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A review by mlizzi88
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I enjoyed the style and writing of this book but I did feel lost... a good chunk of the time. Like I had no idea what I was reading. I know that as the series progresses it'll fall into place but for this first read I didn't have the terminology and culture of the world helping me through some of the plot. I'm sure on a re-read that star rating would go up as I understood more of the context. I'm very excited to read on and see if some of my theories are even remotely close to where this is heading (they are plentiful and wild).
I do have to say, this was the first book in a while that made my former English major self perk up with the possibilities in the symbolism and allusions. There is a heavy (HEAVY) draw on religious symbolism and allusions, some King Arthur shoved in there, some greek myths, etc. HEAVY. PLENTIFUL symbolism lol.
I think my only real "complaint" was this.. almost young/juvenile view of women (however few of them there were) especially surrounding sexuality and the interactions between men and women. At one time I even commented that it almost felt cartoonish. It is a young man's fantasy of being a man (how many times can we say sensual and refer to one's crotch?). I also find it a little weird that we were reminded about 7 times who Allie was (the woman he bedded in Jethro Tull didn't ya know) and yet other words were slung around with zero clues was to what they were? (Tet for example??).
He also seems irresponsible with his ammunition. The boy is trigger happy with what I assume is a finite resource (bullets). But that's neither here nor there.
I do have to say, this was the first book in a while that made my former English major self perk up with the possibilities in the symbolism and allusions. There is a heavy (HEAVY) draw on religious symbolism and allusions, some King Arthur shoved in there, some greek myths, etc. HEAVY. PLENTIFUL symbolism lol.
I think my only real "complaint" was this.. almost young/juvenile view of women (however few of them there were) especially surrounding sexuality and the interactions between men and women. At one time I even commented that it almost felt cartoonish. It is a young man's fantasy of being a man (how many times can we say sensual and refer to one's crotch?). I also find it a little weird that we were reminded about 7 times who Allie was (the woman he bedded in Jethro Tull didn't ya know) and yet other words were slung around with zero clues was to what they were? (Tet for example??).
He also seems irresponsible with his ammunition. The boy is trigger happy with what I assume is a finite resource (bullets). But that's neither here nor there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence