Caution: This page contains
spoilers. The list below includes
the titles highlighted in the list of novels which Stephen has
denoted to include references to The Dark Tower at the time of
the publication of the final three novels. There are minor
connections and/or references in other novels as well including
those published subsequent to 2004.
Father Donald Callahan formerly of ‘Salem’s Lot becomes a major
influence in the Dark Tower saga beginning in Wolves of the
Calla.
The Stand
In Wizard & Glass the tet arrives in Topeka, Kansas, but one
which has fallen into ruin after a superflu has wiped out its
inhabitants.
The character of Randall Flagg makes his appearance in this book
as well as The Dark Tower and The Eyes of the Dragon.
Black House
Black House contains too many connections
to list on this page.
The Talisman
The Agincourt could be the Dark Tower’s “twinner”
in that universe. The ability to “flip” between worlds is used
in both series.
IT
The concept of deadlights is shared by
both Pennywise and the Crimson King. Many readers have thought
that Pennywise and Dandelo are one and the same but Stephen has
said that this is not the case. They are, however, most likely
of the same species. The insane clown who feeds on emotions and
Stutterin’ Bill are familiar characters to readers of these
books.
Jake sees elves peering from
beneath peaked green caps with strange, sly smiles on their
faces in the wallpaper on the house on Dutch Hill. The house on
Niebold Street from IT has wallpaper decorated with runners of
roses and capering elves wearing green caps.
Insomnia
Patrick Danville is the child mentioned in Insomnia who draws a
picture of the Dark Tower in a field of roses. The picture also
has a man in a red robe (the Red King) looking down at a
gunslinger named Roland. The importance of his escape unharmed
from the Civic Center becomes clear when he again serves the
Purpose in The Dark Tower.
Atropos, one of the three “doctors” who serve the Random or the
Purpose--concepts important to the Dark Tower
mythos--specifically mentions the Crimson King.
Ed Deepneau (Insomnia) and Aaron Deepneau (the Dark Tower) are
on different levels of the Tower. Aaron’s “Ed” was his cousin
who died in 1947 (Stephen’s year of birth).
A group of scholars known as The Calvins formed by the Tet
Corporation conclude that Insomnia is the keystone book relating
to The Dark Tower series. The Insomnia dust jackets, one in red
and one in white, symbolize the struggle of good (White) over
evil (Red).
Regulators
The imaginary place where Audrey Wyler takes Seth to escape from Tak
is similar to Mia’s ability to travel to the Castle on the Abyss
and Susannah’s journeys to the Dogan.
Desperation
It is likely that Tak is one of the creatures described as being
from the todash spaces between universes. Tak mentions can toi,
another name for the “low men” from The Dark Tower.
Rose Madder
In the coda to Song of Susannah, the
fictional Stephen King mentions being under the influence of The
Dark Tower when he wrote Rose Madder. The character of Dorcas
is familiar with Mid-World geography and history and mentions
the City of Lud as well as speaking of ka.
The Eyes of the Dragon
In addition to Flagg, the characters of
Thomas and Dennis make brief appearances in books 2 and 4 as
they pursue Flagg.
Bag of Bones
There appears to be a connection between Mike Noonan’s Sara
Laughs and Cara Laughs from The Dark Tower.
From a Buick 8
The Buick 8’s previous owner was most likely a low man and the
car a portal to the todash spaces from which creatures escape.
Skeleton Crew
The most obvious connection is “The
Mist”. The Arrowhead Project either created a thinny or ripped
a hole into a todash space from which the creatures entered.
Sylvia Pittston could very well be a twinner of Mrs. Carmody.
“Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut” and “The Jaunt”
are other stories which contain elements from The Dark Tower
such as thinnies and doorways connecting worlds.
Hearts in Atlantis
The relevance of low men in yellow coats and breakers (Ted
Brautigan) are developed more fully in the final books in the
series.
Everything's Eventual
Dinky Earnshaw ’s work in Everything’s
Eventual is explained in the final book as we learn that he has
been a Breaker. His mysterious employer, Mr. Sharpton, worked
for Trans Corporation, a subsidiary of North Central Positronics.
Dinky’s email message to Mr. Sharpton containing the word
“Excalibur” is a subtle reference to Arthur Eld’s sword.
Little Sisters of Eluria (Short
Story)
This is a stand-alone story about Roland taking place after the
events of Wizard & Glass and before those of The Gunslinger.
Other books
readers may enjoy to gain more understanding into the
connections and the Dark Tower mythos include: The Dark Tower: A Concordance by Robin Furth The Road to the Dark Tower by Bev Vincent The Stephen King Universe by Stanley Wiater, Christopher
Golden, and Hank Wagner
