King, Stephen-The Gunslinger(The Dark Tower #1) -Informal Buddy Read-revisit; Starts November 3, 2014; February 27, 2017

[[deleted user]]

I think I had this weird idea that I wouldn't like it. But his writing is much better than I expected. So Dark Tower is literally only my second bout with him.

[Cynthia]

@ Taryn, I think a lot of people have preconceived notions about King, making up their minds without every having read as much as a short story. (not saying you do, just that it isn't uncommon for people to develop ideas about a write without having any experience with them).

Back in the day, there were horror writers and 'real writers' (said in a very pompous tone). Seriously, a lot of people assumed King was maybe pretty good at scaring people, but surely he couldn't write first rate books or he would write about real life stuff like all serious authors do. And that's where you miss out on the best of King. He is writing about real life stuff.

Some of his books I've read 2 or 3 times over the past 30+ years, and they're always even better the next time around.


I've made it through Tull. Still as good as it was way back.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I never read any of his books either. This is actually my 2nd book by him. At year I read The Eyes of the Dragon and it was really good. I'm currently halfway through this book and it's really good. I think this book will never make the TTIII list because I'll be finished with it sooner but I'll discuss it with you while everyone continues the discussion thread.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

It's funny because I might not have read any of his books before but I have seen almost all of his movies that are of his books. Hmm weird *shrugs*

[Cynthia]

The only reason I'm able to stretch it out is because I'm rewarding myself for reading a chapter of with a chapter of either this or . I should upgrade that to chocolate.

[Cynthia]

Stephen King film and tv adaptations

I'm embarassed at the small number of these I haven't seen. Most of that small number is made up of Children of the Corn sequels.

[Kristie]

Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress - His books are so much better than the movies. I don't think they could make the movies to match his writing. lol

I love King's writing style. I think he is a great storyteller. I've been reading his books for 30 years and can still get lost in his books.

[Justin]

Ron Howard has been planning to bring the Dark Tower series to both the big screen and television. It sounds really ambitious, and it has been very slow to develop, but maybe one day...

Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are my two favorite film adaptations.

[Kristie]

I thought the Green Mile was a great adaptation. Stand by Me was really good too. I think the Dark Tower could be a great series, if done right.

[Cynthia]

I can count on one hand the number of movies my husband has watched in their entirety. (That's a gross understatement, it would take nearly two hands).

He watches The Shining every time it's on, has probably seen Misery a dozen times, and he can quote most of Pet Sematary. (To himself, because we've all stopped listening). He basically limits his fictional television to Stephen King and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. [he says his favorite is Pet Sematary II]

That's why I've seen so many of the King adaptations. None of which outshine the novels. I love Ron Howard, but he'll be hard pressed to make an adaptation that pleases all of us. I guess that's how it always it, especially when a series has been developing fans for 35 years.

Dolores Claiborne, Shawshank & Green Mile of course, Stand by Me, and I don't want to say Pet Sematary, but it's our family's version of It's a Wonderful Life, so how can I leave it off the list?

[Justin]

Haha... Forgot about Pet Semetary.

"Ah, that road? Best not go down that road..."

[Anita Reads]

I've only read Under the Dome by King. He's really good at explaining people and the surroundings.
I plan to read all of his books at some point, but it will take some time. :)

Back when I thought reading was boring (yes I've been there) I tried to read 'IT' but I never got further than the first couple of chapters. What I remember from that one is that it was super creepy, and I'm dead scared of clowns, so I'm scared to pick it up again.

I haven't started on the book yet either. Will start on it tonight.

[Ananya]

I have read only Christine which didn't impress me as such and I want to read some good SK so I'll read with you guys :)

[Sanskriti]

I've begun reading the book, but I'm going real slow because I don't want to finish before the 8th. I've read several books by King before and I think he's an outstanding writer, not just in creating suspense and horror, but in delivering a story that is original in its plot. I never got around to reading the Dark Tower series before, because honestly, I didn't know what to expect. And yes, once you've read a couple of books by a writer, you form an image of his writing which is hard to dispel (like Rowling, whose The Casual Vacancy has been on my shelf for ages, but I simply can't bring myself to read it).

At this point I'm curious about the man in black. Is he for real? Is he an apparition? Can't wait to find out.

[Ghost in the Stacks]

, is one of the best King Bookl(My opinion).
I think one of the best tv adaptations was , I think it was on A & E. They did an awesome job with it!

[Clare]

I've never read a Stephen King before so this is a new experience for me

[Greta]

I've only read The Shining and Doctor Sleep but plan on reading lots more!! I'll start this book tomorrow.

[[deleted user]]

My book is out today and should be getting it tomorrow yay! You guys should definitely start talking about it if you want to. I know we all want to stretch it out for Nov. 8 though ;)

[Justin]

This book is completely different than the others. They definitely become much more readable although I really enjoyed this one. Wizard and Glass, Book 4, is my favorite. I actually stopped after that one and got caught up in other books so I still need to make it all the way to the Tower...

[Anita Reads]

Kristin wrote: "Anita wrote: "I've only read Under the Dome by King. He's really good at explaining people and the surroundings.
I plan to read all of his books at some point, but it will take some time. :)

Back..."

I watched the movie. Although the ending was horribly made, the clown when they were kids was really awful.
I haven't watched American Horror Story either. I just googled it and yikes. I'm even scared of the Ronald McDonald clown.

[Anita Reads]

I read the first couple of chapters.
It's hard to say much about the book so far, but who is the mysterious man in black? And will the gunslinger manage to capture him?

[RachelvlehcaR]

Anita, keep reading and you'll find out. :) I finished the book yesterday. I enjoyed it.

[Cynthia]

I thought I'd add a link to the Browning poem that inspired King to write this series. It's 19th century poetry, but interesting to read none the less.

Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came

[SandyC]

I'd like to join this buddy read! I read this book AGES ago so it will be fun to get into the story again. Stephen King is one of my all-time favorite writers.
I just put this on hold at the library so I hope to get it by the weekend! :-)

[Anita Reads]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Anita, keep reading and you'll find out. :) I finished the book yesterday. I enjoyed it."

I figured :) I'm doing a slow read so I'll get the points for the TT challenge. Plus I have to finish a couple of books for other team challenges.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Anita wrote: "RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Anita, keep reading and you'll find out. :) I finished the book yesterday. I enjoyed it."

I figured :) I'm doing a slow read so I'll get the points for the TT challenge. Pl..."

Smart. I should have done that but found out too late that if I finished before but still was in the discussion it didn't count. LOL Oh well. I tend to read a lot while at work so it works out.

I really enjoyed it. I was like who is the man in black and why is the gunslinger following him?

[Allison Ann]

I used to read Stephen King novels as soon as they came out. I don't remember when exactly I stopped but I do remember why. Last year I picked up Under the Dome and it all came flooding back. I think King is a great writer and a master storyteller but somewhere along the line (maybe around Dolores Claiborne or so?) he stopped writing an ending. It's almost as if he now writes until he gets tired of writing and then he just stops. No matter how weak or silly or abrupt - it's just done. His older novels don't have this problem but I loved Under the Dome until the last 10 pages of so and then I wanted to throw it across the room. Library book - couldn't but still. :)

[Anita Reads]

I know. I thought about that too with Under the Dome. He just kept writing and writing even after a scenario that could have been a good ending, so that dragged my ratings down too.

[Cynthia]

Yeah, Under the Dome was a good read up until the last. I tried watching the series, especially when I found out King was having some input. Unfortunately, I didn't like the portrayal of Julia so I stopped after a couple of episodes.

I have Mr. Mercedes but haven't started it yet. Maybe I'll get it read for TT3.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Will this BR be an ongoing BR for the entire series? I'm hoping so.

[Cynthia]

We probably should have set it up as a series read. You can't just read one. The gunslinger is like the introduction to the series.

[[deleted user]]

I think we should definitely do the whole series.

[Justin]

Yeah! Series read! Woohoo!!

[Rosina]

What a great idea!...I have yet to start but am hoping too by the end of the week. Im really curious now.

[Ghost in the Stacks]

I am in for the series too. I just got my copy, plan on starting once o get caught up here on GR!

[[deleted user]]

You guys I'm so behind! But I'm totally excited that so many of you want to read the whole series :)

[Greta]

Yes, the whole series!!

[Anita Reads]

I'm on the whole series too, if we do it slowly as I have so many other BR going on.

[Ghost in the Stacks]

So I haven't gotten too far, but I have started it, all I know is that this morning I can't get that darn bean song out of my head....

[Kristie]

I am so glad you all want to read the whole series. I've been wanting to read The Wind Through the Keyhole, but it keeps getting pushed down my TBR. This is the perfect excuse to finally move it to the top of the pile. I'll join the discussion with you when you all get there.

[Steven]

My library copy came in! Which means I can read on my work computer >:) bahaha

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Nineteen...

The Man in Black???

For some reason I keep picturing Will Smith!

(Psst)The Word Is NINTEEN

I did love that little smilly face after the signature, such a nice touch!

[Steven]

So, I've read a bit, and decided to comment. This is definitely a weird book, even for King.

It's a little confusing when you first jump in, but I've heard that, out of the Dark Tower series, this one is the hardest to get into.

I just got to the part where (view spoiler)[ the gunslinger goes into the flashback scene of him in the saloon, and the hooker/bartender gal telling him what happened to the old drunkie/druggie who died and the Man in Black came to town (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to reading more, because the Dark Tower series connects back to most of his individual works, and I'm excited to see those connections.

[Steven]

Allison Ann wrote: "I used to read Stephen King novels as soon as they came out. I don't remember when exactly I stopped but I do remember why. Last year I picked up Under the Dome and it all came flo..."

Allison, I know what you mean. He writes such great books, but he has admitted himself that he's terrible at endings. Only a rare few of them have I thought the ending was fitting or well-done.

But his strong-suit is his characters. He can write such believable and relatable characters that you get sucked in quickly!

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I'm waiting for tomorrow to finally finish the last few pages so that the book counts for the TT. It was a quick book to get into and can't wait to continue the series.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I have to say this book starts out a little crazy but I think the craziness keeps your interest. It seems that no matter where the gunslinger goes someone always ends up dying.

[Kristie]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I have to say this book starts out a little crazy but I think the craziness keeps your interest. It seems that no matter where the gunslinger goes someone always ends up dying."

I have to agree with this. Also, yes...people seem to die around him.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I mean it's not like he's doing it but someone is killing them and he's being blamed for them. It's like he's being punished.

[Cynthia]

People do die when the Gunslinger comes to town, but they wouldn't have to if they weren't taken in by the Man in Black. It's a consequence of their choice.

I've never had a clear picture of the Man in Black. I just see him as a void or a shadow man. When I first read this Will Smith wasn't even the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, much less a MIB.

[Ange]

I'm only about 20% in and remembering why I dnf'ed the book last time. I feel confused there is too much I don't understand and I prefer my books with a bit of back story. I will keep going with it this time as I hear the second book makes everything clearer. I'm also not sure why the barmaid was always described as on heat. She could have slept with the gunslinger without the constant references to the fire in her belly!