Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger: The Gunslinger | 
so-soRoland, the Gunslinger, is chasing the Man in Black to discover the location of the Dark Tower. He travels through a dystopian world and meets people. There is some good prose, but this book feels like a puzzle that is missing a lot of important pieces. Meh. I generously gave this a So-So in the hopes that the other books of this series will redeem this experience.
pickSorta sad about this one. I know it‘s a beloved book by many. I‘ll rank it “Pick” but had a rather hard time with it.
First being, boy howdy there‘s some dark material here. My bigger problem is with Stephen King: animal death, particularly in his early work. I know what he‘s thinking—he‘ll make a character bad by killing the animal—a cheaper thrill than immediately harming a human.
David the hawk. The intelligent mindlessly sacrificed bird.
I‘m starting this series. Ive only stuck to the horror books. Book club covering Drawing bk 2
I do reread. Every Christmas, I read A Christmas Carol. I‘ve read Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower series multiple times. When I am pensive and need a calming book, I read Anne Morrow Lindbergh‘ Gift From the Sea.
#SUNDAYFUNDAY
pickThe first of the series. I‘ve seen some describe this novel as more of a prologue to the rest of the series and it does have that feel. It feels more atmospheric than plot driven. It took a little to get into it because of that, but by the end I was fully invested. If a combo weird atmospheric sci-fi, dystopian, western story sounds interesting, then this might be for you.
“Instead, he caught him as he leaped. The heart beneath the thin shirt thrummed and fluttered as Jake clung to him.
The end was very close now.”
so-soI love the beginning phrase: “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” And so begins the story of Roland and his quest to reach the Dark Tower. This is my third reading of this series and I love it every time I read it. #SeriesLove2023 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView
“A #1 national bestseller, The Gunslinger introduces readers to one of Stephen King‘s most powerful creations, Roland of Gilead: The Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. In his desolate world, which mirrors our own in frightening ways, Roland tracks The Man in Black, encounters an enticing woman named Alice, and begins a friendship with the boy from New York named Jake.”
Finally finished my reread. I‘ll call it a low pick.
I maintain my initial opinion that this isn‘t one of my favorites by King because it is all over the place. But I can 100% see how it is an introduction to this world and is setting up a much grander story.
Michael Whelan‘s illustrations are *chef‘s kiss*
Up next in my #readingStephenKing challenge is Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption!! Very excited to finally read it!
pickWhen I first read The Gunslinger, I was a bit underwhelmed by how sparse it was. But this time, listening to the audiobook, I could appreciate the quality of King‘s prose; you can tell he really wanted it to feel like a high fantasy while still incorporating the western and sci-fi elements. At which he is successful. The climax is where it falters; I think King was still unsure where the series would go. Thankfully, he figured it out in due time.
This book makes so much more sense now that I learned it was a series of novellas put together to make a novel. I‘ve always thought it a bit disjointed as a complete story, but I get it now. It really mostly serves to set up the world and introduce characters, I suppose.
Anyway, this was the only Stephen King book I had ever read before starting on my #readingStephenKing project, so it‘s a reread for me now.
pickHonestly, reviewing a book that I've read this many times is difficult. This series is a core component of my literary heart. That said, The Gunslinger is an excellent introduction to Roland's world, especially in its revised and expanded form. Readers are introduced to the primary focus of the series, and hit with frequent flashes of foreshadowing regarding the long and circuitous journey that lies ahead. 19/19, may it do ya fine.
This was my pick for the #scream prompt because that‘s what the ending of this series made me do! #Scarathlon daily prompt
Lots of campfires in this one.
#OminousOctober #campfire
@Eggs @alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash
@StayCurious
so-so#NSR221 @Nessavamusic Misc. A Western Genre I found this one strange. A mixture of a western with The Lord of the Ring quest. Very weird and deep thinking. Will I continue with this series? Not sure 😕 🤔
pickThe story is great with great depth and story, it has great examples of clear character development such as Roland. The only negative thing i can say about it is it was a bit of a slow read.
The squirrel in grey fled across the park, and the puppy followed.
Embarking on a probably too ambitious reread of The Dark Tower on audio after listening to the Kingcast podcast. See you in about 300 hours...
so-soI've read this a few times in my fangirl days. I always liked this story but Lord, is it slow! Lots of unpopular opinions from me on King. I hate how often he uses the words slut and whore. I hate the way he rambles. But I love Jake and I still kind of love Roland. ❤
pickI think this book is one of the weakest starts to a series out there, BUT it is essential for your trip to The Dark Tower. Blending western, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror elements, King started something unique when he published this 40 years ago. Not much happens in this book, but the rich world building and characterization provoke a necessity to continue with Roland on his quest despite knowing almost nothing about it. Almost as if it is “ka.”3⭐️
Taking a mental health day and trying a “new to me” bakery! 🥐 ☕️ 📚
pickA quick and easy read from the King! You can tell how good of a writer King is from the fact that I absolutely could not read the fantasy/supernatural genre before I fell into his world. I‘ve learned that if you just go along with it and bring your imagination, it can be one helluva ride.
Apparently this is the weakest in the series, so I‘m excited to continue the journey.
This journey starts today! 🤓📚 #boleybooks #thedarktower #stephenking #bookbeast #bookjoy #kamiboley #bookbuds
What are you reading? 😊
#BookSpinBingo #BookSpin #DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks
I freaked out this morning when I realized I never posted my list for this month. 😀
“In this first book of this series, now expanded and revised by the author, Stephen King introduces readers to one of his most enigmatic heroes. Roland of Gilead, the last gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. Roland pursues the man in black, encounters an alluring woman named Alice, and begins a friendship with the boy from New York called Jake.”
pickI've never done a review of The Dark Tower books before, but this will be my fifth time reading the series and I'm going to take my time and give it the review I think it deserves.
It's such an atmospheric read, the descriptions of the surroundings just puts you right there with Roland and the characters are unbeatable.
Too much to type so check ⤵️
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4344780038?book_show_action=false&from_rev...
1️⃣ I set a goal to read 120 books this year and I've almost completed it, I think this is definitely the most I've read in a year. 😁
2️⃣ Well I'm starting another re-read of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King tomorrow, so I'll be happy if I can get to the fourth book by the end of the year; but I'm not rushing it. I want to digest every word this time.
I tag @BrittanyReads @TheRiehlDeal @inthegreensandblues
#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
panI heard a lot of good things about this series. Honestly the first book wasn‘t exactly a page turner for me. Picking up the next book feels like a chore I want to put off. I‘m curious, but if the next book doesn‘t do it for me… the following half dozen won‘t get a chance. 2/5
pick🎧 We are introduced to the gunslinger Roland of Gilead. This is an introduction to one of my favorite series. Just a start. An endlessly descriptive book.
This book tells you of a goal, the Dark Tower in an endless desert in this messed up sci-fi/fantasy, spaghetti western.
Hello Alice, Jake & the man in black.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Next stop on my #stephenkinglonghaul journey. I have been so looking forward to another re-read of my all-time favorite series!! And now I have the boxed set, which makes it even better!
so-soThis isn‘t my favourite King, but I am glad I finally found the time to start the series. I found the middle lagged a bit, but am invested now! Waiting for book 2 from the library now.
pickFeels like it took forever to make the time to finish this book. I really enjoyed it. It‘s the first Stephen King book that I‘ve started and finished. Can‘t wait to discuss it with my boss at work on Friday.
pickOne of my goals this summer is to re-read the first three books of the Dark Tower series. I just finished the first and this is one of those books that‘s better the second time through because you know what happens with the rest of the series. “Go then. There are other worlds than these.”
This week‘s new books, 6 hardcovers. 🥰
The Maidens, May BOTM.
Books 1, 3 & 4 of The Greatcoats series 🖤 🖤 🖤
Stephen King‘s The Gunslinger
The Jasmine Throne - Illumicrate
Day 6 #NutsInMay #Readathon
I screwed up my timer so I had to start over with that. Yesterday I read for almost two and a half hours. Finished The Gunslinger.
Days 4 & 5 #NutsInMay #Readathon
I got a few more hours of reading done between Tuesday and Wednesday. Almost finished with The Gunslinger.
Day 3 #NutsInMay #Readathon
Read for a little over two hours. Finished the first half of The Gunslinger.
Day 2 #NutsInMay #Readathon
Read for around an hour and a half. Finished a few chapters of The Gunslinger.
Finally going to start this series. Audio book of book 1! Better late than never!!
#catsoflitsy
Here is Mallie from 2015. Now I have other decoy books for her to lean on while I read.
Thanks for the tag @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm ?
1️⃣ I'd travel pretty far to see Stephen King, don't know what I'd say or ask him though. I'd be like "The Dark Tower is one of the best things I've came across in my life, can you sign my copies of The Gunslinger and The Stand?." ?♂️
2️⃣ Never, but I've been off sick and stayed in bed all day drinking tea and reading. ??☕
3️⃣ Arizona/Monument Valley ??
#WondrousWednesday
@Eggs
pickThe gunslinger Roland is introduced as the last adventurer, the last gunslinger in the world. His history is made known as well as his goal to reach the tower. There are many deaths by Roland's hand. As Roland chases the man in black, Jake, a young boy, becomes Roland's companion through the desert and the mountains, before Jake's tragic accident. Roland catches and tries to kill the man in black, but that is only the beginning. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Epic fail on getting #24in48 🤦🏽♀️
He smelled alkali, bitter as tears. The desert beyond the door was white; blinding; waterless; without feature save for the faint, cloudy haze of the mountains which sketched themselves on the horizon.
The smell beneath the alkali was that of the devil-grass which brought sweet dreams, nightmares....death.
But not for you, gunslinger. Never for you. You darkle. You tinct.
May I be brutally frank? You go on.
#thedarktower 🥀
