Long days and pleasant nights, gunslingers and lobstrosities! I'm beyond excited to talk Stephen King's magnum opus, The Dark Tower, with you. Any questions, please feel free to drop them below and I say thankee-sai.
Hey first video of yours I've watched randomly popped up in my feet after ironically I just finished series for the 4th time. Call that ka. Anyway. What you consider the end and other people maybe different to me I've never heard anyone I speak too mention the poem Robert brownings Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came be mentioned. Its always oh he goes back to moahine desert so jake has to fall again eddie has to die again so does Oy he will lose his fingers again all again and who put him there us the reader. But this time he has the horn so mayhap his (our) journey will be complete on this cycle. That's most people view my take is the poem is the end roland gets there and blows the horn and sets all to rights in the poem he doent ascend the tower as all his loved and lost ones on the hills surrounding the tower they forgive him and he forgives himself he like susannah reliased the way of the gun is the way of death blowing elds horn knowing the beams are restored and blue haven is no more Walter dead modred dead crimson king imprisoned its enough he blows the horn and that's the true end. In my opinion. And to support it there is a chapter in book 7 where Stephen king the character is writing the series and Robert brownings works show up at his home. He takes the poem Childe Roland looks at it and says to his dog only one place for this only one place and smiles. And where is the place for the poem the end. So I believe we are reading his pentimutae cycle how many have come before we dont know but I believe the poem is his last journey and that's why its at the end of the series and like I say he blows the horn and realises his journey is complete he doesnt have to enter the tower for the (who knows) 19th time
Just finished the Waste Lands a second time. It’s so cinematic, I don’t understand how the film and television industry continues to fail and pass on this massive universe.
@@pbDEMON Sort of. It's a remixed version that sounds more action oriented... it's not just a drum track. Whenever reading the part where they're chasing after Gasher I can hear it playing in my head. Good stuff.
Many readers have complained about the ending but i appreciate the ending of the series a lot. I think it makes perfect sense in the whole story and the theme of the series. The ending was never there to satisfy the readers, it was there to serve the story (or serve the ka). Plus if you read close enough i think there are lots of foreshadowings to the ending whether intentional or not. It sure hurt me a lot and left a deep scar in my heart but i think the bittersweetness of it is what makes me come back to this series over and over again. You can make lots of theories about the ending even about the whole story and that is magical. Honestly i cannot think of a better way to end the series even though the parts with the crimson king were a bit weak, i accept that. However, the very ending of the story is unforgettable and unique. This is the series, which redefined my whole thinking about literature and life in general. I will never ever forget it.
The only thing I would add: don’t base a decision to read the books on whether you enjoyed the movie. The movie is far different in just about every way imaginable.
I'm reading this series for the first time and have almost finished "Wolves of the Callah". I had not read fantasy for almost ten years and this series brought me into aldult fantasy and back to the genre in general. Now here I am, going through your channel and wonderfully done videos, and I'm so happy to have great recommendations for a long time to come! Thank you for the passion you're putting into all this, it is infectious.
As a long time King fan I can't tell you how happy I am to hear you talk about his books. I absolutely love the channel and the fact that you love King is just the icing on the cake. And I have to tell you that you totally blew my mind with this whole multiverse stuff-- I had no idea it was all connected!! I have not read this series yet and am now even more excited to get into all of it. Apparently I've missed a few things Lol. Thank you for the fabulous content-- keep it coming!!
my first stephen king book was the wastelands. i bought it from the book store because the cover was this ghostly train, and i thought it looked cool. cover art is how we picked everything back in the day. got towards the end of the book, and i realized we didn't have enough time to finish up. it felt it like we were just getting started. i didn't realize it was part of a series, and i was on book 3, and book 4 wasn't even out yet. i was a kid just getting into books, so i didn't know any better. i loved the wastelands despite reading it out of order, and i still think about it. i think its time to finally get into this series, after i finish the stand.
My mom bought me that book when it was new, I think I was 14. She knew I was a king fan. I figured, 'what the hell is going on here, King writing westerns...???", after third chapter was so hooked. Could only get those books here in my home town at whatever is on rack at the convenience stores.... and was a long, long wait till number two, the drawing of the three, then so much longer for the wastelands, was in university then..... and then boom boom boom sure love this series.
I laughed when you said you wouldn't recommend starting Stephen King with the Dark Tower. As someone who is just starting the Song of Susannah it is a little too late for that advice. I chose it mostly cause I am not that fond of horror, but I really like fantasy. I thought it would be a good starting point for me and it has. The ending I think will be interesting. Mostly cause I feel I've gotten all these opinions and feelings from other people that it will be hard to go in without any expectations. Will I be waiting for that moment where I decide where I love it or hate it? Or will I be too worried about getting to that point to enjoy it? I would also love for you to do a spoiler review of the series (that I would watch after I finish it) and see what parts you liked and disliked. Great Video.
Gladly watched this video even though I've read The Dark Tower series at least seven times. Yes, it is my favorite series, and I had no problems with books 6 or 7, nor with the end. But I can understand why someone would. I'm not that blinded by my love for this series. I actually think there are a lot of great moments in book 6. Funny thing is I actually avoided this series even though I was already a constant reader. I can't put a finger on why, but yes, I actually didn't read it until about six or seven years after the last book came out. I was not disappointed, and I chided myself for putting it off as long as i did. I've talked about it at home so much one of my sons wants to read this series. He's too young at the moment, but I look forward to his experience with it. Anyway, keep up the great work Mike!
I was never into reading fantasy until I read this series. I was blown away and now I've been discovering more fantasy authors. I've recently been reading The Stormlight Archive and now I'm well and truly hooked.
Nice shout out to Insomnia - after The Stand, that's one of my favorites. I didn't mind the ending of the series at all, and while some of King's choices in the latter few books were startling, I respect that he makes bold choices even if they don't work for everyone. I found it fascinating, myself. I love how so many of his works tie right in to the Dark Tower. Great video :D
@@mikesbookreviews Thankee sai! Also if you haven't, although I feel like you might have already, check out The Crimson King album by Demons and Wizards. That album is about the Dark Tower series and was my first real exposure to it. Its a fantastic album.
I’ve been wanting to read this for a while. I had the ending spoiled for me and since then I’ve been putting it off. I’ve learned not to expect too much from his endings (not all of them) but I think I’ll read this soon. Thanks for the recommendations, love listening to you!
The ending half fits the story and half doesn't. But at the same time, the ending also doesn't really matter all too much. I find myself constantly thinking about the journey to the end and not the ending. I highly recommend you still read it even if you know the ending. In fact, it will probably give you some fresh perspective and more interesting things to think about than any of us did on the first read. The ending being spoiled for most books crushes the story. But for this one, it will honestly probably build upon the story and make it more interesting.
"The man in black fled across the desert, and the Gunslinger followed..." I devoured avidly the first three books, had a several years hiatus before Wizard and Glass because I couldn't find it anywhere, but I think it was Ka just preparing me for what I was about to face. That fourth book crushed me and still haunts me to this time, I can't mention that book without tears coming to my eyes as I remember Roland looking at the pyre through the crystal ball... Wolves of Calla was great, but I found it difficult to keep on after about one third of it, I could continue it after almost 3 years, and when I took it back, it was finished in less than a week. Song was different, I read it through also quite quickly, and enjoyed it a lot, but understanding that it was just part of a bigger whole. And then the last one... I fall short to tell how wild of a ride it was, but I can definitely say that its ending was the most mind-blowing thing I could have ever expected, and I can't imagine a better way to close every single of the characters' arcs. "The man in black fled across the desert, and the Gunslinger followed."
Reading the gunslinger, loving it, ordered the rest of the series, Salem's lot and the stand. King is definitely one of my favorite authors especially his horror and fantasy novels
Everyone: I would not recommend starting with dark tower if you've never read Stephen King Me: decides the gunslinger will be my first Stephen King book 🤷♀️
I think the ending is perfect. I need to re-read the series. I wasn’t overly in love with the series in my original read through but I didn’t hate it either. I do feel that King rushed the last 3 books because of the pressure to finish it.
I love Stephen King and I love fantasy, I love Sergio Leone, The Lord of the Rings and the Arthurean legends. I really love postapocalyptic stories. The main character of The Dark Tower really appeals to me! Still, I've always skipped these books when reading King. I guess I'm just worried that the series won't live up to my high expectations. What if it ruins both King and fantasy for me? A second reason why I've been postponing it forever, is that it's such a long series and I rarely have time to read anymore. And I heard you say in another video before (and here again) that you were really disappointed with book 6 and 7. Even if the ending is not awful, it is a very long series (and thus a serious time investment) for the ending to just be okay... Or do you think I should read them anyway? I haven't read any of his most recent stuff but almost all of his classics. Could I, say, enjoy the first five books of The Dark Tower and then stop? Or do you advice against that? In other words: are they somewhat wrapped up stories that make you thirst for more or is it rather like one big story chopped into chunks. Thank you for this video by the way!
I'm trying to read it, I'm on the fourth book. The first one was so hard for me to get through, it felt disjointed to me, like a fever dream. They have got better as I've gone, but I still have that initial taste in my mouth, not unpleasant, just not my jam. But, I'm going to finish it eventually. I made a deal with my buddy, he reads Dresden Files and I read DT.
I had read IT(x2) and The Stand than read The Dark Tower. I kind of wish I had read more of King's works but I am now reading more of his works and maybe in a year or so I may re-read The Dark Tower with a better understanding of King's Universe [rinse and repeat lol (can't read all his works in a year lol)]
Started the series for the first time. There are some parts of The Gunslinger where I get confused, or lost, and I find myself having to go back and reread. I have just accepted that I may have to read more than once to fully grasp.
The ending was the best way to finish the book. And I would suggest that it was the only way to end it. I almost want to know what happens to Roland after (hard to describe the question without spoiling).
I’m one that completely hated how The Dark Tower” ended. It really pi$$ed me off that I spent that much time on seven books, a couple were difficult for me to get through, to have it end that way. I swore off Stephen King and never picked up another King book until 11/22/63. I liked that one a lot so I’ve been playing catch up with all his other books, including rereading his earliest ones. I won’t reread any of the Dark Tower books. I’ll just have to agree to disagree with some King fans on that, but I’ll tell you, besides TDT, King is an incredible writer and I look forward to the few of his books I haven’t read yet.
POTENTIAL SPOILER: Loved the ending.. When I was reading this series in 2013 it was around the same time that the game Boishock Infnite came out, and I finished TDT not too long after I played Bioshock infitnite. Hot tip, the ending of both is the same, that parallel put a smile on my face.
if you can read DT only after everything else you will read it in 30 years…. i started with DT first book and while i may have missed something was fun to see those connection backwards reading other works later
I like the endings, I can't really think of a better one. The Crimson King confrontation is anti climactic but thinking back it sort of makes sense, Spoiler: He tried to enter the tower and it rejected him, so he just impotently rages and plots to tear the whole thing down like a toddler. That he was killed by a randomly introduced character with an inexplicable power was a bit lame
If I had money, connections, and influence, I would get this series filmed for the world. I don’t care if it’s seven 3-hour feature films or seven seasons with a dozen or more episodes each, but it must be done right. Not like Game of Thrones or the Star Wars sequels, where they had no clue what they were doing. Say what you will about Marvel movies, the fact is they formed a plan. The same could be done with The Dark Tower. I nominate Frank Darabont to direct The Gunslinger for starters.
(PLEASE READ - NO SPOILER) “It passed and, like the world upon whose hide he walked, he moved on.” Book 1, page 3. “A hide waterbag was slung around his middle like a bloated sausage.” Book 1, page 3. I really need some help over here! I’ve been reading “The gunslinger", and I always encounter the same word “hide”. I’ve been going through many dictionaries in order to get the right meaning of it but it’s hopeless. I thought it could be referring to a unit of land area, or the literal life of the world he walks upon (that would be a personification here). Again here, “a hide waterbag”, what is that even supposed to mean? “Around his middle” does King refer to the character’s pelvis? I’m at a complete loss here, if there could be a nice and generous soul to clarify all of this for me, it would be highly appreciated.
Gonna have another go at these....read Gunslinger a few years ago and felt the Roland was based on Clint Eastwood's man with no name. Then started book 2 and for some reason felt that Roland had turned into Crocodile Dundee...not a good look...…..
The Dark Tower books are my favorite story of all time. Tied for first with Star Wars. Wouldn't watch the movie. Didn't want to ruin the books that I love so much.
To those who haven’t read the Dark Tower books yet and are wondering which stand-alone books relate most to the theme of the Tower, here you are: (These can be read either after finishing the series or, similar to how I’m having my sons read them, in between volumes in order of publication.) ’Salem’s Lot The Gunslinger The Talisman The Mist IT The Eyes of the Dragon The Drawing of the Three The Stand (1990 extended) The Waste Lands Insomnia Rose Madder Desperation The Regulators Wizard and Glass Bag of Bones Hearts in Atlantis Black House Everything’s Eventual (contains title short story and Little Sisters of Eluria) From a Buick 8 Wolves of the Calla Song of Susannah The Dark Tower Not enough, you say? Cry your pardon. Try... 11/22/63 The Wind Through the Keyhole Long days and pleasant nights.
I still stand behind the fact that, the ending is just right, there is no other way you could have ended it. (then i do mean the real epilogue ending) but the thing that happends before the ending should have been different. ofcourse i cant go into details because of spoilers but i think people who read it know what i mean
Somewhere in the middle of drawing of the three I began to realize how at least the mainline story was going to end. I kept reading because I wanted to know how I was going to get there. I also wanted to know if I was right but I began to suspect it.
I am doing my 3rd read through. Last time was about 10 years ago. I am 3/4 through book 7. I love these books. I also loved the ending. It made me not hate the movie when I realized Roland had the Horn of Eld. So I could forgive my initial dislike of it.
I was perfectly fine with the ending because by book 5 I figured he would end it the way he did. There are subtle clues & I simply asked myself how I would end it. My answer? Simple. I wouldn’t.
There is a fair bit I didn't like about the series but I started it after it was complete and read it in 6 months or so. Read it, and be forgiving of some of the things that annoy you and you might be dropping odd references into convo with others who've read the series.
I loved the ending of the series I thought it was great. The only problems I had with the final book were some of the character deaths and the crimson king encounter was a little bit of a let down but all in all I thought it was done pretty well
@@mikesbookreviews yes but you said that there are novels outside the series that should be read before getting into DT to fully understand some references and characters, and to avoid spoilage of other books. Is there a list of what books perhaps should be read before getting into DT? Thank you !
@mikesbookreviews I was wondering the same thing! So, should we read other novels like Salems Lot and The Stand first to better understand The Dark Tower universe? If so, what other King books? I'm a horror fan and was pondering reading a good horror anyway. Maybe, Salems Lot would quench my thirst, lol...
Before I even start this video, I am a VERY passionate person about the Dark Tower Mythos and recommend it to all, but not all. I as a Stephen King fan recognize that his writing style, narrative and development isn't for everyone. My wife whos an AVID reader can't stand his books, not one bit. She's tried 4 (Thinner, Bag of Bones, Insomniac and Needful Things) and liked only 1 Bag of Bones. She enjoys many dark mystery novels, horror stories and longer series as well (drawing a blank on examples) yet no love for King. His writing may be, well difficult for some to "find a rhythm in" not because its bad but different. King does have is own unique style of writing and character development, honestly he did have me fooled with "Running Man" (released under pen name Richard Bachman) that was a little diversion from his usual style. Now, I am NOT some literature intelect, trying to explain King's writing style and technique not at all!! I am only informing those who may have a tricky time trying to stay focused in this very long, lure rich, death filled, mystery creating, mind mixing, emotion pulling 8 book series (include Wind Through the Keyhole book 3.5 I believe King suggested), that also includes a graphic novel and spans several King books. If you need to TRY out King's writings before investing in this masterpiece, I would suggest: Eye of the Dragon, Needful Things, The Regulators and Under the Dome. These are some of my favorite books by King and at least Eye of the Dragon (my first King book) was really an easy, engrossing read (or listen DO NOT FORGET ABOUT AUDIBLE.COM FOLKS!!! Drive to work/store, working outside in the yard, cleaning inside, napping or just hanging out. Audible has helped me stay within my protective bubble of imagination during Covid. Without my books, audiobooks and my vast Steam library I would be far more insane than I currently am.... who's that? me, the dog. Ha, see crazy. If you LOVE Sci-Fi and/or Fantasy and have an appreciation to learning clues to the lore of a fictional universe. This series is FOR YOU! BE WARNED - EMOTIONS!! LOTS OF EMOTIONS!! Afterwords, everyone wants a Billy Bumbler! Oy ♥ Love that little guy!!
I met a man who told me he read IT in a single night. Some people just built different I guess. I think I could have done that when I was a teen. Not now tho.
Book availability is such a mess though. Especially for collectors looking for uniform editions or nice hardbacks. It feels like such a lost opportunity for one of the greatest writers of our time
I still haven't read the series as a whole, Although now that I own the first 5 books I need to get cracking since it's something I've always wanted to read in full, like 'The Wheel of Time'. XD
I heard the fight with the crimson king was anti climactic but I haven’t got that far yet but I got a little mad how the man I black died because he was one of the two characters in the opening line Oh for the ending Ka is a wheel
I heard that the series gets better as it goes but that the gunslinger is hard to get through. Plus I’m not much for the western genre. These are the things that steer me away from starting it.
I never understood that. I loved the Gunslinger, the pros are so well done and the world building really starts there. It goes off and away after that... I've also never been a western fan. Hardly watched any western films, never read a book in that setting. It's the mysticism and lore that got me.
It doesn't give you any real answers in book 1 and that chases a lot of people off. That's why I say commit to reading the first 2 and then decide. Some of the main characters of the series aren't introduced until book 2.
Don't judge the dark tower as a western. Plus, the gunslinger is so much more than a western. Book 2 had me hooked, crooked and blown away. I'm currently on my 4rth journey to the Tower, for someone who hates westerns....
You mentioned the “standalone” book ( I’m assuming you meant Wind Through the Keyhole) at the beginning and said “more on that later”. I thought you meant later in the video but then you didn’t bring it up again. Does this mean you’ll discuss it in another video? I’m curious about that one and when to read it during the series.
I am half way through the first book and I am not captured by it, there are some good "scenes". However, immersion is not there I don't believe these characters can be real and I don't care/not intrigued enough by them... I know some people would say, it would make sense after the third book. But why should I bother to finish a read I am not immersed in? Why should I care if he catches up with the man in black, the book feels like a try hard book, Ronald was written to look cool but there isn't much to him, I don't know if I will move past the second book since I already purchased them(the first and second).
I love this series. In my opinion (and many agree) that The Gunslinger is overall one of the weaker books of the series. It has some great moments, but the writing isn't the strongest and it doesn't really "grab you" right away. It is a necessary read though, because it introduces critical plot points. Luckily, it's super short and you can quickly get on to The Drawing of the Three. The second book is a great ride, smoother story telling, and really picks up the series.
Im really interested in the multiverse although I haven’t read a book from Stephen King. My girlfriend says that’ll I’ll either hate or love his writing. Is there a website that I can go look into the books that I should read, chronological order ?
Hot that some SJW will probably accuse of being racist take: The Dark Tower movie would've been a lot better if they had cast Matthew McCounaghey as Roland and Idris Elba as the Man in Black. *Full disclosure: I haven't actually watched the movie so while I've no doubt the film has a myriad of other problems outside of casting I think the film would've been a lot less disconcerting, at least for readers of the books, if they'd reversed the casting. Its like they avoided casting it correctly on purpose 😕*
You're not being racist at all. When I saw the trailer I thought if this goes to sequel, what about Detta? But then I saw the movie & knew zero chance of that. My opinion, this should have been an anime or CGI series to give it true justice.
Once Oy died I was over it. Idgaf about any of these a-holes but OY? Oy was such a good and loyal creature and he wasn't even in that awful movie. Argh. *unreasonable anger over fictional animal death*
Watched this even though I've read the series 3 times. It suffers from the curse of all Stephen King books (howdoiendthisitis). But the characters are fantastic, and the mythos of the series is superb. But yes, the ending is...even for King...poor. And yes. This is fantasy. It asks, "What is virtue?" Which is the classic tell for fantasy vs sci-fi, which asks, "What is humanity?"
I finished this series in January and this is without a doubt one of the most extraordinary and unique fantasy series I have ever read. I still regularly think about Roland and the Dark Tower universe. The dark tower is definitely not for everyone but oh man, if you are looking for something that will bend your mind, and simultaneously draw you into the a fantasy world, then read the Dark Tower. Definitely one of my all time favourite series (and yes, I actually liked the ending!)
The audio book reading of Wizard and Glass, by Frank Muller, is possibly one of the best audio performances of a novel you will ever hear. It's incredible.
@@1sweetpeach I honestly can't pick a favorite. I read the first book when I was young so that sticks with me. Drawing is the 3 reminds me of my mistakes in life. And it just steamrolls from there with the feelings
".... I come in the name of Jake Chambers- he of New York -who I call my own true son. I am Roland of Gilead, and I come as myself. YOU WILL OPEN TO ME." Not many books get a swell up from me, this did it.
I'd recommend starting with maybe one of his more popular books like Cujo or The Shining or something, get an idea of his style, and then tackle The Dark Tower. The reason being that King wrote The Gunslinger (Dark Tower 1) when he was very young, and he hadn't quite found his "voice" as an author yet. If you read The Gunslinger as your fist Stephen King book, you won't really get an accurate representation of King's writing style and it might put you off reading him further. It's a little dry and is a bit of a chore to read without the context of the larger Dark Tower story. It's the kind of book that is a lot better the second time around after you've already completed the series and have a better understanding of the world. Where the series really kicks off (at least IMO) is with "The Drawing of the Three" (book 2), which King wrote in the 80's long after he'd already established himself and his style of writing.
I think Wizard and Glass is King at his absolute best. I know that one is a little divisive but I thought it was spectacular. I’m not really a binge reader. I usually read in short bursts but I think I blew through the last 150-200 pages of this in one sitting.
By far my favorite book in the series. It was perfect. I felt so connected and exhausted after reading it that I was left in a state of depression. It was sublime
I love the Dark Tower series. I got into it in my late 20s just as the last few books were comming out and the last book was god damn emotional. Like most Stephen Kings books the journey is better than the destination but the characters in this series will always have a special place in my heart. I've been listening to the series again while out on my walks and Stephen King books are even better in a audible format.
This video is a fabulous introduction to The Dark Tower series! I just read The Gunslinger recently, and I’m excited to continue. From what I’ve seen so far, I would call it fantasy, though it’s also genre-defying at times as it blends in some elements that aren’t traditionally fantasy. Anyway, I really enjoyed your perspective and experience with the series. Thanks very much!
I've found that it starts as about an 80/20 western to fantasy, then gradually shifts to about a 50/50 in the middle of the series. And eventuallu closes out with about 50/20/30 sci-fi, western, fantasy.
In General, I met king by chance and not in the best way - from the book "Gunslinger". I was walking around the store, looking for an adequate popular book on physics, and then BANG, out of the corner of my eye I clung to the section of science fiction and fantasy. I decided to take a look, I see: the cover with a man in a hat and raincoat, a tower behind, the author's name is on the ear (I've heard a lot about him before), and the price tag is tempting (discounts). I decided to buy it. Came home, opened and... couldn't make out anything. I spent too much time on this thin book: two weeks, and realized that for some reason I did not like it. And thank all that I came across the next book of the cycle, after I listened to the author himself about the "Gunslinger". He himself says that the book, frankly to put it mildly, is so-so. I read "The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three" and was satisfied. Now the shelf is bursting with his books)
I’ve read The Gunslinger and The Drawing of the Three but have never gone further. Recently bought the paperback box set and I’m committing to go all the way through this time. Finishing up a first read of Salem’s Lot (a little over halfway) and then I’m diving back into The Dark Tower 😬
You should stop at book 4. The last 3 Were rushed and I think he just wrote them to shut fans about asking for them. King even warns not to read the last chapter if book 7.
Actually King wrote the entire series before he ever even published the first novel. He only published them after he had each reworked and revised to redo Roland.
