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62nd out of 88 books
—
1,538 voters
The Dark Tower Series Collection: The Gunslinger, The Drawing of the Three, The Waste Lands, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, The Dark Tower
by
Stephen King
Hardcover, 3914 pages
Published
July 22nd 2011
by Zatpix
(first published 2005)
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SPOILERS ***
“Now the two of them rode silently toward town, both lost in their own thoughts. Their way took them past the Delgado house. Roland looked up and saw Susan sitting in her window, a bright vision in the gray light of that fall morning. His heart leaped up and although he didn't know it then, it was how he would remember her most clearly forever after- lovely Susan, the girl in the window. So do we pass the ghosts that haunt us later in our lives; they sit undramatically by the roadsi...more
“Now the two of them rode silently toward town, both lost in their own thoughts. Their way took them past the Delgado house. Roland looked up and saw Susan sitting in her window, a bright vision in the gray light of that fall morning. His heart leaped up and although he didn't know it then, it was how he would remember her most clearly forever after- lovely Susan, the girl in the window. So do we pass the ghosts that haunt us later in our lives; they sit undramatically by the roadsi...more
After finishing this long series, I would say it was definitely worth the time. It was original and had a different feel from most of Stephen King's work (especially the first four books). While I feel that portions could have been tightened up and some all together abandoned and reworked, I still feel that this was a great adult adventure story revolving around good and evil and the human condition. I also have to give King kudos for his willingness to really go outside of general fantasy and s...more
Nov 12, 2012
Greg Fortier
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves adventure and fantasy genre
Recommended to Greg by:
My brother
I love this series of books. I have suggested it to many people and been specific that altough they are very dark in some places, they are not the typical 'horror' that Stephen King is known for.
I was given the first book "The Gunslinger" as a birthday gift almost twenty years ago. I started it and put it down only to pick it up again five years later. The second time around, I flew through it and immediately went out to buy books two and three. At the time, those were the only ones to have bee...more
I was given the first book "The Gunslinger" as a birthday gift almost twenty years ago. I started it and put it down only to pick it up again five years later. The second time around, I flew through it and immediately went out to buy books two and three. At the time, those were the only ones to have bee...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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“The Dark Tower”, Volume I, “The Gunslinger” is the first book of the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. This issue is a newly revised and expanded edition of original book of 1982. (First published in 1978 for the Magazine for Fantasy and Science Fiction) and Stephen King has written a special introduction and foreword.
In general the complete series are compelling to read but at sometimes you come to the conclusion that that Stephen King must really have the wrong ideas about abuse in general....more
In general the complete series are compelling to read but at sometimes you come to the conclusion that that Stephen King must really have the wrong ideas about abuse in general....more
loved this series, can't say enough good things about it. It has taken him over 20 years to write it. I started with the very first book "the gunslinger" in the early 80's, not knowing it was going to be a series. I don't think Mr.King did either. I liked it very much, I still had the original publication, a little hardback book, up until a couple years ago when I lost everything I owned. when the second book came out years later, I was totally hooked, sat on pins and needles waiting all those y...more
An epic in the full sense of the word. Amazing, if only for spectrum. King manages to combine high fantasy, western, science fiction, romance, horror, and numerous other genres into an intricately created, well, not world, but universe of universes that forms what can truly be called his magnum opus. Admittedly, the length of the series is daunting, and can prove to be a problem for the reader as he or she forgets previous developments along the way. But my advice is the same as King's - enjoy t...more
I was unsure how much I liked the Gunslinger in the first Tower Book, but was told the series got better, so stayed with it. Roland of Gilead is a crusty cowboy intent on his quest to find the Tower, and the first book isn't as good as the others, but necessary. In it, Roland sacrifices a young boy named Jake in his quest, although Jake has died once before in an auto accident on the streets of New York. When Roland lets him die again, Jake's last words are, "There are other worlds than these."...more
I want to go back and rate them individually, due to all the ravings about how awful the last three books are vs the genius of the first four (and there is certainly a difference but not too much) but for now I must say that this series is life changing as a whole. If you make it past the first book you will be hooked into the Tower story and will carry on with Roland until the end, which itself serves as another place of polarizing opinion (I fall on the side that the ending was perfect,the ver...more
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I have listened my way through this series and am presently listening to the last one 'The Dark Tower' on audibook. I have enjoyed it tremendously, so much so that people have smiled at me very amused on my walks when I have uttered some comment of appreciation or horror!( I listened to these books mostly while I was walking)
I admire Stephen King greatly and have read all his books and I mean all except for The Dark Tower and I am happy I waited for it to be complete because I would have been en...more
I admire Stephen King greatly and have read all his books and I mean all except for The Dark Tower and I am happy I waited for it to be complete because I would have been en...more
I gave this a 5-star rating based on the story as a whole - separately, I would rate them differently, as I had special favorites and disappointments throughout. On a whole, however, this story spoke to me so forcefully I felt more removed from my reality than any other book has done (which is saying something because I fall into any book world so easily). Let's put it this way, when bad things happened (and they do), I felt personally responsible and wracked with guilt. When characters died, I...more
Stephen King is a consistently terrific, not to mention prolific, writer. However, his "Dark Tower" series, which he began writing at age 17, far over-reaches all of his other writings. He himself refers to it as his grand masterpiece, and I fully agree. This series is much less gory than many of his works, yet filled to the brim with thrills and nightmares, hopes and dreams, and even love. Even if you have shunned King in the past, you Must beg, borrow, or steal (well, you don't have to go That...more
I could (and did) happily rate each of these books separately - but, truthfully, the whole is stronger than the sum of its parts. This is an EPIC. This is a series that will wring you out, leave you wet and gasping... you will think of it and ache for some of the characters. I loved these books - I loved this series. The mystical interweaving, the broad overarching storyline. The fact that he started it in... what, 1977? And brought it full circle and - well, 'nuff said. I love these books. I lo...more
This must be a short review because I want to give no hints as to what these books are about. They're great. Amazing. These books literally were the reason I became an English major and went to graduate school. The fact that such a great series exists from such a cool guy as Stephen King (he's nice and friendly and thoughtful and a philanthropist) is equally astonishing. Best series out there. Better than Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc. Better than a...more
The Dark Tower series is one of Stephen King's finest works. Well written, well paced and filled with surprise turns. Each book can be read on its own, but it is best if you read them in sequence. It also helps if you read King's other related works (see inside book covers for the list). There are links and hints all through the series tying the world of the Dark Tower to other stories. I was a little disappointed with the ending, but the entire series follows a group of characters who are flawe...more
Stephen King is my favorite author. I must own around 30 of his books, but the Dark Tower series are my favorites. In ever. I love how almost all the other characters from his 50+ books are mentioned, at least in passing, in this magnum opus series. If you're not a big King fan, it's not something you may notice, but if you are...it's a lot of fun to discover these little easter eggs hidden throughout. This epic series is well written, the plot is intricately developed, and the characters grow a...more
This series of seven books was the foundation of my longstanding love for serial novels. My first introduction to Roland of Gilead was a truly momentous occasion. I couldn't wait to read the next installment of this fascinating series. I waited and waited for books four through seven, and eventually he did deliver. It is a wonderful series, with lots of plot twists that come unexpectedly. The cameo of himself and the "story" of the accident that almost tok him from us was a great "mini-story" wi...more
I realize that I've reviewed all 7 books individually. However, seven years down the road (& after recommending the series), I listened to the whole thing again on audible.com (tremendous way to listen to books if you are unfamiliar). I have always, despite his many critics, considered Stephen King to be a master storyteller (& I love a good story), if not the master storyteller of the current day. The Dark Tower series is, in my opinion, his masterpiece. That being said, you either love...more
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I'm usually not a Stephen King fan, but I was able to get through the Dark Towers. This series, however, is nothing like his other novels that I've read. As in many series, some books are better than others. For me, Song of Susannah would not end! Also certain creatures throughout the books were a bit revolting (for Stephen King that isn't surprising.) All together, the series was fine. I'm sure many people think the end left much to be desired, but I don't think I was invested in the characters...more
Reviewing each book separately would take far too long, and really there's only one word that I can use to describe this series: Wow! There are so many things about these works that will aggravate you, and so many other things that will enrage you, but throughout the reading you will be engaged 100%. There were few times where I felt like putting down the book I was in the middle of. My only complaint, if any, regards the ending of the series...but at the same time, I can't conceive of any other...more
Overall, an excellent, very different series.
I think you can read this series and skip book 4... its not a good book. King must have been in a slump or something, theres not even much pertinent info in this book.... my suggestion... read 1 2 3 and 4.5 and then 5 6 7 .... this book took me way too long to read... it probably took as long as 123 put together... and Im generally a fast reader. I have these on my nook .... and in all reality this is a series that I reread yearly... and yes I simply skip book 4. lol.
This is the best of King. I read every book in the series! By the time I finished the whole series I found myself crying when someone died, I felt the excitement of when a good thing happened and I felt the surprise when I was supposed to be surprised. King is so good at building up the characters to the point I felt I knew them in real life. I was able to relate to the journey. I loved anticipating the ending. King even tells us not to read the final chapter.
Been with Roland since he first crossed the desert whilst that man in black followed...we waited and waited for each book, taking years and years to hear about the Gunslinger's tale. This is King's Canterbury Tales, all his travellers cross in and out of this story, subtly weaving themes and iconic images we have seen so often we've forgotten their sacredness. Now you can consume these books as you wish one just after the other, not how I saw them originally. Lucky dawgs!
I've read this series since it's debut in "The Magazine of Science Fiction & Fantasy". The first book is harder to get through: slow, works better as short stories, a bit disjointed. Well worth it in long run: the series explores King's themes in such a beautiful way. Characters are well developed; narrative moves you forward. Okay, I agree: last book was a bit of a disappointment (I like closure), but am looking forward to next one....
Great series, fantastic characters, but the books tend to drag at times. This is basically Stephen King's attempt at a LOTR-size epic, so you can probably imagine how dark and gruesome it can get. Still, it's not like reading his movie scripts or anything, where the oppressive antagonistic entity is the only character of note; Roland can go toe to toe with most of the modern anti-heroes and come out still looking like a bad-ass.
I can't say I remember many of the first of this series very clearly. (I read the first in the mid-80s) I recall liking them in general. It was one of those series that has me hesitate to start reading any other series unless they are all printed. 30 years...is...a...long...time...to...wait...for...the...conclu.s.i.o.n...
I wonder how many people died of old age and at the end were wondering how it was going to end.
I wonder how many people died of old age and at the end were wondering how it was going to end.
Most amazing series I've ever come across. So descriptive, these books make me feel as if I am there alongside the characters. The type of story that you don't want to see end, the type of story that invades your waking & sleeping thoughts. It's no wonder King has taken over 20 years to complete (let's hope not yet!) series. Every time I re-read, I find another connection, something I missed....'Tis Ka....like a wheel...
It took me so long to finish this series but it was all worth it. Stephen King has a way of rambling on in the middle of his books but once you get past those ramblings it's impossible to put these books down. I love the work and different connections Stephen King puts in all his books and I love his "not happy" endings. I love these books dearly and feel like I am a part of a big secret after reading them.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any one heard about a movie regarding the series? | 2 | 12 | Jan 05, 2013 05:44am | |
| Soundtracks for B...: Hans Zimmer and "Dark Tower" | 3 | 9 | Jun 22, 2012 12:13am |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his parents separated when Stephen was a toddler, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family...more
More about Stephen King...
Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his parents separated when Stephen was a toddler, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family...more
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