Topic: Dark Tower, Stephen King (minimal spoilers)

[amysrevenge]

Just finished the audiobook for the first Dark Tower book. I really enjoyed it. It's got the trappings of a fantasy story, but an entirely different sensibility about it.

Can't wait for my credits to refresh on the 20th to get the next one.

[Pscheptyck]

Great series, though, the Gunslinger is my least favorite of the series. I started with Book 2 (Drawing of the Three) and went on from there. However, overall, that series is my favorite fantasy/sci-fi series.

I have heard that Ron Howard is making three theater realeased movies and a mini series on TV to cover the entire series, but I'm not certain on my information.

[Ansalem]

One of my favorites, as well. It's definitely a different take on the fantasy epic. It gets kind of ridiculous in places, but overall it's a great series.

[superdave]

just stop after book 4.  the rest of the books do not exist.

but really, after his accident stephen king's writing really changed.    I wouldnt say worse, but the dark tower took a hit as he was halfway through the series when it happened.

[MikeHz]

Really? I enjoyed the last couple books the most. Matter of taste, I guess. Anyway, here's what Wikipedia says about the film:

 

Originally announced in April 2010, it was officially confirmed by Stephen King and Universal Pictures on September 8, 2010, that the series will be brought to both the big and the small screens via a trilogy of feature films and two seasons of a television series to bridge gaps between the films. According to a press release from Universal on October 29, 2010, the first Dark Tower film will open on May 17, 2013. According to Howard, after the first film, which will be more action-oriented, a six-episode television miniseries will follow, focusing more on character-driven drama.

[David E.]

The whole thing got cancelled.  Hollywood would rather remake Jake and the Fat Man.

[DeepGlue]

How much of King's other work have you read? At least being familiar with most of it really makes Dark Tower more enjoyable later on.

[David E.]

I would suggest reading Insomnia especially, it may as well be the 8th DT novel, and it's a great story on its own.  Eli Wallach does a great reading of it on Audible.  Black House is pretty important as well. 

[lukebourassa]

Like all King books, the entire Dark Tower series has good parts and schlocky parts.

[superdave]

I will add the low men in yellow coats, which I actually thought was one of King's best short stories.  Oddly enough, the movie was named Hearts in Atlantis, which was the name of a different short story in the same book as the Low Men.  Hearts in Atlantis is also very good but has nothing to do with the Dark Tower.

[Ah.hell]

Just don't read the last book, great series with the second worst ending in literature, after the Bible.

[Pscheptyck]

Just don't read the last book, great series with the second worst ending in literature, after the Bible.

I agree with you. The ending ruined the entire series for me. As I recall, in the Afterward King said that he had to end the book that way and if anyone has read the books, they would understand. I have read the books and I strongly disagree.

[MikeHz]

Yeah, it was a poor ending. I think he did what the writers of Lost did: Make a story with so many wild threads that there was no good way to resolve things. In both cases, the ending was a cop-out.

It's always risky writing a story without a clear idea of where you want it to end up.

[David E.]

(click to show/hide)

I still think the ending was fine.  The closest thing to a cop out was Susannah finding a new Jake and Eddie, but I will even accept that.  The confrontation with the Red King should have been more interesting; but Black House explains how the Crimson King had lost much of his power.  I don't mind the way RF died because most of Flagg's power was based on trickery and being two steps ahead of everyone.  He got sloppy and died for it, that was fine. 

The DT is one of the series I read for pleasure every year or two, the only book I skip is Song of Susannah, that one is not very good.

[amysrevenge]

Just don't read the last book, great series with the second worst ending in literature, after the Bible.

Have you read Memory Sorrow and Thorn (Tad Williams)?  Best setup followed by worst ending in all of Fantasy fiction.  I don't usually shout at books, but I shouted at To Green Angel Tower more than once.