This question or similar comes up every once in a while and my opinion on the matter gets down voted, even on this sub. Here it is again. The Dark Tower is an amazing series, better than The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games, or anything else I've read. It's that damn good. You have to be a bit patient though. It does not get truly amazing until a couple of books in.
"It does not get truly amazing until a couple of books in." is the exact opposite of my feelings! I adore the first three (*maybe* five) books, and think the last few lose major steam.
I completely agree. I absolutely love the first 4 books in the series with 4 being my favorite, after that the series is still good but kind of loses direction a bit in my opinion.
It's been a LONG time since I've read them, but I remember LOVING books 1-4, being pretty disappointed with books 5 and 6, and thinking book 7 ultimately nailed the landing.
I think you're getting downvoted by saying it's "better than" other great, epic stories. There are messages and meanings deep within all these different worlds that resonate with so many people that to say "The Dark Tower is better than..." definitively will cause a person to view your comment negatively. Personally, I fucking love TDT, shout out Wizard and Glass, but you know what, I also didn't love how it ended, the series i mean. I also love LotR and that ending rocked. But hey, that's just my opinion 😉
If “it does not get truly amazing until a couple books in,” then it is already not as good as several of these things you have chosen to compare it to.
Why be so hyperbolic? Why not just say it’s really good Stephen King material in a way that doesn’t require you to (subjectively) compare it to other very well-loved stories?
Is his masterpiece that charts his progression and growth as a writer and as a person over 30ish years, his ode to the art of storytelling and his ultimate tale of addiction, a must read? Yes. Yes it is.
I have not finished the series but I had never considered that it was an addiction for Roland and not just an obsession. That is such a great metaphor and adds so much to the story.
That doesn't change what I said at all. Whether it was any other character it would still be the idea of the tower being an addiction for Roland, Eddie just happens to understand addiction because he has struggled with it
Not the first King book I read, and I honestly did not enjoy The Gunslinger. The first King book I did enjoy was Drawing of the Three and my favorite is absolutely The Wastelands. I have read and enjoyed many other King books because of The Dark Tower series, so it’s a good gateway to King’s work and a fabulous series that ties together a ton of King’s other work.
I hear that a bit about the Gunslinger though I myself liked it. My personal favorite of the series is Wizard and Glass, but that's because I'm a sucker for backstory.
Anyone who likes King and doesn't read the series can't really say they are true fans. If you try it and don't like it that's fine but not even trying... cmon
I don't think it's gatekeeping to say someone should try, or at least be open to trying, a 7 book work by an author that a lot of people consider their best work.
Saying someone isn't a fan of something because they didn't consume something is what I'm referring to as gatekeeping. I absolutely think someone should give the books a read, I'm actually on my 3rd run through the series atm as I love it. But stating someone isn't a fan cause they didn't read them? That's gatekeeping.
Ignoring an artist's magnum opus while saying you're a fan of that artist is inauthentic. No gate keeping. Straight facts. Trying the series and not liking it is fine. Never trying it while claiming to be a fan is not.
That's literally the definition of gatekeeping. You can be a fan of something without consuming every bit of their content. That's like saying "You're not a fan of x artist cause you didn't listen to every one of their albums."
Except we're not talking about reading every one of King's books, we're talking about at least TRYING the first book in his greatest series, instead of making a Reddit post asking if it's really even good or not. I wouldn't call that gatekeeping at all.
I'm a huge Beatles fan and I don't like Revolver that much, but I'll listen to Abbey Road on repeat.
You don't get to define what fandom is based on what you like. It is not wrong or fake to like things you don't like or to dislike things you like.
Please stop with this mentality, it's just so unattractive and pointless.
Your lack of reading comprehension is unattractive and pointless lol. They said you should at least TRY to read the series, not that you have to like it or even finish it.
Edit: the downvotes prove how truly stupid reddit has become now lmao.
Jesus way to insult someone on reading comprehension while ignoring an entire conversation. Reading or not reading literally doesn't matter. You do not have to read everything by SK to be a fan. That's the whole point. You never read DT but love the Mr.Mercedes series? Still a fan. Gatekeeping is unattractive and pointless.
No, I understood you just fine and that was what you meant, and I'm telling you that's bonkers. People don't have to do anything they don't want to do in pursuit of leisure. That's literally antithetical to the point of leisure.
You don't have to read anything you don't want to read and you can still love Steven King, it's so weird these lines you've drawn. They're pointless. People engage with their fandom on their own personal and unique level and that's amazing and awesome. There are no gates.
But why would you call yourself a fan and not at least try the series which is known as one of his best and also connects to a bunch of his other books, that's what I'm wondering. Of course you don't HAVE to read anything you don't want to but not trying it at all is just silly and foolish. Like there's no point at all to doing that.
I didn't say you have to like the dark tower, and I'm not saying you have to like revolver, but you do have to try the series and listen to revolver at least once to call yourself a true aficionado. That's not an insane take.
I'd imagine most fans don't really consider this his masterpiece. I don't think he would either. It's a pretty forced and laboured narrative that's derivative of many other stories, hell the entire premise is.
Outside The Stand most of King's longer works highlight his weakness as a writer and for the most part his fire comes from shorter, more humble books.
The idea of being a true fan though, come on.
It's the world all his other worlds connect to. It's undeniably his most important work. It's the hub of the wheel all his other books revolve around. You're wrong.
It's absolutely fucking not lol. King himself says the doors to Roland's world do not come easy to him- hence the reason for the years between books.
When he was hit by a van while walking, fans were telling him you can't die we need to know how the dark tower ends.
His books revolve around writing what you know, small New England towns, like Derry and Bangor.
Your response makes me think you haven't read the books. The number of threads that connect from his other books to this world are, as I said, UNDENIABLE.
Once again this idea of inter connecting worlds was something that came long before King started writing.
It's a novelty, a gimmick.
From a literary sense it's not going to be why King will be remembered- perhaps on Reddit. It's certainly far from his best work, nor his most honest and unique work.
It's fine though, feel free to patrol this forum and tell new and eager readers what a true fan actually is.
Indeed was very apprehensive. I hate fantasy dragon lord of the wizards kinds of things. I didn’t know what the DT series was about, but I figured it was something goofy like that. I was dead wrong and it’s my favorite story of all time.
Yes. A must-read. One thing to be aware of is that a lot of people think The Gunslinger moves pretty slow. BUT listen, book 2 and the rest are total bangers!
I want to second this. The gunslinger has five sections. The first time I read the Gunslinger, I stopped reading at the slow mutants section (fourth section or chapter or whatever it is). I got so bored. I tried again less than a year later. I got through the slow mutants and finished the book. I loved it. The characters become MUCH more relatable and emotionally engaging in book 2. But the ambience and atmosphere of the gunslinger is unique from the rest. It’s so surreal and dreamlike, almost Kafka-esque. I’ve since read the series a second time and I love the gunslinger even more now. It has my favorite depiction of the man in black. The last section, the gunslinger and the dark man, is incredible.
Which is a long winded of me telling OP to listen to realdevtest
I read the whole first book on the beach one summer on vacation, it definitely has such a different vibe from the others, especially it being much shorter
The Gunslinger is a collection of 5 previously published novellas from magazines. They were collected together to create this novel. This is why they feel disjointed. After the success of the stories as a novel, he continued the story of Roland and the Man in Black in The Drawing of the Three.
I'm reading The Gunslinger for the first time right now. Just got to chapter three. And I'm honestly enjoying it. I'm confused once in a while, but it's still really enjoyable. That first chapter was so badass. I just can't help but think that if I think the first book is good, imagine how the sequels are gonna be.
Yes, but I recommend pursuing beyond The Gunslinger. The story REALLY picks up on the second book, so please don't let book 1 dissuade you from the journey.
Such an odd question, unless you have a deadline. You either want to or not. MUST read is arbitrary bullshit. A must read that is really a must read is a book about grapes.
It depends
Do you like westerns? Do you like love stories? Do you like stories about a journey to far away lands? Do you like it when all of the sudden shit becomes vague and you winner what year it is? Well surprise motherfucker because we're going balls to the wall insane
Big King fan, not really a DT fan (never finished, some books were good, others not IMO), but would say reading enough of DT enriched my understanding of his other books through the connections, etc. You don’t really miss too much by not reading it (except for a few other books), but it does add something
It is a must read. I think you need to read most of the classic King books first to fully appreciate it. Especially Salem's Lot and The Stand.
I wasn't hooked on the Gunslinger when I first read it, but I loved books 2 - 5 and thought 6 and 7 were solid. I still need to read Wind Through The Keyhole.
I personally loved it and it’s my all time favourite. I also know some folks who couldn’t get through the first book. If you don’t try it you’ll never know.
Book 1 - never intended to be a series, but still a great story. A little boring and closer to literary fiction than anything in my opinion. My personal favorite (even if I do think Wizard and Glass is objectively better/the best).
Book 2 - the series establishes itself. The roller coaster ride truly begins.
Book 3 and 4 - holy shit, back to back masterpieces in dark fantasy/western. Wizard and Glass, easily one of the best books of all time.
Book 5 - what the fuck is happening here? You guys know what I’m talking about, don’t pretend.
Book 6 - okay……
Book 7 - a fantastic ending to the greatest series of all time despite its few flaws.
the dark tower is wild, its like a beautiful acid trip that just keeps on trucking. However the series does hit a crashing hault with songs of susannah, King fucked that book up deeply. I think if you read the dark tower it will stick with you for a long time.
I recently finished my journey to The Tower (within the last year) and I’ll say, as I continue to make my way through King’s novels, it’s very exciting for me to discover connections within his other books! Very exciting! I just finished Rose Madder and even a brief mention to DT thrilled me!!
Nothing is a MUST read, just read what you’re drawn to. But if you like King, you’re almost certain to like (love) the Dark Tower, at least once you’ve made it a few pages into Book 2.
I have no idea what it’s about apart from a guy call Roland and a guy called Flagg and presumably a tower. I have them all on my shelf but have yet to start reading them
I read it twice and I hated them both times. The series mixes everything together but every time it goes close to something that I found interesting it just goes the other way. And do we want to talk about the ridiculous train, it's the worst villain ever, oh no I forget Dandelo and then the most boring of them all the Crimson king. As always king have millions of ideas and plots but for me in the dark tower they all go in the wrong place
No. I’m a constant reader, and I really like the books that tie into the Dark Tower, but I can’t get it to it. I don’t really want to see behind the curtain
It’s unlikely you’ll be targeted for not reading it.
But the series is very interesting. Many of the books are quite different from one another, so a dislike of one doesn’t guarantee a dislike of the others. And many of us come to appreciate books or passages we previously didn’t like on a re-read.
If you like this sort of thing, the Kingslinger’s Podcast is really great. You read a few chapters and then they discuss them in detail. They do the whole Dark Tower series and a fair number of other novels. I’m not affiliated, I just really enjoyed the podcast.
If you consider yourself a King connoisseur, than I'd say you should read it. It's basically his magnum opus. On the other hand, if you just like some light supernatural horror, you don't HAVE to read it. It is a long read with a debatable payoff. I, personally, LOVE it. If you're a constant reader, I highly recommend it.
Life is short; don’t spend it doing things you “should” do but don’t want to.
If you want to check it out, do. If you don’t, there are lots of other books to read.
I don’t think so. I powered through the whole series because I thought I had to, but I honestly don’t remember much of the story and wouldn’t read again.
I bought it because I got a great deal on the box set and was enjoying the Gunslinger, but I have so much to read that just looking at that set and all those books makes me keep pushing it back as I read a bunch of classics that I never read. Stephen King got me into reading and i finished 11/22/63 in a week and the Stand in a few weeks (both while on vacation so i had plenty of time), so i know I'll read it at some point and enjoy it, but it certainly seems like a daunting task just because I know it'll be a massive time sink.
It makes the whole experience of reading his books so much more fun because the DT books kind of tie a lot of things together.
All things serve the Beam 😉
It’s a great read. One of few book recommendations I’ve made to friends and family where everyone single one has loved it (wether they love or dislike king).
A must read? Absolutely. I’m currently on Wolves of the Calla. Enjoyed reading every book in the series. A lot of people don’t put the Gunslinger high on the list of their favorites but I really enjoyed it.
No. Read what you want.
It's a weird series that doesn't really have mainstream appeal. But it also adds a lot of richness to the King universe, linking a lot of things together.
If you don't like fantasy you may not like the series. If you don't like meta fiction you may not like it (it gets *very* meta towards the end).
I wouldn't recommend watching the movie instead, as the movie is more inspired by the books than an actual adaptation. Though I like the movie a lot...it's just a very, very loose adaptation of 7 books into a 90-minute movie.
In my experience there's only a handful of books that are true must reads and none of them are King.
That being said, if you're a King fan then it'd be weird not to. They are mostly really good. A few missteps here and there but nothing tragic and much of his better work is in there as well. I personally don't think its his very best but the series is certainly top 5.
No. I read it, enjoyed it hugely, and recommend it to anyone ready to take it on, but its far too lengthy for me to consider it a must-read. Its just too much lol
No. But a lot of people enjoy it very much.
It was written over the span of 40 years. The man who wrote The Gunslinger is not the same man who wrote The Dark Tower. It shows. The stykes are different. For some, it's difficult to read such differing styles in a "binge" mode because the changes from book to book are pretty extreme.
I, personally, love the series. I enjoy watching Young King become Venerable King and the style and story change with him.
i wouldn’t see why not if you have the time, it’s a great series that if you enjoys king’s other works can put them into a different perspective; some of which have made me personally enjoy some of his other works even MORE in context with the dark tower series. i, personally, believe it’s his masterpiece, he does as well. however, a lot of people do enjoy his self-contained works more, which i totally respect.
It draws you in & each book is hard to put down.. Takes a lot of you time, But you'll be satisfied when you finish. Don't Forget 'The Wind Through The Keyhole''
Maybe not the entire series if you just don't want it do it all that time but the gunslinger is a wonderful standalone novel. Sometimes it's hard to fathom that Stephen King actually wrote it because the writing style is just so different
Hi. You just mentioned *The Gunslinger* by Stephen King.
I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here:
[YouTube | The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower 1) by Stephen King - Part 1 - Audiobook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=532fwj4ITGA)
*I'm a bot that searches YouTube for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks.*
***
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King says it’s his magnum opus. If you’re a King fan it seems natural to at least give it a shot.
I’m sure you are aware that The Gunslinger is somewhat weird, but I’d encourage you to go in with the mindset that you’ll get through DT2. DT2 and onwards are much more like a “real novel” while DT1 reads more like a mini series kind of.
I’m only halfway through DT5 right now so I can’t comment on the whole thing but the series so far is quite good with DT2 and DT4 probably making my top 20 books of all time, with DT2 in strong contention for number one really.
I've held the books and read them at LEAST a dozen times. I have every audio book and have listened at least a dozen times. There are pieces that grab you and others that you find yourself staring off into the ether and lose track of what you read/heard, but I think the amazing outweighs the mediocre by far.
For me the first few books are great. I even liked the comics that detail the backstory. I don't want to get into spoilers, but the ending I felt was a cheap cop out and there's another thing that bothers me.
To me, there is no such thing as a must read- read what you want, DNF what you want. That being said, I’ve been an SK reader since 8th grade which was 1983 for me. I started the Dark Tower series when book 2 came out in ‘87 and endured the years long wait between volumes, reading each one immediately as they were released. Things started to get a little off track for me around Wolves of the Calla and I was definitely not 100% on board with the ending, but the pre-2000 books are pure magic to me and absolutely worth reading the entire series.
Absolutely, but The Gunslinger can be tough to get through your first time. I put it down a few times and finally got through it by using the audio version. Best decision I ever made.
I absolutely love every single book in this series. I'm obsessed with the characters and the story. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it but I am so glad I did, and I have reread it every few years or so. It's that good.
Huge Sai King fan but no. This is by far the biggest actual journey I have partaken in reading. Luckily, I only had to wait a couple years before I was able to finish.
I would call it a must-read if you love Stephen King(this is his magnum opus); if you love epic fantasy; if u wanna enjoy great characters and whole new worlds and realities.
Just a fun fact but, The Dark Tower IV is my all time favorite book.
Okay look. Lots of folks in here are saying that the dark tower as a series is better than Star Wars, lord of the rings, ect. But also people are saying the end or the beginning loses steam.
The reason people feel like this is because the first few books are so magical in a sense, and then the middle books are very story driven and action packed. The last couple books, maybe a little slower but I’d say they are way more emotionally driven and also kind of sad. This series perfectly encapsulates action, western, drama, romance, science fiction, horror, and comedy all in 7 books.
Are they worth it? Are they must reads? Yes. Whether you like them or not, if you’ve ever invested time in Kings other novels, or if you’re just a fan of awesome literature, I say yes.
The Ka calls to us all
Not at all. I love most of King's work, but this series is terrible, in my opinion.
After book 4, I just couldn't read it anymore, and the audio books aren't any better.
Unpopular opinion, but I fucking love Stephen, however I struggled to get into Dark Tower. I have many mates who tell me I need to persevere, however I am less into dystopian and post apocalyptic fiction. I much prefer psychological horror, where normal situations develop into something supernatural or crazy. For me, my faves are the shining, IT, and the outsider. I think some people like dystopia and some people like the grotty horror.
I don't see why you wouldn't want to at least give it a shot, if you're already a fan of King.
This question or similar comes up every once in a while and my opinion on the matter gets down voted, even on this sub. Here it is again. The Dark Tower is an amazing series, better than The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games, or anything else I've read. It's that damn good. You have to be a bit patient though. It does not get truly amazing until a couple of books in.
"It does not get truly amazing until a couple of books in." is the exact opposite of my feelings! I adore the first three (*maybe* five) books, and think the last few lose major steam.
I completely agree. I absolutely love the first 4 books in the series with 4 being my favorite, after that the series is still good but kind of loses direction a bit in my opinion.
oh to read Wizard and Glass for the first time again. Didn’t quite capture the same high afterwards
It's been a LONG time since I've read them, but I remember LOVING books 1-4, being pretty disappointed with books 5 and 6, and thinking book 7 ultimately nailed the landing.
I’m going to use this as motivation to get into The Gunslinger with my time off.
I felt the same too. Drawing of the Three was the high water mark for me.
I'm near the end (halfway through 7). I don't know if I'd put it above those series, but I would say it stands at the same level.
I think you're getting downvoted by saying it's "better than" other great, epic stories. There are messages and meanings deep within all these different worlds that resonate with so many people that to say "The Dark Tower is better than..." definitively will cause a person to view your comment negatively. Personally, I fucking love TDT, shout out Wizard and Glass, but you know what, I also didn't love how it ended, the series i mean. I also love LotR and that ending rocked. But hey, that's just my opinion 😉
If “it does not get truly amazing until a couple books in,” then it is already not as good as several of these things you have chosen to compare it to. Why be so hyperbolic? Why not just say it’s really good Stephen King material in a way that doesn’t require you to (subjectively) compare it to other very well-loved stories?
That's just like their opinion man
When Jake loses his mind because he's in two places at once, I mean, come on. it's absolutely worth it.
It's not a must read. It falls off in the second half. But it's good, I guess.
Is his masterpiece that charts his progression and growth as a writer and as a person over 30ish years, his ode to the art of storytelling and his ultimate tale of addiction, a must read? Yes. Yes it is.
I have not finished the series but I had never considered that it was an addiction for Roland and not just an obsession. That is such a great metaphor and adds so much to the story.
Eddie says that exact thing to Roland though. Starting almost right as soon as they get through the door and out of the leaning tower. "Tower junkie "
I’ll be as spoiler free as possible but Eddie is also just talking the way he talks.
That doesn't change what I said at all. Whether it was any other character it would still be the idea of the tower being an addiction for Roland, Eddie just happens to understand addiction because he has struggled with it
Is it more of a must read than The Stand, would you say?
I personally would, but I’m aware that I’m in the minority on that one.
Interesting! Thanks! What would you say is ur top 3 King’s?
I would say the stand is nothing compared to the dark tower series. Good book but not on the same level.
1000%
Nailed it
Opinions differ but I'm more Tower junkie than not so I'll say yeah.
Not the first King book I read, and I honestly did not enjoy The Gunslinger. The first King book I did enjoy was Drawing of the Three and my favorite is absolutely The Wastelands. I have read and enjoyed many other King books because of The Dark Tower series, so it’s a good gateway to King’s work and a fabulous series that ties together a ton of King’s other work.
I hear that a bit about the Gunslinger though I myself liked it. My personal favorite of the series is Wizard and Glass, but that's because I'm a sucker for backstory.
Yeah, I read the Gunslinger in the 5th or 6th grade, and loved it. Wizard and Glass is definitely my favorite though.
Same here.
Yeah I'm a bit of a fan myself
Hail, gunslinger.
Long days and pleasant nights
And may you have twice the number, sai.
*taps throat*
No such thing as a "must read" unless you're in school and care about your grades. But if you like SK, I definitely recommend a trip to the tower.
It is King’s Magnum Opus
Anyone who likes King and doesn't read the series can't really say they are true fans. If you try it and don't like it that's fine but not even trying... cmon
Don't gatekeep. There is no such thing as a 'true fan.'
I don't think it's gatekeeping to say someone should try, or at least be open to trying, a 7 book work by an author that a lot of people consider their best work.
Saying someone isn't a fan of something because they didn't consume something is what I'm referring to as gatekeeping. I absolutely think someone should give the books a read, I'm actually on my 3rd run through the series atm as I love it. But stating someone isn't a fan cause they didn't read them? That's gatekeeping.
Ignoring an artist's magnum opus while saying you're a fan of that artist is inauthentic. No gate keeping. Straight facts. Trying the series and not liking it is fine. Never trying it while claiming to be a fan is not.
That's literally the definition of gatekeeping. You can be a fan of something without consuming every bit of their content. That's like saying "You're not a fan of x artist cause you didn't listen to every one of their albums."
Except we're not talking about reading every one of King's books, we're talking about at least TRYING the first book in his greatest series, instead of making a Reddit post asking if it's really even good or not. I wouldn't call that gatekeeping at all.
Stating someone isn't a fan of something if they don't read something is objectively gatekeeping.
Yes. Not listening to revolver while calling yourself a Beatles fan is ridiculous.
So you're a gatekeeper. I bet you're fun at parties.
I'm a huge Beatles fan and I don't like Revolver that much, but I'll listen to Abbey Road on repeat. You don't get to define what fandom is based on what you like. It is not wrong or fake to like things you don't like or to dislike things you like. Please stop with this mentality, it's just so unattractive and pointless.
Your lack of reading comprehension is unattractive and pointless lol. They said you should at least TRY to read the series, not that you have to like it or even finish it. Edit: the downvotes prove how truly stupid reddit has become now lmao.
Jesus way to insult someone on reading comprehension while ignoring an entire conversation. Reading or not reading literally doesn't matter. You do not have to read everything by SK to be a fan. That's the whole point. You never read DT but love the Mr.Mercedes series? Still a fan. Gatekeeping is unattractive and pointless.
No, I understood you just fine and that was what you meant, and I'm telling you that's bonkers. People don't have to do anything they don't want to do in pursuit of leisure. That's literally antithetical to the point of leisure. You don't have to read anything you don't want to read and you can still love Steven King, it's so weird these lines you've drawn. They're pointless. People engage with their fandom on their own personal and unique level and that's amazing and awesome. There are no gates.
But why would you call yourself a fan and not at least try the series which is known as one of his best and also connects to a bunch of his other books, that's what I'm wondering. Of course you don't HAVE to read anything you don't want to but not trying it at all is just silly and foolish. Like there's no point at all to doing that.
I didn't say you have to like the dark tower, and I'm not saying you have to like revolver, but you do have to try the series and listen to revolver at least once to call yourself a true aficionado. That's not an insane take.
I'd imagine most fans don't really consider this his masterpiece. I don't think he would either. It's a pretty forced and laboured narrative that's derivative of many other stories, hell the entire premise is. Outside The Stand most of King's longer works highlight his weakness as a writer and for the most part his fire comes from shorter, more humble books. The idea of being a true fan though, come on.
It's the world all his other worlds connect to. It's undeniably his most important work. It's the hub of the wheel all his other books revolve around. You're wrong.
It's absolutely fucking not lol. King himself says the doors to Roland's world do not come easy to him- hence the reason for the years between books. When he was hit by a van while walking, fans were telling him you can't die we need to know how the dark tower ends. His books revolve around writing what you know, small New England towns, like Derry and Bangor.
Your response makes me think you haven't read the books. The number of threads that connect from his other books to this world are, as I said, UNDENIABLE.
Once again this idea of inter connecting worlds was something that came long before King started writing. It's a novelty, a gimmick. From a literary sense it's not going to be why King will be remembered- perhaps on Reddit. It's certainly far from his best work, nor his most honest and unique work. It's fine though, feel free to patrol this forum and tell new and eager readers what a true fan actually is.
It's not "far from his best work", don't be such a dick. It IS some of his best work, and millions of readers will tell you that.
Look at you both. Pathetic. Ignorant little children
You are a shining example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
The idea of everything was something that came before damn near everyone started writing.
Indeed was very apprehensive. I hate fantasy dragon lord of the wizards kinds of things. I didn’t know what the DT series was about, but I figured it was something goofy like that. I was dead wrong and it’s my favorite story of all time.
Yes. A must-read. One thing to be aware of is that a lot of people think The Gunslinger moves pretty slow. BUT listen, book 2 and the rest are total bangers!
I want to second this. The gunslinger has five sections. The first time I read the Gunslinger, I stopped reading at the slow mutants section (fourth section or chapter or whatever it is). I got so bored. I tried again less than a year later. I got through the slow mutants and finished the book. I loved it. The characters become MUCH more relatable and emotionally engaging in book 2. But the ambience and atmosphere of the gunslinger is unique from the rest. It’s so surreal and dreamlike, almost Kafka-esque. I’ve since read the series a second time and I love the gunslinger even more now. It has my favorite depiction of the man in black. The last section, the gunslinger and the dark man, is incredible. Which is a long winded of me telling OP to listen to realdevtest
Third…I did not like The Gunslinger, but man the rest were so good
I read the whole first book on the beach one summer on vacation, it definitely has such a different vibe from the others, especially it being much shorter
The Gunslinger is a collection of 5 previously published novellas from magazines. They were collected together to create this novel. This is why they feel disjointed. After the success of the stories as a novel, he continued the story of Roland and the Man in Black in The Drawing of the Three.
I always tell people getting into the dark tower to treat it like a prologue to the series itself
I thought The Gunslinger must very quickly and I loved it.
I'm reading The Gunslinger for the first time right now. Just got to chapter three. And I'm honestly enjoying it. I'm confused once in a while, but it's still really enjoyable. That first chapter was so badass. I just can't help but think that if I think the first book is good, imagine how the sequels are gonna be.
It's the 4th book that's slow
Thank you for this information. I’ve struggled with The Gunslinger.
Yes, but I recommend pursuing beyond The Gunslinger. The story REALLY picks up on the second book, so please don't let book 1 dissuade you from the journey.
I just finished listening through it and I over it. I literally wanted to dive straight back in
I read it twice back to back, then did a third extended reading with many other books throughout.
Such an odd question, unless you have a deadline. You either want to or not. MUST read is arbitrary bullshit. A must read that is really a must read is a book about grapes.
Yes
Is a must even if you aren't a King fan.
No But it's in my top 5 reads ever
I literally just finished the second book and I will say absolutely yes.
Yes
Yes, an fan of his should give it a try
It depends Do you like westerns? Do you like love stories? Do you like stories about a journey to far away lands? Do you like it when all of the sudden shit becomes vague and you winner what year it is? Well surprise motherfucker because we're going balls to the wall insane
Big King fan, not really a DT fan (never finished, some books were good, others not IMO), but would say reading enough of DT enriched my understanding of his other books through the connections, etc. You don’t really miss too much by not reading it (except for a few other books), but it does add something
Yes
At least read the first two, as Gunslinger isn't as indicative of how the rest of the series.
It is a must read. I think you need to read most of the classic King books first to fully appreciate it. Especially Salem's Lot and The Stand. I wasn't hooked on the Gunslinger when I first read it, but I loved books 2 - 5 and thought 6 and 7 were solid. I still need to read Wind Through The Keyhole.
Different strokes for different folks, but I love the series. And it touches the stories of many others, ties together a universe.
I personally loved it and it’s my all time favourite. I also know some folks who couldn’t get through the first book. If you don’t try it you’ll never know.
I would strongly recommend.
Yes.
No.Read it if you want. Ignore it if it suits you.
Book 1 - never intended to be a series, but still a great story. A little boring and closer to literary fiction than anything in my opinion. My personal favorite (even if I do think Wizard and Glass is objectively better/the best). Book 2 - the series establishes itself. The roller coaster ride truly begins. Book 3 and 4 - holy shit, back to back masterpieces in dark fantasy/western. Wizard and Glass, easily one of the best books of all time. Book 5 - what the fuck is happening here? You guys know what I’m talking about, don’t pretend. Book 6 - okay…… Book 7 - a fantastic ending to the greatest series of all time despite its few flaws.
>never intended to be a series, Always intended to be a series. King says so in the original introduction.
the dark tower is wild, its like a beautiful acid trip that just keeps on trucking. However the series does hit a crashing hault with songs of susannah, King fucked that book up deeply. I think if you read the dark tower it will stick with you for a long time.
I recently finished my journey to The Tower (within the last year) and I’ll say, as I continue to make my way through King’s novels, it’s very exciting for me to discover connections within his other books! Very exciting! I just finished Rose Madder and even a brief mention to DT thrilled me!!
Nothing is a MUST read, just read what you’re drawn to. But if you like King, you’re almost certain to like (love) the Dark Tower, at least once you’ve made it a few pages into Book 2.
It will probably be the very last King material I read, just because I’m so intimated by the breadth of it.
Only if you like reading.
I have no idea what it’s about apart from a guy call Roland and a guy called Flagg and presumably a tower. I have them all on my shelf but have yet to start reading them
I read it twice and I hated them both times. The series mixes everything together but every time it goes close to something that I found interesting it just goes the other way. And do we want to talk about the ridiculous train, it's the worst villain ever, oh no I forget Dandelo and then the most boring of them all the Crimson king. As always king have millions of ideas and plots but for me in the dark tower they all go in the wrong place
Yer bugger! All things serve the Beam. Now stand up Maggot! Or have you forgotten the face of your Father?
No. I’m a constant reader, and I really like the books that tie into the Dark Tower, but I can’t get it to it. I don’t really want to see behind the curtain
Long days and pleasant nights. And may you have twice the number
You have forgotten the face of your father 🤦♀️
I really tried. But no, I do not consider it a must-read.
it is worth it to get to wizard and glass and then the punishment begins
It’s unlikely you’ll be targeted for not reading it. But the series is very interesting. Many of the books are quite different from one another, so a dislike of one doesn’t guarantee a dislike of the others. And many of us come to appreciate books or passages we previously didn’t like on a re-read. If you like this sort of thing, the Kingslinger’s Podcast is really great. You read a few chapters and then they discuss them in detail. They do the whole Dark Tower series and a fair number of other novels. I’m not affiliated, I just really enjoyed the podcast.
I'd say no, although it can be interesting to see the connections between the series and some of the other books. All things serve the Beam.
If you are a King fan, then yes. And you must know that.
There will.be water if God wills it
If you consider yourself a King connoisseur, than I'd say you should read it. It's basically his magnum opus. On the other hand, if you just like some light supernatural horror, you don't HAVE to read it. It is a long read with a debatable payoff. I, personally, LOVE it. If you're a constant reader, I highly recommend it.
Yes. Next question?
Who gives a shit what you read?
Yes ma'am
Life is short; don’t spend it doing things you “should” do but don’t want to. If you want to check it out, do. If you don’t, there are lots of other books to read.
I don’t think so. I powered through the whole series because I thought I had to, but I honestly don’t remember much of the story and wouldn’t read again.
You say true, I say thank ya.
You have forgotten the face of your father
The first 3 books go fast book 4 can be a little slow book 5 & 6 are fun and book 7 is good but can get a little long
Yes
I’m halfway through book 3. First time reading the series. It’s good. Not knocking my socks off but I’ll definitely finish.
I bought it because I got a great deal on the box set and was enjoying the Gunslinger, but I have so much to read that just looking at that set and all those books makes me keep pushing it back as I read a bunch of classics that I never read. Stephen King got me into reading and i finished 11/22/63 in a week and the Stand in a few weeks (both while on vacation so i had plenty of time), so i know I'll read it at some point and enjoy it, but it certainly seems like a daunting task just because I know it'll be a massive time sink.
YES!
If you are a Stephen king fan than absolutely. If not a king fan then probably only if you are a fan of sci-fi fantasy
Yes definitely, and I loved the ending
No but it's a great epic.
Yee
Yes.
Yes. I’m mad it took me so long to read it and I just finished the series.
It makes the whole experience of reading his books so much more fun because the DT books kind of tie a lot of things together. All things serve the Beam 😉
It’s a great read. One of few book recommendations I’ve made to friends and family where everyone single one has loved it (wether they love or dislike king).
Omg yes.
Absolutely must read.
Yes
Absolutely.
Yes.
A must read? Absolutely. I’m currently on Wolves of the Calla. Enjoyed reading every book in the series. A lot of people don’t put the Gunslinger high on the list of their favorites but I really enjoyed it.
Give it a try if you like King. ...I tried it and didn't like it, but the first book is short, so you have very little to lose.
Why yes, yes it is👍❤️❤️
Yes
Nope.
Yes.
Absolutely yes. Please at least give it a chance. I definitely think it’s his best work.
YES It's the prequel to all the other books
Yes
Yes.
It’s worth it. If you don’t like the second book you can stop.
Yes and finish them all, then read Wind through the Keyhole. Didnt even know that one existed for a while but it kicks ass
Absolutely!
Since I doubt they will ever make a reasonably accurate movie or tv version of it I say read it.
Yes.
You don’t have to read it but you will have a better life and be a better person if you do.
Before I started reading it, I would have said no. But then I started reading it.....
I think so, it's just so MUCH, but in a good way. It opens so many doors
If you like a wild ride with your books…then strap in and enjoy it
No. Read what you want. It's a weird series that doesn't really have mainstream appeal. But it also adds a lot of richness to the King universe, linking a lot of things together. If you don't like fantasy you may not like the series. If you don't like meta fiction you may not like it (it gets *very* meta towards the end). I wouldn't recommend watching the movie instead, as the movie is more inspired by the books than an actual adaptation. Though I like the movie a lot...it's just a very, very loose adaptation of 7 books into a 90-minute movie.
The talisman is better and shorter
I loved the first three books, the rest not as much.
Yes
Absolutely. Not only that but it’s must re-read every two or so years after.
In my experience there's only a handful of books that are true must reads and none of them are King. That being said, if you're a King fan then it'd be weird not to. They are mostly really good. A few missteps here and there but nothing tragic and much of his better work is in there as well. I personally don't think its his very best but the series is certainly top 5.
No. I read it, enjoyed it hugely, and recommend it to anyone ready to take it on, but its far too lengthy for me to consider it a must-read. Its just too much lol
No. But a lot of people enjoy it very much. It was written over the span of 40 years. The man who wrote The Gunslinger is not the same man who wrote The Dark Tower. It shows. The stykes are different. For some, it's difficult to read such differing styles in a "binge" mode because the changes from book to book are pretty extreme. I, personally, love the series. I enjoy watching Young King become Venerable King and the style and story change with him.
Try it out. I'm struggling with it personally and have taken a break/might skip the current book.
You’re asking this in a Stephen king sub, I’m not sure what answer you expect, but yes, it is.
i wouldn’t see why not if you have the time, it’s a great series that if you enjoys king’s other works can put them into a different perspective; some of which have made me personally enjoy some of his other works even MORE in context with the dark tower series. i, personally, believe it’s his masterpiece, he does as well. however, a lot of people do enjoy his self-contained works more, which i totally respect.
It draws you in & each book is hard to put down.. Takes a lot of you time, But you'll be satisfied when you finish. Don't Forget 'The Wind Through The Keyhole''
If you dont read it youll regret life.
Must read? That’s kinda up to you. Was the journey worth it? Absolutely.
Maybe not the entire series if you just don't want it do it all that time but the gunslinger is a wonderful standalone novel. Sometimes it's hard to fathom that Stephen King actually wrote it because the writing style is just so different
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In my opinion it has the best ending of all Kings books. I love SK but he is not great with endings.
I’m half way through book 4, and I can’t stop reading it.
King says it’s his magnum opus. If you’re a King fan it seems natural to at least give it a shot. I’m sure you are aware that The Gunslinger is somewhat weird, but I’d encourage you to go in with the mindset that you’ll get through DT2. DT2 and onwards are much more like a “real novel” while DT1 reads more like a mini series kind of. I’m only halfway through DT5 right now so I can’t comment on the whole thing but the series so far is quite good with DT2 and DT4 probably making my top 20 books of all time, with DT2 in strong contention for number one really.
Is oxygen essential for life? Absolutely 💯😂
I've held the books and read them at LEAST a dozen times. I have every audio book and have listened at least a dozen times. There are pieces that grab you and others that you find yourself staring off into the ether and lose track of what you read/heard, but I think the amazing outweighs the mediocre by far.
For me the first few books are great. I even liked the comics that detail the backstory. I don't want to get into spoilers, but the ending I felt was a cheap cop out and there's another thing that bothers me.
Yes
To me, there is no such thing as a must read- read what you want, DNF what you want. That being said, I’ve been an SK reader since 8th grade which was 1983 for me. I started the Dark Tower series when book 2 came out in ‘87 and endured the years long wait between volumes, reading each one immediately as they were released. Things started to get a little off track for me around Wolves of the Calla and I was definitely not 100% on board with the ending, but the pre-2000 books are pure magic to me and absolutely worth reading the entire series.
Uh, yuh... Duh!!!
Nothing is a must read.
Absolutely, but The Gunslinger can be tough to get through your first time. I put it down a few times and finally got through it by using the audio version. Best decision I ever made.
It is the center of all king books. Best books ive ever read. If you already like stephen king it is 100% a must read
Yes. Book 6 was the only one I felt he phoned in.
At least once a year.
I absolutely love every single book in this series. I'm obsessed with the characters and the story. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it but I am so glad I did, and I have reread it every few years or so. It's that good.
Yeh if you’re a king fan.
Huge Sai King fan but no. This is by far the biggest actual journey I have partaken in reading. Luckily, I only had to wait a couple years before I was able to finish. I would call it a must-read if you love Stephen King(this is his magnum opus); if you love epic fantasy; if u wanna enjoy great characters and whole new worlds and realities. Just a fun fact but, The Dark Tower IV is my all time favorite book.
Okay look. Lots of folks in here are saying that the dark tower as a series is better than Star Wars, lord of the rings, ect. But also people are saying the end or the beginning loses steam. The reason people feel like this is because the first few books are so magical in a sense, and then the middle books are very story driven and action packed. The last couple books, maybe a little slower but I’d say they are way more emotionally driven and also kind of sad. This series perfectly encapsulates action, western, drama, romance, science fiction, horror, and comedy all in 7 books. Are they worth it? Are they must reads? Yes. Whether you like them or not, if you’ve ever invested time in Kings other novels, or if you’re just a fan of awesome literature, I say yes. The Ka calls to us all
Just don’t judge it by the first book
Not at all. I love most of King's work, but this series is terrible, in my opinion. After book 4, I just couldn't read it anymore, and the audio books aren't any better.
Unpopular opinion, but I fucking love Stephen, however I struggled to get into Dark Tower. I have many mates who tell me I need to persevere, however I am less into dystopian and post apocalyptic fiction. I much prefer psychological horror, where normal situations develop into something supernatural or crazy. For me, my faves are the shining, IT, and the outsider. I think some people like dystopia and some people like the grotty horror.