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“Ka was like a wheel, its one purpose to turn, and in the end it always came back to the place where it had started.”
A wildly imaginative and exceptional fantasy series that crosses between so many genres with ease. Despite each book having very different appeals to an extent, they all feel quite cohesive. The further I go along into the series, as I suspected, the more I appreciate the Gunslinger and really everything that has been introduced. By the end of the novel, it makes it extremely apparent this is Stephen King's magnum opus (The Dark Tower as a whole). The Waste Land is everything you want in a sequel and, well, in a series, just the quality of the books being progressively better (even though 1-2 were fantastic). While the atmosphere of Book 1 isn’t matched, you do have the brilliance of the atmosphere spread out similar to Book 2, but even more so, especially during the dream sequences and the final two parts of the novel.
Stephen King’s dialogue is so engrossing, it’s just hard to describe, and his general writing is so immersive. It is so approachable yet vivid with imagination. I wish I could tell more, but in a sequel, and non-spoilery, I don’t believe there is a point, so I will be writing some spoiler thoughts, which include my general highlights and thoughts.
Spoiler Thoughts:
I do not aim with my hand; she who aims with her hand has forgotten the face of her father. I aim with my eye. I do not shoot with my hand; she who shoots with her hand has forgotten the face of her father. I shoot with my mind. I do not kill with my gun; she who kills with her gun has forgotten the face of her father. I kill with my heart.
It’s a surprisingly fitting philosophy and is repeated consistently throughout the book.
So, the beginning of the book, wow. I love how odd the beginning of each book has been so far, book 2 with killer lobsters, and here we got a cyborg bear who is 1000s of years old. It’s just a killer way to begin the book and signifies something that will be tackled as the book progresses: the consciousness in machines? This is obviously a reference to Blaine and his partner, who committed suicide. In the final chapter this is most evident with Roland’s lecture. The combination of the fantasy and science fiction is bloody ecstatic, and King really executes it well here.
Wonderful passage for the bear, speaking of passing of eras and civilisations gone.
In terms of Roland and Jake, the idea of both having memories of two different planes of realities simultaneously is utterly fascinating. You see their hardship and pain. Honestly, I can’t imagine the strain both parties face: your own death or the guilt of letting a loved one die. At the same time, still living, that discomfort and the rightful paranoia. Ronald crying after holding the key and having that sense of relief is very much deserved and brilliant.
The number of visions and conversations about the Tower with Eddie and Susannah was awesome. Seeing King’s imagination go wild with his lore dumps and being entranced learning new facts and rumours about the Tower. The conversations in general are quite excellent; the final one is the cherry on top with Blaine and that mysterious antagonist at the end of the book. The lore of the Beam, explores one of the ultimate themes of many ancient works: how much is Fate or Free Will? A prevalent theme of Tolkien's legendarium, the ancient texts like the Iliad and storytelling as a whole, and King’s insertion into the forever debate is fascinating.
As I was reading the book, I realised that throughout the whole series, whenever Roland is dreaming, we rarely see any details. However, those details concerning the tower are revealed in Eddie and Susannah's dreams. It’s a deliberate isolation and parallel, despite having companions, Roland still feels somewhat isolated, a deliberate distance. Which Eddie does call out Roland about that distance, how they can take the burden (so can the reader), so the next book, Roland will most likely unload his troubles.
I really liked the addition of Eddie being Jake’s guide in the dreams. It’s a smart way for the both of them to bond and see themselves as equals in the dream (and Jake’s reality). This decision also allows us to view Henry in a less biased perspective, realising how much Henry bullied his brother. Eddie consistently doubted himself and had poor self-esteem as a result. He’s afraid to excel at anything because it could hurt his brother’s feelings; they loved each other, but it’s evident that Henry was toxic for Eddie. His mother definitely played a part after the death of Eddie’s sister, but ultimately it was Henry, like there’s a reason why Eddie turned to drugs. It’s just one aspect of that multifaceted relationship that Eddie doesn’t want to face.
Family struggles and connections are running themes of the book. The same could be applied to Jake, but not nearly as toxic, but intense pressure that his father almost makes him out as a trophy rather than a person. Yet the love for each other is obvious, and seeing Jake feeling torn in leaving because he knows it’s the right thing to do. Speaking of Jake, I know people complain he is whiny, but for an 11-year-old kid, what do you expect? I found it quite sad reading through that section.
If there is a criticism I feel is slightly warranted, it doesn’t exactly feel like a months-old trip; the passage of time feels much quicker than that. That said, it’s quite minor as the growth of the characters is undeniable. That said, you have this fantastic conversation about how long Roland has travelled despite the short distance because the world has moved on, and the earth is moving at a rapid pace.
There are just so many small to big moments to appreciate. Firstly, Jake’s essay and how it was utterly brilliant. I really loved the teacher’s response and Jake’s afterwards. In most fiction, what would be used to depict lunacy, King subverts it in a brilliant way. Blaine is dangerous, and that is the truth.
Other notable moments would be:
• The build up when Jake is aware that he is meeting his death, and nothing transpires. The sense of paranoia and discomfort is wonderfully written.
• Eddie’s skill at carving was quite sweet
• Roland’s relationship with the whole Ka-Tet is amazing especially Eddie being the highlight. The comfort to give one another. I do like as the novel progresses (well series) Roland burden is slowly dismantling, his stoic demeaner fading and relying on the party and showing more and more emotions. Roland’s relationship with Oy and Jake is in particular sweet and his change really does pay off by the end of the novel, what could seem sudden, you realise has been set up from the start with his personality.
I think ultimately, despite how much Roland changes throughout the series, there is one constant that remains: his dedication to reaching the Tower. Like in Book One, Part 3, the final scene with Roland and Jake was perfect. It’s sweet yet bitter because we know when it comes to choosing Jake or the Tower, it will always be the latter.
“I’ll never leave you again,” Roland said, and now his own tears came. “I swear to you on the names of all my fathers: I’ll never leave you again.”
Yet his heart, that silent, watchful, lifelong prisoner of ka, received the words of this promise not just with wonder but with doubt.
Switching from Roland, I wonder about the implications of Susannah's pregnancy. I assume it’s Eddie, but it would be partly that demonic thing, or can that affect Eddie’s child? It’s probably why that sex demon subplot even exists because of the implications. Though in general the question of how to raise a child in Mid-World is definitely one to think about. After their duties, if they do not die after going to the Dark Tower, what would be next, as they are from two different periods in history? A lot to contemplate. I do think she is viewed more negatively than she deserves; I don’t think she is bad and contributes to the team well. Is she my least favourite Ka-tet by miles, as that is a very high bar competing with Roland, Eddie, Jake, and Oy.
Speaking of Oy, man, he is just brilliant. He really completes the pack, and his relationship with the crew is adorable. His intelligence, reading emotion cues, etc. loved him near the end, helping Roland track Jake. This sort relates to the worldbuilding, the existence of Oy’s kind, and the overall mythology of the Dark Tower and the Gunslingers (Roland’s people), which is fantastic. The 12 Guardians, etc. There is an overall otherworldliness yet reality to the series. A good example is the townsfolk and how they view Roland; they see him as the last of a way of life that’s gone and of which they themselves are relics. Even the resistance of the world is highly suspect of how certain elements work in the world.
The Town episode in general was quite brilliant. Wonderful cast of characters and people who had lives of extreme endurance. There is a sense of hope when they are saying goodbye to the Ka-Tet. I really appreciate Eddie and Roland having that conversation with Jake about why they had to leave, because if they didn’t go straight away, it would be too hard otherwise. Then you get the city straight afterwards, which is unique, having a sort of Mad Max vibe but usable technology everywhere and the residents thinking it’s a sign of the divine. Which all comes to a close with the riddles and taking a ride on Blaine, where the entire city is nuked. I am curious about that wizard at the end, though. Is that Flagg? Well, whoever it is, the brilliant atmosphere and writing was just peak.
Concerning the final chapter and Blaine himself, what can be said? Blaine is such a fascinating character, and Roland's conversation with him at the end showcases his growth. I loved the deeper meaning of Riddles, and you could interpret why King has such a love for it. While yes, the book concludes in a cliffhanger, it’s undeniably a fitting place to end the novel where its themes go full circle. Like, would it have been cool seeing the Riddles at the end of the book, so Blaine doesn’t kill them? Sure, but that excitement of that end and Roland’s speech is the climax. It encapsulates it so wonderfully.
In Conclusion, The Waste Land is everything you want from a sequel and more. I’m quite excited for the next book Wizard and Glass because it’s the reason why I wanted to read the series years ago. I’m utterly fascinated by the prospect of it and I’m excited to eventually get to it.
“See the turtle of enormous girth, on his shell he holds the earth. If you want to run and play, come along the beam today.”
9/10
