DT series

[Srbo]

No, still didn`t read it, feel like somehow I`m not ready to do so - yet.

What i`ve noticed though so far on the MB, there is always a suggestion that we should read another book in between the DT books ( latest I`ve seen is Johns suggestion that we should read Salems Lot before Wolves, I also read that someone ( Mojo ? ) suggested reading Hearts before Songs ).

So, if somebody from the experts would please explain to me then the correct order of books to read in order to fully understand the DT series, once I do start reading it ?

Much appreciated.

[Matticus]

I would read them straight through man. I think the advice given is sound but there is no better way then to just go right to it imo.

For those of us that had to wait years in between book it's hard to understand this choice. :laugh:

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

AWMS exactly, as the relevant books had already been published and read, this wasn't relevant if you'd read it 'live'.

But IMO you'll get more out of Wizard and Glass if you've read The Stand, and more out of Wolves of the Calla if you've read Salem's Lot; the stories Low Men in Yellow Coats (in HIA) and Everything's Eventual will give you character background but you can just as well read them after you've finished DT.

Go on, pick up The Gunslinger and Drawing of the Three, now is a very good time IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Matticus]

I totally agree. I think I may begin at the perspective that there will be several re-reads like I did :laugh:

Once through--read connecting books--go through again--think about it in a meadow--ready one more time.

[phidgt]

Personally, I think you should just dive right in.

The fact that all of the books are available to read now is more than enough incentive. I'm sure I speak for a great majority of folks on this board when I say that it was a very long journey to read these books (22 years) when they first came out. There were some serious time lags between books. The first book came out in 1982, the next one in 1987, and so on until 2004.

[Srbo]

Thank you guys for all the advice.
I just wasn`t sure if it was the right thing to do to read them all one after another, I thought that somehow I might miss something, but as I can see, all of you think the same.
Thanks again.

:smile2:

[mojomofo]

No, still didn`t read it, feel like somehow I`m not ready to do so - yet.

What i`ve noticed though so far on the MB, there is always a suggestion that we should read another book in between the DT books ( latest I`ve seen is Johns suggestion that we should read Salems Lot before Wolves, I also read that someone ( Mojo ? ) suggested reading Hearts before Songs ).

So, if somebody from the experts would please explain to me then the correct order of books to read in order to fully understand the DT series, once I do start reading it ?

Much appreciated.

Guilty as charged :smile2:

I read the DT books as they came out (well, after W&G), deliberately not reading any DT tie-in books. Then on a re-read binge, I threw in the tie-ins where they seemed appropriate.

Both ways were wonderful journeys, I just really enjoyed getting the "back story" of all the tie-in characters. IMO, it didn't take anything away from the DT story (it is awesome either way)- it just added a little depth to it.
SK's method of referencing characters in unexpected places is one of his most endearing tricks.

Once you start reading DT, you may not want to stop, so just do whatever feels right to ya!

(Sorry it took a bit to get back Srbo, my BF had a baby, so I had to ooh and aah over him! :blush:)

[tillyn]

I read one right after another, almost 3mths, with a few weeks in between here and there, it was a chore sometimes. Lots of information, background etc. I am reflecting now on what i read. They are good, but his some of his other works are better. Talisman, Duma Key. I am rereading insomnia and am enjoying this book better than the last of the DT, series. Being a SKMB person one eventually must read the series as it is always mentioned through out. I thought W.of. C. and S. of S. was the best of the series.

[dsurrett]

I'd say once you've started with The Gunslinger, just read them straight through. If you read some of SK's books later that come back to characters or incidents that are DT related, it'll seem like you're visiting old friends.

[Srbo]

I'd say once you've started with The Gunslinger, just read them straight through. If you read some of SK's books later that come back to characters or incidents that are DT related, it'll seem like you're visiting old friends.

That sounds beautiful.:smile2:

Thank you.

[Ben E Gas]

I read books 1 thru 4 all the way through. Then read some of the short story tie-ins to take a break from the series, then I finished up the last 3 books. I was glad I at least read the short story tie-ins before getting to Wolves of the Calla. Now my goal is to read the longer tie-ins such as The Stand, Salem's Lot, etc. I'm not sure if it was mentioned yet, but avoid all other posts about the dark tower. It may spoil the ending for you.

[Srbo]

I read books 1 thru 4 all the way through. Then read some of the short story tie-ins to take a break from the series, then I finished up the last 3 books. I was glad I at least read the short story tie-ins before getting to Wolves of the Calla. Now my goal is to read the longer tie-ins such as The Stand, Salem's Lot, etc. I'm not sure if it was mentioned yet, but avoid all other posts about the dark tower. It may spoil the ending for you.

I do that.
I don`t open posts that are related to DT at all.

[JohnDalglish]

I'm not sure if it was mentioned yet, but avoid all other posts about the dark tower. It may spoil the ending for you.

Hi,

Excellent advice, heed him, heed him well!

Get thee hence! LOL

Long days and pleasant nights

[Srbo]

Well, I`ve made a decision:

I`ve picked up the Talisman last night, then I`m gonna read Black House and then the DT series.
Couldn`t bring myself around to dive straight into DT yet...and I don`t regret it for one second.

Started reading the Talisman at midnight and the next time I looked at the clock - it was FIVE IN THE MORNING!
Felt like 20 minutes though...

Breathtaking story!

And I`m glad I decided to go this way first.

:smile2:

[kisun]

I don't have much more to add, other than that I read them straight through, and later on went back to the other books, and I enjoyed them greatly. I think that any way you do it will be an awesome experience, but reading them straight through will probably be the most enjoyable.

[Bryan James]

Don't let 'Black House' turn you off. You have a well laid plan. Follow the beam. All that fantalk stuff.

BJS

[Srbo]

Don't let 'Black House' turn you off. You have a well laid plan. Follow the beam. All that fantalk stuff.

BJS

Why would BH turn me off ?
I`ve read only great reviews on the board so far...

[kisun]

Why would BH turn me off ?
I`ve read only great reviews on the board so far...

The beginning is somewhat hard to get into, but by chapter 2 you'll be hooked :biggrin2:

[Srbo]

The beginning is somewhat hard to get into, but by chapter 2 you'll be hooked :biggrin2:

So I heard...some very active fisherman in there. :biggrin2:

[Patricia A]

I'm so excited for you Srbo! You are going to have a wonderful time.
I waited for the series to finish before I started it and read it all the way through.
It was one of the best reading experiences I've had in my whole life.
I listened to the audio books recently and that was a total blast too.
You know I'm kinda itching to read it all again again LOL.

!ENJOY!

[Patricia A]

Oh and I meant to add that it really doesn't matter (to me at least) which way you run into the tie ins to other stories, it's cool to find them as you go. Have fun Srbo

[Roseasharn]

For me, I found that when I was done with the series, I was hungry for ANYTHING further about the characters and the settings. And then HIA, The Talisman, Black House and Everything's Eventual were special treats. But I did read salem's lot and things in between, just because I was waiting for the books to come out (let me tell you, the years between W&G and Wolves almost killed me)
I owned The Talisman for at least 8 years without ever getting past the first chapter. Last march I got sicker than a dog and was basically stuck at my house for 2 weeks. If I was laying down I wasn't dizzy and I could read so I aske dmy husband to go search my bookshelves for it. I finished it in 5 hours. My husband took pity on me and went and got me Black House (if you knew my husband, you would know what a gift of love that was. He hates bookstores) and I devoured that one too.
I really love those books. I wish there was more! (patience=not my strong suit)

[RandomMan]

I agree with Roseasharn. Does not matter...once you finish the DT...you'll want to read it again and any other books related to the DT.

[Sammy-Baby]

My only advice is to read (or re-read) Insomnia after you read the Dark Tower Series. I think you'll appreciate it more.

You probably won't want to read a book in between the third and fourth ones. You'll see why, lol. And if you need a break, a good place is after the 4th book.

You don't need to read 'Salem's Lot to appreciate Wolves of the Calla. It might make some stuff more clear, but he puts everything you need to know right in the book for you so you'll be good with or without it. My boyfriend read it before he read the Dark Tower series, and I didn't and we both had the same reaction to the 'Salem's Lot tie-in stuff, so don't worry if you don't feel like reading a book before Calla.

Pleasant reading, may it do ya fine.

[dav]

I agree man just read'em through. You can always go back another time and do it different. That's my plan cause I always re-read everything of SK.