My Journey to The Dark Tower is over . . . *CONTAINS SPOILERS*

[Sms231]

Wow.

Just Wow.

I have been with Roland of Gilead and the rest of the characters in The Dark Tower series since March 21st, 2009. I actually finished 2:10am on June 6th, but since Ms. Mod was on vacation the following week, I decided to reflect on the journey and especially the "ending", before making my final post on my feelings of the series, which I hope I can adequately convey.

Mr. King really took us for a ride throughout the first six novels, but I have to say the last novel was the one that affected me the most. I guess in the back of my mind, I knew that the ka-tet would eventually have to be broken, but in my naïveté, I was hoping that there would be some way for Eddie, Jake and Susannah to reach The Dark Tower together. I hope that as Roland begins his journey again to The Dark Tower, that he will be able to somehow get them all there.

Whether the ka-tet was whole or broken, I expected The Dark Tower to end just like the Browning poem: ambiguous as to what happens after the main character arrives at the tower, although I'll admit that I wanted more; and I wasn't disappointed!!! I absolutely LOVED that Roland had to resume his quest for The Dark Tower once more. I thought it was an extremely creative way to end the series. In a way, it mimics what happens when someone re-reads a story again: the character has to repeat their journey with the same outcome every time. However, with Roland receiving the Horn of Eld on this new journey, I'm sure that he's one step closer, if not on the last step of total completion of his journey to The Dark Tower.

In retrospect, I was sad to come to journey's end, but will always be grateful that Mr. King has given us such a rich world, and experiences that I will never forget.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Wow indeed, I couldn't agree more, but more than any other book DT benefits from multiple re-reads, and you might like to re-read the books with DT connections (see main site).

Also, can I recommend Robin Furth's superb Concordance, Bev Vincent's The Road to the Dark Tower, and of course the marvellous Marvel comics/graphic novels?

Long days and pleasant nights

[kjyoung]

Due to the religious undertones mingled throughout, and the running thread of ka being a wheel, I saw the ending as a form of reincarnation or re-birth. Roland did not learn all that he needed to, therefore he will complete his quest again...though this time, he has gained the horn and the next he will likely gain something else because he learns something each time, whether he realizes it or not.

Obviously, the first six volumes cannot be re-written, but I think if they could, we would find new gunslingers to assist Roland along his path. As the epilogue about Susannah read, she was reunited with Eddie and Jake (and potentially in their near futures, Oy). Both (all three including Oy) are together, which would make in impossible to pluck them from different whens as Roland did.

Time can overlap and mimic the past and future in some respects, but not in all. The wheel may continue to turn, but the tread will change at some point due to wear and the terrain of the path it rolls upon.

Just my thoughts.

-k

[JohnDalglish]

Obviously, the first six volumes cannot be re-written, but I think if they could, we would find new gunslingers to assist Roland along his path.

-k

Hi,

I await Talisman 3 with bated breath.

Long days and pleasant nights

[kjyoung]

I've actually not read any of the Tailsman books as yet . I take it you recommend them?

-k

[JohnDalglish]

I've actually not read any of the Tailsman books as yet . I take it you recommend them?

-k

Hi,

Aye, that would be an understatement, you MUST read The Talisman IMO.

Black House can be a little difficult to get into initially, but it certainly rewards the effort by the end.

Long days and pleasant nights

[dawnde]

It's been a few years since I read The Dark Tower series and after reading your message I'm psyched to re-read! Was wondering when I would be ready to go there again and am looking forward to the ride! thanks

[Mary Strickland]

Question: I thoroughly enjoyed the Dark Tower books, twice. King mentioned source references for some things in the tale. I am curious about the gun "lesson" recited by the new gunslingers. Is that taken from an older writing, or is it King's original? It is very unusual and impressive.

[elevelyn]

im re-reading the series for the first time and i think im enjoying it more than the first time i read them! on the last book now and dont want it to end, i love Roland and his Ka-tet so much and will miss them for awhile but the great thing about this series is that it wont be long before you want to read it again!

[michal]

Congratulation. It is a real journey and it's pretty amazing being at its end, looking back. Those characters really do stay with you for years.