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The Gunslinger
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Just Finished the Gunslinger...is it worth it to continue
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Andy
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Jun 18, 2014 08:21AM
I just finished The Gunslinger and honestly, I wasn't impressed. It really had to slug through it and to be honest, I'm slightly confused. So I was wondering, would it be worth it to continue reading the Dark Tower series? Are the other books more interesting than The Gunslinger?
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My response isn't going to help you to much since I loved The Gunslinger and I read all the books in the series and enjoyed all of them. If you still have some interest in the series then I would at least check out the second book. If you read it and still aren't into it then I wouldn't continue any further.
YES. Do it. The Waste Lands, Wolves of the Calla, The Drawing of the Three, and The Dark Tower were my favorites. I struggled a little with the first book, but the second is different and it got me more into the story.
ok. I'll check out the Drawing of the Three. I liked, ok loved, the Tull part, but there's something about them just walking the entire book, not much seemed to be happening.
The Gunslinger is... dry. It's a book I've grown to love having read the series through several times, but the first time I read it I felt the same way. Meh. But the rest of the series is awesome. Definitely a favorite. Continue on with the series. Do it. :D
I would say yes. But if you don't enjoy The Drawing of the Three then probably stop because that is much more indicative of the series as a whole.
Yeah, the Gunslinger has been my least favorite by far. I've only read the first three and am trying to get started with Wizard and Glass sometime here soon. I didn't like The Gunslinger but definitely want to continue with the series.
I loved The Gunslinger but you have to understand it follows your typical western formula. It deviates the least from that concept. The real adventure begins in Drawing of the Three. I say stick with it but, be prepared for more western themes once Wizard and Glass comes about, as it is a flashback story. This happens again The Wind through the Keyhole.If you don't have a basic love if westerns, The Dark Tower may not be for you. If you do you'll find it's one of the greatest adventures EVER written since that JRR Tolkien stuff ;)
It is definitely worth it. I know not everyone likes the King's writing style and his pontification, but at the heart of it he's an amazing storyteller with an unparallelled imagination, and this is kind of like his Magnum Opus. Out of all the books I've read in my life, only a few really stand out, and this series is definitely one of them.
The Dark Tower series is one of his best works. I would definitely continue reading this series. You will thoroughly enjoy it!
You're coming to two of the best books in the series, IMO: The Drawing of the Three and The Waste Lands. Books 4 & 5 I struggled with, but the last two are very good. And Th Wind Through the Keyhole is terrific.
Continue! Unfortunately, the first book is the weakest. My personal favorite is the next - The Drawing of the Three. I echo Jake's suggestion - if you don't like the second book, just hang it up.
Dave wrote: "if you don't like the second book, just hang it up."Agreed - probably the most true statement ever written about The Dark Tower series
I would say continue. I liked The Wastelands and Wolves of the Calla best myself. By then you're into it and can't stop.
You are right, the first book is definitely not the best. I didn't like the second book so much either, but I read it about 20 years ago and I was really picky about what I was reading and it just didn't hit me the right way. I was debating on whether to continue it myself. But, once I read The Wastelands I was hooked! It is my favorite book in the series! So even if you don't like the second one, I would keep going, it's well worth it!
I think The Drawing of the Three is my favorite, but absolutely agree with almost everyone that The Gunslinger is not the best of the series. Too bad, because I think it discourages some from continuing and the series is a genuine masterpiece when judged as a whole.I recently read that King was thinking of removing references to himself in future printings. I hope he doesn't because that is one of my favorite parts of the whole series. I love when authors are able to do that in a way that doesn't come across as contrived and King did it perfectly.
I just wanted to update that I started the Drawing of the Three yesterday and think it's great. It really isn't the typical fantasy!
Good to hear that, Andy! Long days and pleasant nights of reading to you.
Keep reading! I didn't care much for The Gunslinger, but loved the series as a whole. You have to be a Stephen King fan to really enjoy them.
Did you read the original 5 stories or the revised version of The Gunslinger? I really enjoyed the 5 original stories, but didn't care for the revised version.
I would definitely continue. I am currently on book four Wizard and Glass. I also struggled to get through Gunslinger but the drawing of three is so much better then the wastelands will get you hooked. I can't put the series down and can't wait to finish it.
