"Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came."

From Stephen King’s THE DARK TOWER VII:

“How does it happen that a writer who’s not even very good – and I can say that, I’ve read four or five of his books – gets to be in charge of the world’s destiny? Or of the entire universe’s?”

“If he’s not very good, why didn’t you stop at one?”

I did it, folks. I finally finished King’s self-proclaimed “magnum opus”, THE DARK TOWER series. And it’s been a long time. I first picked up the original Dark Tower book in the late 1980s after absorbing King’s IT for the second time. After reading, re-reading and re-reading yet again the first three books in the series while waiting somewhat impatiently for six years for him to finally release the fourth… then another six years for the rest, I’m finally done with the story… some 17 (or so) years and seven books later.

I am a big fan of horror fiction and King’s work has been with me since I first took an interest in reading. The first novel I read of his was, interestingly enough, King’s first published novel, CARRIE. I still have my dog-eared paperback copy of the movie tie-in edition with a pig-blood covered Sissy Spacek on the front (not to mention a French insert card for the movie hanging in my half-bath downstairs).

I have read almost all of his books and stories… the good ones (SALEM’S LOT, THE STAND) and the bad (THE TOMMYKNOCKERS, GERALD’S GAME) and the brilliant (THE BLACK HOUSE, THE SHINING, IT). I can probably count the ones I haven’t read on the fingers of one of my hands and I can honestly say, without question, that of all his books, THE DARK TOWER series has been not only his most important, but also the best novels I’ve ever (yes, you heard me… ever) read.

Certainly more classifiable as science-fiction than horror (although the epic 3800+ page story is certainly filled with the things of nightmares), I cannot think of any other book(s) I’ve ever read that will resonate with me as long as these.

The story of Roland and his “ka-tet” of Eddie, Susannah, Jake and the little Billy-Bumbler named Oy and their quest “along the beam” for the Dark Tower has captivated me for a little less than half my life on this “America-side”. Until I finished the last book, just this morning, I didn’t really comprehend how long it’s been. I started the first book in college… I’m now 38 years old… and I just finished. Jesus… these characters have been near and dear to me for a long time. The settings, the characters, the many adventures along the way… as I shut the book, I got a little choked up, honestly. I am sad to see the journey finally end.

I know there’s been a lot of debate about “the ending”. I know many of you haven’t read these books, so no worries… I will NOT spoil anything here. Personally, I think the ending was just fine. I was not disappointed as some of you are (ie. the comments about it at amazon.com (warning: spoilers there)), but I can see your points. I just, I don’t know… I was so attached to this story that, maybe, deep down, I kind of knew where it was headed. Anyone who reads King’s novels knows he likes to throw some zingers sometimes. You never know, page to page, what will happen to any of the characters in any of his novels (although King’s knack for fore-shadowing prose was in full force by DT Book VII). It’s also not the first time that King has actually warned the reader, in the story text, about what was to come. I was prepared for the worst and, yeah, it was tough getting to the end… these characters have been in my head for a long time. Seeing their quest come to an end was a rough one. I felt sick as I closed the final book. I really did. Not so much because of the way it did end, but because I know that, tomorrow (or even later today), I’m never going to be able to pick up another book that continues the story. Roland, and his “ka-tet”, as I have known for the last 17 years of my life, is over.

So, with this, I urge all of you who have not traveled to Mid-World to do so. Please read these books. The first one is, admittedly, a bit rough around the edges. After all, I think it was King himself who said he envisioned this one at around the age of eighteen. It’s not that well written. The books do, however, mature as King himself does... you can see it in the writing. But, all told, THE DARK TOWER series is a fantastic adventure full of wonder, comedy, tragedy and redemption. Colorful characters, locales and wonderment that, amazingly, ties into King’s other “non Dark Tower” novels as well.

To get the full effect of the Dark Tower “mythos”, for the lack of a better word, I have compiled a list of King books that, if read, should give you a better understanding of the wonderful world of the Dark Tower. Try and read these in the order I’ve listed.

The Talisman – Just read this first to get a taste of King’s science-fiction / fantasy style. Also, it sets up The Black House, a close tie-in to the series.

Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
Dark Tower III: The Wastelands

The Stand – This is a must read for ANYONE, Dark Tower fan or not. Trust me. You have to read this one to prepare yourself for what comes in the fourth DT book.

Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass – This is a LOOOONG book compared to the other three, and my least favorite of the series. Take a break after this one and read the two below.

The Black House – Essential. It ties VERY closely into the series and is one of King’s best novels, to boot! Read this before Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla but only after The Talisman.

Salem’s Lot – Great horror novel that is essential reading before diving into Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla.

Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah

Insomnia – Another major tie-in. Sets up a major character and situations in the final book.

Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower

There are other books, however, that do tie in, namely THE EYES OF THE DRAGON, ROSE MADDER, FROM A BUICK 8 and, to a certain extent, IT, but these need not be read to enjoy the series. The ones I listed above are only my personal recommendation on how to approach the series to truly get the most out of it.

It’s been a long time since I read that first sentence of the first book, “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” And, to quote The Grateful Dead… “what a long, strange trip it’s been”.