Dark Tower Series Group Read

[Aditya]

Oh Yeah absolutely. The app does not let you reply to another poster or even edit your own post. Even book linking is a bit iffy. The irony is I read more when I am out of my city, so I need to use GR a hell lot more.

[Oliver]

I'm doing the expanded read at the moment, which includes a load of other King books that relate in some way to the DT.
The full list is as follows:

Little Sisters of Eluria
Gunslinger
Drawing of the Three
The Stand
Eyes of the Dragon
Talisman
Wastelands
Wizard and Glass
Salems Lot
The Mist
IT
Insomnia
Rose Madder
Desperation
The Regulators
Everything's Eventual
Bag of Bones
Hearts in Atlantis
Black House
From Buick 8
Wind through the keyhole
Wolves of the Calla
Song of Susannah
The Dark Tower

I finished The Talisman yesterday, so making pretty good progress.

[Nick]

Oliver wrote: "I'm doing the expanded read at the moment, which includes a load of other King books that relate in some way to the DT.
The full list is as follows:

Little Sisters of Eluria
Gunslinger
Drawing ..."

IMPRESSIVE.

[Oliver]

I'm enjoying it. It's good to have an excuse to reread some of his books I've not visited for a long time.

[Kellie]

I’m sorry to be so far behind. I hope to catch up soon.

[Tracy]

No problem Kellie. I'm a little behind too. I've only read the first two books so far.

[Kellie]

Thanks Tracy

[Kole]

How many other books relate to the DT series? There is a reference in the new Gerald's Game movie, and I know IT is related through the turtle, but how else does the DT series relate to his other works?

[Kandice]

Kole wrote: "How many other books relate to the DT series? There is a reference in the new Gerald's Game movie, and I know IT is related through the turtle, but how else does the DT series relate to his other w..."

Almost every single book has one reference or another. There are a very few exceptions and they tend to be short stories or those with absolutely no supernatural-ness to them.

[Kole]

I've seen a couple references to "the shining" ability in his works too. He does a great job of making little references without being ridiculously obvious.

[Nancy]

Kandice wrote: "Kole wrote: "How many other books relate to the DT series? There is a reference in the new Gerald's Game movie, and I know IT is related through the turtle, but how else does the DT series relate t..."

I know Black House is a tie-in to DT. There’s also a 'Salem's Lot connection.

There is also a reference in The Waste Lands to The Stand with a mention of Trashcan Man. I can’t think of the other DT book that has a tie-in to another world that resembles The Stand.

There’s so many I can’t think of them all. They are usually easy to spot while you are reading though.

[mrbooks]

Don't forget the tie in to the Talisman in the Wolves of Cala.

[ElleEm]

Nancy, I believe there is a tie-in to The Stand in Wizard and Glass.

Mr. Brooks the tie-in to the Talisman in Wolves is escaping me at the moment could you give a hint?

[Linda]

There is a tie in for the Stand in Wizard and Glass.

[Nancy]

Linda wrote: "There is a tie in for the Stand in Wizard and Glass."

I was thinking that was the book. I’ll fnd out when I re-read it. Just finished The Waste Lands.

[Summer]

There’s a handy page on King’s website that lists the different references. I found it helpful when I was reading through the series.

http://stephenking.com/darktower/conn...

[mrbooks]

I would ElleEme, but I have to re read it first I remember but I may not be remembering rightly if you get my meaning.

[Chris , The Hardcase]

I'll set up a folder for the next book. Where are y'all going from here, after finishing W&G?

[Nancy]

Isn’t The Wind Through the Keyhole the next book according sai King?

[mrbooks]

It's a toss up really, if you are a traditionalist you would read Wolves of Calla if you want to follow the story as altered by Sai King the it would be the Wind through the Key hole. We are his Ka-tet so we will let Ka guide us, that or a majority vote.

[Tammira]

I vote Wind through the Keyhole next

[Tracy]

mrbooks wrote: "It's a toss up really, if you are a traditionalist you would read Wolves of Calla if you want to follow the story as altered by Sai King the it would be the Wind through the Key hole. We are his Ka..."

So which should we read? What has everyone else started? I'm about halfway through book 3, The Waste lands, what do you think is best to read next?

[Nancy]

I think we should read Wind Through the Keyhole next since that is what King intended.

[mrbooks]

I will go along with wind through the keyhole.

[Linda]

Let's pick one we all agree on. I haven't read the last ones. That's why I haven't started because I didn't know which one to read.

[Tracy]

So, after the Wastelands it's Wizards and Glass and then Wind Through the Keyhole?

[Nancy]

Yes, Wizard and Glass is after The Waste Lands. I would like to read Wind Through the Keyhole after W & G since that’s was King’s intention.

[Tracy]

Nancy wrote: "Yes, Wizard and Glass is after The Waste Lands. I would like to read Wind Through the Keyhole after W & G since that’s was King’s intention."

Thanks!

[Nick]

Tracy wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Yes, Wizard and Glass is after The Waste Lands. I would like to read Wind Through the Keyhole after W & G since that’s was King’s intention."

Thanks!"

So some comments on the story, I don't always get these feeds so I may have missed it, but I don't see much discussion of the central incident of this book (view spoiler)[Susan's execution (hide spoiler)]. I think what King does so well here is to make the event absolutely unavoidable like we're all bound and being dragged to witness it whether we can bear it or not. And yet we're (or at least I am) kicking a screaming all the way. It was this struggle, hoping against hope that that incident did not happen, that made the book so powerful for me. In other worlds than these, perhaps (view spoiler)[...Susan survives (hide spoiler)]. But then what happens to Roland, does he move on?

I think the wizard part (homage to the wizard of oz) seemed really weak, and it bothered me that we had to read through that to get to the rest of the story of what happened in Roland's youth.

As for Rhia... I've known stronger witches, but her weak, nasty, self-absorbed evil was pretty great. So was the glass... a great invention.

[Nancy]

I never really understood the addition of the Wizard of Oz thing either. I did like that they were in Kansas after Captain Trips but bout the world of The Stand (there was a different make of car and drink in W&G that wasn’t in The Stand). I like that subtle reminder that there are other worlds.

Ugh, we know what is going to happen to Susan but we keep hoping he can save her!

If Roland hadn’t looked into the glass would he have ever started his quest for the Dark Tower?

[Summer]

Nick wrote: "So some comments on the story, I don't always get these feeds so I may have missed it, but I don't see much discussion of the central incident of this book..."

It’s even more striking when you think about the fact that Roland and the boys are only 14 or 15. They may have grown up in the gunslinger culture of aging quickly, but they’re still so young and inexperienced. Serious events at that age tend to leave lasting effects.

I think Alain and Cuthbert are also worth discussing. When I first read this, I remember thinking that Cuthbert was a bit of an odd choice for Roland’s closest confidante. They’re so radically different but they balance each other out so well. I’ve wondered what Roland’s quest would have been like if (view spoiler)[Cuthbert had lived longer and been able to join him for more of it. I will say, though, that the comics definitely did Cuthbert’s death justice (hide spoiler)] and overall, I think the comics are worth a read for folks who want to see more of Gilead and events post-W&G and pre-Gunslinger.

[mrbooks]

Nick wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Yes, Wizard and Glass is after The Waste Lands. I would like to read Wind Through the Keyhole after W & G since that’s was King’s intention."

Thanks!"

So some comments..."

What would have happened (view spoiler)[ is Susan Survived, It says even if Susan lives Ka's needs were met and this particular Katet would be done. It would have made a great deal of difference to Roland though, He would not have been lost in his grief but would have taken an active part in the journey back. (hide spoiler)]
I agree with the last part of the book, talk about rushed and cut. We spent 95 percent of the book in Roland's past 2.5 percent in leaving Blain and 2.5 percent in Oz of the world.

[mrbooks]

Nancy wrote: "I never really understood the addition of the Wizard of Oz thing either. I did like that they were in Kansas after Captain Trips but bout the world of The Stand (there was a different make of car a..."

It was Ka it made him look in the glass.

[mrbooks]

Summer wrote: "Nick wrote: "So some comments on the story, I don't always get these feeds so I may have missed it, but I don't see much discussion of the central incident of this book..."

It’s even more striking..."

Summer an old saying Opposites attract, you couldn't get more Opposite of Roland then Cuthbert. In essence they are mirror images of each other. they make one complete person.

[Nick]

(view spoiler)[Even as Susan was facing her fate, Roland was already feeling that he had to move on... even if she had survived he would have started the quest. Nothing could have been worse than what happened, but still getting dumped by Roland would have been pretty bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Kandice]

Have any of you other Dark Tower junkies ever visited Ka-tet19.net? They have the absolute best DT stuff, as well as other references to King. They're having their $19 sale right now and I am having a hard time not buying one of everything.

[Philip]

Why couldn't I find this group sooner. I'm now on the final Dark Tower book after reading all of the others, plus the related books as well (such as Eyes of the Dragon, Black house, Salem's Lot, The Stand, Insomnia etc). :-(

[Philip]

Done something similar, but I've taken a few short cuts. I'm on the final DT book now. The related readings I read were:

The Stand, Salem's Lot, Eyes of the Dragon, Talisman, Black House, Insomnia. Skipped the rest :P


Oliver wrote: "I'm doing the expanded read at the moment, which includes a load of other King books that relate in some way to the DT.
The full list is as follows:

Little Sisters of Eluria
Gunslinger
Drawing ..."

[mrbooks]

Phillip you can still take part in the discussions as long as you don't put out any spoilers LOL and even if you do, I think 99 percent of us have read the series at least once as well as all related books. Currently we are reading the wolves of the Calla, or the Song of Susannah depending on how the reader is reading the books. As I have read it most recently after the Wind through the Keyhole and I read it in order of publication. I decided to add the Wind through the Keyhole between the Wizards and Glass and the Wolves of the Calla.

[Ian]

I'm running behind and have only just started Wind Through the Keyhole. Man, I suck!

It's the first read though of the series for me and I'm loving it - it's a long process though.

It's been well worth the time and effort, although I thought The Gunslinger was a terrible book - easily the worst SK story I've read. The saga soon picks up pace though and excitement levels skyrocket almost as soon as The Drawing of the Two begins.

[Tracy]

Ian, you're not the only one. I'm towards the end of book 4, so you're ahead of me. I'm loving the story though. It seems to get better with each book.

[mrbooks]

The time it takes to reach the destination is not important the journey is the key to the destination. So sit back and enjoy the journey Ian.

[Ian]

Tracy wrote: "Ian, you're not the only one. I'm towards the end of book 4, so you're ahead of me. I'm loving the story though. It seems to get better with each book."

With The Stand and Nick Cutter's The Deep being next month's reads, I fear progress may become further stinted.

[mrbooks]

Ian I am trying to finish The First American the life and Times of Benjamin Franklin and Le Morte Darthur as well as finishing the Divergent series and start the Maze Runner series and Keeping up with the Darktower series and the Chronological read of Stephen Kings books. I feel your pain, LOL.

[Nancy]

I am behind as well, Ian. The threads will always be there to posts to. I hope to get to Wolves of the Calla in April at this rate.

[Ian]

mrbooks wrote: "The time it takes to reach the destination is not important the journey is the key to the destination. So sit back and enjoy the journey Ian."

Nicely put! I certainly will.

[Ian]

Nancy wrote: "I am behind as well, Ian. The threads will always be there to posts to. I hope to get to Wolves of the Calla in April at this rate."

That's true - good point!

Awesome novels though huh? Whatever the pace.

[mrbooks]

Just finished Wolves of the Calla, It is excellent

[Ian]

mrbooks wrote: "Just finished Wolves of the Calla, It is excellent"

Good going! How do you rate it compared to the others.

[mrbooks]

I have a problem when it comes to Sai Kings books. Each and everyone one I read is the best until I get to the next book. Do I have favorites yes normally the book I happen to be reading at the time. But other then that it is The Long WAlk, The Stand and the Mist.