Ending; Dark Tower Series ***SPOILERS***

[marjorie]

Well, finally got to post a message here. Does Messieur King read these messages? I hope so, i have no other way of expressing my opinion to him (on the slight off-chance that he might care, lol), but i would love to tell him what i think of the ending of the Dark Tower series. I have finally finished with Roland, et al, after reading the series for 15 years...it's been a long time coming. I could not envision any ending to this epic that would not be anti-climactic, disappointing, or frustrating. As i neared the end of the Dark Tower, i was almost afraid to read the conclusion, for fear i would slam the book shut with a roar of frustration. However, i soldiered on and finished it, and i have to say; the ending floored me. Never saw it coming! And although Mr. King may not have "been crazy about" the ending, i WAS. Absolutely. It was the ONLY ending that would have satisfied me. It left me with just enough questions to keep me thinking; to keep me using my own imagination. Was Roland the hero of the piece, or the anti-hero, cleverly disguised? Is he in Hell, or Purgatory? And when he retraces his steps yet again, will he again draw Susannah, Eddie, and Jake, or will it be someone else? Not only did his ending prove thought provoking, but it also provided closure; there is no need for more Roland, because we KNOW what he'll be doing from here on in. It will just go on as it always has for him. We've been there, done that. The ending was magnificent, in my humble opinion, a fitting end to a masterpiece; a magnum opus. Well done, Mr. King, as a "Constant Reader" since my teens (i'm rather older and wiser now; well, older, anyway) i would like to say; Thank you for not letting me down. The ending was brilliant; the only thing missing was Rod Serling, i swear! So very sorry to have doubted you, i should have known you'd figure it out.

Best Wishes to you and yours,
Marjorie :wink2:

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

I couldn't agree with you more.,

'Ka is a wheel'.

Long days and pleasant nights

[marjorie]

And may'ee have twice the number.

[terrain]

Hi Marjorie....I had basically registered on this site to express my opinion of the ending of the Dark Tower series...
You have done it for me!
I also held my breath towards the end of the journey, especially after reading Stephen's warning to turn back, to not read the ending, but I doubt ANY Constant Reader could have stopped there. We had to know, after so many years of following this incredible story. And I put the last book down completely satisfied. No other ending was possible.
One question for all of you though...I have often wondered if Stephen doubted his own ability somehow? Did he put the warning in because he himself felt that no ending could possibly compliment such a saga? Did he think, 'how can a few pages at the end of a book possibly give my readers the closure they need?'
Well, for me, after such an emotionally draining yet fulfilling saga, there was no choice...it doesn't end.
Perfection. A brilliant mind. I will read this series over for the rest of my life.

[Neko]

I agree with what youre saying, and i loved the ending to, but because this way jake and his tet ( or whoever) might not die,
and roland might actually win, because gettng the Dark Tower isnt winning, but saving his tet and the beams is.

[BlaineThePain]

I loved the ending. It was the perfect fit. It was like Mr. King saying, "Ok, Constant Reader, I've told my story, now it's your turn." I enjoy re-imagining parts of the series to however I see fit and it doesn't feel like cheating.

[Lobstrocities Looming]

I wonder how many times, if any, he rewrote the ending. I'm sure it was a labor of love, but I think he accomplished the nearly impossible - making most people happy. It is open-ended to allow the constant reader the chance to imagine. What other book ending can you think of that has sparked such discussion and insight this long after publication? (Ok there are some, but I'm partial to King, obviously lol). Genius.

[JohnDalglish]

I What other book ending can you think of that has sparked such discussion and insight this long after publication? (Ok there are some, but I'm partial to King, obviously lol). Genius.

Hi,

None as much as DT, but The Stand, Cell and The Colorado Kid are 'interesting' endings IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[kramernineteen]

I personaly hated the ending. But, unfortionatly it was the only ending it could have had. Just like Walter told him in the first book, Life. But not for you gunslinger. Death, but not for you. Then places the card of the tower over rolands card. Telling us he is trapped inside the Tower. Also the boys drawing in Insomnia shows the same. Best book series ever though.

[CaptainDuke71]

I saw "Beams" in the sky the other day. Since beams have manifested perhaps 12-21-12 (333) is/will be our top of the Tower stair. Fiction is prophetic, so de ja vu everyone!
I once was disappointed with the ending but now thrilled!

[wally wonder]

Was Roland the hero of the piece, or the anti-hero, cleverly disguised? Is he in Hell, or Purgatory? ....Marjorie :wink2:

great question...and the answer, varied as it likely is, explains so much

[O!Discordia]

I can't agree more. This series is destined to be classic for centuries to come!!! :wink2:. I have been a constant reader for many years, but for some reason (Ka, mayhaps?) I did not begin the DT series until February, 2010. Thank Gods for that, I would have gone OUT OF MY MIND waiting for the next installment. DT is everything a reader could ever want. Thank you, Stephen King. I love you for writing this! Hahahaha!!!

[GNTLGNT]

Oh I was NOT thrilled with the ending...not sure what I expected-Roland, Hoss and Little Joe ride off to the Ponderosa for a steaming hot pile of Rocky Mountain Oysters prepared by Hop Sing? But, whatever it was-it wasn't what he ultimately penned! Upon reflection, (Yep I held the book up to the looking glass)and a bit of a cooling off period-I realized the genius of it...:biggrin2:

[Wolf Dog Moon]

I also loved the ending. I am new to this forum and this is my first post! I also wanted to post my tribute video to this site to see if anyone though it was cool. I think it has spoilers, so I did not know where to post it! So *Spoiler Alert* do not listen if you have not got to the end of the book! *Spoiler Alert*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUzY3ewz1b8

[avamg]

ah well......it just about brought a tear to my eye when eddie got shot, and i almost put the book down right there. once i got closer to the ending and stephen's blurb about not reading the ending, but rather letting roland go on on his own, i left the book for 2 weeks until i couldn't stand not knowing the ending. i thought it a magnificent ending.

[oxymoron]

just finished it myself,
first, of course you feel kinda cheated
been waitin for nearly 20 years meeself for the ending, and i had it all along
couldn't've been any other way, though,
and i must say thanks, uncle stevie, for reuniting jake, eddie and susanna
it kinda helps with how it did end

did it end?

yours truly,
constant reader

[xMonicax]

These are my favs. When i got to the last few chapters i put the book down and didn't pick it up for about two weeks. I didn't want to know the ending....actually, i didn't want the book to end. Then i couldn't stand it anymore and read it. Then, i was sad, couldn't believe what i had just read, and i plan to start reading all over again :)

[TPG555]

I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday, waiting for my daughter to pick out a book, so I drifted over to the S. King section. I re-read the last few pages of DT7 and it struck me that King has Roland in an eternal loop. He puts Roland back at a point in his quest that was after he could have done anything to change the outcome of beginning his quest again. So, does that mean his punishment was for killing his mother? Letting Susan die? Condemning the cook? All of the above?

Just thought I'd mention that.

[mlmh75]

Indeed,the only ending that was fitting! My oldest son who is 17 read the ending and said WTF?LOL,but,those of us who are Constant Readers...we understand... "Death,but not for YOU.."

[mlmh75]

Indeed,i am on my second run through of #6...and have read all the others twice,except the last..sadly,i do not currently own that one... :down:

[oxymoron]

i too thought it was more than kinda s&%ty to put Roland in a neverending paradox
i know it's all about the tale, and it is a good one, but poor roland:(

[Pucker]

Poor Roland, indeed.

The optimist in me would like to believe that Roland retains at least something of what he learns in each incarnation, but his reaction when he opens the door suggests that he does not -- or leastways not enough.

Is there any hope?

There's Mount Hope.