The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower


The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower Stephen King Donald M. Grant/Scribners, $35, 845 pages, ISBN: reviewed by Jim Brock At long last we come to THE DARK TOWER with Roland of Gilead. Stephen King dedicates this final volume of the 7 book set to his “Constant Readers” – as well he should. We all have a vested interest in the gunslingers quest. We gave time, money, energy, imagination, interest and our love of a good story and gambled these gifts on King’s availability, his reliability and his talent ability to bring this journey to a satisfactory conclusion. Fellow Constant Readers, we have won that gamble. The exciting and powerful renewal of THE DARK TOWER SERIES that began with WOLVES OF THE CALLA and carried through SONG OF SUSANNAH shines brilliantly in this conclusion. This is a big book – over 800 pages – packed with challenges, thrilling triumphs and heartbreaking losses, and answers and resolutions as uniquely Stephen King as will ever exist. The two greatest dangers are from Mordred (Mia’s chap, son of both Roland and the Crimson King), and the Crimson King himself – now a madman guarding THE DARK TOWER. Once again there are additions and subtractions to the cast of characters. Believe me when I say it all reads as it should. That readers can put down this book feeling good about those characters we cared about so much – Jake, Eddie, Susannah, Oy, and even King himself – is both relief and reward. That we can put down THE DARK TOWER knowing that the gunslinger is as the gunslinger should be is also relief and reward. One would not stand for them to be short changed or given less than their due and they are not. They are honored and treasured for the parts they played. Still, their fates aren’t the stuff of fairy tales. King still has the ability to deliver those body shots that are hard to handle – never forget that. Bringing a story of these proportions to a plausible and pleasing conclusion is a praiseworthy achievement. I am truly happy with the way THE DARK TOWER ends. I agree with King that it ends in the right way – the only way. Having long wondered if the payoff at THE DARK TOWER would be worthy of the sacrifices made to get there –although I am one of those who does enjoy the journey, I also want to be dazzled upon arrival – I can now say I am sated. I am filled with my enjoyment of this saga. I would ask no more of Roland or even Stephen King himself if he should have no more tales to tell. I would simply say thank you to them both.
reviews

The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
Stephen King
Donald M. Grant/Scribners, $35, 845 pages, ISBN:
reviewed by Jim Brock

At long last we come to THE DARK TOWER with Roland of Gilead. Stephen King dedicates this final volume of the 7 book set to his “Constant Readers” – as well he should. We all have a vested interest in the gunslingers quest. We gave time, money, energy, imagination, interest and our love of a good story and gambled these gifts on King’s availability, his reliability and his talent ability to bring this journey to a satisfactory conclusion. Fellow Constant Readers, we have won that gamble.

The exciting and powerful renewal of THE DARK TOWER SERIES that began with WOLVES OF THE CALLA and carried through SONG OF SUSANNAH shines brilliantly in this conclusion. This is a big book – over 800 pages – packed with challenges, thrilling triumphs and heartbreaking losses, and answers and resolutions as uniquely Stephen King as will ever exist. The two greatest dangers are from Mordred (Mia’s chap, son of both Roland and the Crimson King), and the Crimson King himself – now a madman guarding THE DARK TOWER. Once again there are additions and subtractions to the cast of characters. Believe me when I say it all reads as it should. That readers can put down this book feeling good about those characters we cared about so much – Jake, Eddie, Susannah, Oy, and even King himself – is both relief and reward. That we can put down THE DARK TOWER knowing that the gunslinger is as the gunslinger should be is also relief and reward. One would not stand for them to be short changed or given less than their due and they are not. They are honored and treasured for the parts they played. Still, their fates aren’t the stuff of fairy tales. King still has the ability to deliver those body shots that are hard to handle – never forget that.

Bringing a story of these proportions to a plausible and pleasing conclusion is a praiseworthy achievement. I am truly happy with the way THE DARK TOWER ends. I agree with King that it ends in the right way – the only way. Having long wondered if the payoff at THE DARK TOWER would be worthy of the sacrifices made to get there –although I am one of those who does enjoy the journey, I also want to be dazzled upon arrival – I can now say I am sated. I am filled with my enjoyment of this saga. I would ask no more of Roland or even Stephen King himself if he should have no more tales to tell. I would simply say thank you to them both.

reviews