The hubba about the dark tower

[Dave Sartin]

I was just wondering why so many people love this series. i mean, i would'nt doubt king's works, (as he has gotten me compelled and paranoid in my own house, just reading some of his works) but whats so amazing and so gripping about this particular series?

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Ka is a wheel.

How about that it's the greatest journey in the history of world literature IMO, in the shoes of Homer, Chaucer and LOTR but better.

Can I suggest that you pick up the first two books, The Gunslinger and Drawing of the Three soon and give it a try, if you're not hooked by the end of Drawing I'll eat your hat?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Doc Wilson]

Well and then there's the fact that its the only series he's done and is likely to ever do.

[91rewoT]

Hi,

Ka is a wheel.

How about that it's the greatest journey in the history of world literature IMO, in the shoes of Homer, Chaucer and LOTR but better.

Can I suggest that you pick up the first two books, The Gunslinger and Drawing of the Three soon and give it a try, if you're not hooked by the end of Drawing I'll eat your hat?

Long days and pleasant nights

What he said!!

[rjt65]

I just re-read for the 5th time in 3 or so years.. I too was once a doubter..read em all but not interested in cowboy stuff..

the only good thing on missing out for so many years is that i did not suffer like the people that read them when they came out as King took some long breaks! I read 'the whole 7 books em back to back to back.

So after my recent re-read I thought to myself... man this is his OPUS--- he hits home runs on so many but this was far above most. I am looking forward to another re-read--- hope to last a year!!!

the other benefit is that reading this series made my enjoyment of all the other books rise , as this explains so much and ties together his works...

Read it, answer your own questions ;-)

Welcome to the board!

[Dave Sartin]

lol! ok. i'll give it a try then. nice way of putting it.

[Snaggletooth]

Speaking from personal experience, my adult life has been landmarked by the release of each of the seven volumes. I've read each one as it was published, over the 20+ years that it took SK to write them. I've lived with these characters (in my head, of course; I don't hallucinate anymore since I put down the acid, years ago....but that's another story/thread ) and followed their exploits and the obsession that they all shared. It's about mystery and a shared connection and that a group (ka-tet), one could say a family, experiences that is mystical in nature. To say any more would be to dump a bunch of spoilers on you....you just have to have faith in the tale and experience it. I was lucky because I was given the time to absorb all of these things and they (the books) have informed my world view and my faith in the unseen. But then, I've always been somewhat of a premature new-ager. Anyway, there's nothing like The Dark Tower out there right now, in terms of literature. It's just unclassifiable.

[cain625]

I think it's partly because this series really encompasses (Spelling?) all of King's other works. They all revolve in some way around this tale. He really pours his soul in to it and it shows.

[GNTLGNT]

I most whole-heartedly agree with JohnDalglish. Enter this universe and your life changes. I don't mean that you'll suddenly be elected to the Papal throne or that Amway salespeople will spontaneously combust as they arrive at your door, I mean more of a philosophical shift. It is truly an epic, and as a fan of Sai King you really do owe it to yourself to follow the path of a Beam. Riddle with Blaine. Hug a billy-bumbler. Slap leather with Roland(or dance with him). Best yet, find the Rose. Join us, "The Cult of Ka" so to speak. Once through the trip to the Tower, your whole literary life will be turned on it's head.

Long Days and Pleasant Nights,

The Giant

[SharonC]

What peaked my interest the first time I saw The Gunslinger so many years ago was the fact that it seemed unlike anything Stephen King had ever written. At that time I was used to the horror genre that he did so well. I would call this book sort of a Western with a twist. So I bought it and found the story so compelling with such an intriguing character that I wanted more. When Drawing of The Three was published, and we were introduced to more of the main characters namely, Eddie and Susannah, I was hooked.

That's the beauty of this series - each book made you want more. Following Roland on his quest through the years made for one exciting, and satisfying journey for me. I cared about the characters. I loved the story. Mr. King sucked me into Roland's world big time. Anyone reading the series for the first time is a lucky person, in my opinion.