2014 DT Buddy Read: #1 - The Gunslinger

[Becky]

Setting up the thread for the Buddy Read discussion.
Remember to mark all spoilers, ideally with the page number/% or chapter or something to let people know where you are in the book.

[Jesse]

So I guess we start January 1st, or now if you want a head start with holidays. I will be posting my page as (current/total) because I have the kindle versions to take notes with. I look forward to the many discussions we will have!

[Costas]

I'd like to (re)read that one. How much do you expect this buddy read will last? I know it's not as large a book as the rest, but I'm not sure I'll make it in time.

[Justin]

If we start on January 1 should we shoot for Jan 8 to finish. It's pretty short and shouldn't take too long to complete.

[Justin]

Also. I have the revised edition. Does that make a big difference?

[Jesse]

Depends on the person but i think a week two weeks at most as well.

[Jesse]

Not really. I think its probably better since its the newest edition. I have both

[Shell]

There are quite a few differences between the original and the revised edition, but I don't think it will make much difference to the conversation if people are reading different versions. The first time I read it I read the revised edition, but in hindsight I wish I'd read the original - for reasons I can't say without spoiling the ending! If I had a choice I'd read the original first then at the end go back and read the revised, but if you only have one or the other don't stress about it, it doesn't really matter which one you read :)

[Johnny]

might join you in reading this. I'm stuck halfway through. I just can't finish it. Maybe this buddy read will help :)

[Becky]

You're stuck halfway through The Gunslinger? Or the series?

If you're struggling with The Gunslinger - I'd suggest skipping it and coming back to it later. The first book does introduce you to Roland, but it can be dry and slow at times. The 2nd book, The Drawing of the Three is radically different, and should draw (ha ha ha) you into the series if Gunslinger doesn't.

[Jesse]

I know that is a suggestion many make becky, but make sure you read the bit in the beginning of the drawing of the three or you will be super confused. I honestly wouldn't skip the first book. I found skipping the first part and reading the way station first because it drew me in.

[Justin]

I remember feeling that way the first time I read the book as well. I really don't remember much about it anymore though. I stopped at some point in the third book so I'm excited to start over and plow through the series.

I do remember having the book hyped up because so many people love the series. It's fairly short, too, and The Drawing of the Three is a lot better.

You can do it!!!

[Justin]

Alright, so, I've cheated and read through the introduction, foreword, and first few pages of The Gunslinger. Looking foreword to next year!!!

I will send out a breakdown of dates and what sections to read to keep us all on track

Now to finish Catching Fire and Mockingjay so I can focus on the DT in January.....

[Jesse]

Haha. I already started too. :) Just because I am kinda taking notes and analyzing the books too. Excited about that.

[Jesse]

I honestly hope to get some discussion by BOTH books, revised and non so I will be reading both of them too. Not huge differences to the series or heavy spoilers just nice to read them and see differences.

[Johnny]

I'm stuck halfway through the Gunslinger. I've also heard that the rest of the series is great...it's just that this book starts off slow.

[Daniel]

Should be fun! Recently I tried The Gunslinger on audio but it was hard to get through. I will try the book version when our group read starts.

[Nick]

Daniel wrote: "Should be fun! Recently I tried The Gunslinger on audio but it was hard to get through. I will try the book version when our group read starts."

Yeah, the guy who reads the dark tower series makes it really ponderous. I'm an audio book fan, but I'd stay away from the Dark Tower series on audio. Frank Muller (I think that's the guy) does okay on other king books but not here. Stay with the text.

[Nick]

Johnny wrote: "I'm stuck halfway through the Gunslinger. I've also heard that the rest of the series is great...it's just that this book starts off slow."

I agree. But stay with it, things get a lot better fast... starting in the next book. But I'm convinced that King thinks the first sentence of The Gunslinger is up there with the greatest first sentences every written. You know: "It was the best of times, It was the worst of times." "Call me Ishmael." "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." Better not say any more.

[Justin]

I actually like the Old West vibe and the slower pacing of the story. There are some scenes that drag a little, but not too long. I've cheated and read about half of the book, but I will go back to join the discussion.

Definitely more questions than answers so far...

[Justin]

How's this for a reading guideline when we officially start in January? This gives us about two weeks to complete the book and we can start The Drawing of the Three on January 15. I'm cool with condensing the time frame, too, but thought this would give everyone time to read and discuss before moving to the next book. Let me know what you think....

January 1 – 3: Chapter 1
January 4 – 6: Chapter 2
January 7 – 9: Chapter 3
January 10 – 12: Chapter 4
January 13 – 14: Chapter 5

[Nick]

Justin wrote: "I actually like the Old West vibe and the slower pacing of the story. There are some scenes that drag a little, but not too long. I've cheated and read about half of the book, but I will go back to..."

You're gonna love Wizard and Glass.

[Daniel]

That reading schedule sounds great. I'm looking forward to it.

[Becky]

Nick wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Should be fun! Recently I tried The Gunslinger on audio but it was hard to get through. I will try the book version when our group read starts."

Yeah, the guy who reads the dark tower series makes it really ponderous. I'm an audio book fan, but I'd stay away from the Dark Tower series on audio. Frank Muller (I think that's the guy) does okay on other king books but not here. Stay with the text. "

I could not disagree more. The Gunslinger is dry (in text and audio) but once you get to The Drawing of The Three, Frank Muller really brings the characters to life. His reading of Eddie is absolutely perfect. George Guidall picked up reading the audios after Muller's accident, and he does not compare. :(

Stick with the text if you prefer that, but I think that Frank Muller does an exceptional job with the audios.

[Chris]

I may join this group if that's ok? I started gunslinger a couple years ago and gave up. I eventually finished it and plowed through drawing of three. However I got stuck again on wastelands. Any words of encouragement?

[Becky]

Of course you can join. Anyone is welcome. :)

[Kevin]

Becky wrote: "Nick wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Should be fun! Recently I tried The Gunslinger on audio but it was hard to get through. I will try the book version when our group read starts."

Yeah, the guy who reads..."

I think Stephen King's narration of the first three books are the best of them all.

[Becky]

No way... I love Stephen King, but he does not have the voice for audio. I'm pretty picky about audiobook readers though.

[Nick]

Becky wrote: "No way... I love Stephen King, but he does not have the voice for audio. I'm pretty picky about audiobook readers though."

His voice would be poor as a narrator of any of his novels, but when he's telling his own story I think he gives it a more authentic feel.

[Victor]

I will join in on this buddy read on Wizard and Glass.

[Justin]

Confession.... I tried to pace myself, but I finished the book. In looking forward to discussing it with everyone soon. I will try to slow down... Promise!

[Jesse]

I'm finished too haha

[Lauren]

Justin wrote: "Alright, so, I've cheated and read through the introduction, foreword, and first few pages of The Gunslinger. Looking foreword to next year!!!

I will send out a breakdown of dates and what section..."

Please tell me you finished both of those books by the 23rd!! I also hope you didn't see the movie yet to ruin all of the surprises . . .

[Lauren]

Chris wrote: "I may join this group if that's ok? I started gunslinger a couple years ago and gave up. I eventually finished it and plowed through drawing of three. However I got stuck again on wastelands. Any w..."

Please stick with the series . . . it had the biggest payout a series could have imo . . . I really found myself sluggish until Wizard and Glass . . . and then, I could not put the books down. Thankfully, all of the books were published so I did not have to wait. I feel lucky in a way, not having to wait for the story to continue. You can really see the true genius of storytelling when you read the books back to back.

Needless to say, you should stick it out until the end. Life is a wheel, my friend. You'll be glad you did.

[Justin]

Lauren wrote: "Justin wrote: "Alright, so, I've cheated and read through the introduction, foreword, and first few pages of The Gunslinger. Looking foreword to next year!!!

I will send out a breakdown of dates a..."

I switched to Catching Fire on audio so I can listen to it in the car. Still haven't seen the movie. I really only liked the first book and then things went downhill for me...

[Justin]

Jesse wrote: "I'm finished too haha"

I won't disclose whether I've started The Drawing of the Three, or, if I have (hypothetically), I won't share how much of it I've read (potentially).

[Jesse]

I will breeze through book two :) It's my favorite haha. Book 3 was slow for me. So that's where I will struggle.

[Stevo]

Gonna get started with the Gunslinger reread soon. Going with the original version as its fun to imagine what SK may have first had in mind for the gunslingers quest.

[Lucy]

I am trying to collect the full set and then I will be reading these back to back. I'm only missing Wolves of the Calla and The Dark Tower now :) Got 4 of the set for Christmas :D x

[Justin]

Looking forward to some great discussion. I have the revised edition of the book, but I don't know what's different from the original. It will be interesting to see the differences.

Remember to mark posts as spoilers if they deal with the plot in case others haven't caught up.

Happy New Year!!

[Stevo]

Some minor character spoilers/thoughts ahead for part one of The Gunslinger.

Previously, I thought Sheb and Nort were just there to play their small part in the gunslingers journey - as well, if I'm honest, as the rest of Tull. I saw them as being just as disposable as the gunslinger does. This time round, I felt for both these men. Their lives are nothing special then the MIB and the gunslinger come through and wreak their havoc. Sheb in particular. He just wanted to look out for Allie ('She was mine first. Mine!') and live out his days with her in that tavern.

[Jesse]

I have never noticed that! But you are right.

[Justin]

I'll add more specifics later, but I loved the Old West setting and the slow pacing of the story. I thought there were some similarities to The Road which is actually a book I can't stand, but The Gunslinger had more detail, more plot, and more punctuation.

It definitely feels different than any other SK book I've read. It actually seemed a little pretentious at times, but a great novel nonetheless.

[Stevo]

Jesse wrote: "I have never noticed that! But you are right."

First time I read The Gunslinger it was a slog, then each time since its been a race to just get to the palaver and have the book done with. Now, trying to stick with the buddy reads timetable, it seems to give time for things to sink in. Hopefully there will be plenty of discussion as we go through the series. :)

Justin wrote: "I'll add more specifics later, but I loved the Old West setting and the slow pacing of the story. I thought there were some similarities to The Road which is actually a book I can't stand, but The ..."

It does seem pretentious, you're right. Its in a fun context though - this is SK writing as a pretentious young gun, adjectives flying everywhere, trying to pen his magnum opus. :D

[Justin]

Stevo wrote: "Jesse wrote: "I have never noticed that! But you are right."

First time I read The Gunslinger it was a slog, then each time since its been a race to just get to the palaver and have the book done ..."

Yeah, the first time I read it I had a tough time getting through it. This time around I love it

(view spoiler)[. I know the palaver is the climax of the book, but I like the slow burn in the first chapter. I love the desolate setting of he world that's moved on. I really enjoyed the scene with Roland and the guy with the corn and beans. Roland is out there trying to figure things out and the dry conversations he has and the stories he shares are a nice break from him wandering the desert. You get the impression there are very few others out there and we they cross paths they need the short time of companionship and interaction with another human desperately. (hide spoiler)]

[Stevo]

The desolation and loneliness really does come through, doesn't it, Justin. I think in the revised version, with it being written in SK's more conversational style, it sort of diminishes the outright remoteness and solitude we find the gunslinger in. All I can hear in my head when I read this stuff is utter silence, like white noise, which magnifies every other little sound and conversation. At that part where Brown is talking about the the one time it rained and how the corn grew, I can almost hear it too, sighing and groaning its way out of the ground.

(In the revised all I can see is that 'do ya' parlance that came in later on in the series and seems so out of place at the outset of the gunslingers resumption.)

I like how Brown is a step ahead too, knowing what the gunslinger is thinking - like how he knows the gunslingers wondering if he's an enchantment and how Brown challenges him, asking why he has to think he's such a mystery. Funny how the gunslinger didn't feel right about spilling his guts about Tull until Brown invited him to. So set in his ways is our Roland who might straighten bad pictures in strange hotel rooms.

Hows everyone finding The Way Station?

[Justin]

(view spoiler)[The Way Station.... Introducing Jake Chambers! It was interesting to learn how Jake arrives in Roland's world. I'm sure this is further developed later, but it looks like Jake's death and transition to the desert is not something just anyone can do. The man in black pushing him seems significant, but what purpose does Jake have? Roland learns his time with Jake will be short if he wants to continue his ultimate quest ... But why Jake?

Its nice too see Roland with a companion on his quest even if it's for a short time. The demon skeleton thing and the jawbone he takes are also interesting. As quiet and isolated as things are out there, Roland still finds people to talk to, demon or otherwise.

Looks like there's more than just desert out there as they see mountains in the distance. It will be cool to see how the settings change as this world is further introduced. Right now, things are still a little vague and Roland's past is still a little confusing, but I love that about this first book in the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Jesse]

Can I just say, Spiders with sixteen legs sounds wakeful. I want someone to draw the creatures in this book. All of them.

[Jesse]

I have also recommended to a few people struggling with this novel to get the books with pictures. I found it hard to read because I struggled with imagining the creatures and much of the world itself so even the few glimpses at pictures helped guide my imagination.

[Becky]

Justin, can you mark post 47 as a spoiler please?