Helpful Score: 2
I won't say this is King's best work, but I do love the story. In the afterword, he writes about how the story came about--which to me explains why it doesn't measure up quite as well as The Stand or Lisey's Story to me.
But, I do look forward to the other books--I've already ordered them and am anxiously waiting for them.
I hope that there is more of the gunslinger's past explained--I really like that part of his world, before things "passed on."
But, I do look forward to the other books--I've already ordered them and am anxiously waiting for them.
I hope that there is more of the gunslinger's past explained--I really like that part of his world, before things "passed on."
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first one in the Gunslinger series and hooks you from the first word.
Helpful Score: 1
In my opinion, Stephen King's best book. A surreal journey with a gunslinger chasing a man in black across a desert in a world that could be a million planes away...or a dark future world of our own...or a mixture of each? This book is like an acid trip without using drugs. It is the first part of a series, but in my opinion can be enjoyed perfectly well by itself.
Helpful Score: 1
In 1989 this book began the Gunslinger series. The King rendition of the battle of good and evil in a warped western setting, went on to become one of Kings most read and waited for journeys...
Helpful Score: 1
This is the quintessential Stephen King Series! If you never read any other books by Stephen King, this is the book with which to start. The characters become old friends, the situations are creative and mind-expanding and yet you have analogies to the age old good versus evil that all fine reads should have. Not just excellent writing, but this book delivers on an emotional level as well.
Helpful Score: 1
This heroic fantasy is set in a world of ominous landscape and macabre menace that is a dark mirror of our own. A spellbinding tale of good versus evil, it features one of Stephen King's most powerful creations-The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of a lone hero through the ages, from ancient myth to frontier western legend.
The Gunslinger's questinvolves the pursuit of the Man in Black, a liaison with the sexually ravenous Alice, and a friendship with the kid from Earth called Jake. Both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike.
The Gunslinger's questinvolves the pursuit of the Man in Black, a liaison with the sexually ravenous Alice, and a friendship with the kid from Earth called Jake. Both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike.
Helpful Score: 1
I couldn't get into the book, myself. The series has a cult following, though, or so it seems.
Helpful Score: 1
This book didn't do much for me, but this one hooked me on the series. I realize the necessity for "The Gunslinger" but until you've read this second book in the Dark Tower series, I really don't think you know whether you'll like the series or not. So read this, and hang in there!
Helpful Score: 1
Although I'm a Stephen King fan, I found this to be a very odd book with a not very likeable main character. HOWEVER, I had already ordered the 2nd book in the series and decided to give it a try. To my surprise, I'm hooked and am now reading the 4th book in the series.
An okay book but not the best I've read by King.
Great reading, very creative!
My favorite of this series. Dark and different than King's other work. I liked this story so much that I keep reading King's new books, waiting for another like this one.
This book was quite hard to follow and kept me pretty confused as to what was going on. Unlike a lot of books by King I found myself not being able to care about the characters in this book. If it weren't for all the questions that were left open at the end of this book I probably would not read the next.
This is the beginning of an awesome story. There are confusing and unexplainable things in this book, don't worry about them, keep them aside and store them in your mind and keep on reading. Afterall, this is only book 1 of an epic story. The story will reveal its secret slowly and excitingly later.
As his first book in the Dark Tower series, it captivated me enough to continue to the second book. The book entangles you into the life of Roland the gunslinger. After reading it I just had to continue to see what would happen next. Very riveting book. I know some were discouraged with the first book and if you are one of those people... keep on going. You'll be glad you did.
Fascinating book, great way to kick off a series.
I generally like Stephen King's books. I couldn't really stick with this one. I know many people do like this series, but I just wasn't drawn in.
I read somewhere else that with this series you'll either like the main character or you won't. I may have to read the second book to make sure how I really feel. It was an easy read..but I wasn't as drawn into the story like I expected to be.
This book has some beautiful illustrations.
I love the Dark Tower Series; it's an intriguing and fun read.
It's an entertaining (if bizarre) read.
Awesome series! Must read!
A more difficult King read but I understand it is worth it because the next ones in the series are great. I hope you have better luck than I did.
Classic Stephen King
Exciting!
Roland, The Gun Slinger, begins his journey for the man in black. This is one of Stephen Kings best. His series, "...I wanted to do something epic like LOTR and the DARK TOWER called to me..." .
Everyone says the dark tower series is great, but I couldn't even finish book one. Stephen King rambles way too much, jumps around in time to tell boring stories... It's just no good.
Great and original story. The initial book in Stephen King's self-proclaimed opus.
I have read up to book 3 in the series and think it is great.
this is the first of the dark tower series from stephen king. i think it is real good but to grasp it you have to continue. i think the only drawback is that the book seems incomplete. "to me"
This is a Plume edition complete with Michael Whelan illustrations.
it is a must for Steven King fans. Graphic and unsettling, but excellent storytelling.
large text. color illustrated version of the dark tower
This is a beautiful book! Go Roland!
Book one in one of King's best series
Filled with ominous landscapes and macabre menace, Stephen King's latest mass market novel features The Gunslinger, a haunting figure in combat with The Man in Black in an epic battle of good versus evil. A spellbinding tale that is both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike.
Book 1 in the Gunslinger Series... Heroic fantasy set in a world of ominous landscape and macrabe menace that is a dark mirror of ouw own world. King's typical spellbinding material.
May turn out to be Stephen King's greatest literary achievement.
Great book, intense, scary.
A heroic fantasy that pits good versus evil. Who will win?
This begins a not-to-be-missed series we fans loved for years. If you love King already, or are just thinking of reading him for the first time- this one's great.
The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages from ancient myth to frontier western legend. His pursuit of The Man in Black, his liaison with the sexually ravenous Alice, his friendship with the kid from Earth called Jake, are part of the drama that is both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, an alchemy of storytelling sorcery.
Excellent series.
This heroic fantasy is set in a world of ominous landscape and macabre menace that is a dark mirror of our own. A spellbinding tale of good versus efil, it features one of Stephen King's most powerful creations - The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages from ancient myth to frontier western legend. His pursuit of The Man in Black, his liaison with the sexually ravenous Alice, his friendship with the kid from Earth called Jake, are part of the drama that is both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, an alchemy of storytelling sorcery.
Part of the Dark Tower Series: Fantasy/Suspense
The End of the Beginning, February 12, 2006
Reviewer: R. Shah "Classic Rock God" (Bensalem, PA USA)
The Dark Tower isn't a typical Steven King read. It's more The Stand-esque in that it isn't much of a horror book. It incorporates minimal horror elements (I'm sure King couldn't help it), but plays out like an adventure or even a fantasy novel. It's an enticing read that makes you hunger for more of what King has to offer with the series. Unlike a lot of King's other works, this one isn't really dense and somewhat hard to put down once you start reading. The opening of the book is slow, but it really picks up around the middle of the first part. Also, the illustrations are very aesthetically pleasing. My only complaints with this book are the afforementioned slow opening and the somewhat overuse of foreshadowing. But other than those 2 flaws, the book is a solid read and makes you want to read the other 6 books.
Reviewer: R. Shah "Classic Rock God" (Bensalem, PA USA)
The Dark Tower isn't a typical Steven King read. It's more The Stand-esque in that it isn't much of a horror book. It incorporates minimal horror elements (I'm sure King couldn't help it), but plays out like an adventure or even a fantasy novel. It's an enticing read that makes you hunger for more of what King has to offer with the series. Unlike a lot of King's other works, this one isn't really dense and somewhat hard to put down once you start reading. The opening of the book is slow, but it really picks up around the middle of the first part. Also, the illustrations are very aesthetically pleasing. My only complaints with this book are the afforementioned slow opening and the somewhat overuse of foreshadowing. But other than those 2 flaws, the book is a solid read and makes you want to read the other 6 books.
Very sci-fi and a little weird, but readable
This is the first in the Dark Tower Series. Very easy read and an excellent start to the series. Leaves you wanting to know more about the character.
The first of a wondefully spun tale of our word and the one of Rolands.
This is still one of my favorites!
great book
Story of a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages from ancient myth to frontier western legend.His pursuit of the man in black,his liaison w/the sexually ravenous Alice,his friendship w/the kid from Earth called Jake,are part of that drama that are both grppingly realistic and eerily dreamlike,an alchemy of storyteeling sorcery.
Heroic fantasy along the lines of Robert E. Howard working in a post-apocalyptic backdrop. Didn't care for the overwrought, cosmic ending, but it serves as a segue to the sequals.
The first book in the Dark Tower series, it's a spellbinding tale of good versus evil. A+++++
This book is not your typical Stephen King horror story, but it was still enjoyable. I will read the rest in the series.
Enjoyable, but disturbingly King-like. Do not read with a weak tummy.
Great book!
Thus begins the saga of the Gunslinger! And boy oh boy, it's a good one!
Those who have read the Gunslinger series are crazy about it. I wasn't able to get into it myself, but hey, it's Stephen King, right?
The Dark Tower - The Gunslinger --- This heroic fantasy is set in a world of ominous landscape and macabre menace that is a dark mirror of our own. A spellbinding tale of good versus evil, it features one of Stephen King's most powerful creations - The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages from ancient myth to frontier western legend. His pursuit of the Man in Black, his liaison with the sexually ravenous Alice, his friendship with the kid from Earth called Jake, are part of the drama that is both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, an alchemy of storytelling sorcery. Complete in itself, the Gunslinger is the first novel in an epic series, The Dark Tower.
The Gunslinger pursues The Man In Black, his liason wih the sexually ravenous Alic.
older printing
Excellent Read...part of box set.
The front cover is older than the picture showing here. The inside covers have turned a little yellow. Overall the book is in good condition. It has been read once.
Another wonderful King book...in great shape
