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The Dark Tower Series (WARNING: SPOILERS) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Chris462
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jhakka
Guest
Re: The Dark Tower Series
Mega bump from the old days.
The Dark Tower is one series that I reccomend everyone has a read of once, if only because it was written over the entire course of King's career. That and it's very awesome.
Has anyone read this? If so, what did you think of the ending? And what was your favourite book?
Mega bump from the old days.
The Dark Tower is one series that I reccomend everyone has a read of once, if only because it was written over the entire course of King's career. That and it's very awesome.
Has anyone read this? If so, what did you think of the ending? And what was your favourite book?
Re: The Dark Tower Series
It's a fun read, its incredibly convulated, but it's hardly some philosophical masterpiece. The last book was much better than #6, being a rollickin' adventure through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The ending, while feeling like a cop-out, was really the only one which fitted - unless you like the idea of a half-dozen mediocre spin-offs coming off.
The epic showdown at the base of the Dark Tower could have been much much better, considering how much build up was around the Crimson King. Actually, scratch that, all the incredibly badass antagonists died pathetic and anti-climatic deaths. You'd think the Man in Black himself, who personally destroyed an entire level of the DT, would be taken down in such a pathetic manner.
Also, self insertion is never cool.
However, the entire subplot with the Breakers was nothing short of brilliant, with cleverly written characters and plenty of entertaining action for those with ADHD. Not to mention that the bitter nerd kid from Everything's Eventual is back, the sheer nerd rage emanating from him warms my heart.
Also, while it may be cool do have the occasional Deus Ex Machina, it gets tired very very quickly.
It's a fun read, its incredibly convulated, but it's hardly some philosophical masterpiece. The last book was much better than #6, being a rollickin' adventure through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The ending, while feeling like a cop-out, was really the only one which fitted - unless you like the idea of a half-dozen mediocre spin-offs coming off.
The epic showdown at the base of the Dark Tower could have been much much better, considering how much build up was around the Crimson King. Actually, scratch that, all the incredibly badass antagonists died pathetic and anti-climatic deaths. You'd think the Man in Black himself, who personally destroyed an entire level of the DT, would be taken down in such a pathetic manner.
Also, self insertion is never cool.
However, the entire subplot with the Breakers was nothing short of brilliant, with cleverly written characters and plenty of entertaining action for those with ADHD. Not to mention that the bitter nerd kid from Everything's Eventual is back, the sheer nerd rage emanating from him warms my heart.
Also, while it may be cool do have the occasional Deus Ex Machina, it gets tired very very quickly.
J
jhakka
Guest
Re: The Dark Tower Series
Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers.
I disagree about the ending, though. At first I was really sad and a little bit (to quote brogan77) "Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot." But having thought about it, I realised that:
On that note, the Crimson King was trapped and mad, Roland was tired, half dead and being called by the Tower. Both protagonist and antagonist were on their last legs, and for Roland that was going to be the last day of this life whether he won or lost. I think it fit, and I even think the battle was pretty cool. Could have been longer, though.
I agree that Walter/Flagg's death could have been better. He was always calculating and plotting, and to fall into such a simple trap as having his mind read by Morded through a stupid "thinking cap" was a bit silly and definitely disappointing.
Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers.
I agree that it was a masterpiece, perhaps with the exception of Song of Susannah, which I didn't particularly like. As you said later on, self insertion is not cool.Aznpsycho said:It's a fun read, its incredibly convulated, but it's hardly some philosophical masterpiece. The last book was much better than #6, being a rollickin' adventure through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The ending, while feeling like a cop-out, was really the only one which fitted - unless you like the idea of a half-dozen mediocre spin-offs coming off.
I disagree about the ending, though. At first I was really sad and a little bit (to quote brogan77) "Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot." But having thought about it, I realised that:
- King is a horror writer, so happy endings aren't always necessary.
- Roland was never meant to be happy. As much as I wanted him to be reunited with Susan Delgado, I knew that if King tried for that, it would really seem like a forced ending.
- It links with the idea that ka is a wheel, and the Tower is the centre of ka.
- It leaves room for speculation on Roland's fate. Having Cuthbert's horn certainly left room for the idea of Roland's evolution.
I wasn't actually disappointed with that. Bear in mind that you have just read through a 5000+ page epic, and that the characters are just as tired as you are. Susannah and Roland treked through frozen wastelands for months, and Morded followed. Hmm. "The gunslinger fled across the wasteland and his son followed."Aznspycho said:The epic showdown at the base of the Dark Tower could have been much much better, considering how much build up was around the Crimson King. Actually, scratch that, all the incredibly badass antagonists died pathetic and anti-climatic deaths. You'd think the Man in Black himself, who personally destroyed an entire level of the DT, would be taken down in such a pathetic manner.
On that note, the Crimson King was trapped and mad, Roland was tired, half dead and being called by the Tower. Both protagonist and antagonist were on their last legs, and for Roland that was going to be the last day of this life whether he won or lost. I think it fit, and I even think the battle was pretty cool. Could have been longer, though.
I agree that Walter/Flagg's death could have been better. He was always calculating and plotting, and to fall into such a simple trap as having his mind read by Morded through a stupid "thinking cap" was a bit silly and definitely disappointing.
Agreed. I hate how Jake died to save the author. That sucked. And was silly. He deserved a much cooler death than that.Aznpsycho said:Also, self insertion is never cool.
I liked the breakers subplot, but I enjoyed the entire backstory in Wizard and Glass more. I think it justified the entire story of Wolves of the Calla, though, which I wasn't too impressed with, to be perfectly honest. I thought it was a bit half arsed compared to the story of Roland and Susan. They could have done a hell of a lot more with it.Aznpsycho said:However, the entire subplot with the Breakers was nothing short of brilliant, with cleverly written characters and plenty of entertaining action for those with ADHD. Not to mention that the bitter nerd kid from Everything's Eventual is back, the sheer nerd rage emanating from him warms my heart.
It was funny in the Dandelo episode, though. "Here comes the deus ex machina!" But I think the whole self-insertion thing and the story being defined as a story made it really annoying really quickly.Aznpsycho said:Also, while it may be cool do have the occasional Deus Ex Machina, it gets tired very very quickly.