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The Dark Tower
 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:13 [#00931700]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



my personal fav is the second book, the drawing of the
three...

VERY surreal, and has a crazy twist at the VERY beginning of
the book.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:14 [#00931701]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



My top three King books are It, then Wizard and Glass, then
The Stand.

I've read every single thing's he's released... bit of a
King mentalist me.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:14 [#00931704]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



dave kckean did some amazing illustrations for book 4


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:15 [#00931707]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



*dave mckean


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-03 09:16 [#00931708]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker



I've read It two and a half times actually... It's one of my
favorite books in general... I started the stand, but never
finished it!


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:16 [#00931710]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



great i love dave mckean's art!


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:18 [#00931711]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



I'm so sad I keep a list of King's books with a brief
description and rating.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:18 [#00931712]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



yeah, that book is the most cowboy flick of them all... also
has an underlying hamlet-esque witch theme. almost
salem-ish.

and flagg form the stand is in the first book.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:22 [#00931720]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



The problem is you can't just read the Dark Tower books,
certain stand alone King books have Dark Tower storylines in
them. You also need to read: Insomnia, Everything's
Eventual, Hearts In Atlantis and Black House. Plus Salem's
Lot and The Stand, but to a lesser extent.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:25 [#00931724]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



well........

i think you can get away with it.

you might not make ALL the connections, but i read a list...
and its NUTS how much they connect to other books.

it really was like EVERY book hes done.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:28 [#00931728]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to tibbar: #00931724



Well... Insomnia introduces the Crimson King, that's gonna
be important later. Everything's Eventual introduces Dinky
who shows up later, HIA introduces Ted and the whole concept
of 'breaking'. Black House is a MUST, it's practically Dark
Tower part 4.5. Father Callahan from Salem's Lot is in
Calla, how exactly he ended up there I haven't a clue. The
Stand would be useful to know more about Flagg too... it
really broadens the whole DT universe. You can't really
connect the whole lot, although if what King said in a
recent interview about what's IN the Tower I may be wrong


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:30 [#00931733]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



dont forget eyes of the dragon, which includes flagg's
"origins"

which is VERY much like martin's role in gilead


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:32 [#00931735]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to tibbar: #00931733



I hate that book, but true it does refer to the DT. In fact
King said the two boys show up later as well, so count that
in... also The Talisman and From A Buick Eight can be added
as well I guess


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 09:45 [#00931747]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



i thought Stephen King had finnished writing books recently?


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 09:46 [#00931748]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



the last 3 dark tower books are it.


 

offline mimi on 2003-11-03 11:15 [#00931881]
Points: 5721 Status: Regular



funny thing, the dark tower series have been the only king
books i have gotten into...

i remember reading christine and misery in middle school and
not being able to wait to be done with them...just didn't
like 'em.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 11:17 [#00931884]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to mimi: #00931881



Not really two of the best to be honest... in fact Christine
is a real dog. Try the books I mentioned if you haven't
already as they are DT related but stand alone too, you may
get a taste for his writing. Not everyone does.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 11:33 [#00931909]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



insomnia is great!

i like the renegades and the other one that ties into it...
crap, cant remember the name. pet semetary always bugged me
out a little, i liek that one. i like his short stories
alot, like skeleton crew and night shift.

but the dark tower has always been the masterpiece to me.

i always wished theyd make a film or videogame out of that
thing. id love a good 360 degree view action rpg. it'd be
suhweeeeeeeeeet.

i still havent caught bruce campbell's cameo as roland in
the majestic.


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 11:36 [#00931918]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



should I get the hardback version of Gunslinger with the
drawings?


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 11:40 [#00931925]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



YES.

the hardbacks are all very nice.

i would highly suggest gettign them all in hardback.


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-03 11:41 [#00931929]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



i love the cover of the hardback Gunslinger


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 11:43 [#00931931]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



the artwork in the second book is amazing... very nice
almost watercolorish 50's looking illustrations.

and of course, mckean's stuff for wizard and glass rocks.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-03 11:44 [#00931935]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



wait until you read the wasteland, and oyu realise where i
got the name "blaine the mono" from.

*laughs evily*
hee hee heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-04 03:58 [#00933393]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker



forget about this dark tower crap, read It instead!! ;)


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 04:00 [#00933397]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to The_Funkmaster: #00933393



On the contrary, if you liked 'It' you'll love The Dark
Tower :P


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-04 04:04 [#00933401]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker | Followup to Jarworski: #00933397



hehe, yeah I probably would... I'm a big fan of Stephen
King, but haven't read enough... my problem though is that
I'm currently reading the series that never ends, the Wheel
of Time series... I've been reading it for the past three
years... I'm almost done book 9, and the damn series still
ain't finished... it's massive... already 10 books out, the
average length probably around 700 or 800 pages... and I've
heard there are 3 more planned... damn it, just end the damn
thing... the first 4 or 5 books were amazing... now it's
just starting to get rediculous though!


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 04:08 [#00933405]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to The_Funkmaster: #00933401



The fact you're reading that series probably holds you in
good stead for starting the Tower series, they apparently
share some similarities. Also while King has a tendency to
overwrite, I generally like his longer stuff a lot more. The
Stand, It, Insomnia, W&G... all very long, and definitely my
favourites. The Dark Tower series will probably end up with
a final length of about 5000 pages.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 04:10 [#00933408]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



Here's my list of King releases with rating and estimated
page length... for no particular reason other than this is a
King thread!

1. Carrie 1974 Novel 215 8/10
2. Salem's Lot 1975 Novel 420 8/10
3. The Shining 1977 Novel 400 6/10
4. Rage 1977 Novel 149 7/10
5. The Stand 1978 Novel 1400 10/10
6. Night Shift 1978 Stories 300 7/10
7. The Dead Zone 1979 Novel 350 9/10
8. The Long Walk 1979 Novel 238 8/10
9. Firestarter 1980 Novel 450 5/10
10. Danse Macabre 1980 Essay 500 8/10
11. Cujo 1981 Novel 300 5/10
12. Roadwork 1981 Novel 265 5/10
13. Different Seasons 1982 Novellas 700 9/10
14. The Dark Tower Part I: The
Gunslinger 1982 Novel 215 10/10
15. The Running Man 1982 Novel 205 8/10
16. Christine 1983 Novel 590 6/10
17. Pet Semetary 1983 Novel 350 6/10
18. The Talisman 1984 Novel 750 8/10
19. Thinner 1984 Novel 220 6/10
20. Cycle Of The Werewolf 1985 Short 120 5/10
21. Skeleton Crew 1985 Stories 600 9/10
22. It 1986 Novel 1200 10/10
23. The Eyes Of The Dragon 1987 Novel 400 5/10
24. Misery 1987 Novel 300 7/10
25. The Dark Tower Part II: The Drawing Of The
Three 1987 Novel 500 9/10
26. The Tommyknockers 1987 Novel 400 7/10
27. The Dark Half 1989 Novel 300 7/10
28. Four Past Midnight 1990 Novellas 800 8/10
29. The Dark Tower Part III: The Waste
Lands 1991 Novel 400 8/10
30. Needful Things 1991 Novel 900 7/10
31. Gerald's Game 1992 Novel 300 7/10
32. Doloros Claiborne 1992 Novel 300 8/10
33. Nightmares And Dreamscapes 1993 Stories 600 8/10
34. Insomnia 1994 Novel 690 9/10
35. Rose Madder 1995 Novel 550 8/10
36. Desperation 1996 Novel 620 5/10
37. The Regulators 1996 Novel 400 7/10
38. The Green Mile 1996 Novel 500 9/10
39. The Dark Tower Part IV: Wizard And
Glass 1997 Novel 720 10/10
40.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 04:11 [#00933409]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



40. Bag Of Bones 1998 Novel 500 6/10
41. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon 1999 Novel 200 7/10
42. Hearts In Atlantis 1999 Novellas 500 8/10
43. The Plant 2000 Novel 300 8/10
44. On Writing 2001 Essay 350 7/10
45. Dreamcatcher 2001 Novel 500 5/10
46. Black House 2001 Novel 400 8/10
47. Everything's Eventual 2002 Stories 300 7/10
48. From A Buick Eight 2002 Novel 300 7/10
49. The Dark Tower Part V: Wolves Of The Calla 2003 Novel
?/10



 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-04 04:17 [#00933413]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker



wow, Jarworski is so cool... I want to be like Jarworski!
;)

seriously though, I thought the running man was a short
story... and, I personally loved Desperation! :)


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 04:21 [#00933417]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to The_Funkmaster: #00933413



Well The Running Man was first published as a novel, it just
about makes the required length. It is collected in The
Bachman books, and could be described as a novella, but I
called it a novel. It's about the same length as Carrie...

I liked Desperation when it came out, I lent it and
Regulators off a friend. I re-read it this year when I found
a copy in work and I thought it was fucking rubbish!


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-04 04:24 [#00933420]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker | Followup to Jarworski: #00933417



yes, that's where I saw it, in The Bachman Books...


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 04:29 [#00933421]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



I hope my bastard book arrives tomorrow. I plan on taking
Friday off work, sticking SAW II on repeat and reading till
I finish!


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-04 05:01 [#00933448]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker | Followup to Jarworski: #00933421



damn... that's crazy... I can only read for maybe two hours
at a time...


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:28 [#00933621]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Followup to The_Funkmaster: #00933401 | Show recordbag



forget the wheel of time, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R
R Martin is the best fantasy series... even better than LotR


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:31 [#00933626]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



i've never been able to read a whole book in one go, my
record is about a third of a book :)


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:33 [#00933628]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



i've never been able to read a whole book in one go, my
record is about a third of a book :)


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-04 08:43 [#00933639]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



i've never been able to read a whole book in one go, my
record is about a third of a book :)

just kidding...

i think you'll be VERY pleased with this series, panta.

it's probably my favorite ongoing book series period.


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:47 [#00933645]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Followup to tibbar: #00933639 | Show recordbag



i bought Gunslinger today, can't wait to start reading it.
I'm half way through Fever Dream by George RR Martin which
is really good. Maybe i'll start reading it now but I dont
usually read two books at the same time.

Do you ever listen to music whilst reading? Sometimes its
good to pick a good ambient type album that fits the mood of
a book.


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:47 [#00933646]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



phew.. just one post this time :)


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:49 [#00933649]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to pantalaimon: #00933645



Did you get the original or the rewrite?


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-04 08:50 [#00933650]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



it's funny that king started the whole dark tower series by
writing just the first line in the gunslinger.

everythign unravels form there.

i think music and reading are quite nice together.

for this book, might i suggest something along the lines of
rapoon's "fires of the borderlands" or "easterly 6 or 7"


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:51 [#00933652]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Followup to Jarworski: #00933649 | Show recordbag



the rewrite which I hear flows a lot better


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:53 [#00933654]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to tibbar: #00933650



Well he did have substantial help thanks to the poem


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 08:54 [#00933660]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker | Followup to pantalaimon: #00933652



It does fit in with the whole series a lot more,
unfortunately it looses some of the power that the original
held in my opinion. If you're just starting now, rewrite's
the way to go, it's a shame he had to change quite so much
though.


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2003-11-04 08:57 [#00933663]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker



I love the wheel of time series though... the first 4 or 5
books were amazing, and they've gotten a little dragged
since, but they're still awesome... I'm just about finished
U2 at the End of the World (like the 3rd or 4th time reading
it)... lol, I don't know why I read that so much, but it's
just so damn good... I just love the unique perspective...
it's like being on tour with them...

my record for reading a book fast is reading It in a little
over a week...


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 09:07 [#00933674]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Followup to The_Funkmaster: #00933663 | Show recordbag



my ex could read a book in a day... crazy.

anyway, you should definately look into the Song of Ice and
Fire books if you like epic fantasy... it really is amazing,
definately the most gripping books i've read so far.


 

offline pantalaimon from Winterfell (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 09:07 [#00933676]
Points: 7090 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



anyway lets see if I can read half a book by tomorrow :)


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-11-04 09:13 [#00933679]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



yeah, it's great how he links stuff together in this series.
the poem sounds almost like it was written for the books,
it's weird.

panta: trust me, it's hard to put down.


 

offline Jarworski from The Grove (United Kingdom) on 2003-11-04 09:46 [#00933708]
Points: 10836 Status: Lurker



By the way panta, were you happy that His Dark Materials
made it into the UK's Top 21 books of all time? I was
surprised to see it do so well.


 


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