On Re-reading The Dark Tower Series

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dcshark

Member
Jan 25, 2007
17
30
Toronto
Sorry if this has been covered before, but I did search the old message board first.
I’m re-reading the Dark Tower series; I started today.
At what point in the series should I read:
1. The Little Sisters of Eluria
2. Everything’s Eventual
3. Low Men in Yellow Coats
Are there any other short stories that are Tower related?
4. The Eyes of the Dragon
The Wind Through the Keyhole I’ll read between books 4 & 5. I’ve read threads that suggest reading it after the series, but I think it might be nice at this point.
Not sure if I should re-read:
Black House. Any thoughts on this.
 

Shoe

Ka 'n' stuff
Nov 7, 2011
503
777
Phobos
I was about to make you a long list of the missing books that I have read that directly relate to the DT books. Luckily I noticed that you are only asking for short stories. You should grab yourself a copy of Skeleton Crew. Check out The Mist, Here There Be Tygers, and Mrs. Todd's Shortcut.
 

dcshark

Member
Jan 25, 2007
17
30
Toronto
Thanks for the replies. I remember the connections with The Mist and Mrs. Todd's Shortcut, but not Here There Be Tygers. I'll read that between books at some point.

I read books 5 to 7 back to back when book 7 was originally published. I had caught up on the all the books that tied into the Dark Tower at that point. Insommia, From a Buick 8 and Black House to name just a few. I know there are others out there. I've read all of King's published stories except for some recent e-books.

I have Bev Vincent's The Road to the Dark Tower, which is a fantastic read, and I may read his summaries of the Tower related books just to remind myself what happened.

I think I'll read The Talisman and Black House as a unit after this re-read of the Tower.

The Little Sisters of Eluria will probably fit between book 4 & 5.

But I honestly don't remember what happened in Everything’s Eventual & Low Men in Yellow Coats. I guess I slot them in before book 7.
 

Bev Vincent

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,351
11,651
Texas
www.bevvincent.com
Sorry if this has been covered before, but I did search the old message board first.
I’m re-reading the Dark Tower series; I started today.
At what point in the series should I read:
1. The Little Sisters of Eluria
2. Everything’s Eventual
3. Low Men in Yellow Coats
Are there any other short stories that are Tower related?
4. The Eyes of the Dragon
The Wind Through the Keyhole I’ll read between books 4 & 5. I’ve read threads that suggest reading it after the series, but I think it might be nice at this point.
Not sure if I should re-read:
Black House. Any thoughts on this.

My suggestion: read them chronologically -- order of publication. Since you are rereading, Wind Through the Keyhole works between 4&5. For people new to the series, I generally recommend reading it after 7 so that you will appreciate some of the references better.

My latest book, The Dark Tower Companion, lists all the stories that I consider to have moderate-to-strong Dark Tower connections. Ur, for example, or Mile 81. However, they can be read at any point, whereas with Insomnia and Black House, concepts are introduced before they enter the series proper. We find out what Breakers are in Black House before we do in the series, for example. The Crimson King debuts in Insomnia.

I do advocate LSoE before Gunslinger for newcomers, since it is a more accessible introduction to Roland. Everything's Eventual should be read before DT7, since it introduces Dinky Earnshaw.
 

dcshark

Member
Jan 25, 2007
17
30
Toronto
Moving on to the Wizard & Glass. My least favorite book.
Really enjoyed the Revised Gunslinger DT1 this time. Especially the references to DT7. Foreshadowing that I didn't really appreciate before.

I've always enjoyed the original DT1 and never found it hard to get into. I loved the individual stories. But the revised is a better novel.
 

OKKingFan

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2013
138
371
Oklahoma
I read the original Gunslinger, I think it was the initial paperback run in 1988. I'd like to read the revised one as well. Does he change the style in the revised one, or just tweak some of the references to align more with the rest of the series? The writing style is what I had problems getting past. I'd like to read it in a little more basic style if that's what he did the second time around. FYI, about 400 pages through Book 7. Really enjoying it, and a lot is going on early in that book. First read for me.
 

dcshark

Member
Jan 25, 2007
17
30
Toronto
I read the original Gunslinger, I think it was the initial paperback run in 1988. I'd like to read the revised one as well. Does he change the style in the revised one, or just tweak some of the references to align more with the rest of the series? The writing style is what I had problems getting past. I'd like to read it in a little more basic style if that's what he did the second time around. FYI, about 400 pages through Book 7. Really enjoying it, and a lot is going on early in that book. First read for me.


Here is a comparison between the original and revised editions.
TheDarkTower.net - The Gunslinger : A Side by Side Comparison
Hope it helps. Don't read this until you've finished DT7. It may contain spoilers.

He does fix references, but I think the writing style is basically the same.
I actually noticed how his writing has evolved and changed with each book in the series.

You may enjoy reading the revised Gunslinger after you've finished DT7.

Almost finished DT4 Wizard and Glass.
 

weezergirl

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2011
96
187
I'm just thinking of re-reading them myself! I always get an itch to re-read them about once a year. I've got a post it sitting on my desk with alllllll the books I shall read before delving into the DT series because so many are connected. I'll start by reading pretty much all of his short story compilations because a lot of them are connected, many aren't but they're quick reads and I love them. When I really get down to business though I always start with the eye of the dragon. That may just be my all time favorite Stephen King novel...it's hard to explain but I love it in such a different way that it's kind of in a whole other category for me. I love it the way I love the hobbit. I could read those two books over again forever and never get tired of them! :) Here's my list (excluding the short stories because all of them):

The Eyes of the Dragon
Dreamcatcher
Desparation
The Regulators
Rose Madder
IT (shudder! I'll hide from drains for WEEKS)
Insomnia
The Stand
Hearts in Atlantis (I don't consider this "short stories" btw)
Salem's Lot
The Talisman
Black House
DT with TWTTK in between 4 & 5.

I'm going to be busy next year.....
 

OKKingFan

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2013
138
371
Oklahoma
I realize some of his other works are only slightly related to the Dark Tower, but I can't figure out how "Bag of Bones" is related. Other than the "Cara Laughs" and "Sara Laughs" similarity.
Also a question, do any of his books or short stories written after the Dark Tower relate to that story? Outside of 11/22/63, that is.
 
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weezergirl

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2011
96
187
I realize some of his other works are only slightly related to the Dark Tower, but I can't figure out how "Bag of Bones" is related. Other than the "Cara Laughs" and "Sara Laughs" similarity.
Also a question, do any of his books or short stories written after the Dark Tower relate to that story? Outside of 11/22/63, that is.
I can't see how Bag of Bones is tied in either really. It's been a while but I've read it several times. I think it's also hard to tell with Stephen King just because there are similarities through out his writing career. I catch myself going...is that a connection or a coincidence?? a lot!!
 
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Bev Vincent

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Apr 11, 2006
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Texas
www.bevvincent.com
That's the basic connection -- the area where Eddie and Roland visit King is the same region where Bag of Bones takes place, plus the Derry connection. You could argue that Mike's dream trips to the Fryeburg festival were todash in nature.
 
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OKKingFan

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2013
138
371
Oklahoma
Thanks Bev. It hasn't been that long since I read "Bag of Bones," but I read it before most of the other Dark Tower-related books, so I wasn't sure if I missed something.
 
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