As many may already know, Stephen King's The Dark Tower is an incredible series, one that cannot be recommended enough. Don't bother with the atrocious film, which tried to abridge and condense the whole series into 1.5 hours. The books are the best way to consume, but one can also enjoy the Graphic Novel version of the series. (There is a completed version, one giant book, that will be available towards the end of October). BEFORE reading The Dark Tower, I recommend reading Salem's Lot and The Stand. There are elements taken from those King books, as well as several other stories: Star Wars, Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Choo Choo Train (yes it all sounds weird), and many more. Either way, one does not need to consume these things prior (I hadn't read Salem's Lot or The Stand), but it is recommended and can add to the enjoyment. Plus Salem's Lot will be spoiled a little in Book V: Wolves of Calla and elements of The Stand popup in Book III: The Wastelands. (Reading On Writing by King can also add to The Dark Tower, as one will feel closer to King and understand some of his character backstory and traits. A character almost wiping his ass with poison oak/ivy-like substance is borrowed from Stephen's own experience as a boy. Also some AA things more than likely reflect his own struggles and battles with Alcoholism and Addiction). The proper and recommended digestion of the Dark Tower series is as follows: Book I: The Gunslinger, Book II: The Drawing of the Three, Book III: The Waste Lands, Book IV: Wizard and Glass, Book V: Wolves of the Calla, Book VI: Song of Susannah, and Book VII: The Dark Tower. The Wind through the Keyhole is a bonus book, subsequently unnumbered, and can be digested after completing the series. One can also read it after Book III and before starting Book IV, but just know it isn't necessary to be read until completing the series. The Dark Tower is essentially Stephen King's rendition of Lord of the Rings, of course he borrows elements from other great sagas and this one is entirely his own. It spans across several years, as he certainly took his time piecing this story together. There is definitely growth too. The Gunslinger, is raw, written earlier in Kings career. The main characters feels like a ruthless, cold, calculated, obsessed killing machine. However, once one gets past that first book, the story will continue to build layers and depth to the overall story as well as our main character. Book IV: Wizard and Glass, has one of the most fun origin stories to Roland (the MC). Book III: The Waste Lands is the only story I struggled to get through, for only a few chapters/parts, as I didn't understand why were focusing on this character and going back to this place, but one must trust in King and understand he always ties everything together. There are no loose ends. Anyways, I feel my tangent and pace receding. I may do a proper post once I complete the series and maybe after digesting The Stand, Salem's Lot and then consuming the Graphic Novel version. But for now I wanted to start a blog and here it is. So feel free to visit anytime. I'll share across social media when I make post.
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