Kevin's Watch

I give in. It's just too tempting. I've heard there are other King books that have a connection to Dark Tower. So, aside from the main series, what other books would you recommend me reading? Thanks.

The Stand. I don't know if its connected to his Tower books or not, but I have always liked that one.

Good suggestion. And I think it is connected to the DT series. Another idea is Salem's Lot, which is probably the one most connected.

Salem's Lot, Low Men in Yellow Coats (from Hearts in Atlantis) and Insomnia are essential for a full appreciation of Dark Tower. Especially the later volumes.

Other books with connections are The Stand, Eyes of the Dragon, The Talisman, Black House, It, Rose Madder. These connections are interesting to see how King has tried to inter-weave his entire ouevre, but they are not critical to understanding the story.

I strongly recommend you read Insomnia before Dark Tower VII. Otherwise, one of the resolutions is going to feel like a deus ex machina.

'Salem's Lot
The Talisman because it's a prequel to Black House (major tie-in) and a damn good book on it's own.
Insomnia
Hearts in Atlantis (Low Men in Yellow Coats)
Little Sisters of Eluria (short sotry available in Everything's Eventual, or Legends: vol 2)

These are the ones I think are essential reading for getting the full story of everything directly related to the Quest for the Tower. However, officially these others are also listed as being Tower related:

The Stand (don't miss this one.....it's bearing is only peripheral, but it's one of the finest books I have ever read..)
Desperation
The Regulators
It (Ditto on this one....)
The Eyes of The Dragon
Rose Madder
Bag of Bones
From A Buick 8
Skeleton Crew (not sure which story (ies?))
Everything's Eventual (the title story of the collection)

Roland of Gilead wrote:I strongly recommend you read Insomnia before Dark Tower VII. Otherwise, one of the resolutions is going to feel like a deus ex machina.

Quite so.


Yay!!! Keep us posted. I hope you love them as much as I do.

It's just a shame Insomnia is so bloody dull

I couldn't get through Insomnia, but IT, The Stand, and The Talisman are all awesome.

Insomnia is a tough read, but the ending is nothing short of magnificent.

After you read The Stand, read Captain Tripps, a short story in Night Shift.

Maybe I will try to slog through it again. It was painful....

Cail wrote:Insomnia is a tough read, but the ending is nothing short of magnificent.

I thought the ending was the worst part of the book

Really?!? Well, it's in my "to read" stack, and it's been 6 or 7 years since I last read it, but I recall the end being great. Oh well, I'll report back after the re-read.

The Dark Tower connections:


and here are the explanations of how they all connect: www.thedarktower.net/connections/roadmap.php

Btw, I enjoyed the ending of Insomnia

A question for you Dark Tower and King experts.

You've said that Salem's Lot, Low Men in Yellow Coats and Insomnia are essential reading to fully appreciate the Dark Tower.

I havent read DT yet - so do I start with the DT books or with those you've listed? What's the best order to read them all in?

The "real" connections IIRC, only become apparent from book IV of the DT series onwards, and although 'Salem's Lot is apparently the most connected, it's not a connection that you need all that much, because I'd say everything relevant is mentioned in the DT books, from V onward.

I've never read "Low Men," so I'm here to tell you that it's not required reading, and as long as you read Insomnia before VII, you should be alright. (Actually, Insomnia is only necessary in a single sense, and that's to explain where a certain character comes from, so you could even get away without reading that too.) (I liked Insomnia a lot BTW. Reminded me of LSD.)

Damn, I envy you in a way. Just beginning that journey.

The Eyes of the Dragon and The Stand are important connections to me I think, (in fact, the Eyes has a connection much earlier in the DT series than anything else. Book II actually.) But it's not important in any sense except if you've read it, you'll go "Hey! Eyes of the Dragon."

Here's an ill-thought-out suggestion of order if you really insist though. (Anybody is welcome to revise it if they want, this is off-the-cuff.)

Eyes of the Dragon
DT I
DT II
DT III
The Stand
DT IV
'Salem's Lot
DT V
Low Men
DT VI
Insomnia
Everything's Eventual (title story and Little Sisters of Eulalia)
DT VII

Those are, I think, the most solid connections.

--Avatar

Nice list,
I hance only read Insomnia and Everythings Eventual ( which The Title story is about a Breaker. So also connected )

I also really like Insomnia, although ive never had LSD!

Well, in some ways, which are too complicated to explain, it is sometimes, sort of almost, something like what the guy experiences because of his sleep deprivation.

It's something that should only be taken very carefully though, and, for safety's sake, in an environment controlled by you, where nothing bad can happen to you. (And even then, some people can't handle it. If anybody even thinks they won't be able to, they just shouldn't do it. Even that fear can be enough to turn things ugly.)

And when I read Colin Wilson's description of the efect of the bugs amulets in Spider World: The Delta, my first thought was "I bet this dude's taken acid."

Anyway, I digress. I did mention Everything's Eventual as well BTW.

--Avatar

Anyway, I digress. I did mention Everything's Eventual as well BTW

never noticed!

No worries.

--A

I only want to say I concur 1000% with everything Avatar said regarding taking acid. I would only add, based on my experiences, is that the novice might want someone experienced with them the first time they drop.

Wow thanks for the list Avatar!

So if I want the basic DT experience I should read
DT 1 to 6
Insomnia
DT 7

And if I want the full DT with all conenctions I read the list you've given me. Right?

I think I'll read the basic list and then go back and read the others if I'm curious for more backstory.

Thanks for your help.

(I'm sweet and innocent and know nothing about LSD)