Kevin's Watch

The Stand plays a HUGE roll in the Tower, Dan. Especially in The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass. Lud, Flagg, the superflu...all present. And the Tower doesn't happen in the "past" or "future"...it runs sort of parallell. But it encompasses all "wheres and whens". If the Tower falls, all worlds fall.

I have to make an input now. The Dark Tower series (first four books) are the only books by King that I've read. While it wasn't that bad, I don't think it really stands up against the other series that I've read.
To me, it seemed that as his writing style improved through the series, his story got worse. I don't mean badly done or anything - just turning into something that I just didn't like. I will probably finish the series, but it's still at the top of my books-I-can-stuff-under-the-bed-to-make-more-room-on-the-shelf list.
I will concede that Wizard and Glass for the most part was very good, but the beginning and end (the bits that weren't Roland's past) spoiled it.

"I will concede that Wizard and Glass for the most part was very good, but the beginning and end (the bits that weren't Roland's past) spoiled it."

I find this amusing, because most lukewarm fans that I've talked to, consider the backstory of Wizard and Glass the weak part. They wanted more of Roland and company's current quest, not his doomed teenage love story. Yet you feel just the opposite, Murrin.

I loved both plots myself. In fact, I think Wizard and Glass is going to be the peak of the series. I don't mean by this that the overall thing has failed - just that if I had to pick one volume, it would be Wizard and Glass as the best in the series. Unless Dark Tower VII changes my mind.

I think, in style, the Susan Delgado story was closeer to what I normally read than the rest of the Dark Tower series, whereas others who like King a lot would prefer the other parts, since they are more King's usual style.
One thing I must add - As far as I can remember, the backstory in W&G was the only part of the series with any real emotional content, which could be the difference.

I have made my choice and chosen King...mainly because I found the first four Dark Tower books in brand new condition for 50% off.

I finished The Gunslinger last night. Not too bad at all.

Sum sui generis
Vs

So far, I like The Drawing of the Three more than The Gunslinger. The whole feel of the book so far is completely different.

Welcome to Roland's world Sais Luke and Covvy!!! Make sure you head on over to the Library and get in on the dicussions of The Dark Tower over in the Stephen King forum

"May your days be long upon the Earth"

Well, I finished The Gunslinger in under 24 hours, and quite enjoyed it. I'm about half way through The Drawing of the Three, and I should get to the next "shuffle" section tonight. It looks like I'll have to go and buy The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass this week instead of waiting until my next payday.

Sum sui generis
Vs

Oh yay!!! I got in on this one too late to cast my vote, but you know what it would have been.....and I see you've chosen correctly even without the benefit of my wisdom in this matter.... Really, YAY!! I'm so glad you're reading them VS, I know you'll love them!

And Alan, you SNEAK!! Waiting till I'm gone for a month to start reading the Tower when I've been begging you to for months, and you swore you never would! No really, YAY for you too!!

*goes off to do a happy dance*

Have all of you sen the DT VII teaser that has been posted? It rocks!!!