New to forums - Dark Tower question

[Potty-Man]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting here.
I finished reading the first four Dark Tower books, and read somewhere that before reading Wolves of the Calla, I should read several other SK books, such as The Talisman, Insomnia, Desperation, Black House, The Regulators, The Stand, etc.
The thing is, I'm really anxious to read the rest of the actual Dark Tower story, and I was interested in your opinion:
How necessary is it to read those other books first? Are the connections/events in the other books crucial to understanding the main DT books? How much would it take away from my overall experience to skip the other books for now and come back to them after I finish DT?
Please do not include spoilers in your replies

Thanks!

 

[GNTLGNT]

...it won't hurt a thing to "pick up" the others at a later date...might even give you a better appreciation and perspective...

 

[GNTLGNT]

...and btw....
WELCOME!

 

[Tery]

Welcome!

The other books are tangential to the DT books. They add some insight but are not necessary for reading the DT series.

 

[Pucker]

It depends what you like.

You can have some foreshadowing (if that's what you like), but that necessitates an interruption of the more pressing journey . . . if, indeed, you find it to be such.

On the other hand, you could just keep reading, and then -- later on, when you discover certain things, myriad "connections" -- you will go, "Ahhhhh!"

 

[Bardo]

Thats what I did!
Read the series thewn caught up with the others,(then re-read series)rinse,repeat as necessary

 

[king family fan]

 

[Spideyman]

Hi and welcome. Read on, continue the journey- then, as you read the connection books, you will discover little bits and pieces that will make you smile. Read on-----

 

[stacy270]

Hello and welcome! I'd say just plow through the DT books if you are enjoying them.You might read the others and forget the connections by the time you "Tower" again anyway.And..... You can always reread the DT books layer on down the line.

 

[CrimsonKingAH]

Hello
Welcome to SKMB
DT is the masterpiece... enjoy

 

[danie]

Welcome, you of the strange username.
Read DT. Always.

 

[morgan]

 

[mal]

You made a good decision. Ride the epic to the end. Welcome, mal.

 

[Bev Vincent]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting here.
I finished reading the first four Dark Tower books, and read somewhere that before reading Wolves of the Calla, I should read several other SK books, such as The Talisman, Insomnia, Desperation, Black House, The Regulators, The Stand, etc.
The thing is, I'm really anxious to read the rest of the actual Dark Tower story, and I was interested in your opinion:
How necessary is it to read those other books first? Are the connections/events in the other books crucial to understanding the main DT books? How much would it take away from my overall experience to skip the other books for now and come back to them after I finish DT?
Please do not include spoilers in your replies

Thanks!

I generally advocate reading things in the order in which they were published. Some concepts that pop up in the later DT books were introduced in non-DT books. I would particularly recommend Insomnia and Low Men in Yellow Coats (from Hearts in Atlantis) before going on. Not crucial, perhaps, but certainly adventageous.

 

[Tiny]

for everyone, if your hot to read all the dark-Tower books you do not NEED
to read any others, but you can if you like , most inportantly 'salems lot.

but its fine not to.

 

[blunthead]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting here.
I finished reading the first four Dark Tower books, and read somewhere that before reading Wolves of the Calla, I should read several other SK books, such as The Talisman, Insomnia, Desperation, Black House, The Regulators, The Stand, etc.
The thing is, I'm really anxious to read the rest of the actual Dark Tower story, and I was interested in your opinion:
How necessary is it to read those other books first? Are the connections/events in the other books crucial to understanding the main DT books? How much would it take away from my overall experience to skip the other books for now and come back to them after I finish DT?
Please do not include spoilers in your replies

Thanks!

I'd read a bunch of sK books by the time I made it to The Dark Tower ones. It'd been so long since that having read them wasn't particularly helpful, but I really don't think I missed much. Each DT book is a stand alone story and one needn't know anything about references made to other books in any of them.

 

[Debbie913]

Welcome to the SKMB!

 

[Neesy]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting here.
I finished reading the first four Dark Tower books, and read somewhere that before reading Wolves of the Calla, I should read several other SK books, such as The Talisman, Insomnia, Desperation, Black House, The Regulators, The Stand, etc.
The thing is, I'm really anxious to read the rest of the actual Dark Tower story, and I was interested in your opinion:
How necessary is it to read those other books first? Are the connections/events in the other books crucial to understanding the main DT books? How much would it take away from my overall experience to skip the other books for now and come back to them after I finish DT?
Please do not include spoilers in your replies

Thanks!

Welcome - enjoy book 5!

Now I am going to confuse you here (perhaps?) - what about The Wind Through the Keyhole? It has been described as DT 4.5



I read The Wind Through the Keyhole first, before I had read any of the DT series.

StephenKing.com - The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole

 

[Potty-Man]

what about The Wind Through the Keyhole? It has been described as DT 4.5

I read The Wind Through the Keyhole first, before I had read any of the DT serie

I'm going to read Wind last. I figure it's best to stick to the order of publication.

 

[HollyGolightly]

I'm going to read Wind last. I figure it's best to stick to the order of publication.

I still haven't read WTTKH - I'm holding out because I don't really want it to be the end. And I was waiting for the weather to be right. I've read the opening scene and I think I could really get into it if I read it in the winter. Anyhow, enough about me!

Welcome Potty-Man!

I think the only advantage to reading other books first is that you'll notice the connections as you read. Not necessary by any means, just a secret thrill to tie some of the books together with the DT series. You choose. You'll not be disappointed, whatever you decide. Wolves was my favorite.