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Stephen king's life-long work is finishedFollow

#1 Nov 18 2004 at 10:55 AM Rating: Good
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The Dark Tower series is finished... please read it... freaking awesome

Edited, Thu Nov 18 11:02:15 2004 by GunslingerRoland
#2 Apr 14 2005 at 11:30 AM Rating: Good
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Just finished Wolves of the Calla... two more to go for me :-)
#3 Jun 15 2005 at 4:27 PM Rating: Good
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I am currently reading the Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower. I am sure glad I have read everything King ever wrote in his career. He uses the Dark Tower to bind many of his stories together. Interesting technique. He really flexes his writing muscles in the last three volumes of this epic tale of America. If anyone thinks that this series is about anything but America then think again. Reread the books, cover to cover, and tell me how it is not about America. And if it isn't the epic tale of America then what is it about, eh? I am almost through the Dark Tower and I am a little melancholy... I want it to last forever...
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#4 Sep 05 2005 at 12:38 PM Rating: Good
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Chieftobique wrote:
I am currently reading the Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower. I am sure glad I have read everything King ever wrote in his career. He uses the Dark Tower to bind many of his stories together. Interesting technique. He really flexes his writing muscles in the last three volumes of this epic tale of America. If anyone thinks that this series is about anything but America then think again. Reread the books, cover to cover, and tell me how it is not about America. And if it isn't the epic tale of America then what is it about, eh? I am almost through the Dark Tower and I am a little melancholy... I want it to last forever...


This post is a little late, I know. But I couldn't resist.

You want it to last forever? *evil grin* It does.
#5 Sep 06 2005 at 11:49 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:
You want it to last forever? *evil grin* It does.


it depends... Much Like "Black House" it has two endings....if you read the 'real' ending you will ALWAYS have Roland :)

#6 Sep 09 2005 at 8:40 PM Rating: Good
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I LOVED that series ... I HATED the ending ;_; Not gonna spoil it ... but you will know what I mean ;_; Either way ... definatly a great way to spend 2 years ~.o
#7 Sep 22 2005 at 3:53 PM Rating: Good
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I finished the series a while ago. Geez, these threads dont see much traffic do they?? SO, yeah I was sad to say good bye to Roland, but as Jake says in book 1, 'there are other worlds than these'. I really enjoyed the journey, and as I read the epilogue or the 'coda' as king puts it, I realized that the journey was the destination.

Two years to read the seven books!!? Wow, and here I thought I read slow. Well, at least you got to enjoy the journey.

I am really proud of the series. As an American I can say that King has definitely added to the cannon of American literature in a significant way with this series. Never before has an american ventured outside of the 'classical' fantasy writing style. By which I mean, they base their world on midgard or some other 'old world' pre christian myths. I love that King has purposely made his fantasy world one that is so American.
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#8 Sep 30 2005 at 6:01 AM Rating: Good
I didn't wanna start a new topic about this, you guys don't like that right? ^^

The dark tower is the only King book I really liked, I read alot and most of his stuff bores me for some reason.
But, this series is good, he does combine alot of his other ideas into this book.
Worth reading for sure. I really cared about these characters, sign of a good story IMO.
#9 Oct 20 2006 at 5:43 AM Rating: Decent
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Ending friggin PISSED me off...nuff said.
#10 Nov 02 2006 at 6:36 AM Rating: Decent
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The Dark Towers comic series coming out next spring:=)

#11 Nov 21 2006 at 9:12 PM Rating: Decent
I was sort of disappointed in the ending also. It would have been nice if he would dropped a few hints during the series about how the ending would carry out. I wanted to see the Beams strengthened and see some sort of ending showing everyone's "other side", just like Susanah got to see.
#12 Dec 07 2006 at 1:57 AM Rating: Decent
I enjoyed this series very much, as well!
#13 Mar 08 2007 at 2:09 PM Rating: Decent
I started reading the book about 5 years ago when I was ~13. I took long breaks between books, and only read when I had nothing to do, in attempt to saver the books. I took my time through the incredibly long series, and loved each and every book. When I first read the ending, I was dejected. Now, as time passes, I like the ending more and more, and realize it was the only acceptable one. *SPOILERS* My only gripe towards the end was Stephen King inserting himself into the books. Why? Did nothing but confuse me, and I think it could have done without(or in an entirely different book).*/end SPOILERS* I'm looking forward to reading more DT related books(many many of them). Of the ones I've read, Hearts in Atlantis is a MUST-READ before DT book 7.

Just for fun, I want to see which books you guys like best of the series. For me it was...

Gunslinger(1st)>Wasteland(3rd)>Wizard and Glass(4th)>Dark Tower(7th)>Drawing of the Three(2nd)>>>Song of Susannah(6th)>>wolves of the calla(5th).

Let's see yours.
#14 Mar 15 2007 at 1:45 PM Rating: Decent
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Just finished Cell by Stephen King and I didn't exactly like the way it ended. For those who don't know what happens, I'll avoid giving away too much information, but the story is basically that one ordinary day a pulse is sent out over the cellphone net which activates some kind of primal instinct in those who happen to be listening on the phone at the time (anyone using their cell).

It's pretty loaded with gore and sad moments, but the ending didn't thrill me, especially since one of the "original" team dies a very sudden and sad death. Something I also saw in the books Insomnia and Bag of Bones.
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#15 Mar 16 2007 at 9:11 AM Rating: Decent
Most of King's recent books aren't as good as he is/was capable of. "Cell" is a perfect example of it, and "Lisey's story" was even worse (imo, naturally!).

Unfortunately, that also includes the three final parts of the Dark Tower. Especially book 5 was not a fun read for me, very boring to read. Luckily book 6 and especially book 7 did pick up the pace, but both included very disappointing moments. I don't know if there is anyone who is happy about what happened with Mordred and Flagg.

The ending itself however is fitting, it's not a happy, everyone-gets-what-they-want ending. I feared for it, but King had the guts to keep it interesting.

Mind you, a lot of King's books do not have a happy ending. Something that adds to the books most of the time.

#16 Mar 16 2007 at 4:46 PM Rating: Decent
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SPOILER ALERT! - beginning


The ending in Bag of Bones was too damn cruel. Her getting shot, being not only one of the main characters, but also the guy's love of his life (presumably). And leaving behind a little kid. And like in Cell, King describes the death way too detailed. One thing is if you write out a character by having her killed by a bullet, but describing how the bone fragments and brain matter literally spray all over the main character and how he holds her shot-to-hell head while the brain is oozing out between his fingers.. come on now!



SPOILER ALERT - ending

I haven't read The Dark Tower yet. I haven't been able to find the first books in a proper version. I prefer hardback.
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#17 Mar 18 2007 at 1:51 PM Rating: Decent
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I haven't read The Dark Tower yet. I haven't been able to find the first books in a proper version. I prefer hardback.


That's a shame though, the first three are very good, definitely worth getting!

The beginning might be a bit rough though, it's a rather vague style at first, but the second book is different.

#18 Mar 18 2007 at 5:51 PM Rating: Decent
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I'm a bit concerned that I won't understand the storyline. I heard that he mixes in a lot of his previous books and I'm afraid I'll miss out on something if I don't read all of his books before reading The Dark Tower.

Can I read The Dark Tower and still get my money's worth if I haven't read all his previous work?
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#19 Mar 19 2007 at 8:28 AM Rating: Decent
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I'm a bit concerned that I won't understand the storyline. I heard that he mixes in a lot of his previous books and I'm afraid I'll miss out on something if I don't read all of his books before reading The Dark Tower.

Can I read The Dark Tower and still get my money's worth if I haven't read all his previous work?


There isn't a single book you have to read in order to fully understand the Dark Tower. Perhaps Salem's Lot, but even that one isn't really necessary. (especially the first four parts, King only truly started to write new books to fit his series, and vica-versa.)

The Stand or Eye of the Dragon are good to read too, but only because of the villain there that also makes an appearance.

#20 Mar 23 2007 at 9:31 PM Rating: Good
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Zieveraar wrote:
Quote:
I'm a bit concerned that I won't understand the storyline. I heard that he mixes in a lot of his previous books and I'm afraid I'll miss out on something if I don't read all of his books before reading The Dark Tower.

Can I read The Dark Tower and still get my money's worth if I haven't read all his previous work?


There isn't a single book you have to read in order to fully understand the Dark Tower. Perhaps Salem's Lot, but even that one isn't really necessary. (especially the first four parts, King only truly started to write new books to fit his series, and vica-versa.)

The Stand or Eye of the Dragon are good to read too, but only because of the villain there that also makes an appearance.



Salem's Lot supplies some of the backstory for the priest, but it's not really necessary as he gives a pretty decent account of his tale. Enough so to get a picture of his character. It's true many of his books allude to the DT series, but none are necessary to get the full story. There were more like easter eggs for DT fans whilst reading his other works.

As for the series itself, I loved the first 4. After his accident, it seemed to me that maybe he did push through it a bit so he could finish the series. I still enjoyed it, although there were a few things about it I wasn't completely happy with. However I will say I did enjoy the ending, though many have taken issue with it. I thought it was fitting.

Also, I've gotten the first 2 issues that have been released for the Marvel comic series. They re-hash a lot of the early story, but they have some cool artwork. I hadn't bought a comic in many years, but figured these would be worth a look.

Cell wasn't that great, I liked Lisey's Story more.

Edited, Mar 23rd 2007 11:32pm by Kakar
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#21 Mar 25 2007 at 1:28 PM Rating: Decent
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I find that lately I've been reading a lot more Dean Koontz than Stephen King... that man knows how to establish suspense like nobody I've read before.

I didn't like Cell very much at all, it just lacked that "something" that made King's earlier works so special. I mean, when *SPOILERS* that one girl died, I just didn't feel anything. I was like "Oh, okay", and then I moved on.

Flagg and Mordred were disposed of way too easily. They're these huge villains, that King has been building up the whole time, and then they're just cast aside? Blech. And what about the painter being introduced out of nowhere? He seemed like a safety net for King, something to fall back on when he couldn't figure the proper way to continue. The ending itself, however, was fitting. I don't have a problem with it.

All in all, it was worth it. It was nice to see King break away from the standard fantasy and horror mold in order to craft something truly unique. Though he has denied repeatedly wanting to make one, I could see movies being potentially awesome.

The fourth book is easily my favorite.
#22 Mar 25 2007 at 4:05 PM Rating: Good
Loved the books.

The new comics have made me geeky for them all over again. I even went so far as to buy the "new" edition of the original The Gunslinger and have started re-reading them again.

As a side note, I've gotta say that Black House was the best story he did outside of the main Dark Tower stories. The Breakers were pure awesomeness.
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