The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, Book 2) (original 1987; edition 2003)

A little better than The Gunslinger, the characters in The Drawing of the Three are a little better defined. They just aren't very pleasant characters.

Suffering from injuries and infection, The Gunslinger manages to cohabit the minds of others in mid-1980's New York. In some cases, he is an urgent voice in the head, in others, he takes control and pushes aside the body's owner to a secondary role. His choice of companions include a crippled. schizophrenic woman whose evil side has a particular hatred for white folk and a junkie. Often times, the characters are mostly a danger to themselves, but in the end they become comrades.

Various side stories are mildly interesting, but mostly it is fodder as The Gunslinger continues his quest to reach the Dark Tower. In the end, some people died, some "lobstrosities" were eaten, and Roland is closer to his goal. ( )

Well now. About those lobstrocities. It was a dark and stormy night on the Maine coast.....I will say this: consummate story teller is Mr. King. ( )

on Sunday, August 28, 2005 I wrote:

Reading this book for the second time in my life. First time Í read the Dutch translation.

This book was a gift from my friend Zmrzlina (together with book 1,till 6 of the serie! )

I am reading and enjoying it now.(august 28th 2005)
Love it

( )

The Drawing Of The Three is Book Two of the Dark Tower series by bestselling author Stephen King, and picks up where The Gunslinger left off.

Essentially the 'three' of the title are three people that the Gunslinger acquires or draws to him throughout the novel. The door on the front cover is the means by which the Gunslinger travels but I won't say any more than that.

Compared to The Gunslinger, I found Book Two of the series to be more enjoyable and straightforward. The reader is still aware of the overarching narrative - a journey to the Dark Tower - however it's clear that this novel is about survival and acquiring three people to join the Gunslinger on that journey.

I think it's fair to say I've never read anything before with such a colossal scope, however I'm keen to keep reading and see where this master writer takes me.

Now that the Gunslinger has his 'three', I'm looking forward to the next part of the journey: The Waste Lands. ( )

Rating: 3 of 5

Well, The Drawing of the Three offered more action than Book One in the Dark Tower series, but not much else. Roland was developed a bit more despite being injured most of the book; I really do admire his grit. As for Eddie and Odetta, meh. Not really a big fan of either at this point in the story. I'm hoping for at least a little headway in the true quest in Book Three. ( )