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A review by dr_dr_olshakes
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh Jake Chambers. Oh Roland Deschain. Oh Cuthbert Allgood. I'm beginning my first journey to the Tower in nearly 15 years. I'd forgotten how much of Roland's childhood is explored in this book.
I feel like having so many years, and so much life, between me and my high school self will make for a very different journey. I'm feeling much more of Roland-as-father than I used to (the tragedy of him and Jake in this novel is tremendous). He's also not in the impassable stoic character that I remember in the first book. You can see the traces of who he will become.
There's still the usual cringes though. Stephen King, as much as I love him, continues to be weird about women. Still shook about The Scene with the preacher woman, but I'm much more sympathetic to Allie (I love how often Roland thinks of her). There's a fair amount of navel-gazing and the pace does creep at points. But, nostalgia over powers all, and I'm glad to be back in the world that has moved on.
I feel like having so many years, and so much life, between me and my high school self will make for a very different journey. I'm feeling much more of Roland-as-father than I used to (the tragedy of him and Jake in this novel is tremendous). He's also not in the impassable stoic character that I remember in the first book. You can see the traces of who he will become.
There's still the usual cringes though. Stephen King, as much as I love him, continues to be weird about women. Still shook about The Scene with the preacher woman, but I'm much more sympathetic to Allie (I love how often Roland thinks of her). There's a fair amount of navel-gazing and the pace does creep at points. But, nostalgia over powers all, and I'm glad to be back in the world that has moved on.