Not the best book to start the Dark Tower with - I hold The Drawing of the Three as the best standalone book of the series, where this one reads a bit more like a fever dream. But the massacre in Tull is iconic, and the first sentence alone is enough to hook the reader into the story to come. Highly recommend the whole Tower series.

Long days and pleasant nights. Say true. ( )

Rounding up from 3.5 STARS I don't know if it's because the edition I read is the "revised, expanded" edition but I really liked this book! Everyone who has read The Dark Tower series advises that that first book is the weakest link but getting thru it to the next in the series is worth the effort.

Anyway - I'm hooked, can't wait for The Drawing of the Three. ( )

The first in the 8-volume epic horror fantasy introduces us to Roland, the last gunslinger in a future time and dystopian place on a plane different than our own. The landscape resembles an American Old West but contains remnants of the past that reflect our own 20th century history: “Hey Jude” plays on the piano at the honky tonk, a gas station becomes an enigmatic and religious relic… Roland is in pursuit of the Man in Black, a powerful sorcerer who contains knowledge about Dark Tower, Roland’s ultimate goal. There is a lot of allegorical and metaphorical language, symbols and ritual that makes this story rich if a little obtuse on the first reading but the richness and vivid descriptions make the dreamscape and fable-like plot seem real. ( )

This is the second time I've listened to this novel... yeup, I still like it. George Guidall does a great job with the narration and the writing is, well, Stephen King. ( )

Immersed in a shadowy and gritty fantasy realm woven with religious undertones, Stephen King's narrative grips you forcefully, compelling you to absorb every word, evoking a visceral response – a quality that defines his writing. His exploration of the dark and morbid facets of death is evident, as is typical in his works.

However, a notable drawback is the absence of a clear sense of progression or resolution. The reader traverses this grim journey without discernible directional cues, creating a somewhat disorienting experience.

The narrative's use of flashbacks within flashbacks proves to be both disruptive and seamlessly integrated. Some instances jar the reader, while others effortlessly enhance the unfolding story.

In summary, it's a compelling read, offering a brief introduction to this intricate world. Yet, the lingering feeling persists that not much has truly transpired; perhaps, though, this is a deliberate setup for a more expansive and captivating plotline in the future. ( )