Should I try to read it again?

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muskrat

Dis-Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,518
19,564
Under your bed
I pretty much loathed The Gunslinger until just last year. I'd read it at least 4 times...and it finally clicked.

Having said that, if the total change in tone put you off, by all means skip it and go on to The Drawing of the Three. Everything you need to know about the first book is covered in either that or The Wasteland (sorry, muskrat , but it's true), and both of this e are FAR more readable.

There is a chance, though, that none of them will click with you. If you're not an epic fantasy guy, you could be bored or outright dislike them, and that's okay.

Lots of different flavored cookies in Mr. King's jar. This particular recipe might not be for you. But can't hurt to give it a chance to grow on you :)

I just don't see how anyone could not like that first book. There's some great stuff in there.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
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dublin ireland
I had such a hard time with The Gunslinger that I ignored the entire DT series. Then it was suggested I read Drawing of the Three. I loved it, so I started over. Including Wind Through the Keyhole. think you just have to read it at the right time for you. Don't force it, but do try again.
 

RafamaroMd86

Member
Nov 21, 2016
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Hey guys, I'm new to the forum but a HUGE Stephen King fan. Have loved all of his novels to date.. except for the Dark Tower. There were some novels that drug along in certain parts, but the Dark Tower I was the first King book I've read that actually hurt to finish because I didn't like it. Every SK fan I've talked to loves the series, but Idk why I couldn't get into it.

Is it worth trying again? Should I jump into the second novel, or try to reread the first?

I'll tell you what I tell everyone I recommend to Stephen King: King never lets you down. That is to say that everything, or at least almost everything, what he writes is good reading material. On the other hand, I'll tell you what I say to everyone that I recommend the dark tower: It's FABULOUS!

I'm not going to fool you, the first book, the gunman, is very tedious, it hardly seems King who wrote it, but if you manage to get to the end, read without problems the others in the saga, you'll love it. And you'll learn something about the endings, too.

I would like to tell you my experience with the dark tower but for that I have created a thread in the forum, in case you like to read it, then, if you risk, I promise you do not have spoilers.
 
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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
I'll tell you what I tell everyone I recommend to Stephen King: King never lets you down. That is to say that everything, or at least almost everything, what he writes is good reading material. On the other hand, I'll tell you what I say to everyone that I recommend the dark tower: It's FABULOUS!

I'm not going to fool you, the first book, the gunman, is very tedious, it hardly seems King who wrote it, but if you manage to get to the end, read without problems the others in the saga, you'll love it. And you'll learn something about the endings, too.

I would like to tell you my experience with the dark tower but for that I have created a thread in the forum, in case you like to read it, then, if you risk, I promise you do not have spoilers.
Welcome R!
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
I'll tell you what I tell everyone I recommend to Stephen King: King never lets you down. That is to say that everything, or at least almost everything, what he writes is good reading material. On the other hand, I'll tell you what I say to everyone that I recommend the dark tower: It's FABULOUS!

I'm not going to fool you, the first book, the gunman, is very tedious, it hardly seems King who wrote it, but if you manage to get to the end, read without problems the others in the saga, you'll love it. And you'll learn something about the endings, too.

I would like to tell you my experience with the dark tower but for that I have created a thread in the forum, in case you like to read it, then, if you risk, I promise you do not have spoilers.
Hi and welcome fellow DT journeyman.
 

twiggymarie

Daughter of One
Mar 17, 2011
332
1,911
Texas, United States
I remember my first journey to the tower like it was yesterday. I was still a kid then, and I remember thinking, this isn't King's usual shtick... Yet, my mother instilled in me early on a love of westernized fiction, which to me is what the Gunslinger is, or was when I first read it. Either way, I had no problem plunging in, and by book 2, I began to see where Sai King was going, and never turned back. So, I'd suggest trying the first first, and like some others mentioned, going on to the Drawing of the Three if you can't get into it. I highly doubt you'll remain disappointed!
 

taylor29

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2014
103
391
That's right - just go see the movie and don't get all wrapped up in the books

:m_shy::m_snicker:

Think of the time you'll save

Oh, And if you go to the movie, you won't have to look at, you know, so many words.

The Gunslinger was a tough start for me. I tried twice, several years apart and I'm pretty sure I stuck with it initially because it was a short read and I was at my parents'. Westerns aren't my thing but words are...and on the train tracks, I fell in love.

"There are others worlds than these."
 
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BountyHunter

Active Member
Jan 25, 2014
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My suggestion to the people who for some reason can't get into The Gunslinger, is to read the comic adaptation of the novel. Then once you've done that, dive into the second novel in the series and start there.

But try to read the actual Gunslinger novel first.