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theenglishphan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I didn't understand the point of this book at all until I started the next book. Not sure I would reread as the next book starts with a really clear recap of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Sexual violence
joshkiba13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"Time's the thief of memory . . ."
And so begins my journey to the Dark Tower. I've been waiting to start this series for a looong time, so this was an exciting read accomplished in just a few sittings.
A lot of people aren't huge fans of this one, so it was nice having the advantage of knowing going in that it was mysterious and left a lot unexplained. Knowing that, I just buckled up and went along with the ride.
The Gunslinger is full of allusions both to Roland's past and his future. Stephen King explains in the foreword that he revised The Gunslinger in 2003 after completing the series so that the foreshadowing in the prophecies and visions would encompass where the series eventually led him---decades after starting it. So it was cool to get so many hints and seeds laid down, while simultaneously knowing that the bulk of what I read was written by a very young college-age Stephen King.
I found much of the prose alluring, and much of his figurative language unique. The style of narration and simplistic dialogue to be very reminiscent of works by Cormac McCarthy; King is a big fan of McCarthy so it is possible. And actually, though it was written many years later, if reminded me heavily of McCarthy's The Road; a gunslinging man trudging through a dying world with a young boy.
People say this series really kicks off in the next book, The Drawing of the Three, and the ending of this first book left me perfectly ready to continue. I'm excited to keep going, and I'm excited to return to The Gunslinger after completing The Dark Tower to see all of the foreshadowing anew.
And so begins my journey to the Dark Tower. I've been waiting to start this series for a looong time, so this was an exciting read accomplished in just a few sittings.
A lot of people aren't huge fans of this one, so it was nice having the advantage of knowing going in that it was mysterious and left a lot unexplained. Knowing that, I just buckled up and went along with the ride.
The Gunslinger is full of allusions both to Roland's past and his future. Stephen King explains in the foreword that he revised The Gunslinger in 2003 after completing the series so that the foreshadowing in the prophecies and visions would encompass where the series eventually led him---decades after starting it. So it was cool to get so many hints and seeds laid down, while simultaneously knowing that the bulk of what I read was written by a very young college-age Stephen King.
I found much of the prose alluring, and much of his figurative language unique. The style of narration and simplistic dialogue to be very reminiscent of works by Cormac McCarthy; King is a big fan of McCarthy so it is possible. And actually, though it was written many years later, if reminded me heavily of McCarthy's The Road; a gunslinging man trudging through a dying world with a young boy.
People say this series really kicks off in the next book, The Drawing of the Three, and the ending of this first book left me perfectly ready to continue. I'm excited to keep going, and I'm excited to return to The Gunslinger after completing The Dark Tower to see all of the foreshadowing anew.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Gun violence
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
barefootsierra's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death, Animal death, Child death, Drug use, Addiction, Incest, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, and Violence
thejadedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Simply eye-opening.
In his forward, King states that the dark tower is not a series exactly but rather one long novel divided into eight parts, and I'm inclined to agree with him. As an introduction to the world, the characters, and what the dark tower is, this novel perfectly captures everything you need to know, and keeps you hooked despite the occasional lull.
I'll refrain from saying more. While I found this novel hugely enjoyable, it is most definitely the beginning of one long journey and I feel it best that I wait until I've seen what the rest hold before properly reviewing.
In his forward, King states that the dark tower is not a series exactly but rather one long novel divided into eight parts, and I'm inclined to agree with him. As an introduction to the world, the characters, and what the dark tower is, this novel perfectly captures everything you need to know, and keeps you hooked despite the occasional lull.
I'll refrain from saying more. While I found this novel hugely enjoyable, it is most definitely the beginning of one long journey and I feel it best that I wait until I've seen what the rest hold before properly reviewing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
dunkeldak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
thecandiegirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Cursing, Child death, Gun violence, and Drug use
gethin_burke's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Violence
cooldudenick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder, Violence, and Sexism
Minor: Pedophilia
lookitsemma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
All the points are for the writing being some of the best fiction I’ve ever seen. That said, I hated the story and the characters and the sexist narrative. I can’t bring myself to pick up the next book, which is sad because I really wanted to like this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
brogancha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Murder, Gun violence, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Sexism