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lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve heard about the Dark Tower series for what seems like my entire life. So when my son read it over Christmas break, I thought I’d finally give it a go. Maybe I had overly high expectations, hyped over decades of hearing about it. But Gunslinger was only okay in my opinion. A little too much of nuthin to really greet it with 4 or 5 stars. It was well written, and interesting, so it handily emerges above a 1 or 2 star book for me. The Man in Black even tells Roland that this is just “the end of the beginning.” And it reads exactly like that: one giant prologue introducing something, but leaving the reader not really knowing what’s going on. Time travel? Religious allegory? A nuclear post-apocalyptic world with mutant zombies? Cowboy western? Coming of Age? Space travel? Umm, yes, and/or maybe?!? So I’m totally not sure I’m continuing with the series. Happy to be convinced otherwise, please let me know if you’re a fan and why!
paigeworrall's review against another edition
5.0
Stephen King, is one of the most influential novelists of our time. He is known for works such as: The shining, Misery, and Pet cemetery. People may be mistaken that his only specialty is horror, but there are a group of his novels that even the most ardent Stephen King fan might overlook. When you first hear the word “Gunslinger, one will be inclined to immediately think of the western. However Stephen King’s novel is far from it. Off course it has elements of westerns in it but in reality this book is far from your stereotypical western. It is a strange mix of realism and surrealism. I know what you’re thinking: How can a book seem both real and dreamlike at the same time? The simple answer is that it just does. When I read it I felt like I was somewhere alien but at the same time I felt familiar with some of the aspects of the novel.
This novel follows Roland, the last of the gunslingers, through a post-apocalyptic world of demons, mutants, and quirky characters. His mission is to hunt down the mysterious man in black, but for what purpose? This is an enigma that Stephen King keeps firmly under wraps until towards the end of the novel. During his pursuit of the man in black Roland encounters a plethora of strange people: Including a psychotic woman who brainwashes an entire village to try and kill Roland. However he also meets a boy named Jake, at first sight Roland knows that he is a trap sent by the mysterious man in black to try and perturb him from his pursuit. However Jake does not know that he himself is a trap. Together Jake and Roland face some terrifying things. However towards the end of the novel Roland has to make a heart breaking decision.
The thing about Stephen King is that he can weave an intricate plot whilst also layering his characters with intrigue. Roland, our protagonist of the story, is stooped in mystery. During the novel things are revealed to the reader that may cause them to re think their feelings for Roland. However King does not give us any illusions of Roland, he does not make him out to be the hero of the story. Roland is shown for what he is, and sometimes he can be brutal and monstrous. At the same time however we see that he can also be sensitive and loving, as he is with Jake. Jake is the opposite of Roland he will find a soft spot in the hearts of even the most blood thirsty reader. Stephen king creates characters that are not two dimensional, this is the flaw of some writers. They can beautifully construct a magnificent plot, but leave know room for the characters the mature and grow.
The thing I love about this story is the fact that like I said before the world is both eerily real and dreamlike at the same time. Also not everything is revealed about Roland’s origins, this gives him a bit of mystery. Some readers may find this frustrating as King limits what the audience knows about Roland and his intentions. Even after the novel I found myself wondering what Roland wanted from the man in black. However in my opinion I love stories like this as the book leaves things unanswered so that you will have no choice but to read the second book.
To conclude this book is a definite must read, even the most critical reader will find it hard not to like this book.
This novel follows Roland, the last of the gunslingers, through a post-apocalyptic world of demons, mutants, and quirky characters. His mission is to hunt down the mysterious man in black, but for what purpose? This is an enigma that Stephen King keeps firmly under wraps until towards the end of the novel. During his pursuit of the man in black Roland encounters a plethora of strange people: Including a psychotic woman who brainwashes an entire village to try and kill Roland. However he also meets a boy named Jake, at first sight Roland knows that he is a trap sent by the mysterious man in black to try and perturb him from his pursuit. However Jake does not know that he himself is a trap. Together Jake and Roland face some terrifying things. However towards the end of the novel Roland has to make a heart breaking decision.
The thing about Stephen King is that he can weave an intricate plot whilst also layering his characters with intrigue. Roland, our protagonist of the story, is stooped in mystery. During the novel things are revealed to the reader that may cause them to re think their feelings for Roland. However King does not give us any illusions of Roland, he does not make him out to be the hero of the story. Roland is shown for what he is, and sometimes he can be brutal and monstrous. At the same time however we see that he can also be sensitive and loving, as he is with Jake. Jake is the opposite of Roland he will find a soft spot in the hearts of even the most blood thirsty reader. Stephen king creates characters that are not two dimensional, this is the flaw of some writers. They can beautifully construct a magnificent plot, but leave know room for the characters the mature and grow.
The thing I love about this story is the fact that like I said before the world is both eerily real and dreamlike at the same time. Also not everything is revealed about Roland’s origins, this gives him a bit of mystery. Some readers may find this frustrating as King limits what the audience knows about Roland and his intentions. Even after the novel I found myself wondering what Roland wanted from the man in black. However in my opinion I love stories like this as the book leaves things unanswered so that you will have no choice but to read the second book.
To conclude this book is a definite must read, even the most critical reader will find it hard not to like this book.
plasm4_4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
2.0
I dont know what the hell was going on half the time, I dont like the main character, I dont like the portrayal of women as sad desperate losers who are driven by a wild need for sex and I dont get what happened with Jake. It felt like he didnt have a choice rather than he chose to follow his destiny. I also dont get what happened with The Man in Black and their conversation. However. I need to know what the fuck is going on so yes, I will read the next volume. Angrily.
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
Frustrating.
Good enough to enjoy.
Not good enough to make me want to read SIX MORE BOOKS to see how it ends.
King notes in the foreword that this is an early work, and he had to revise it a bit to align with decisions he made later in the series.
I've read only a little of his other works, but the skill and style are clear even in this early work.
But SIX MORE? Not gonna happen. Where are the Cliff's Notes?
Good enough to enjoy.
Not good enough to make me want to read SIX MORE BOOKS to see how it ends.
King notes in the foreword that this is an early work, and he had to revise it a bit to align with decisions he made later in the series.
I've read only a little of his other works, but the skill and style are clear even in this early work.
But SIX MORE? Not gonna happen. Where are the Cliff's Notes?
true_detective_86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
3.75
grumpymonday's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
It was as many say..an "interesting" read. Out of the few king's books I've read, maybe my least favourite so far. Still it was an interesting enough to read through and did not overstay it's welcome. Even still I'm not sure I'm convinced enough to continue further with the series.
zachghalayini's review against another edition
5.0
So I have been pushing this series off for a while now and I cannot state enough how much I regret the wait! The first half or so of book one was slow but stick with it, the story is captivating and will have you turning the pages following Rolands Journey