Revised Version vs Original Version of The Gunslinger

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Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
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Just north of Duma Key
Perhaps. But then again, and I'm willing to bet, he could write a whole new ending and there'd be plenty of folks still think it sucks. Van or no van, Uncle Stevie's always had trouble with endings; or, rather, the readers do. Especially the epic bricks--people read one of those, 800-1000 + page tomes, they expect some kinda holy, life changing Oh Henry Shammalanna corker as a reward for all the time they've spent on it. Or something--tell ya, I think many folks are confused about endings and just what it is they're supposed to do. They need to read more literature, and turn off the glass teat.

The Journey, do ya. The only thing endings really do is just that--end.
:thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
 

Pucker

We all have it coming, kid
May 9, 2010
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I would prefer the original for the simple reason that it is the story.

I'm not sure how I feel about going back after you've sold the thing and changing it to make it look like you knew where it was going all along.

Actually . . . I am sure how I feel about that.
 

Michael97

Member
Feb 19, 2016
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I'm new to the dark tower. I just finished the revised version. Reading this board, I found that you guys were saying there were some differences between that and the original so I found a copy of the oringial on ebay and started it last night. Hope it won't confuse me too much reading the revised one first
Thanks
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
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Spokane, WA
I'm new to the dark tower. I just finished the revised version. Reading this board, I found that you guys were saying there were some differences between that and the original so I found a copy of the oringial on ebay and started it last night. Hope it won't confuse me too much reading the revised one first
Thanks
The story is basically the same, King just added a couple of scenes that tie things together in the rest of the series. I did get sick of the word 'Yar.' though.
 

Michael97

Member
Feb 19, 2016
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The story is basically the same, King just added a couple of scenes that tie things together in the rest of the series. I did get sick of the word 'Yar.' though.

I'm about 2/3rds finished with the original, other than a couple of minor things, I'm not seeing anything major but I do wish I'd followed the one posters advise about reading the revised after reading #7 but I hadent found this board till recently. I agree that the Yar can go:biggrin2:
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I'm about 2/3rds finished with the original, other than a couple of minor things, I'm not seeing anything major but I do wish I'd followed the one posters advise about reading the revised after reading #7 but I hadent found this board till recently. I agree that the Yar can go:biggrin2:
Yar! ;;D Many of us here have taken the journey to the Tower numerous times. There's nothing that says you can't take it again after you finish the Gunslinger. Not right away, of course, but you can go along with Roland and his katet again and again and again.....
 

Aloysius Nell

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2014
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I had never read the revised version until now. I'm part way through it and the funny thing is that I JUST finished rereading Wizard and Glass. So it's interesting how much has changed to include the happenings from that book. I'm finding myself wanting to reread the original alongside it, or maybe right after I finish.

I agree with many, in that so far I prefer the original. Mr. King, it would have been OK to leave some inconsistencies in Roland's world. It has moved on, after all. I particularly was disappointed, so far, by
Sheb being the same Sheb from Mejis; I liked the fact that they were similar characters but Roland didn't see it. It's a correlation to the loop he's caught in, even though the first Sheb was prior to the loop.
 

Aloysius Nell

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2014
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Grrr...still not liking it. They are in the mountains and there have been enough WTH moments that I will be taking the original out as soon as I finish. It's been so long that I'm finding myself questioning whether something is a revision or not.

What can I say? I don't like change. I don't like this "make Roland more likable" thing I sense going on. You're supposed to be unwillingly PULLED into loving him.

Well, I'm just a cranky old fart tonight! Cry yer pardon, so I do.
 

Pep's person

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2016
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Mts o' Santa Cruz
Hi folks,
I'm pretty new and just venturing out of the newbies area. So hoping I don't type anything that causes me to get beat up too much!

This may seem rather minor and does not alter or affect the story/series as a whole.
But I feel the changing of 'the world's oldest question' in the revised loses a certain truth, poetry and beauty that was in the original.

In this rewriting, Sai King has given himself the power to take his younger self to task. And wouldn't we all like to go back and shake our 19 year old selves at some point? But on this one, I think, King the younger had it a bit more right.

In the many years and books I've read of Mr. King's, this is the one disappointment I've found hard to let go. So thought I would get that off my chest early on.
 
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Kingunlucky

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2016
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Oooooooooh, thank you! :D

They should really do some re-releases/New printings of those old hardcovers and slipcases someday or even all new printings but with a similar kinda vibe (though I do know Grant is a smaller company). It be nice though to have similar versions out there that were cheaper.

Maybe if the movies are a hit we will something like that! :D