UPDATED REVIEW: I finally returned to the beginning of The Dark Tower and re-read The Gunslinger, and it is incredible. I stand by my review that it may be less incredible on first-reading, but as a completion to the cycle (as in read 1-7... and then 1 again), it's pure genius, as only King could manage.

Previous review:
My 3-star rating is based on what I remember thinking about the book when I read it nearly four years ago. I was not all that impressed by the Gunslinger nor by his endless quest across a barren wasteland.

I was so unimpressed, in fact, that I did not pick up the second book in the Dark Tower series until 2006.

HOWEVER... having finished the Dark Tower series (and having found it a life-altering experience), I think I should return to the Gunslinger's origins and re-read this book to give it another evaluation.

The Gunslinger is NOT full of your typical Stephen King fare (not much of The Dark Tower series is...). There's a decided lack of gore and psychoses throughout most of the books... I think maybe I was expecting the typical King when I read The Gunslinger, so when it turned out to be atypical, I was disappointed. Knowing what I know now, though, I am prepared to try it again.