The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.

With that, King opens his seven-part Dark Tower series–an undertaking he originally hoped would create “the largest work of popular fiction in history.” I’m unsure as to what I expected with this one, but I received something else. Perhaps I looked for Tolkien or Lewis or McCaffrey or Herbert or Rothfuss or Martin or something.

I should have known better…

You regulars know my fascination with King’s nonfiction articles, criticism, On Writing and now Danse Macabre. Halfway through Danse Macabre, I realized that I had yet to read any of King’s fiction. Even though I consider screenplays to qualify as “literature” (Maximum Overdrive, 1408, The Shining, Firestarter, The Green Mile, Shawshank, etc) — Shame. On. Me.

The bleak environment of this first world did what he set out to do–it demonstrated the sheer size of the universe. In scope alone, this series already feels epic and the mere concept of gunslingers, of an order of fighters who work their way up to earning guns, fits Americana. We are not a people of samurai, ninjas or knights. We’re a nation of cowboys, indians and pirates. Gunslingers fit our soul.

I can’t recommend this story to your teenager, but I could rec it to you if you like fantasy, epics and can stomach violence, terror and crass moments in stories. If not, stay away from this one. It’s cleaner than Martin, but that doesn’t make Gunslinger fluffy like Winnie the Pooh. It’s a fun read, especially for raining Saturday mornings.

As for where they are in this desert, I have my hunches (Pergatory, Hell, some other dimension, post-apocalyptic Earth), but I’m ready to dig into The Drawing of the Three which is on reserve at the Library. I’d better go pick it up this afternoon before I get charged again. Probably a 3.9 out of 5 for this (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads).

The “Good News” is I was SLAMMED all day yesterday with work from my literary jubilee. People sent in their work for consults and edits and diagnostics and I cranked from start to finish. I loved every second of it, so thanks to all of you who participated. I had enough fun that I might do it again in the future, maybe even on a Third Thursday to coincide with 9art’s photo booth or something.

Until then, The Drawing of Three…

READ NEXT:  Story Inspiration from Breaking Science

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  1. logankstewart

    So I read ’em. Took a year or so, and enjoyed the journey tremendously. The language King develops is tremendously catchy, neologisms abound. My best friend and I read these simultaneously during college, and we spoke like some of the characters do throughout the series, may it do ya fine. I find myself slipping in some of these words/phrases in my daily conversations, and rarely does anyone notice, or at least no one says a thing.

    That said, you’re in for a remarkable journey that, if you’re like me, will pile on so many expectations that you’ll ultimately be dissatisfied by the end. Is that to say the series ends poorly? No, but the first few books were my favorites. (Well, I, II, and IV, to be exact.)

    I look forward to seeing how these books affect you. I can say that they’ll have more meaning if you are familiar with King’s other works, though that’s not an absolute necessity.

    Long days and pleasant nights, friend.

    1. lanceschaubert

      A year?! Dang, what did I get myself into… Neologism? New word–enlighten me.

      Haha, I’ve got a friend like that, though we’ve grown apart over the last few years. Maybe something like this is just the kick we need to get close again. I’m starting to think that fantasy, in and off itself as an idealist’s genre, disappoints. Perhaps more idealrealism helps? I’ve heard II is the best, and I’ll be starting it this weekend.

      I’m familiar with his other works, but have not read them. Glad I’m on the journey too. Get my letter?

      Thanks. And to you as well.

      1. logankstewart

        Neologism: neo + logos = new + word = a new word (or in some cases, phrase, though i guess that would technically be neo + something else) that is created or introduced to culture. It’s a good word to know.

        Indeed, I received your letter. I mailed a response yesterday, so you should be receiving it today or tomorrow, presumably.

        1. lanceschaubert

          Right. Duh. Should have thought that through, but neologism was still a neologism for me. I love creating new words.

          SWEET! Sounds awesome, looking forward to it.

Quick note from Lance about this post: when you choose to comment (or share this post with your friends) you help other readers just like you.

How?

Well, see, your comments & sharing whisper a few things to those who come after you:

The first is that this site is a safe place to speak up & stay curious. That it's civil. That discussion is encouraged. That there's no such thing as a stupid question (being a student of Socrates, I really and truly believe this). That talking to one another and growing together is more important than anything we could possibly publish. That the point is growing in virtue and growing together and growing wise. That discovery is invention, deference is originality, that we all can rise together. The only folks I'm going to take comments down from are obvious jerks who argue in bad faith, don't stay curious, or actively make personal attacks. And, frankly, I'd rather we talk here than on some social media farm — I will never show ads and the only thing I'm selling anywhere on the site or my mailing list is just the stuff I make.

You're also helping folks realize that anything you & they build together is far more important than anything you come to me to read. I take the things I write about seriously, but I don't take myself seriously: I play the fool, I hate cults of personality, and I also don't really like being the center of attention (believe it or not). I would much rather folks connect because of an introduction I've made or because they commented with one another back and forth and then build something beautiful together. My favorite contributions have been lifelong business and love partnerships from two people who have forgotten I introduced them. Some of my closest friends NOW I literally met on another blog's comment section fifteen years ago. I would love for that to happen here — let two of you meet and let me fade into the background.

Last, you help me revise. I'm wrong. Often. I'm not embarrassed to admit it or worried about being cancelled or publicly shamed. I make a fool out of myself (that's sort of the point). So as I get feedback, I can say, "I was wrong about that" and set a model for curious, consistent learning, and growing in wisdom. I'm blind to what I don't know and as grows the island of my knowledge so grows the shoreline of my ignorance. It's the recovery of innocence on the far end of experience: a child is in a permanent state of wonder. So are the wise: they aren't afraid of saying, "I don't know. That's new: please teach me." That's my goal, comments help. And I read all reviews: my skin's tough, but that's not license to be needlessly cruel. We teach one another our habits and there's a way to civilly demolish an idea without demolishing another person: just because I personally can take the world's meanest 1-star review doesn't mean we should teach one another how to be crueler on the internet.

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