Thoughts on Wizard and Glass

[tigh66]

The first time I was reading through The Dark Tower series, I was bored with Wizard and Glass. I wanted to get back to the story of Roland's second Ka-tet, so I sped trough the flashbacks, not really taking them in.

I am now re-reading the series, knowing everything that will happen, and I have a deep appreciation for Wizard and Glass now. The love story is handled wonderfully, and the characters are great, something I sorta just skipped over while reading it the first time.

I feel sorry for fans like me that sped through this great tale of romance, not really reading into the nuances. Anybody else feel the same as me?

[gniknehpets]

Yep, I did the same thing. The second read I slowed down and really focused on the story. I zipped through all of them the first time, too anxious to find out what happened, and I missed so much. The second read of the whole series was wonderful Can't believe how much I missed the first time.

[bopropadop]

I know what you're saying. Wizard and Glass is my favorite book in the series. It was interesting to read Uncle Steve's author note where he said that he was in essence intimidated by writing about "romantic love." His explanation of how he overcame that is fascinating - to include Rocket J. Squirrel. LOL. I recommend going back and reading that at the end of the book if you haven't already. I think he did a masterful job with W&G.

In larger terms, you speak true about re-reads of the Dark Tower series. There are many details missed during the first reading. I'm on my third reading and am still finding new things I missed in the previous two. I'd be willing to bet others who have read it a sixth or seventh time would attest to the same discovery.

[GNTLGNT]

I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't give any of Uncle Stevies books a careful objective read...they're missing out on what I truly believe to be one of our national treasures...(Yeah, yeah, yeah-so I sound like a salivating fanboy-but I've been around this block for many years, and it's truly how I feel)

[ChickenStu]

Well, I've just finished this one and the love story parts bored me. Like you - I wanted to get into the adventures of the ka-tet. This book was a real chore to get through for me.

[Spideyman]

Well, I've just finished this one and the love story parts bored me. Like you - I wanted to get into the adventures of the ka-tet. This book was a real chore to get through for me.

Am sorry to hear that the love story bored you. It is an integral part of Roland's life. That love story affects his later life and journey in many ways. It is part of the adventures of the Ka-Tet, as they needed to have this additional undertsanding of the Roland. Someday I hope you will re read this book with a different viewpoint.

[Pucker]

I may not remember correctly, but I believe I was disappointed with Wizard and Glass the first time around primarily because I had waited so long to find out what happened next, only to discover that the book did not contain anything that happened next. Of course, after having read the entire series, everything became more clear, and I understood that Wizard and Glass is the lynchpin on which the entire saga turns, and everything after it pales woefully by comparison.

Of course, that's only one man's opinion.

[ChickenStu]

Someday I hope you will re read this book.

I don't re-read books. When I've read every possible book that exists on the planet, then I'll consider re-reading something. I'll wait for the movie/tv show instead.

[gniknehpets]

Oh ChickenStu! There are so many books out there that deserve a second reading. There is no way anyone can get every nuance of some books in one reading. It's like trying to eat every new chocolate dessert ever made and never having the same one twice. M&M's taste good every time you eat them, some books are good every time you read them. Bad analogy maybe, but you get the idea. Slow down, enjoy, savor them, you'll never read them all...

[AntD NineNineteen]

I can't really put my finger on what it is that I found so endearing about W&G but it is probably my favorite of the series. It could be that it came right after my least favorite DT volume and I feared the next four books would follow suit. Part of it, I think, is the fact that Roland reflects on this period in his life so often during the rest of the series that you need this backround info to help feel for Roland sympathetically. It's hard to feel his pain about friends and love lost unless the reader has some emotional bond to these characters as well, which this book doles out in spades. Aside from Roland, Cuthbert became my favorite character in the entire series, and I began to miss him as part of the story even while reading of his youthful adventures. Maybe it is this tragic aspect that drew me in, knowing that every protagonist save one will be long dead in the next installment. So I savored every page I was fortunate enough to spend with my new, and,soon to be long gone friends.

I am just starting my second read through DT and am just about done with Vol. 1. I am already dreading the arduous trek through The Wastelands (literally and figuratively) because I know I will be itching to get to W&G again.

[ChickenStu]

Oh ChickenStu! There are so many books out there that deserve a second reading. There is no way anyone can get every nuance of some books in one reading. It's like trying to eat every new chocolate dessert ever made and never having the same one twice. M&M's taste good every time you eat them, some books are good every time you read them. Bad analogy maybe, but you get the idea. Slow down, enjoy, savor them, you'll never read them all...

Lol, I appreciate that - and if that kind of thing is for you then go for it! But I physically can't re-read something. If I've read it, I've read it. I've tried to re-read stuff in the past, but I hate it when I know what's coming. And plus, it takes so much for me in my life to get the time to sit down and read a book - if I'm reading something I've read before then it would seem like a waste. I'm the same with movies. I can't watch them over and over. I just like to move on and devour something new.

[Bubonic]

As I worked my way through the first 3 volumes I'd ran into similar criticisms of Wizard and Glass, it had made me apprehensive about the book, yet as I delved into it I loved getting this glimpse into this hard mans life.
I really felt as eager as his Ka-tet to sit around the fire and maybe figure this guy out a bit.
Yet I'm something of a second generation Tower junkie.
I didn't start reading these until they were all released, I knew that ultimately I could read it all in a month and there was an ending of sorts in site, and that I feel must make a huge difference.

[lenona]

Finished W&G yesterday. It took me long awhile to get through it. I allowed a few interruptions (such as reading a book to my mom who is ill) My thoughts on W&G, it was a good book, I liked the story. I liked Susan Delgado. The love story was a nice change in a King book, he did a great job. Call me "Ms. Misery" but I would have liked a sweeter ending to the love story, not that I could ask that it be written over. JK.. Jk! Tragic love stories are sad and so unhappy. I liked Rhea too. She was a persistent old B'atch. I could easily imagine her as a bitter, evil, hateful old lady Susan. Sort of a nice girl gone terribly bad. I would like to know Rhea's story. This book was more about Susan to me and her influence on Roland. I am endeared to Roland, knowing this part of his life.

[Rolandlover]

I love W&G because it game me more of Roland's past which i enjoyed. Susan Delgado was an alright character. I thought she did some really stupid things like after killing two people and freeing Roland and his friends, why would she leave the hut and sleep outside after Roland leaves knowing they were being hunted down? Then she get captures which led to her horrible demise. I can really this book made into a movie actually each book. Very good stuff for a new reader of SK.

[bluesology]

I totally respect people who get bogged down in the love story or want to get back to Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake & Oy. For me, one of the great aspects of W&G is getting the chance to see Roland before he becomes the damaged warrior we have seen in the books up to this point. Seeing him young, still fairly optimistic and before the world has moved on - I think it gives a tremendous amount of depth to the character.

[surlydad50]

It looks like many have experienced the same feelings toward W&G, and you can add me to the list. I just finished my "re-read" of W&G (I'm listening to the DT audiobooks on my commute) and found myself enjoying it much more than my first time 'round. Like many, I think I rushed through W&G, wanting to see the eventual confrontation between Roland's Ka-tet and the Big Coffin Hunters and the continuation of Roland's new Ka-tet, and didn't appreciate it fully. I also think listening to the audiobooks has allowed me slow down and catch every nuance. The on-going tension and build-up to the eventual confrontation was masterful. Unlike some of the other texts in this series, there is less action (at least during the long flashback) until the actual final battle(s) between the folk from Mejis and Farson's men. But you know, from the very beginning of Roland's story, that the battle would occur and you were just aching for more. Many of us rushed through and thought it tiresome, but that is because SK did an amazing job to build that tension little by little. Learning about how Roland began his obsession with the DT aside, the story stands on its own IMHO.

[fljoe0]

Wizard & Glass is my favorite DT book. Many that don't like this one as much as the others say the love story is too long. The love story dominates the book but there is so much other stuff going on within that love story, I never felt bogged down by the love story at all. It's an awesome adventure from start to finish.

[AndyDufresne]

Wizard & Glass is my favorite DT book. Many that don't like this one as much as the others say the love story is too long. The love story dominates the book but there is so much other stuff going on within that love story, I never felt bogged down by the love story at all. It's an awesome adventure from start to finish.

To be honest, I thought it was a great read the first time I read it. But the second time, the "romance plot" began to drag a little, I thought. I hope that was just because I'd read it all not long before, because I really want it to hold up on repeated readings.

[Danpd66]

I really enjoyed W&G. The love story, and the tragic ending to it really helps in understanding what Roland has become over the past (100? 1000 years?). I enjoyed the chance to get to know his first ka-tet, and would have enjoyed an even more in depth view of the events that happened in Gilead after their return from the Meijis.

[randallFlaggfan1]

This time around, I'll definitely be taking W&G much slower, and paying special attention.
Not that it bored me the first time around. Quite the opposite, actually: Roland's story completely mesmerized me. I couldn't get enough, and-therefore-read it quickly.


("All things serve the Beam")

[popsqueak]

Hi Ho, I was the same as you, read the beginning and end only, my bad... and then went onto the next books. Now I am just about to read Wizard and Glass again, the WHOLE thing, and I cant wait!!

[popsqueak]

Ok, so far am loving this book! I go to work and think about reading after work! Last night I was so disappointed that I could only read like, 5 pages because I was too tired. Its Ok though.... finished work and am WIDE awake to keep reading!:wow:

[bmcmolo]

I finished W&G two nights ago. When I finished the first part and started down the path of Roland's flashback, I said, okay, will this in any way inform Roland's quest for the Tower? Or will it just be a pleasant-enough anecdote to flesh out the backstory?

Boy, does it ever, is the answer to my first question. I was not only surprised by how tangibly it informs Roland's quest, but I was genuinely surprised by the twists and turns.

What a masterful tale. This could be my favorite of the Dark Towers thus far. Though I'm about 100 pages into Wolves of Calla now, and this one is shaping up to be amazing, so I may have to revise that opinion.

[jackson992]

I think I loved this book so much because of Blaine but I love the love story too tragic as it may be

[Chris1974100]

wow most you had read the WG for the second same as with, the first time i read i skip several hundred page just to get into the ending, how stupid i had done thi. WG is the best along with Waste Land. Kudos to Mr SK

[Evil Queen]

I just finished this story and OMG!! I absolutely loved it! The Gunslinger has been my favorite so far and DT II and DT III were not bad, but this one totally blew me away!! I loved the story of Roland and Susan, absolutely breath-taking and tears of joy fell from my jeweled eyes(ha!ha!..ok, being the drama queen there!) and then it was heart breaking sadness. I tried to take my time reading it because I did not want this Mid-world and all the characters..but when I was taking a break, my mind kept wandering back to the story and of what was going to happen next and I just didn't want to put the book down. So now I'm finished and now I'm sad that it's over. :( I feel like going back and rereading it, but it's never as good as the first time...besides, I want to find out what happens next, since the ka-tet have left the land of OZ.

[AnnaMarie]

I'm currently reading WG. Definitely a good book, but not my favourite DT.

[Chessie]

I am reading the DT series for the first time, and WOW, I loved this story. I am blown-away. I slowed down and let the book sink in, I didn't want the story to end. Now, I am reading DT 5 but I can't stop thinking of Wizard & Glass. I want more Roland, Cuthbert, and Alain. MORE!

[SHEEMIEE]

every book I read now is read with the voice of Frank miller in my head. This audio book has been played to death in my van throughout western Australia. I absolutely love this book- Frank brought it to life in the most powerful way, and I urge NAY COMMAND YEE to listen to his narration.

the only thing that grates my flesh is the end, the tick tock man behind the curtain.....this was a wasted character that served no purpose being there in my opinion. I reckon he was a tail from the last book Sai just didn't need, so he just killed him before he lingered and festered. (<3 is this a fart or a heart?)

But Susan and dearborn what a story.