where to go from here (possible spoilers)

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chief4db

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Feb 11, 2015
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OK guys and girls. Been here a couple of weeks and feel like I have gotten to know some of you. I've ripped off about 10 king books since i picked up 11/22/63 just bc it was about kennedy. Never read a single thing king wrote. I just love kennedy so figured why not and picked it up. The rest is history. 2 years and ten books later I feel I can say now that I'm a true fan and have a feel for him. By no means am I a king expert. Not by a long shot. Anyways where I'm going with this is when I first started with king and I looked at his body of work the thing that stood out to me was the dark tower series. It's 7 or 8 books I think. I wanted to dive right into that so bad I can't even tell you. Somehow I curbed that appetite. Reason is I wanted to get some novels under my belt so I would get to know kings writing a little better and I would be able to appreciate the towers better. I've heard nothing but good things about these. I mean everyone likes it and wants more. Question is do u much more experienced constant readers think ten books is enough or should I read more before I tackle the towers. Am I ready? I got no problem with reading some more. Salem's lot and dr. Sleep were next in line for me. Those 2 were my next choices. But man I would love to start the gunslinger right now. It's staring at me on the chair. Advice pleasssssssse
 
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Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
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I'd only read two stories before I read Roland's story. I'd seen a handful of the movies based on the stories before I picked up The Gunslinger and truth be told I didn't know there were six more after the first. I could get behind any suggestion, dive right in, or read a bunch of others before you do. They're good stories and I've read them a multiple of times. Check out UR...the short...if you liked 11/22/63. Gives you a sense of the possibilities of flavors. Have you read that new short? There's links here on the board...short and sweet...might get you in a gunslinger mood.
 

RandallFlagg19

Well-Known Member
May 5, 2014
809
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OK guys and girls. Been here a couple of weeks and feel like I have gotten to know some of you. I've ripped off about 10 king books since i picked up 11/22/63 just bc it was about kennedy. Never read a single thing king wrote. I just love kennedy so figured why not and picked it up. The rest is history. 2 years and ten books later I feel I can say now that I'm a true fan and have a feel for him. By no means am I a king expert. Not by a long shot. Anyways where I'm going with this is when I first started with king and I looked at his body of work the thing that stood out to me was the dark tower series. It's 7 or 8 books I think. I wanted to dive right into that so bad I can't even tell you. Somehow I curbed that appetite. Reason is I wanted to get some novels under my belt so I would get to know kings writing a little better and I would be able to appreciate the towers better. I've heard nothing but good things about these. I mean everyone likes it and wants more. Question is do u much more experienced constant readers think ten books is enough or should
I read more before I tackle the towers. Am I ready? I got no problem with reading some more. Salem's lot and dr. Sleep were next in line for me. Those 2 were my next choices. But man I would love to start the gunslinger right now. It's staring at me on the chair. Advice pleasssssssse

I started reading Stephen King with the Dark Tower series.

:smile2: I recommend reading the Dark Tower series right now.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
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Also can someone please put the order of books. I know it's one thru 7 but I think wind through the key hole is a dark tower book. When do u read that one? Also r there any other books that r in the mix? Thanks
It's sometimes called 4.5. You can either fit it in between 4 and 5, or wait until the end--it doesn't really matter either way. :)
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
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Also can someone please put the order of books. I know it's one thru 7 but I think wind through the key hole is a dark tower book. When do u read that one? Also r there any other books that r in the mix? Thanks

It's sometimes called 4.5. You can either fit it in between 4 and 5, or wait until the end--it doesn't really matter either way. :)
If I were you, I would leave the WTTKH till you've finished the first 7 books. That way, after your journey with Roland, Eddie, Suzanne, Jake and Oy is over, you still have something there to read and get to re-visit your friends. The Drawing Of The Three is where the journey really starts in a big way and I envy your first time taking it. Oh, why not read one DT book, then pick up something else by King, read that and then pick up the next DT book and repeat this pattern, that way you won't get tired of reading about the DT?
 

RandallFlagg19

Well-Known Member
May 5, 2014
809
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Also can someone please put the order of books. I know it's one thru 7 but I think wind through the key hole is a dark tower book. When do u read that one? Also r there any other books that r in the mix? Thanks

To maintain consistent chronological order of the story line read the Dark Tower series in the fallowing order.

1. The Gunslinger
2. The Drawing of the Three
3. The Waste Lands
4. Wizard and Glass
Wind Through the Keyhole (optional can be read here or after this point)
5. Wolves of the Calla
6. Song of Susannah
7. The Dark Tower
 

muskrat

Dis-Member
Nov 8, 2010
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I'd read 'Lot before DT, definitely.

It kinda helps to have been a King junkie, from way, way back, to properly dig Dark Tower, IMO. There's just so many little hints and nods that harken back and interweave, so much Kingophelia, I guess you'd say.

But whatever--enjoy the ride, man.

(Don't forget 'Little Sisters of Eluria' in Everything's Eventual, btw)
 

HollyGolightly

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Sep 6, 2013
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Also can someone please put the order of books. I know it's one thru 7 but I think wind through the key hole is a dark tower book. When do u read that one? Also r there any other books that r in the mix? Thanks
Well, WTTKH is still sitting on my nightstand, I read a bit here and there, not because it isn't good, but because it's the final - so I don't want to be done-done just yet. Really you could say after you've read DT7, you know the end. But what a little gift to give us one more story. Also, there was Little Sisters of Eluria as mentioned above. You might want a break between DT books, I know I did. Reading them back to back made me talk a little funny for a while. You'll get in the habit of that too I bet. I'm curious, which ones have you read? Starting with 11/22/63 was a smart move. My mom tried to start with Lisey's Story and that kind of put her off for a while. But she did end up loving 11/22/63.
 

chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
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Well, WTTKH is still sitting on my nightstand, I read a bit here and there, not because it isn't good, but because it's the final - so I don't want to be done-done just yet. Really you could say after you've read DT7, you know the end. But what a little gift to give us one more story. Also, there was Little Sisters of Eluria as mentioned above. You might want a break between DT books, I know I did. Reading them back to back made me talk a little funny for a while. You'll get in the habit of that too I bet. I'm curious, which ones have you read? Starting with 11/22/63 was a smart move. My mom tried to start with Lisey's Story and that kind of put her off for a while. But she did end up loving 11/22/63.

After 11/22/63 I have read full dark, no stars. Tommyknockers, needful things, mr.mercedes, blockade billy, the stand, joyland, the long walk and revival. Please visit my thread on kings ranked books
 

chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
733
2,676
whatsamatteru. usa
I'd read 'Lot before DT, definitely.

It kinda helps to have been a King junkie, from way, way back, to properly dig Dark Tower, IMO. There's just so many little hints and nods that harken back and interweave, so much Kingophelia, I guess you'd say.

But whatever--enjoy the ride, man.

(Don't forget 'Little Sisters of Eluria' in Everything's Eventual, btw)

Why lot before.is there a connection between these books
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
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Thanks for the replies. I decided to start the towers. Was going to read the first 15 pages or so. Next thing I know I'm on page 65. Liking it so far. Had to re read a few parts already. Wasn't understanding some parts. Not sure if it was the language or just tired. But can't wait to get back home and pick it up.
Lucky man, starting the dark tower journey for the first time. Many people will envy you. I don't think I had read much more than 10 books before I read the dark towers. I think the main thing is having read 11/22/63, you are clearly able to get through (and enjoy) an epic.

The language is a funny thing, and the gunslinger is a bit strange in that it is basically an intro book, setting the scene for what is to follow, but it doesn't introduce you to it gradually, it throws you into it not quite at the deep end, but not far from it. You will be used to it by the end though, which is essentially where the whole series starts.

Out of curiosity, which version have got? The original or the 2003 revised version?
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
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New Zealand
Well going to sleep now and on page 141. Another 76 pages down. 2 members have said to read salems lot before the dark towers. Was wondering why that particular book. Is there a connect between those books. I'm going to read gunslinger then break from DT and read salems lot then come back.
Yes, 'Salem's Lot has a character that has a huge connection in the Dark Tower series. I think it's great that you're going to read this before continuing on your journey. :)
 

MadBoJangles

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2015
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I think the idea of reading a DT book and then reading a different King, rinse and repeat is a good way to go.
The DT series is amazing, the little nods and references to King's other works are brilliant to find after you have read all of the DT books too.
I remember reading Insomnia (after the DT books) and having the biggest grin on my face when the DT reference cropped up.
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
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The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
I think the idea of reading a DT book and then reading a different King, rinse and repeat is a good way to go.
The DT series is amazing, the little nods and references to King's other works are brilliant to find after you have read all of the DT books too.
I remember reading Insomnia (after the DT books) and having the biggest grin on my face when the DT reference cropped up.
Imagine how I'm going to feel when/if I finally read 'Salems Lot. I've still not read hearts in atlantis yet either so I know I haven't seen the last of some important DT characters.
 

chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
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2,676
whatsamatteru. usa
Ok I'm totally lost. I got thru this book quicker than I thought and I'm approaching the end. 2 main questions. One is what the heck. Is the man in black creating the earth. All the reference to book of genesis from the bible. Second is Roland been chasing this dude and he finally catches up and he let's him read his fortune with Terra cards. Why not just try and waste the man in black right then and there.