3/20/21: 5-stars yet again!!! Who's surprised? Well, perhaps some might be, but for me, it's no shock. This book has truly captured my heart.



Now the question is, do I continue to read the entire series and actually read the final book this time?



If ka says it is so, it will be. Maybe it's fate that leads me on this literary journey.

3/15/21: It's been almost a year. I guess I should pick up The Gunslinger again. Why not!?

I only have 1,100 other books I want to read. But still, this one calls to me.



Picking up for the 4th time!

The overall quality of this piece of writing can be rated as (B-) 68%, which is considered satisfactory.

However, there are some notable issues. The prose呈现出一种不协调的混合风格, with a combination of flowery language, terseness, and vulgarity. This makes it difficult for the reader to follow the train of thought.

Additionally, when it comes to explaining new concepts, the text falls short. It fails to provide sufficient details and clarity, leaving the reader with a somewhat模糊的 understanding.

In order to improve, the writer could focus on achieving a more consistent writing style and put more effort into clearly explaining new ideas. This would enhance the readability and comprehensiveness of the text.

(B-) 68% | Satisfactory
Notes: A discordant blend of flowery, terse and vulgar prose, difficult to follow and insufficient in explaining new concepts.

I get the popularity, obviously I do.

And as a massive King fan, I dish out this rating sadly. For I would have loved nothing more than to tell you this is my new favourite book. Alas, it was not to my taste.

And as is the case with all my reviews, my rating must be based on my own personal enjoyment and less on a novel's possible literary merit.

So I can't tell you if this book is objectively good. I just know that I did not find it to be so. Maybe others will have a different experience and find great value in it. But for me, it simply didn't click.

I still have a great respect for King's work and will continue to read his books, hoping to find that next gem that will truly wow me. But this particular one just didn't do it for me.

It's important to remember that everyone has different tastes when it comes to literature, and what one person loves, another may not. That's what makes reading such a diverse and interesting experience.

This book, "The Gunslinger," is truly something of an oddity.

When I first read it, I probably would have given it a 3-star rating, and I even felt quite generous doing so. It was really just "meh." Despite being a King fan, I wasn't pleased with it after all the hype. I was so turned off that I even delayed reading Book 2 for a while. I didn't hate it, but it left me feeling ambivalent for the most part.

However, this is definitely a book that gets better with time, with re-readings, and with the rest of the series. The second time I read it, after reading Books 2 and 3 and preparing for the release of Book 4, I probably would have rated it 4 stars. By this time, I was already in love with the series.

I read it again just before Books 5 - 7 came out in fairly quick succession. And yes, by then it had truly earned the 5-star rating you see here. For this fourth read of "The Gunslinger," I'm even more enchanted with it than before.

On its own, the book might not do much for me. But when you combine it with the entire series, wow! It's the essential beginning to the essential fantasy series of my generation. "The Dark Tower" is truly better than the sum of its parts. And as the first part, this thing is like the motor that keeps the car running.

"The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed." This simple yet captivating sentence sets the stage for an epic journey that only gets better with each installment.

The Gunslinger is a remarkable work by Stephen King. It begins with the famous line, “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” This sets the stage for an epic journey.

“The rain in Spain falls on the plain.
There is joy and also pain
but the rain in Spain falls on the plain.

Time’s a sheet, life’s a stain,
All the things we know will change
and all those things remain the same,
but be ye mad or only sane,
the rain in Spain falls on the plain.

We walk in love but fly in chains
And the planes in Spain fall in the rain.”

The story introduces Roland Deschain, the last of the gunslingers. In a world that has “moved on,” he is on a mission to catch the Man in Black and gain knowledge about the Dark Tower.

Roland’s journey across Mid-World is filled with challenges. He survives being lynched by the townsfolk of Tull and meets Jake Chambers, a young boy from our world.

When the author first read The Gunslinger in the 80s, he was disappointed. The style was not what he expected from King. However, upon rereading the revised 2003 edition, he has a newfound appreciation for the book.

The author’s intention is to reread the first four books of the series, including The Wind Through the Keyhole. He is looking forward to reading The Drawing of the Three again.

If you are a King fan or a fan of epic fantasy, The Dark Tower series is a must-read. It is one of the most unique and engaging series out there.

Long days and pleasant nights, stranger.

Credit: \\"chungame\\" from Reddit.

Well, I've decided to embark on this new endeavor where I'm determined not to DNF (Did Not Finish) books. However, let's be honest here, I'll probably end up messing up that resolution. It's just so easy to get distracted or lose interest.

On a related note, I have to ask, who here is still religiously hitting the gym? Ha! I thought so. So don't you dare judge me then.

Anyway, this particular read was quite short, yet it took me an eternity to get through it. I think the concept itself is fine, but it's the writing style that's really putting me off. I find myself in a similar situation with Neil Gaiman. I truly love the premises of his works and have a strong desire to read them, but for some reason, his writing style just doesn't click with me.

Apparently, Idris Elba is being considered to play the lead character in a certain project (that is, if it doesn't suffer the same fate as other attempts and end up in production Hell). He's yet another incredibly talented actor who can bring any role to life. *crosses fingers that he becomes the next James Bond*

The world building and atmosphere in this piece are truly great.

It is definitely distinct from anything I have ever read before. However, it felt rather scattered.

It seemed as if the author, perhaps King, didn't really have a clear idea of what the next paragraph would entail.

I'm certain that this probably made it a thrilling experience to write, but it could have been improved if it wasn't so disjointed.

Unfortunately, the dialogue between the characters is as bad as that in Star Wars Episode II.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the world building, which leads me to think that the series might be worth continuing.

Despite its flaws, there is something about this work that keeps me intrigued and makes me want to see where it goes next.

I hope that in future installments, the author can address the issues of disjointedness and improve the quality of the dialogue while maintaining the excellent world building.

Overall, it's a mixed bag, but with potential for greatness.

I have created a somewhat similar readalike list for the Dark Tower series here:

https://www.rifflebooks.com/list/236304

Childe Harold, get your gun! This list aims to provide readers with alternative books that share certain characteristics or themes with the Dark Tower series. Whether it's the elements of adventure, the exploration of strange and otherworldly settings, or the complex characters and their quests, these books are likely to appeal to fans of the Dark Tower. By exploring this readalike list, readers can discover new literary treasures and continue their journey into the captivating world of speculative fiction. So, if you're a fan of the Dark Tower and looking for something new to read, be sure to check out this list and see if any of the books catch your eye.

The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger by Stephen King has been a long-awaited reading adventure for me. I've heard countless rave reviews about this book series, with many Constant Readers hailing it as King's magnum opus. It took me a bit longer than usual to finally start The Dark Tower series, but here I am, ready to embark on this journey.

Before delving into my review of the first entry, I did extensive research to determine the best reading order. While readers can approach it in various ways, including reading just the Dark Tower books, if you want the ultimate reading experience, here's my recommended list. I finalized this with the help of numerous longtime Constant Readers, librarians, and others who have completed the journey to The Dark Tower...

The Stand
The Eyes of the Dragon
Insomnia
Hearts in Atlantis
‘Salem’s Lot
The Talisman
Black House
Everything's Eventual (The Little Sisters of Eluria)
The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands
Charlie the Choo-Choo
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower

Also, here are the trigger warnings I noted while reading The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger...

- Violence against women
- Violence against children
- Rape
- Drugs

If any of these might trigger you, it's best to avoid this novel. Moving on, I loved King's explanation of his thought process in this edition, including how he created The Dark Tower series and what influenced him. It was great to read this before the novel as he delves deep and even breaks down why he revised it to ensure everything aligns with the rest of the series and makes sense in the grand scheme.

Once I finished that intro, I was hit with one of the greatest lines in any horror book I've ever read: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." After reading seven books and a short story referencing the man in black, this gave me goosebumps and sent shivers down my spine. I knew I was in for a wild ride, and King delivered in spades.

Out of all the great characters in this novel, the gunslinger is my favorite. He's an amazing character, from his actions to his epic quotes to how he battles his enemies. He seems to have stepped right out of a horror western movie with dark fantasy elements.

The chase between the gunslinger and the man in black, especially the tension and suspense throughout their encounters, was thrilling to read. It added a whole new dimension to both characters, with a cat-and-mouse hunt taken to exciting new heights as you never knew what was real and what wasn't.

Don't worry, I won't spoil anything for readers, but there's an epic fight scene that completely blew me away. It was incredible and further solidified the gunslinger's legendary status. I can't wait to continue reading this series, eager to learn more about what makes him tick.

I also loved how King wove the past and present with the gunslinger and his history with Cuthbert. The backstory added more context to why he is the way he is. It was brilliantly written and has me truly excited for what lies ahead. The ending was wild and left me craving more. I know I have a lot of reading ahead, but if this is any indication, I can understand why Constant Readers hold The Dark Tower series in such high regard.

I give The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger by Stephen King a 5/5 for being an outstanding entry into what many consider one of the greatest book series of all time. It was filled with everything I look for in a novel and more. It's a solid horror novel with epic fights, memorable characters, an incredible protagonist, and an antagonist I loathe. I can't wait to see him get his comeuppance. I regret not reading The Dark Tower series sooner, but better late than never. I'm here now and eager for more.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've finally met The Gunslinger, and it's time to see what a Drawing of the Three looks like.

I really, really, really did not enjoy this.

Reading this book was an absolute torture. It was like being trapped in a never-ending one-sided conversation with a relative who just wouldn't stop going on and on about something completely uninteresting. They rambled, they went off on tangents, and all I wanted to do was get up and do anything else - get a drink, make dinner, do some laundry. Anything to escape the madness-inducing dribble that they kept spouting. But out of courtesy and propriety, I had to endure the endless tirade, even though I would have rather stabbed myself in the face than listen to one more sentence.

The prose in this book was overly flowery and trying way too hard. I've described some novels as having purple prose before, but this one took it to a whole new level. It was the darkest shade of purple yet, and not in a good way at all.

I'm pretty certain that Stephen King is not the author for me. Reading this felt like a chore, like doing homework. I had to force myself to finish it. I'm so relieved that it's over, and I will definitely not be continuing this series.

I'm sorry our first buddy read adventure wasn't a more pleasant experience, Anthony! However, I'm still keen to see the movie adaptation. Maybe that will be a better experience.

I just could not get into this book.

Half of the time, I had no idea what was going on.

There were indeed a few good aspects about this book.

However, aside from those few redeeming qualities, I simply did not like it.

The story seemed to lack a clear direction, and the characters were not developed enough for me to truly care about them.

I found myself constantly struggling to stay engaged, and often had to force myself to keep reading.

Maybe it was just not the right book for me at this time, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.

I hope that future books I pick up will be more enjoyable and captivating.

I've never done a review on The Dark Tower books before. However, this will be my fifth time reading the series, and I'm determined to take my time and give each book the review it truly deserves.

The Gunslinger, the first book in the series, is an absolute delight to read. It reminds me of The Hobbit in terms of its simplicity and the sense of comfort it provides.

Surprisingly, a lot of people seem to dislike the first book. But for me personally, I have a deep affection for it. As I mentioned earlier, it's simple, and I consider it one of my go-to comfort reads.

The book is neatly split into several sections, which I'll outline below.

"The Man in Black Fled Across The Desert, And The Gunslinger Followed." This opening line of the book sets the tone beautifully, immediately transporting you into a barren desert, as you attempt to catch up with the elusive Man in Black.

Roland, the protagonist of the story, is the last Gunslinger. His quest is to find the Tower, but first, he must catch the Man in Black to obtain crucial information on how to reach it.

On his arduous journey through the desert, he stumbles upon a town called Tull, and things start to get a little crazy. Of course, I won't go into too much detail here as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

He also encounters a man named Brown and his talking raven, Zoltan. "Screw you and the horse you rode in on."

Then he arrives at The Way Station, where he'll meet an important character.

Next is The Oracle And The Mountains, where he consumes mescaline in an attempt to get some answers from the Oracle/Succabus.

The Slow Mutants, who are like human'muties' (essentially humans who've been exposed to radiation and have evolved into almost amphibian-like creatures that live in the dark and scavenge for food).

And finally, the last part - The Gunslinger And The Man In Black. Here, he finally catches up with him and gets some answers, and so much more.

Go ahead and read it for yourself. I can almost guarantee that you'll be eager to dive straight into the second book.

This is such an atmospheric read. The vivid descriptions of the surroundings make you feel as if you're right there with Roland, and the characters are truly unbeatable.

Now, it's time for me to move on to The Drawing of the Three because it's simply impossible to not continue.