I didn't mean it in an absolute sense, please note the comparative ( "less intellectually pretentious" ), everything is relative
Is Dark Tower more popular than Duma Key or Cell, for example ?
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Is Dark Tower more popular than Duma Key or Cell, for example ?
Oh, I think I've had an "aha" moment with you concerning the DT books now.
I would say that world wide there has been a distinction between comic book stories and novels--and who might read one or another kind, (especially for non-collector types) there has been a kind of stigma attached to that in the past.
If your exposure to the DT series has been through the graphic novels, rather than the original work, I can see where you may have picked up your earlier questions--based on the comic-book stigma I mentioned earlier.
The DT graphic novels are quite different to early comic books though and vastly different to the novels. They are all quality work in their own right, but just very different formats.
As to the popularity of the DT in comparison to some of his other stories, among King fans it seems they are usually placed somewhere around the top 5-10 of people's lists.
Less die-hard fans may not be quite so drawn, but it's been my experience that this is sometimes due to a lack of exposure for some reason. (For example, if you're not familiar with Stephen's work, you may not have heard of the DT series.)
They are kind of in a fantasy genre, though that alone doesn't make an accurate description. I would venture to assume that you will probably enjoy all of the DT books, and will choose a personal favorite or two from them as most sK fans tend to. I say go for it.
I don't think Stephen King writes for a target audience. He just writes. Perhaps his first and most important target reader is his wife Tabitha. Running equal or a close second is probably himself. The best writers, and Stephen King is one of them, are writing for themselves just as much anyone else. Nothing he has ever written has been aimed at intellectually pretentious people. Why would they be? Why would anyone care what intellectually pretentious people think? Do I need to point out the obvious, that right now you sound kind of pretentious? What is worse you are speaking in a pretentious way about things you haven't even read. What would this be called... faux snobbery?
Let me put your mind at ease. Stephen King doesn't really care what you or I think. He would be writing these stories even if he wasn't a best selling author. He doesn't aim books at his fans like bullets with their names written on them. However, all that being said, I doubt he would find his writing (any of it) being described as pulp insulting. He grew up on pulp. Many of his formative influences were writers in the classic pulp fiction tradition. Of course, you mean it in the derogatory rather than historical application of the term. All of King's books are stories about people, no more and no less. They have powerful engines in them which make them go. That is enough for most readers.
A "Twinner" is a person in another world within the multiverse that is a twin, both in looks and spirit. They are the "you" of that world so to speak. Places have Twinners too, and Derry is the Twinner of our Bangor. It is important to note that in the world where the Losers live, Bangor is just down the road from Derry.... /but/ that Bangor is very different one must presume. That is because Derry is a reflection of our Bangor.
It isn't unlike the fact that Eddie Dean comes from a New York that isn't our New York. Certain landmarks of note are in the wrong place from our perspective... or his looking at ours.
The Multiverse (or the many levels of the Tower) reflect each other and in some hard to understand interact. Even the keystone world is affected by the reflections of itself. It is important to note that not every world has a Twinner of every thing or every person. I won't go into that level of philosophy to answer the original question.
I'm still trying to understand the concept of twinners, which is how I found this thread.
I notice that when certain characters go from one world to another they occupy the body of their twinners, which has always made me think that they're more than just a twin - that maybe they share the same soul. Is that what you mean by 'in looks and spirit'? Otherwise, (DARK TOWER SPOILER -
is there a way to hide these?) Susannah ending up with twinner-Eddie isn't very comforting; then it's still not Eddie, and Eddie is still waiting for her in the clearing while she's in some alternate universe with this other Eddie-guy. Sai King was, I think, trying to give us some comfort in Susannah finding this twinner-family; but if it's not really them, then it's cold comfort, indeed.
Aha! I assume a mod has hidden the spoiler, and so now I know how. Thank 'ee!
Yes. I agree. Lovers know their love, and an almost-them is no better substitute than someone who isn't them at all, especially when the love you miss is dead.
For Susannah's heart to leap like that when she saw Eddie... for them to know her in her dreams that way and to guide her to them... all of that tells me that a twinner is more than just a doppelgänger.
Frankly, that's the only way I can reconcile that ending. Not artistically, but personally.
The DT series is NOT a comic book. It could change your whole way of thinking.
I give up. Read or don't Oy!
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I am writing this post looking out my third story window which overlooks downtown Bangor (Derry). A light snow is frosting the cars below. I say light, because who knows if it will stick or continue. My wife and I have completed the journey stage, i.e. the 2300+ mile drive with the last of our stuff. Our cats made the trip with us, hostages to fortune. We love our apartment, the town, and so far all the people we have met. It is a given that we haven't met many. Today, we will endeavor to obtain permanent internet, make arrangements at a local University, and pick up cards at the coolest library I've ever seen. It is literally bigger than the court house in the town we left behind in Texas.
Envying the heck out of you. Maine is one state I've wanted to visit for many years, and not just because of Mr. King (lol), but because it sounds like it's very beautiful. Not many native forests left in our country; I'm from the Rockies and have spent a lot of time here (the Wind River mountains in WY are awe-inspiring), went to college in the Pac. NW, and I've seen the UP of Michigan, so Maine is the natural continuation.
Enjoy this new chapter in your life. Great time of year for it to begin.
On the way over from MI to ME don't forget to see The Adirondacks in NY, The Berkshires in MA, The Green Mountain Forest in VT and The White Mountain Forest here in NH.
Mr. King was a factor in our move, but not in the way most people assume. I heard a recording of a speech he gave to college students about Maine. He sold me on wanting to go there and see it and experience it. Once I was there I fell in love with the State. When I got married to my lovely wife, I told her about Maine. She said, "when are we moving?" Her unqualified trust and support touched me but I said no. I insisted she had to see it herself. I wasn't going to drag her there unless she felt the same way about it. Thus, we began a series of trips to Maine (the first of which was on our Honeymoon) so she could make an educated choice. After several she said to me, "so when do we move?" It took a lot of effort and time but we have made it. A new chapter begins, literally and figuratively. I wrote the first chapter of a new story this morning while she slept and I watched the snow slowly fall.
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Oh yeah, I biked the White Mountains, too! I almost forgot that one! And the forests in AK, too (can you tell I'm much more a forest person than a desert person? lol). You know, I'd like to travel the world, but there is so much here at home that I've never seen. We have a big, beautiful country.On the way over from MI to ME don't forget to see The Adirondacks in NY, The Berkshires in MA, The Green Mountain Forest in VT and The White Mountain Forest here in NH.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful life in Maine. The calling was strong and you followed the beam well. Enjoy!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Thank you for the welcome and the information too!
These are on our list to visit. And yes, visit Maine when you can. It is extremely beautiful.
Enjoy this new chapter in your life. Great time of year for it to begin. On the way over from MI to ME don't forget to see The Adirondacks in NY, The Berkshires in MA, The Green Mountain Forest in VT and The White Mountain Forest here in NH.
We agree. My wife said she wanted to come in Winter so she got the roughest first. It seemed like a wise plan to me too. We are adding these to our list to see also (aforementioned forests and mountains).
It certainly felt that way. All things serve the Beam.
Thank you for the well wishes.
Yes, it's worth touring US for 2-3 years in a row to see all nature corners. I wonder if US gives such a tourist Visa, how much would the trip cost and how safe it is from humans attack (thugs, charlatans, psychopaths). I fear much less attacks from wild animals.
If you're looking at the wild places, most people are pretty friendly (as long as you're polite yourself).
Americans are an enigma. Their govt is one of the most hated internally and externally and this reflects negatively on how Americans are viewed by rest of planet. I also believe the planet culture is not one-dimensional and to have a complete / better view, one should study American, Russian and Chinese cultures, not just American one.