An atypical work

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

Aloysius Nell

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2014
309
1,009
51
On audiobook, this was 2 CDs! Compared with other King stories that run into the upper 30s, it's positively a one-sitting appetizer. I really enjoyed it; never knew about it until I was browsing the audio at the library.

If you liked the short story Word Processor of the Gods (I think was the title) in which the young man builds a word processor for his uncle, and the uncle finds that any sentence he writes on it becomes reality, you will like UR. A similar concept, but so much more. Without adding spoilers, I will say there is a definite Dark Tower connection.

Anyone remember Pop Merrill's obsession with Kevin's camera in The Sun Dog? How he knows he should stop, but is powerless to change his future? I had that same feeling of dread in this story.

You COULD miss this one, but it's a lot of fun , and as I recall the reader did a very good job.
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
On audiobook, this was 2 CDs! Compared with other King stories that run into the upper 30s, it's positively a one-sitting appetizer. I really enjoyed it; never knew about it until I was browsing the audio at the library.

If you liked the short story Word Processor of the Gods (I think was the title) in which the young man builds a word processor for his uncle, and the uncle finds that any sentence he writes on it becomes reality, you will like UR. A similar concept, but so much more. Without adding spoilers, I will say there is a definite Dark Tower connection.

Anyone remember Pop Merrill's obsession with Kevin's camera in The Sun Dog? How he knows he should stop, but is powerless to change his future? I had that same feeling of dread in this story.

You COULD miss this one, but it's a lot of fun , and as I recall the reader did a very good job.
I'm not much of an Audiobook person. Is it written down somewhere?
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
I too am eagerly anticipating this one. Don't exactly know what it is about, but the little I do know makes me want to read it. Just one of the reasons why I wish the collection had been released earlier.
 

johntfs

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2008
277
966
There was a Dark Tower connection but it struck me as being somewhat odd. The two beings at the end were presumably "Low Men in Yellow Coats" who work for the Crimson King, at least according to their "red eye" accouterments. However, they seem to greatly disapprove of Wesley's actions and cite potential negative consequence of them. They also seem to hold the Tower sacred and are persuaded to spare Wesley by the potential that the Tower ordained the events that occurred.

That said, these actions and characterizations seem contrary to the role the Low Men have played in the past. They serve the Crimson King and the Crimson Key wants to destroy the Dark Tower and the Beams in order to recreate the multiverse in his own image. They wouldn't revere the Tower or Rose. They'd reverse only the King.

It's unlikely that this is a mistake. I'm wondering if instead a reflection of a new order of things set down by Rolands ultimately successful quest. Perhaps instead of being destroyed or reduced, the Crimson King has been absorbed and transformed into an agent of the Tower and the Low Men now serve it through him.