The Dark Tower
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Should I read this series? Please answer some questions about the ending (Spoilers)
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Michael
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Sep 25, 2014 09:32AM

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That being said, this is kind of a linchpin for SK. He ties this series back to a number of his other books so there's quite a bit of cross-over. (It's all about the "Wheel of Ka".) Which to me, is fun.
Should you decide to read "Dark Tower", just know that it's a big commitment because it's a heavy read but an enjoyable one, imo.

Whilst you do know the core of the ending there still plenty more twists and turns your not aware of on the way to the ultimate end.

If you really want to know wikipedia it...but just reading an answer wont get you any real emotional connection or involvement.



It's worth the read. However, you're too worried about the ending which may be an indication that this type of book series isn't your cup of tea.
You said in another post that you only read series. This series is very different from the series that you may be reading from today's authors. SK doesn't follow the standard series formula that you may be used to.


If you have read The Talisman or Black House, then you spent time in the Dart Tower World. If you have read The Stand, then you have met characters in the Dark Tower World. My point is that there a ton of Easter eggs in his books that tie to the Dark Tower.

And when I got to the end of the story, I wished I had never started it. That was quite some time ago, and I'm not over it yet. So many people seem to think this is King's masterwork. I would emphatically disagree. There are segments of it that are masterful. But the payoff stinks. And I understand it; I "get it." I just don't like it. A lot.

I am surprised you don't like it. It is the perfect ending because it states what has been stated the entire series. A turn in the great wheel of ka.




Your interpretation makes sense too. You are saying it is a Sisyphean task. I never thought it this way before. The only reason I disagree with you is that he had the horn one the next go around and that is the hope that was not in the first time. King leaves the reader with hope for a better future. Ka is much like Karma in the idea of what comes around goes around. I cannot imagine if there was never a better future, King would not have left the other three happy in their world.


You made my day. It is not about convincing, but enjoying the writing.

The series as a whole is incredible. King gets you (or at least he did me) to care for the characters, to worry about them, to become just as obsessed with reaching the tower as Roland is. I'm not sure if I pity or am jealous of new fans to the series. Waiting over the years for each new volume to come out was a kind of torture and yet each time a new volume hit and you got to return to Roland and his gunslingers it was an incredible experience. The anticipation made the experience of reading the new adventure just that much sweeter. (yes I realize I sound like a 16 yr old girl and not a 42 yr old man :p )




My sentiments EXACTLY, Lucy. It felt like SK just couldn't decide what to put in that damned room up there, so he just made it go back to the beginning.
And yes, I got the overarching message, ka is a wheel, blah blah blah. But this ending was outrageous in the most literal sense of the word. When I read that last part, I was outraged.


I did, even re-reading The Gunslinger as she recommended, albeit I didn't do it till years later, LOL.
She said I had to get past the first book to get to the MUCH better material later, and boy does it get better!!! It's quite a journey, with unforgettable characters. I even use "Dark Tower lingo" with online friends, if it "does ya fine." :-)
The fourth book, Wizard and Glass, was a bit draggy for me, esp. when they were in Mejis. And the "Wolves" in Wolves of the Calla disappointed me in what they turned out to be.
I liked #2, 5, 6 and 7 the best. I thought the series got better in the second half, after #4.

If you're having a hard time getting in to it, I recommend the audio books - they're fabulous. The last reread I did was just after the rumour mill of the movie started up again and when that happened... and somewhere during my re-reading of The Dark Tower it was announced that Idris Elba would be playing Roland.... Well I think I lost it! I was so excited - and the movie will be - well it will be amazing even if you haven't read the series, but I recommend it because Stephen King's hinted that this is the final go round in the movie verse, not the books but that Roland is on the last cycle and that this time he may really win.
The books were haunting - I recommend them to any lover of excellent writing and character development.
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