert Gray]

Hi, Robert Gray. Imho, in terms of sK appreciation the territory sK covers is the greater determinant. In fact logic might dictate an older person prefer the earlier works. I guess what I'm saying is anyone assuming he can absorb and keep up with sK will be disappointed. That person has the wrong goal. I think the matured sK CR has learned when they get on the ride to cast assumptions aside or else they might miss it.

I'm not sure I follow you at all. Why would logic dictate older readers would prefer his older works? I agree with the notion that the Constant Reader (or any reader) will do better to cast assumptions aside and sink into each new story. I just don't think I am understanding the rest of what you have to say.

[CCAL]

I think its sad that you were unable to grasp this DT journey as I did. Not everyone will grab the reins and hop in that saddle. Personally I was roped and tied at the first sentence-but thats never happened before. I dont know what it was but I could practically taste the grit and dust and wanted to beg Roland for a sip-just a sip of water. I was into westerns at the time and much younger so thats my excuse. Perhaps if you just got the paperback so you could refer back at times it might keep things fresher for you. good luck and keep reading!

[Neesy]

Sorry if someone else pointed this out, Robert Gray but member status reflects the number of posts that that was made by the member. That said we sure have a lot of "Senior Members" here! Poor GNT is "Uber" :oh: what's that mean?

You can delete, Marsha if you or anyone else said what I said. :smile2:
"Poor GNTLGNT is "uber" - what's that mean" - does it mean he is an uber gentleman?

[blunthead]

I'm not sure I follow you at all. Why would logic dictate older readers would prefer his older works? I agree with the notion that the Constant Reader (or any reader) will do better to cast assumptions aside and sink into each new story. I just don't think I am understanding the rest of what you have to say.I'm just suggesting that since older readers were alive when the earlier works came out they might hold a preference for them for a reason such as nostalgia.

[Neesy]

Maybe I am more of a King horror fan, but I just finished reading all 8 volumes of the Dark Tower and while I found it very enjoyable at times, I thought a lot of it was bloated and took
too long to get to the interesting parts....I thought the whole story was just ok and Wolves Of The Calla was a pretty good section but Song Of Susannah and other parts just seemed to go on about nothing and were hard to get through....
You're disappointed? I just bought volumes 1 to 4 of the Dark Tower series and now I just found out there are four more! And here I was congratulating myself on buying 25 Stephen King books at once. It was a real splurge for me. But then I had to compare it to my husband who actually considering paying $140 extra per person on our return flight from Mexico to Canada just to upgrade to Comfort Class (which I think means First Class). That would have been 420 bucks for a 4 1/2 hour flight! I will just have to keep my eyes open for the next four volumes :oops: I used to get all of my books from the library at one time but I have decided I would like to start collecting Stephen King books (and possibly DVDs as well).

[Robert Gray]

I'm just suggesting that since older readers were alive when the earlier works came out they might hold a preference for them for a reason such as nostalgia.

Nostalgia would imply that there is a specific feel or style to the older books as opposed to the newer ones, and that old coots would just "cotton to it" more because it reminds them of the good old days. :) I suppose this is possible but I find it highly unlikely. A good story is a good story and never really goes out of style. It also bears mention that I suspect that Sai King (like his character in Bag of Bones) has published many books over the years that were written far earlier.

[GNTLGNT]

"Poor GNTLGNT is "uber" - what's that mean" - does it mean he is an uber gentleman?

...nah...they just left the "T" off...it's supposed to say "tuber", coz I'm such a potato-head...:laugh:

[Shoesalesman]

I read the first four DT books all at once in 1999, then read the fifth one just this year. I don't know if age has anything to do with it, but I find no problems today sitting through the slower parts of these books (and books in general) compared to my twenties or thirties. And I like longer books these days, as well.
You know, if they ever get around to releasing the whole DT series in one volume, I'd be tickled pink.

[unclelouie]

For those who might have been disappointed in the DT series, keep this in mind. Although known for his horror classics, Stephen King, IMO is not a "horror writer". IMO, he is simply a great author. Can he make you laugh as easily as he can scare the hell out of you? Yes. Can he spin a love story that will make you shed a tear? Well, if you've ever read 11/22/63, then you know he can. He can develop a character. He can make socio-political commentary. He can straight up gross you out and make you gag when he wants to.

I would say this... don't pigeonhold the man as a horror writer. Keep an open mind, and just enjoy his tales... because they're all intertwined.....

[Arthur Eld]

I think the first four books are some of the greatest pieces of literature that I've ever read. But, I do feel that the last three don't live up to their predecessors.

[Roland17]

I personally don't think its an age thing but rather that King has such diversity in his stories. I enjoy hearing/reading about other people's favourite stories by King and, although IT and the Stand usually stand (pardon the pun) out, it intrigues me that people mention stories that would not have crossed my mind when thinking of my favourite.
I think everyone, for whatever reason, reaches out to different stories in different ways and I think your personal circumstances while reading also play a part of how you recall a story further down the line.

Personally, I read all of the DT stories while at university (between 2001-2004) apart from Wind Through the Keyhole for obvious reasons which is why I do not think the issue with the DT is an age thing. I too struggled a tad through Gunslinger but then the stories took over....could not put them down!

[carrie's younger brother]

Nostalgia would imply that there is a specific feel or style to the older books as opposed to the newer ones, and that old coots would just "cotton to it" more because it reminds them of the good old days. :) I suppose this is possible but I find it highly unlikely. A good story is a good story and never really goes out of style. It also bears mention that I suspect that Sai King (like his character in Bag of Bones) has published many books over the years that were written far earlier.

The nostalgia of reading a book one read years ago does not necessarily have to do with the content of the book; it could be more about what was happening at the time of reading the book. One's environment has a lot of impact on what we refer to as "nostalgia."

[Shoesalesman]

I think your personal circumstances while reading also play a part of how you recall a story further down the line.

Good point.

[guido tkp]

well...i'm an older reader: by both that dread pirate calender and as i am a 'constant reader': been reading king since carrie was first published in paperback; the dead zone was my first day & date hardcover buy...

and i eagerly bought a copy of DT1, sight unseen, from a far-distant comic co., through the mail, with the promise that it was unlike any other king story...a fact fairly well proven by that 1st tome (not the re-imagining that king drafted a few years back, which i've yet to read)...and furthered by each succsessive edition...

i was entranced by that original tale..and propelled higher, onward by each new tale of roland and his ka-tet...

that is...until the arrival of 'wolves..'...then, for me, the series took a drastic turn downhill: to each his own

the first four are among my favorites...with 2, 3 and 4 being easily in my top ten...the last three of the original saga rank amongst my least favorite novels by king: that is quite a juxtaposition within just a few series of books..

but there are many, many who think very highly of 5, 6 and 7...so don't let me dissuade anyone: there may, indeed, be treasures buried there...

and, for me, TWTTK was an excellent return to the clear voice and sheer eloquence of storytelling that was a hallmark of the first four volumes, imho

from all the varied answers you might find that there are as many...maybe more, variations of king fan as there are flavors of ice cream...the true fan will dig in and decide (greedily - hungrily) for him or herself

[TheInterloper]

If you can't finish the quest for the dark tower you will never be able to bask in the greatness that is Roland's great quest and Stephen kings Magnus opsus...

[Slark]

I'm with the "it was too short" school of thought. The last book felt like it should have been split up into two 700 page novels IMO. Or Song of Susannah could have been a few hundred pages longer perhaps. Maybe it's just because I'm greedy.

[SharonC]

I was one of those who read the series as it was published. The Gunslinger was different - there's no denying that. I found it a little hard to get into but I read it all. Thought it was okay. Then came Drawing of the Three. I was in Roland's world. The Wastelands was another excellent one. Wizard and Glass was not my favourite. I don't have much time for horny teenagers who think with their little brains. And here Roland definitely went astray. What he saw in Susan - well, I couldn't figure it out. She was one of the most unlikable characters in the series and although I did finish it, I just kept hoping young Roland would come to his senses. I loved Wolves. Song of Susannah lagged somewhat and DT VII for the most part, I enjoyed and found a page turner. I know there was a lot of discussion about the ending. Some thought it was brilliant, some a cop out and rushed and others just plain disappointed. I came to terms with it, even though I was among the disappointed with the ending.

I guess after this long winded little speech, all I'm trying to say is I'm glad I read it and I have re-read it several times since and it holds a proud place on my bookshelf. Overall, it was a great series.

[Chuggs]

I love me some Dark Tower! :smile: Of course, fantasy was my first adult literary love. Horror was my second, but most loved. But I can still get into fantasy. Action can be good too, (aka Tom Clancy), but horror is the top dog for me. Love love love it!

[WesleyGman]

I am on Wolves of the Calla, and I have loved each book - - read Wind Through The Keyhole between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla. I am completely locked in on this set of stories. I know the 4th has been my favorite, but the other 4 volumes I have read were awesome as well. I loved the Gunslinger and Wastelands, kind of hard for me to rank them so far. I love the details given in the books, and I have been hooked from the first line of the Gunslinger. I would guess that someone who is a bigger fan of SK's horror would not be as enchanted by the DT books - - I love the horror too though. But The DT series is probably my favorite set of books that I have ever read, granted I am not done yet, but I think I know how it is going to end.