The Gunslinger introduces Roland Deschain of Gilead as he
pursues the man in black to the mountains that separate the
desert from the Western Sea. Along the way he rescues the boy,
Jake, who is from a different time and place, and soon they
become ka-tet in spite of Roland’s single-minded goal of
reaching the man in black at all costs.
The journey continues for Roland after his confrontation with
the man in black. Through doors which mysteriously appear on the
beach of Mid-World’s Western Sea, he finds two more to join him
in his quest for The Dark Tower--Eddie Dean, a heroin addict,
and Odetta Holmes, whose alter personality, Detta Walker, adds
additional challenges.
Roland, Eddie, and Odetta, now known as
Susannah, find themselves in the ravaged city of Lud but before
continuing on their journey upon the maniacal train that will
lead them beyond the Waste Lands, they must have one more from
Roland’s past to be drawn to their ka-tet.
Having narrowly escaped Lud and Blaine, the ka-tet finds itself
in Topeka, Kansas, a ghost town depopulated by a superflu. So
that they can continue, Roland must tell them of a time in his
youth which helped define the man he has become. Before the tale
is finished he must confront a man who may hold the key to the
Dark Tower.
The ka-tet has traveled to the Calla Bryn
Sturgis, a tranquil community, long tormented by the Wolves of
Thunderclap who have stolen their children and are then returned
“roont.” With help from the ka-tet and Pere Callahan, also from
a portal between worlds, the Calla folken decide this time to
fight the Wolves and protect their children.
Susannah, now pregnant, has yet another taking control of her.
The demon-mother, Mia, uses Susannah and Black Thirteen to
transport to New York City of 1999. Jake, Oy, and Pere Callahan
must rescue Susannah while Eddie and Roland transport to the
Maine of 1977. A vacant lot in New York must be saved and ties
these together.
Roland’s ka-tet is reunited, but not
without cost. The last episode of the story takes them on the
final stretch of their journey to The Dark Tower. Though they
have rescued Susannah, there are still enemies who must be dealt
with along the way and who could be their ultimate destruction.
The journey is long and ka is but a wheel.
Everything's Eventual:
The Little Sisters of Eluria (Short Story)
Taking place before the events of The Gunslinger, Roland has
traveled to Eluria and is captured by the “Green Folk.” He ends
up in an infirmary run by the Little Sisters who appear to be an
order of nuns, but healing those who are in their care is not
what is on their agenda.
