A story within a story within the larger Dark Tower journey that expands on the rich and mythical world that Roland and his ka-tet traverse on their wA story within a story within the larger Dark Tower journey that expands on the rich and mythical world that Roland and his ka-tet traverse on their way to the dark tower. While not adding much by way of progressing the core theme throughout the Dark Tower novels, THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE is an enjoyable and interesting sidestep off the beaten path. Here Roland tells a tale of a Skin-Man (someone who has the ability to morph into an animal) and his mission to rid a small town of its murderous rampage as a young gunslinger. While telling this tale, Roland as comforting a young boy tells of another tale where an impoverished farm boy endures monumental loss and shows great courage as he travels amongst all manner of strange creatures in a darkly dense forest to seek the truth behind his father’s passing and in turn see what it takes to be a gunslinger.
While King openly states THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE can be read as a standalone without having read the previous Dark Tower books (Gunslinger through Wizard and Glass), I think the reader wouldn’t be able to appreciate the story without being fully aware of Roland and his trials to date.
I really enjoyed this addition to the Dark Tower series. As a stop gap between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla, it didn’t add too much apart from further expanding upon this beautifully crafted world yet the story within a story within a larger story was fantastic and a must for fans of the series. I hope King continues to revisit this series with further tales along these lines. ...more
Roland steps back in time to bring forth a story of an earlier gunslinger finding his way around men and their wicked ways. Predominantly set in past-Roland steps back in time to bring forth a story of an earlier gunslinger finding his way around men and their wicked ways. Predominantly set in past-tense, WIZARD AND GLASS is more a side step towards a beaten and dangerous path rather than a continuation of the sojourn towards the omnipresent Dark Tower.
Rather than Eddie, Jake, and Susannah, WIZARD AND GLASS tells the tale of Roland’s former ka-tet and a love story than ends in flames and heartbreak set amongst the backdrop of a classic western complete with taverns, Coffin Hunters, and a simpleton thrown in for good measure.
Western influences aside, the present day happenings continue along the beam thanks to a ride on Blaine followed by a hike through a Kansas that has clearly ‘moved on’. King builds in some nice linkages with his other books, notably THE STAND which adds even more depth to this epic tale. What I didn’t particular like, however, was the loose association of this series with THE WIZARD OF OZ. King freely admits in the after word that the Dark Tower is a strange and weird series of events, he certainly wasn’t wrong.
I’ve read WIZARD AND GLASS 3 times now (latest time as part of re-reading the entire Dark Tower series) and it still holds up as a solid form of escapism, more enjoyable for the story of Roland and Susan and Rhea than the ending.
The fourth book in the series ends and the Dark Tower that much closer. ...more
Epic doesn’t come close to defining this series – while short in page count, ‘The Gunslinger’ alludes to a deep and rich history seeped in violence anEpic doesn’t come close to defining this series – while short in page count, ‘The Gunslinger’ alludes to a deep and rich history seeped in violence and despair. The fusion of an extension level event type scenario with the wild ways of the west creates a virtual dust pan of outback frontier harshness and fantastical horror. The mysterious Dark Tower is all consuming, impacting upon every decision and altering each course of fate by the mere suggestion of its presence or physically via one of its inexplicable minions (notably The Man in Black).
Predominately focused on Roland’s sojourn through a distinctly dystopian landscape dotted with relics of modern man left behind, ‘The Gunslinger’ hints at time travel and notions of a parallel universe (hence the boy, Jake’s sudden appearance) to confuse the world and the path towards to ever present dark tower. The variation and lack of definitive reason did at times frustrate while others serving to enhance the towers aura and prominence.
I found, having read this previously; the concept and direction was easier to grasp - notably those further explored in the 4th instalment ‘Wizard and Glass’ and ‘The Gunslinger’ graphic novel adaptations. The stories and characters vaguely touched upon in ‘The Gunslinger’ carried more weight and added a true sense of context to Roland’s plight and scared emotional journey the second time around. For first time readers, I suggest patience – it will all make sense as the story progresses. 3.5 Stars. ...more
THE SONG OF SUSANNAH sets up the final volume of the DARK TOWER perfectly with Roland’s Ka-Tet in separate places yet all on the same path.
Book 6 shoTHE SONG OF SUSANNAH sets up the final volume of the DARK TOWER perfectly with Roland’s Ka-Tet in separate places yet all on the same path.
Book 6 showcases Kings’ penchant for delivering character driven stories regardless of the setting. Here, the journey towards the Dark Tower takes a side step (though an important one) as Susannah (Mia/Detta/Odetta) heads to New York, driven by one of her personalities, Roland and Eddie chase down the contract for the land which is home to the all important Rose, while Jake and Callahan follow Susannah in an attempt to catch up to her before the birth of her 'chap'.
Stephen King writes himself into the story and actually pulls it off. I enjoyed reading the passages with him more the second time round (this is a reread as I progress through my second reading of the series) but it’s the urgency and impending doom attached to Susannah’s pregnancy that’s the real highlight for me – oh, and the great ending (despite not feeling complete).
SONG OF SUSANNAH isn’t as good as WIZARD AND GLASS (book 4), THE DRAWING OF THREE (book 2), or THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE (book 4.5) but is still a pivotal piece in the Dark Tower series....more
Roland’s’ ka-tet becomes complete, the gunslingers face off against a menacing foe terrorising the folk of Calla Bryn Sturgis, the path to the tower sRoland’s’ ka-tet becomes complete, the gunslingers face off against a menacing foe terrorising the folk of Calla Bryn Sturgis, the path to the tower spans multiple, and New York is key to Mid World’s fate.
There is a lot going on in the fifth instalment of King’s most renowned series, oddly the actual Wolves of the Calla themselves are slightly seen yet greatly discussed. I liked the slow build towards the inevitable confrontation with the gunslinger yet would’ve like a longer battle sequence (a relatively minor gripe). The characterisation of the main players continues to deepen with each having a distinct purpose on the road to the tower.
King borrows much of modern pop culture throwing in references to Marvel comics (Dr. Doom in particular), Harry Potter, and even his own works yet this mash up of popularised themes works really well, bringing a uniqueness to commonly known commodities.
I enjoyed this more the second time around, perhaps its the extra familiarity with the characters and having read the additional instalment in THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE (book 4.5). Either way, the Dark Tower is a vividly unique series that demands multiple reads. ...more
The third instalment in the Dark Tower series sees Roland and his ka-tet travel along the path of the beam encountering all manner of gruesome and bloThe third instalment in the Dark Tower series sees Roland and his ka-tet travel along the path of the beam encountering all manner of gruesome and blood thirsty entities lusting after one or more of Rolands ragtag company over the course of the journey. There are three distinct components to THE WASTE LANDS, those being the trek through the forest, visitation to the city Lud (which deserved more pages in my opinion), and the boarding of a senile monorail in Blaine. While all good in their own way, Lud was the single most interesting aspect to THE WASTE LANDS as it laid bare the visual ramifications of a world moved on and the constant warring and uncertainly of those surviving – the Tick-Tock man was also a scary truth not to be taken lightly.
I first read THE WASTE LANDS in April 2004 and rated it 4 stars, unlike THE DRAWING OF THREE, the reread didn’t hold up to my earlier rating. While enjoyable, it didn’t pack the same punch as THE DRAWING OF THREE with the plot serving more as a means to an end, a path followed, a destination reached, the quest continues. In between are a few highlights and further character development of Roland’s ka-tet as Eddie, Susannah and Jake come to terms with their other-worldly predicament.
There are some tantalising chapters which really hype the fourth book, notably the ever enduring pursuit by a mysterious figure. King’s world building in THE WASTE LANDS is detailed yet sparsely elaborated when factored into the length of the books to date. The drip feed of information and depiction of a monstrous and dangerous landscape are reminiscent of nuclear fallout without King confirming as much. There is an ever growing sense of wrongness to the world that’s moved on and one that hangs over the head of Roland’s ka-tet.
Once again, the path to the Dark Tower is a step closer. 3.5 stars. ...more
‘What’s on the other side of that door for me? Eddie asked the gunslinger quietly. ‘Go on and tell me. If you can tell me, maybe I’ll come. But if you‘What’s on the other side of that door for me? Eddie asked the gunslinger quietly. ‘Go on and tell me. If you can tell me, maybe I’ll come. But if you lie, I’ll know.’ ‘Probably death,’ the gunslinger said. ‘But before that happens, I don’t think you’ll be bored. I want you to join me on a quest. Of course, all will probably end in death – death for the four of us in a strange place. But if we should win though...’ His eyes gleamed. ‘If we win though, Eddie, you’ll see something beyond all the beliefs of all your dreams.’
And the Tower is closer... The second volume in the Dark Tower series takes a very different turn to the GUNSLINGER and this is a good thing. Whereas two reads of the GUNSLINGER were required to fully understand where King was coming from only to still fall a little short, the second read of THE DRAWING OF THREE was wholly enjoyable and certainly worthy of 5 stars (in 2004 I rated it 3). As I continue my reread on the path to the dark tower, I can really appreciate Kings deep plotting and sight the hidden references to the later books. It’s amazing how detailed this series is and how vivid the world building is even at this early junction (THE DRAWING OF THREE takes place, in large part, on a beach front in Roland’s world).
THE DRAWING OF THREE is just that, as Roland crosses worlds to created his ka-tet, the group that will accompany him on his quest. With Jake not making it past GUNSLINGER Roland has a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility to those drawn to him. Eddie Dean, a junkie with some smarts is the first ‘kidnapped’ by Roland as he’s trying to smuggle dope across state lines. What follows is a series of events that bloody, violent and gratifying. The drawing of Eddie is a real highlight.
Next up is Odetta (or Detta, or Susannah), a multiple amputee who functions as a smart and sassy well-to-do woman with a dark side (Detta). A split personality that’s as opposite as they come, Detta is deadly and extremely dangerous whereas Odetta is responsible and rational. Both sides to the second drawing serve their purpose as the three struggle to stay alive in a strange and distant world.
Lastly, the Pusher – what a revelation this was! Odetta and Jake are impacted by this last door; the last gateway for Roland to another world. Here King wraps up THE DRAWING OF THREE and binds the continuity with references to Jake and further strengthens the development of Odetta as a serious character.
While the journey doesn’t proceed at break neck pace, a lot happens. This instalment is more about establishing the core group of characters and making the reader want to care about them. Mission accomplished. Next up THE WASTE LANDS. ...more
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