"The Gunslinger" is a man in tattered black on a quest in an alternative world. By the process of passing through the gate into the other universe, he collects a crew of misfits to join him.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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'Pulse-poundingly engaging' (Sunday Express on SONG OF SUSANNAH )
King's magnificent uberstory is finally complete... King's achievement is startling; his characters fresh... his plot sharply drawn... It is magic. (Daily Express on THE DARK TOWER )
'Join the quest before it's too late' (Independent on Sunday on SONG OF SUSANNAH )
'Classic King, fine characters, compellingly written in a gripping, well-honed plot' (Daily Express on WOLVES OF THE CALLA )
'Superbly energetic, it's King at his best' (Mail on Sunday on WIZARD AND GLASS ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
King's magnificent uberstory is finally complete... King's achievement is startling; his characters fresh... his plot sharply drawn... It is magic. (Daily Express on THE DARK TOWER )
'Join the quest before it's too late' (Independent on Sunday on SONG OF SUSANNAH )
'Classic King, fine characters, compellingly written in a gripping, well-honed plot' (Daily Express on WOLVES OF THE CALLA )
'Superbly energetic, it's King at his best' (Mail on Sunday on WIZARD AND GLASS ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Stephen King is the bestselling author of more than thirty books of which the most recent are HEARTS IN ATLANTIS, EVERYTHING'S EVENTUAL and FROM A BUICK 8. He lives with his wife, the novelist Tabitha King, in Bangor, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
`The Gunslinger' is the first instalment for Stephen King's fantasy epic series `The Dark Tower'. Written over a period of almost 30 years, over seven books, spanning for a total of 3712 pages, this really is an epic saga.
This is the shortest book of the series, lasting for a mere 238 pages. The book introduces the reader to Roland (the Gunslinger) whose journey to reach the dark tower is first set in motion.
The novel builds up slowly, allowing the reader to become accustomed to King's Dark Tower world. Characterization takes on an important role throughout the novel, getting the reader to know and feel for Roland and the few other characters that appear in the pages. With the journey the reader is taken on through the seven books, this first novel does the task of setting the scene and introducing the complex and original character of Roland perfectly. The book is often described as the prologue to the series, which seems a suitable comment to make.
As a stand alone novel, `The Gunslinger' is a rather slow and laborious novel, that gradually builds to the next platform of the saga. But the book is an important introduction to this gripping epic, giving you a good entrance to the series.
The new and revised version of this book includes the story having been expanded and revised along with a sixteen page Introduction & Forward as well as a 28 page excerpt from the beginning of the second book in the series `The Drawing Of The Three'.
This is the shortest book of the series, lasting for a mere 238 pages. The book introduces the reader to Roland (the Gunslinger) whose journey to reach the dark tower is first set in motion.
The novel builds up slowly, allowing the reader to become accustomed to King's Dark Tower world. Characterization takes on an important role throughout the novel, getting the reader to know and feel for Roland and the few other characters that appear in the pages. With the journey the reader is taken on through the seven books, this first novel does the task of setting the scene and introducing the complex and original character of Roland perfectly. The book is often described as the prologue to the series, which seems a suitable comment to make.
As a stand alone novel, `The Gunslinger' is a rather slow and laborious novel, that gradually builds to the next platform of the saga. But the book is an important introduction to this gripping epic, giving you a good entrance to the series.
The new and revised version of this book includes the story having been expanded and revised along with a sixteen page Introduction & Forward as well as a 28 page excerpt from the beginning of the second book in the series `The Drawing Of The Three'.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Jaqaan
Format:Kindle Edition
A dreary and at times pretentious novel, that I struggled to see through to the end. For several years after reading this I resisted continuing the series in book two, 'The Drawing of the Three', but in the end I was just sufficiently curious to continue. Boy does the series improve. The next book is a page-turner, and the third is a truly wonderful read.
I would suggest this book needs to be read, as something of a chore, in order to get the most out of the Dark Tower sequence. If you get past this first hurdle your patience will be rewarded!
Thankee sai!
I would suggest this book needs to be read, as something of a chore, in order to get the most out of the Dark Tower sequence. If you get past this first hurdle your patience will be rewarded!
Thankee sai!
58 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When I first heard that King had rewritten the first part of the Dark Tower series I have to admit that I was a little annoyed.
When authors/directors/artists start playing around with there work, and releasing new versions of it, I get board. At the end of the day if they were not happy with the book/film/what ever in the first place, why release it at all? Why not take the time to get it right in the first place?
Well, it's not always that easy - or for that matter possible. Sometimes it becomes necessary to review past works in the light of experience.
In the two new introductions that the revised edition of The Gunslinger now sports, King acknowledges the fact that on reflection the first part of his masterwork was sadly lacking in several areas - and in many respects didn't quite fit in with the other books. As he points out he was twenty-two when he started writing about Roland and his quest for the Tower. He was not yet the seasoned writer he has become.
Dark Towers fans will probably all agree that of the four Dark Tower books in print (currently), The Gunslinger is the hardest to read, and lacks the style that King has developed. It also had the feel of a very untidy book, in that it was simply five novella linked together.
It's clear right from the beginning that King has done more then just update the language, and tidy up areas of the text. It's not a case of cut material being restored to the text of the book (as in the case of The Stand), this re-release of The Gunslinger address many of the continuity problems between the first part, and the subsequent parts of the story. In many respects it's a new book. King has not only revised the material, but in some places completely re-written it. Rather then being five loosely held together novella, this book now fits together as one story - and fits in very well with the other parts of the series.
Although I had doubts about the wisdom of a new edition of The Gunslinger, I not only found the new edition an easier read, but a much more comfortable one - and one that has a few surprises for readers. If you are new to the Dark Tower, then read this edition of The Gunslinger rather then the old. If you a fan, like myself, then pick up a copy because this is way The Gunslinger should have been all along.
What more can I say then; it's fantastic.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
good book with strong story line
An easy book to get into and want to read, the story is strong with influences from many of his other books.
Published 15 days ago by alan loveday
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stephen King has done it again! Gunslinger? Hmm, well read it and see!
This book leads into a wonderful series. It has great depth and is therefore not always an easy read but really worthwhile as some parts take a while to work out. Read more
Published 26 days ago by E. Weston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book & Kindle is great
So pleased i purchased this book for the Kindle, i love Stephen King books and its got me reading again even with my reduced eyesight after all these years. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Davybuzz
2.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review
Sorry Stephen KIng fans just could not get into story only read about halfway and stopped tried to read further a while later but did not progress much further, sorry.
Published 1 month ago by Ron Hodge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
Well . I never thought I'd read a KING novel after watching some awful films based on his books. A couple of friends recommended this to me saying they weren't classic 'horrors'... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jeanie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Intriguing start to a wonderful journey. I read it in just a few sittings, it really sets the scene for what is to come.
Published 1 month ago by Terry Cowan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The beginning of greatness
The first book in the Dark Tower series is probably the weakest. It's very different in style to the following six, and will not be to everyone's taste. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Leanne T
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not at all typical Stephen King
I am usually a big fan of Stephen King novels but found this novel disappointing. The foreword makes it clear that it was written very early in his career and that may explain why... Read more
Published 2 months ago by DR M L Wesson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not for me!
Normally enjoy this author but really struggled to get to the end of this book, not sure if I will continue with the series.
Published 2 months ago by Poppy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book One of Seven
A little slow going as reviewed by others, Hopefully this will be the start of something great, only time will tell...
Published 3 months ago by Yum mum
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