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The Wind Through the Keyhole
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The wind through the key hole - when to read?
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Carlos
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Aug 29, 2012 02:20PM
Hi everybody. Since I haven´t read yet the Dark Tower 4 and The Dark Tower 5, and since the story of this book passes between them, do you think I should read it between books 4 and 5 or just after the last book of the Dark Tower? Thank you!
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Read between 4 and 5 thats what i'm doing so...
You could do either way. I do think that the wind through the keyhole helps the transition between 4 and 5 though.
Like everyone else said between 4 and 5 is probably better, but it really is 90% a stand alone. But if you're anal like me, the other 10% that's not a stand alone...well it was worth it to me to be familiar with the series. It really just depends (and I know this sounds silly) on how serious you are about the DT series. Lol, silly I know, but if you're a casual reader you could prolly read it whenever.
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In fact, I'd tell a casual reader to skip Wind altogether.
Either way. It fits between 4 and 5, so that would make sense. But like Chris above, I think an argument could be made for saving it until later. It doesn't move the story along and could make someone not fully committed to the story start to lose interest.
Victor, Ethan, Christopher, Chris and Amy, thank you very much for your opinion. I´m a Stephen King fan, but not a a hardcore DT fan (yet). I see that the majority of you think it makes no difference. Since Amy said that reading it between 4 and 5 may even make losing interest, I think I´ll read it later. I prefer the King books that don´t deal too much with fantasy. I intend to read it sometime, since I want to read all Stephen King books. I´ve read a lot, but there´s still some way to go. I´m brazilian, so forgive me if my english is not very good! Thank you again.
Carlos wrote: "I prefer the King books that don´t deal too much with fantasy..."What fantasy books of his did you not enjoy? I think what separates SK's fantasy novels from others are the realistic settings he uses.
That said, if you're not into SK's fantasy then the DT books might not be your cup of tea, especially this book.
Carlos wrote: "Victor, Ethan, Christopher, Chris and Amy, thank you very much for your opinion. I´m a Stephen King fan, but not a a hardcore DT fan (yet). I see that the majority of you think it makes no differen..."Carlos, just wanted to offer my opinion on the Dark Tower Books. There is some controversy about whether or not the series is worth finishing, whether or not the later books are any good. Personally, I loved books 1-3, I thought book 4 and 4.5 were ok, I did not care for book 5, book 6 was ok, and then I loved book 7.
My point is, even if they start to drag in the middle, try to finish and you might end up glad you stuck with it. Or you might be mad and feel cheated like some do. Only way to find out is to keep reading!
Hello, Tim! What I meant for fantasy was the Tolkien style King brings to the DT series. I´m not a big fan of The Lord of The Rings and similar works. I agree that the realistic settings he creates are very good. I don´t know if you referring, for example, to the fact that in the first two books he travels in time (or space?) with the story and mixes two different environments. I liked that, but prefer his more "urban" books, I´m not sure if I made myself clear...
Hi Amy! I will sure stick to the DT books. Even if it takes some years, I want to read ALL his books! Thanks for sharing your opinion!
According to Stephen King in the introduction to the book, the book could be read by itself.
Kevin wrote: "According to Stephen King in the introduction to the book, the book could be read by itself."It really could. The majority of the book is a fairy tale, a story within a story. Its almost more of a book about Mid-World rather than a DT book. Does that make sense?
I am shocked diehard DT fans would be luke warm about Wind Through the Keyhole?! #4 Wizard and Glass is the best of the entire series but, they are all strong books that contribute to the best writing of Stephen King IMO.
Hi Glen, it's nice to see someone else felt the same way about #4. It seems we're a minority.
W&G is a favorite of mine, as well!:)
Hi everybody. Kevin, your comment reminded me of the short story The Sisters of Eluria, which I liked very much. Based also on what Christopher said about Wind Through the Key Hole being like a fairy tale, maybe it is like that short story, which can be read even if you haven´t read the DT books, I guess.
Carlos, it is like a fairy tale set in the DT universe. Only the introduction and a brief conclusion have anything to do with the normal DT storyline/characters.
I'm a huge DT fan, but I HATED W&G, not because the story wasn't interesting, but because I felt it stalled progress towards the tower. I've only just bought WTtKH and am starting it now. I'm rereading the DT series so I'm reading it where it belongs, between 4 and 5, but I'm thinking it will drive me crazy and I will end up reading it later.
Jennie wrote: "I'm a huge DT fan, but I HATED W&G, not because the story wasn't interesting, but because I felt it stalled progress towards the tower. I've only just bought WTtKH and am starting it now. I'm rerea..."Yeah, I felt the same way about book four.
Tim wrote: "Carlos, it is like a fairy tale set in the DT universe. Only the introduction and a brief conclusion have anything to do with the normal DT storyline/characters."What Tim said.
This is going to sound crazy to DT fans, but I started the series at book 4 and read 5,6,7 after that. I still haven't read the first 3, and those seem to be held in highest regard here.
Yeah WTtKH is basically a seperate book just set in the DT universe. I'm not really sure I consider it as part of the DT series, idk.
Tim, to begin reading with the DT 4 may sound crazy, but it sure is an original way to start reading the DT series! Everybody, thanks for sharing your comments.
First of all, it's difficult to describe this book without revealing any spoilers. So much of what takes place here hinges on past (and in some weird cases) future events in the series. The whole set-up for Roland's tale about how he and Jamie were sent to solve a problem is directly from the end of Book IV, where it's revealed what exactly happened to Roland and his mother.If I had any complaints SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!...
It's where Roland and ka-tet are warned against meeting Andy and hearing any horoscopes, and yet in Book V, when they meet Andy and hear some proposed horoscopes, NONE of them recall the warning. Plus, as much as King was anxious to incorporate his new obsession with the number 19, I would have liked to have seen a little more glimmer of it being a "thing" with the ka-tet. If you read directly from IV to V, NINETEEN seems to come completely out of nowhere.
I just got Wind Through the Keyhole for Xmas. I'll probably read it pretty soon, but I finished the Dark Tower so long ago I really can't remember many details. Hope it'll come back to me when I read this one.
Mod
Eloise wrote: "I just got Wind Through the Keyhole for Xmas. I'll probably read it pretty soon, but I finished the Dark Tower so long ago I really can't remember many details. Hope it'll come back to me when I re..."I agree, you should be okay, Eloise.
i am reading this book sometime by the middle of this month. it keeps staring at me from the bookshelf as i pass it by... yikes!i miss these characters...
Alondra wrote: "i am reading this book sometime by the middle of this month. it keeps staring at me from the bookshelf as i pass it by... yikes!i miss these characters..."
Oh, you haven't read it yet, Alondra? I can't wait to read your review!
I believe that the issue for many readers who have said this is their least favorite DT book is that, in reality, it's not much of a DT book at all. It's true, the Ka-Tet makes a brief appearance at the beginning and end (with virtually nothing of significance to their quest taking place), and the shorter of the two focus pieces features Roland as a young teen. However, I felt that bulk of the novel was the story "The Wind Through the Keyhole". There is, perhaps, one character from that story that appears in the DT stories (I'll not say whom) but is really a stand alone novella that could have been published as the lead story in a short story collection much like The Mist in Skeleton Key. My point is that, taking this novel in the context of the DT series may be misleading and the expectations for the novel prior to reading it could, therefore, lead to the later dissatisfaction. Just my take on things.
Tim wrote: "Hi Glen, it's nice to see someone else felt the same way about #4. It seems we're a minority."I loved Wizard and Glass (though I think Wasteland was my favorite). However, when I went to re-read them before Wolves came out, I almost couldn't bring myself to read it again.
Anytime after W&G is good. TWTTK is my second favorite DT book. There's not much DT stroyline to it, but it is simply a lot of fun to read. Hopefully King will get around to more tales from the Great Book of Eld.
Mod
I agree!
Carlos wrote: "Hi everybody. Since I haven´t read yet the Dark Tower 4 and The Dark Tower 5, and since the story of this book passes between them, do you think I should read it between books 4 and 5 or just after..."I have the same question and am in the same situation,
I started reading DT5 (Wolves of Calla) but then stopped not even 1/4th in as I wasnt feeling it as much as the first 4 novels.
I have WTTKH but want to know if I should backtrack and start Wind instead of finishing 5, 6 and 7 and then go back to Wind (4.5)?
Its been a while since I read DT4 (Wizard and Glass)
Thanks
Tim wrote: "Carlos, it is like a fairy tale set in the DT universe. Only the introduction and a brief conclusion have anything to do with the normal DT storyline/characters."Wiz and Glass is an awesome book and even better audiobook. If you heard the amazing reader of the audiobook doing all of the different voices of the crazy characters you would amazed. loan it from your library or get it it on your kindle using your Overdrive app and your library card #
Tim wrote: "Hi Glen, it's nice to see someone else felt the same way about #4. It seems we're a minority."Love W&G a lot. amazing characters and storyline of Roland and his turu love. If you havent heard the audiobook then its a shame as its an amazing "play" for your ears. the reader who does it does ALL the voices differently and he is amazing at it. hard to believe he pulled it off, even the evil witches voice!!!
loan it ASAP from your library or buy it if you can
Stephen wrote: "Carlos wrote: "Hi everybody. Since I haven´t read yet the Dark Tower 4 and The Dark Tower 5, and since the story of this book passes between them, do you think I should read it between books 4 and ..."I'd say you can really read Wind Through the Keyhole at any point after the ka-tet is complete. As much as its just a fantastic story of Roland's early gunslinger years its also a great moment of peace and comradery between Roland, Jake, Eddie and Susannah. We don't get too many moments where they're just, you know, together.
The thing that will always make DT such a standout from the other fantasy/horror epics out there for me is the relationship between the four of them. I've never been able to pinpoint exactly how he does it but the love and respect and just like sense of completeness they all bring to each other...I don't know I just don't think I've ever run across that in any other epic. I suppose LOTR comes close but DT doesn't have that sense of "high fantasy" where the characters are really almost fairie tale like and untouchable.
I missed these characters like someone I loved had moved away or even died when I finished this series and when I got to hang out with them again it was like being with that loved one again for a little while.
So, no I wouldn't say read this if you've only just finished The Gunslinger. But if you're at least through the first three go for it.
Sara wrote: "I missed these characters like someone I loved had moved away or even died when I finished this series and when I got to hang out with them again it was like being with that loved one again for a little while"Well said Sara. I feel exactly the same.
Just finished reading this one between 4 and 5. Loved it.
I flew through the main 7 books of the Dark Tower (been a SK reader for 15 years and just read these last year- don't know what I was waiting for!), and then picked up The Wind Through The Keyhole immediately after book 7. For me, this wasn't the right time to read it. I had just been on a long emotional journey with these guys and I only wanted to spend time with them, so I wasn't very interested in Jamie DeCurry and the Skin Man.I am reading it now a few months later and I love it so far. So happy to be back in that world again (I am listening to The Gunslinger on audiobook now too which is fantastic), and I've now spent enough time away to really enjoy the trip back.
That being said, I think I would have loved to read this between 4 and 5, especially after spending so much time with young Roland in book 4.
