drawing of the three -- safe thread for first-time readers. safe and spoiler-free!

[Lencho_of_the_Apes]

I don't have anything to say about The Drawing Of The Three right now, but it occurs to me that there's a need for threads that first time Dark Tower readers can go to to talk about what they've read so far without being exposed to information about the later books in the series. Maybe these could be stickied...

New readers: discuss your story.

Old readers: be on your very best behavior and don't don't don't ever address things that come later in the series -- don't "spoil" the journey for your fellow-travelers.

We all float down here.

[randallFlaggfan1]

Hi, Lencho-

Great idea, thank you!


I just recently began The Drawing of The Three (X2) and I've been meaning to request a bit of clarification in regards to Roland possessing a purse...I really do not recall him having that throughout The Gunslinger.. And another question: is this "purse" akin to a woman's handbag, or am I being too literal?


("All things serve the Beam")

[Lencho_of_the_Apes]

I think of that more in terms of the archaic-english meaning of 'purse', like "who steals my purse steals trash..." ie, anything that contains money, could be a wallet or whatever... a pouch of some kind...

We all float down here.

[randallFlaggfan1]

Thank you, Lencho. Your input is much appreciated.

But I still don't recall Roland having one in The Gunslinger, so where did it come from? How did he come to possess it?


("All things serve the Beam")

[SHEEMIEE]

hey i got one - randall,i know your reading through this again- i just heard him say he and cuthbert gunned down allan ??? where would that be - was it ever told ? (its before door three when he hands the gun to eddie)

i'm hearing so much more this time round - awesome !!!!!

[momone53]

hey i got one - randall,i know your reading through this again- i just heard him say he and cuthbert gunned down allan ??? where would that be - was it ever told ? (its before door three when he hands the gun to eddie)

i'm hearing so much more this time round - awesome !!!!!

I think you'll find that bit of information expanded on in Wolves of the Calla.

[ConstantReader1973]

I'm about the start this book for the first time. Many years ago, I read The Gunslinger, and really had a hard time getting into it. On the suggestion of other SKMBers, I read it again-this time I read the revised version, which seemed to flow much better for me. I really enjoyed it. I'm going on vacation next week and plan to download this and the next book in the series before I go. Can anyone tell me if there is a "revised" version of all books in the series? If so, am I missing out on something by reading revised versions instead of the original?
Thanks.

[Moderator]

Right after Steve had finished the 7th book, and when he was revising the first, he'd thought about doing all of the first 4 books but changed his mind. Long way of saying, no,:smile2: just the first one was revised.

[ConstantReader1973]

Right after Steve had finished the 7th book, and when he was revising the first, he'd thought about doing all of the first 4 books but changed his mind. Long way of saying, no,:smile2: just the first one was revised.

Thanks! I have yet another question: B&N website shows The Waste Lands as the third book in the series and lists it as "revised version". Do you have any idea what's up with that-especially since only the first one was actually revised?

[Moderator]

I think it's saying revised because it's the NOOK version. If I'm remembering correctly, there were some problems with the ebook reader version that needed correcting. It's not revised because of anything that Steve changed.

[hossenpepper]

Right after Steve had finished the 7th book, and when he was revising the first, he'd thought about doing all of the first 4 books but changed his mind. Long way of saying, no,:smile2: just the first one was revised.

What exactly constituted a "revision"? I have an old paperback of it that I got in 1989 or so (maybe later) that started me on my Tower journey. Just wondering if I should get the revised for a re-read...?

[ConstantReader1973]

I think it's saying revised because it's the NOOK version. If I'm remembering correctly, there were some problems with the ebook reader version that needed correcting. It's not revised because of anything that Steve changed.

Gotcha! The reviews did mention some typos and punctuation errors-maybe they have corrected that now. Thank you!

[Moderator]

What exactly constituted a "revision"? I have an old paperback of it that I got in 1989 or so (maybe later) that started me on my Tower journey. Just wondering if I should get the revised for a re-read...?

Too numerous to list--some just minor corrections, some continuity corrections (especially after having the benefit of the series being finished), etc. Have to confess I haven't yet read the revised edition so perhaps someone else can elucidate better than I. It was once suggested that the actual text be posted to compare each change but that would have meant posting far too much of the text.

[JohnDalglish]

Too numerous to list--some just minor corrections, some continuity corrections (especially after having the benefit of the series being finished), etc. Have to confess I haven't yet read the revised edition so perhaps someone else can elucidate better than I. It was once suggested that the actual text be posted to compare each change but that would have meant posting far too much of the text.

Hi,

I haven't read the original since it was first published so I can't compare them (although I would like to), but from memory the Reviised is much more cohesive (and has fewer adverbs!) than the original, which was first written as seperate short stories after all.

Long days and pleasant nights

[CCAL]

I've been following this conversation & now see the need to dig those books out & do a reread myself. Since I loved the whole series so much this is no great hardship on my part! So often I have to pause and visualize what I just read. Its kind of like pause & play virtual tv-ha. I've always visualized Roland trekking across the desert land with his purse slung off his shoulder like his water bag. (this in response to an earlier Q about the purse. He replains it later on as his gunna, ie his container for personal items,medicenes, bullets,etc).This shouldnt be a great concern for the constant reader, as many characters from history have been known to carry 'purses'. it makes perfect practical sense. Sailors carry one, soldiers as well. jus sayin

[momone53]

I think it's saying revised because it's the NOOK version. If I'm remembering correctly, there were some problems with the ebook reader version that needed correcting. It's not revised because of anything that Steve changed.
Any idea if there will be a kindle version soon?

[Moderator]

Any idea if there will be a kindle version soon?

The Gunslinger is at this listing (http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Tower-Gunslinger-ebook/dp/B000OCXILW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1319744428&sr=1-1). The Drawing of the Three is at this listing (http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Three-Dark-Tower-ebook/dp/B000OCXIM6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1319744540&sr=1-1). :smile2:

[gniknehpets]

hossenpepper, I think you should give the revised edition a go. I always felt a little lost when I read the original but the revision smoothed things out and brought a few things into focus for me. I've read the series 4 times now (maybe more?) and I enjoyed the whole journey much more the last time when I started with the revised edition. Some people aren't going to like my opinion, some think it should be kept pure and as it was first written but I see nothing wrong with enjoying both!

[momone53]

The Gunslinger is at this listing (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FD ark-Tower-Gunslinger-ebook%2Fdp%2FB000OCXILW%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Ddigit al-text%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1319744428%26sr%3D1-1). The Drawing of the Three is at this listing (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FD rawing-Three-Dark-Tower-ebook%2Fdp%2FB000OCXIM6%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Ddigit al-text%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1319744540%26sr%3D1-1). :smile2:
Thanks, Ms. Mod, but I read wrong; I was really looking for the kindle version of Waste Lands which I don't see on Amazon.

[Spideyman]

Having read the original when published and in many re reads, I just figured parts I didn't understand would be made clear as I took the journey. It was like a puzzle with a few missing pieces. The revised edition placed those missing pieces into that book. For me, I enjoyed the original and getting those light bulb moments later on as things became clear.

[Garriga]

i have a 1st/1st version of The Drawing of the Three- my ex gave it to me-the last thing he gave me before he dumped me for a twenty year old:glare:

DT2 is the my fav!!!

[ConstantReader1973]

I am LOVING this book! I got to spend some relaxation time by the pool on vacation and managed to read almost the entire thing. Would've been able to finish it, except for the hubby and kids. :wink2: I like it so much I don't want it to end! I'm sooooo glad there are five more books after this one!

[randallFlaggfan1]

hey i got one - randall,i know your reading through this again- i just heard him say he and cuthbert gunned down allan ??? where would that be - was it ever told ? (its before door three when he hands the gun to eddie)

i'm hearing so much more this time round - awesome !!!!!

Hi, Sheemiee!

Yes, I am re-reading the series at the moment, thank you.
I don't believe that Steve really goes into that here, though. Perhaps it's in W&G, or Wolves..?


("All things serve the Beam")

[randallFlaggfan1]

I'd love to contribute to this thread further, but I'm off to see The Waste Lands. Yay!

The Tower beckons..


("All things serve the Beam")

[Mr. Birkegaard]

2 down, 5 to go ...

I liked The Drawing Of The Three, but was stricken by how different it was from The Gunslinger - not in a bad way, just very different.
One thing which bothered me a bit was how "easy" and coincidental (ka?) Roland is crippled in the beginning - it is the "motor" for the rest of the book, but it seems like the attack on Roland just had to be done with, to get the real story going. Having accepted that, I enjoyed the book a great deal.

Now: into the wastelands!

[tmac61]

Just finished The Gunslinger audio book today, and started DT 2. I've been a King fan for over 30 years, but this is my first time with the DT series. I'm really getting into them, looking forward to listening to them all.

[Evil Queen]

I just finished The Drawing of The Three & I have to admit, I liked The Gunslinger better......but I'm glad that I read TG first instead of skipping it, I think I would've been lost. I did like how it ended though, how the three characters were drawn & how Roland had a different experience w/each one. I have to admit about the adult subject in the book, especially about Odetta...I was cringing at alot of stuff but glad she was able to resolve Detta...& thank goodness at what happened to Jack Mort, what a horrible person!! :( The best part was the brother-type relation growing between Eddie & Roland, they seem to be growing to care about each other. I'm willing to continue on w/the next book because I want to find out what happens next. :)

[Bryanc55]

I just started reading this series of books, and am enjoying it immensely. I just purchased a copy of "The Drawing of the Three". Signet Novel edition. I found a surprise inside: this book stops at page 277 then continues at 373 (not numbered incorrectly, but missing text). When one reads on to 420, it skips back to 325 and then continues to the end of the book. Net result: you are missing 48 pages of text at one spot, and have 47 pages of duplicated text in another. book ISBN: 978-0-451-21085-2

[Jordan]

I just started reading this series of books, and am enjoying it immensely. I just purchased a copy of "The Drawing of the Three". Signet Novel edition. I found a surprise inside: this book stops at page 277 then continues at 373 (not numbered incorrectly, but missing text). When one reads on to 420, it skips back to 325 and then continues to the end of the book. Net result: you are missing 48 pages of text at one spot, and have 47 pages of duplicated text in another. book ISBN: 978-0-451-21085-2
You should be able to return the book for a replacement. Printing errors happen occasionally, but retailers are usually pretty good about replacing those books.

[not_nadine]

I believe someone posted about this misprint in another thread.