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

[Karen]

1 1/2 books a month seems really do able.

[Tania]

I love the way the mystery picks up in The Way Station. The emergence of Jake seems to change the dynamic of the story quite a bit. The gunslinger, at least to me, becomes more human because of his reactions to Jake. (Perhaps that is the trap?) I also love the flashback to his youth, the first glimpse of the society he came from.

[Vicki]

Also interested in the entire series.

[Tania]

I'm really happy you both want to continue the series! I love talking about the books I read, but series are so hard to talk about, because you don't want to give people spoilers, in case one day they will read the whole thing. I'll sit down with the books and see what would be a reasonable timeline to read them. Should we just do a buddy read request for each book, or is there a way to do a buddy read request for a series?

[Samantha]

I've read the books through halfway into the final book, Dark Tower. I got extremely pissed off at Stephen King (I'm not going to say any more because spoilers) so I stopped, but I really do want to finish that book. If you guys do read the entire series, I'll jump on the bandwagon. I'm not sure if I'll read the complete series over again, but I definitely would read the seventh book with you all.

I finished the first part last night and was interested at a couple of little details snuck in there that come up later on in the series. I love the mentions of Roland's past <3<3<3 I know they're not pleasant, but they take me back to a memorable, nostalgic place. I'm very much looking forward to meeting Jake. I love him so much! I'm planning on reading the Way Station tonight.

[Samantha]

Just finished the Way Station. I really like that King puts in the experience of Cuthbert and Roland with the hanging. It shows some insight into what it means to train as a gunslinger and to see that these boys grew up in a harsher life than most of us have experienced. I remember reading this book as a teenager and appreciating the darker, more solemn tones of the book.

Jake is so innocent when we first meet him; its so hard to not fall in love with him. Even Roland starts to love Jake within only a day or two <3 When I think of this book, I always think of the relationship between Roland and Jake.

[Karen]

Yesterday and today working 12 hour shifts been reading your comments I will post my thoughts on the book tomorrow on my day off

[Tania]

Sorry for my silence! I was unexpectedly delayed with some work and got behind on my reading . I'm catching up tonight though.

Welcome to the discussion, Samantha. Isn't it wonderful returning to this book? I'm enjoying it a lot. I also think of the relationship of Jake and Roland when I think of this book. I think it defines so much in this tale.

[Karen]

finished the book and really enjoyed it . Liked the way the story of the Gunslingers life gradually unfolded as you read the book. Also the story is set up nicely for the rest of the Dark tower series to follow

[Karen]

Samantha wrote: "Just finished the Way Station. I really like that King puts in the experience of Cuthbert and Roland with the hanging. It shows some insight into what it means to train as a gunslinger and to see t..."

I agree Sam Jake is a really attractive character innocent but tough. As the story progresses you see his strength of character grow

[Karen]

Until I read this book and read a little about the Dark Tower series I had never realized so many of King's books were connected to the universe he created in this series