My Journey Part IV: The Stumbling Block

[Mr. Palmer]

I've reached WIZARD AND GLASS on my journey to the Dark Tower. This will be the third attempt I've had with trying it. I've failed twice before.

Currently, I'm 100 pages in and enjoying it. But I know the flashbacks are on the horizon.

Give me strength, fellow King fans! I need it!

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Have strength, it's a magnificent book IMO, and integral to an understanding of Roland, you won't regret it!

Long days and pleasant nights

[Srbo]

Believe it or not, it`s one of the greatest love stories ever written, IMHO.
Unbelievably good.

[Bryan James]

Best in the saga, even though I hate the title. (I don't consider #1 to be part of the series. It's my especial.)

Perfect time of year to read it.

~BJS

[Mr. Palmer]

I really appreciate the replies! It's definitely getting me in the mood for the book.

I'm 150 pages into it, and things are holding up well. This is usually where I start to lose interest, though. However, this time I'm going to persevere! I shall reach The Dark Tower, oh yes.

[JohnDalglish]

However, this time I'm going to persevere! I shall reach The Dark Tower, oh yes.

Hi,

That's good, and I think in another 150 pages you'll be just as hooked as we all were.

Come back and let us know what you think when you've finished W&G.

Long days and pleasant nights

[M-O-O-N SPELLS MY NAME]

Hold strong, you won't be disappointed!! My favorite of the entire series, and possibly SK's entire career! (If not tops, def. up there!)

[Mr. Palmer]

I finished it.

My thoughts? I hated it. Extemely boring. Though I was glad to read of Susan's demise. That had to be my favorite part. Heh heh.

[Mr. Palmer]

I'd like to change my sentiments about this novel. It's been two weeks since I finished it, and I can't get the characters and story out of my mind.

The love between Roland and Susan is way too strong to be forgotten. And it's managed to catch me in its spell. Now that I think about it, the novel ended way too soon. I would have liked for Roland and Susan's story to continue. And for someone who absolutely despised the book a short time ago, I'm amazed at myself for having such strong emotions for the characters.

Is it one of Sai King's best books? Now, I'd have to say yes. For any book to draw such a range of emotions from its reader is too much to pass up.

[Audaciousfox]

Believe it or not, it`s one of the greatest love stories ever written, IMHO.
Unbelievably good.

As far as love stories go, I'd have to take Bag of Bones over Wizards and Glass. Frankly, I just didn't care a lot for Susan (maybe that's why). I did love the book - it may be my favorite in the series. I certainly think it is the 'hubcap' for those surrounding it. Special mention for the use of flashbacks in the series: I have never found an author that so brilliantly and smoothly handles other 'whens' in stories. Never confusing or dull. Brilliant.

[SGerk]

You are not alone, I have been on Wizard and Glass for 3 years now, when I stormed through the previous books in about 3 months lol. Prob doesn't help I became a mom and an apartment manager. I still have the book, sitting in my nightstand next to my toys. Yeah, that drawer doesn't get opened much anymore. Looking forward to the night when I have time to open it back up. Not just the book but the drawer.

[nygene40]

I have been reading Stephen King for most of my life (I was 17 or so when "Carrie" was published and I will be turning 50 this year) and when "The Dark Tower" series was well underway I knew several people who were reading it and they all kept telling me to read it because they knew I'd like it, but I resisted because I thought the Western angle was just not my cup of tea. I never was into the Louis L'Amour genre at all.

Hard to believe, but it wasn't until a couple months ago that I picked up the revised edition of "The Gunslinger" and started reading it and, of course, I was hooked! Now I am telling my sister to get into the first book ASAP, as she is also a Constant Reader who wasn't Constant in "The Dark Tower" section of reading, and I know she'll love it. How could I have doubted these books? They were written by Stephen King, after all!

Anyways, I am close to the end of "Wizard and Glass", and I know what you mean about getting through it. It didn't move as fast as the previous books (for me) but I kept going and found the story to be absorbing, just at a different pace. It does reach a point where everything comes to a head and the sh*t really starts to hit the fan and you just can't stop! So hang in there and you'll be rewarded with an important story about Roland that is populated with a whole bunch of fascinating characters.

Happy New Year!

[teejay17]

I'd like to change my sentiments about this novel. It's been two weeks since I finished it, and I can't get the characters and story out of my mind.

The love between Roland and Susan is way too strong to be forgotten. And it's managed to catch me in its spell. Now that I think about it, the novel ended way too soon. I would have liked for Roland and Susan's story to continue. And for someone who absolutely despised the book a short time ago, I'm amazed at myself for having such strong emotions for the characters.

Is it one of Sai King's best books? Now, I'd have to say yes. For any book to draw such a range of emotions from its reader is too much to pass up.
That's how good literature works: love it, hate it, love to hate it & hate to love it...all interconnected and at the same time. It's this wonderfully terrible bittersweet back and forth conundrum that makes art so great.

[Locnar1]

I disagree, sorry! (and no, i'm not trying to be divisive).

I've read the series multiple times, but always skip the susan/roland parts, as they aren't of interest to me as a reader.
(I would of preffered it as a separate book in the series). IMO, It slows down the plot in their current when and where.

so it's up to you if you wanna skip or not.