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
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...
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.
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.
I love me some Dark Tower! 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!
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.
Re: Disappointed
Reply With Quote
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!
Bookmarks