The Gunslinger is the beginning of the story of the Dark Tower. While it can be read stand-alone, it's much, much more than that when read as part of the series. Roland is travelling across the desert, trailing the Man in Black, avoiding the many traps and pitfalls he has left along the way. He seeks the Dark Tower, as he has for some time, and is implacably bent upon reaching his goal, or dying in the attempt.
The Dark Tower series is one of my very favourite book series. A few different things convinced me it was time for a re-read, namely discussions with a good friend, not having read much Stephen King lately, and the recent release of The Wind Through The Keyhole, which I read just as soon as I got my hands on it. The Gunslinger has been a warm welcome back into Roland's world, a meeting with an old friend. This book is just the beginning, but it positions the characters for a truly epic story.
In this round of reading, I plan to try and puzzle out the Man in Black's relationship to Flagg and his many counterparts. The Gunslinger mentions that he works through Marten, but that he is not Marten. He is known as Walter, and is 'nearly immortal'. He tells us that he has never met the Crimson King, and that before Roland meets him, he must meet the Ageless Stranger. Flagg? I'm not sure yet. Walter, the Man in Black, appears to die at the end of the first book. His robe is rotting, and filled with bones when Roland awakes.
No comments:
Post a Comment