Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Ange wrote: "I'm only about 20% in and remembering why I dnf'ed the book last time. I feel confused there is too much I don't understand and I prefer my books with a bit of back story. I will keep going with it..."

I think the mystery of it all is what caught my attention and I wanted to know more. I love the way the book is. When I started to read it I couldn't put it down. I ended up finishing it before the challenge but my willpower just wouldn't kick in. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Ange, don't read this until you're out of Tull: (view spoiler)[
My theory on why Allie (the barmaid) is characterized that way is that King was trying to show what made the people in Tull vulnerable to the Man in Black. Allie was empty inside, trying to fill that hole with sex. Nort was an addict. Some of the other townspeople were trying to fill their holes with Sylvia's nonsense at the church. Sylvia herself is emotionally damaged.

I think that's what it's all about. (hide spoiler)]

I finished it today. I decided to read both my old copy and the 2003 revision. There are 35 more pages in the revision, but a lot of the changes are subtle and I only noticed them because I was reading section for section. I chose to read the revision after the original, so I noticed extra material, but I don't know that I would have picked up on missing material if I had read the original second. (Did I make that confusing enough?

I enjoyed it more this time than the first read, perhaps because I've been through the entire series. I definitely prefer the revised version. It connects with the rest of the series better, and feels smoother.

Cynthia wrote: "Ange, don't read this until you're out of Tull:
My theory on why Allie (the barmaid) is characterized that way is that King was trying to show what made the people in Tull vulnerable to the Man i..."

After finishing the book, I get the whole point of their death. Your right. It wouldn't have happened if they made their own choices. I'm curious whats going to happen next in the other books. At first I was a little confused be started from the beginning, since I had time, and its really a good book. I felt like the Man in Black was something of a conscience for the gunslinger or someone who is trying to stain the gunslingers' conscience. The ending left me hanging and I'm curious whats next between them so I was wondering what is the title to the next book? This is my first time hearing about the series and don't which is next so that I can reserve it at my library.

I'm rereading the entire series, but I'm doing it slowly. This is the only short novel IIRC. I think they get pretty long.

Is this a series buddy read or a single book buddy read? If it's not a series read, we should set one up. Keeps it simpler.

Carmen, the next book is called The Drawing of the Three!

I know a little about the books and I think you'll be surprised to know more about the man in black, especially if you've read any other King books!

I just got to the part where he tells what happened in Tull. Holy cow that was intense! Anyone else think that was wild???

Cynthia wrote: "I finished it today. I decided to read both my old copy and the 2003 revision. There are 35 more pages in the revision, but a lot of the changes are subtle and I only noticed them because I was reading section for section. I chose to read the revision after the original, so I noticed extra material, but I don't know that I would have picked up on missing material if I had read the original second. (Did I make that confusing enough?

I enjoyed it more this time than the first read, perhaps because I've been through the entire series. I definitely prefer the revised version. It connects with the rest of the series better, and feels smoother. "

Good to know. It's been a long time since I read the original. I'm only about 60 pages into the new version and honestly my memory isn't great but nothing major is striking me as "new" or "different".

Cynthia - thanks your post makes sense to me too, still chugging on at 35% now.

I finished the first part of the book, and so far I really like the story.

Steven I haven't really read any of his books except The Eyes of the Dragons but I intend to read others. Oh and thanks for the title of the second book.

Of course, Carmen!

I'd recommend The Shining and 'Salem's Lot and Misery. Great books!

I've read The Stand twice, and it's almost time to read it again. Maybe not on the heels of a complete Dark Tower series re-read, but it's coming soon.

Another 2 books that I love enough to read again are books that King co-authored with Peter Straub.


Both of these are best read after The Dark Tower books. I think they make more sense that way, and are easier to appreciate.

I finished reading this today and honestly I didn't enjoy it much. Wasn't a bad book, but I was a teenager when I read it the first time and my tastes have definitely changed since then. I prefer my fantasy (and all my fiction) to have at least some element of good now. Also, I think King's youth when writing this book shows. I like to think, at least, that the "hooker with a heart of gold" character is one that most writers grow past. :) I hope anyway. I do remember liking the second book more during my first read, so I'll give at least The Drawing of the Three another chance and decide then if I'll go on.

I think I like it because it has a High Plains Drifter feel. Any book where I can imagine (young) Clint Eastwood playing the protagonist is a win.

It does have some tropes that have worn thin. I have to remind myself that when King was writing this, I was riding around on a purple bicycle that had a flowered banana seat with a shag haircut crying because Elvis had just died.

King's writing has defninitely improved over the years. Drawing of the Three didn't come out until after I was married, had moved to California and back, and bought a house. I think he and I both changed and improved in that time, although the shag haircut looked better than the 80s hair band perm.

I started listening to the Gunslinger and am enjoying it this time around. Just listened to the part with the female minister and he is on his way to meet her at her house.

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I have to say this book starts out a little crazy but I think the craziness keeps your interest. It seems that no matter where the gunslinger goes someone always ends up dying."

Yes to this, Carmen! I am very interested to know what happens, but wow, the first part of this book is crazy!!

I just finished the first part and find this really intriguing. The part in Tull is definitely intense and confusing, but I really do want to know what happens next.

One thing that is interesting to me is that this almost seems to be set long ago, since he's travelling across a desert on a mule, but yet he mentions things from the present, such as Hey Jude, or Eat at Joes. Does anyone else think that is different?

Cynthia wrote: "It's been a long time since I read The Dark Tower series, but I don't remember The Gunslinger being especially difficult to get through.

I'm reading the same version I read years ago, which is un..."

It needs more because he added stuff that would set up better for the rest of the series - so he says.

You definitely feel like SK was young, a little pretentious, and had something to prove. I enjoyed the tone and the pace of the book, and can easily picture Eastwood as Roland.

If the series ever actually gets developed into a fun our TV series, who do you picture playing the lead role of Roland in this day and age?

When I discussed this book last year with another group many people said Clint Eastwood - this is weird to most, but I can picture Vince Vaughn. He is very tall and his dark hair. He is gonna be in season two of True Detectives and I think he is seen as a funny guy, but I think he could have a break out dark role. A really scruffy Vince all dirtied up and dressed like a cowboy is how I picture Roland.

Greta wrote: "this almost seems to be set long ago, since he's travelling across a desert on a mule, but yet he mentions things from the present, such as Hey Jude, or Eat at Joes. "

This confused me at first, too. I kept thinking that Roland seems to come from a distant past, but they seem now to be in a distant future. Some apocalyptic time.

Roland's time confused me even more. I can't remember when this is revealed, so I'll spoiler it if you haven't read anything about the Gunslinger's life outside of this journey. (view spoiler)[

Roland's time seems almost medieval, with the courts and servants and magic and plagues and this apprentice gunslinger business...but they have guns. So it isn't the medieval times that we think of. That messes with my head. (hide spoiler)]

As far as casting our hero with a current actor, (instead of my 40ish year old Clint Eastwood), I would choose someone like Javier Bardem or Viggo Mortensen. Neither of whom would sign on for a television production unless it was some big money gig on HBO. I suppose we could get the low rent version of Bardem, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I don't watch enough tv to cast a television actor. I can't put Nathan Fillion in everything, and he just doesn't fit as Roland. If Josh Brolin would stay sober maybe he could do it.

ooh, Sarah! Vince Vaughn is a good choice. I didn't know he was gonna be in the next season of True Detectives. He's a good villain. He's a better actor than he gets credit for, I believe. I look forward to seeing him in TD.

Yes with Irish? boy - what's his name, Collin Farrell. That is what I read somewhere any way. I have never seen Vince really play a role at all like Roland, but it is how I can picture him. Vince is really tall and towers over people. Isn't Roland tall, Javier might be good, but I see him as being bulkier and thicker, unlike Roland, ...And sexier - OMG - I think he is sooooo hot.

Wait. Javier Bardem is the one from No Country for Old Men - right? Because that psycho man in that movie - he is sexy. Sorry for the complete detour. I am not even joining the BR on this one.

I loveddd True Detective. I am not a big fan of Matthew McConaughey, mostly because I only know him from some romantic comedies, but watching his acting in that show was mind-boggling. He did an amazing job.

OMG Vince Vaughn AND Colin Farrell?

I'll dream of that tonight.

I hope it's the same director from season one. I don't remember his name, but he directed the Jane Eyre movie with Michael Fassbender. He does dark very well.

Cynthia wrote: "Greta wrote: "this almost seems to be set long ago, since he's travelling across a desert on a mule, but yet he mentions things from the present, such as Hey Jude, or Eat at Joes. "

This confused ..."

Cynthia, I will wait to read your spoiler until I get a little further along! Thanks!

Taryn wrote: "I loveddd True Detective. I am not a big fan of Matthew McConaughey, mostly because I only know him from some romantic comedies, but watching his acting in that show was mind-boggling. He did an am..."

He also got nominated for best actor, actually I think he won the Oscar, in The Texas Buyer's Club. He was amazing. He really shined last year.

Sarah wrote: "Wait. Javier Bardem is the one from No Country for Old Men - right? Because that psycho man in that movie - he is sexy. Sorry for the complete detour. I am not even joining the BR on this one."

I think it's okay to temporarily derail for hot actors.

Yes,Javier Bardem is the killer from No Country. He is huzzah. I've seen a couple of foreign films with him, too. I like to close my eyes and hear him speak Spanish.

I think that True Detective was the best I've ever seen out of both McConaughey and Harrelson. They were stellar.

Maybe we can get the guy that directed True Detectives for our fantasy version of the Dark Towers?

Ha ha. If we don't stop we might get in trouble and be sent to the back room buddy reads thread.

Cynthia wrote: "Greta wrote: "this almost seems to be set long ago, since he's travelling across a desert on a mule, but yet he mentions things from the present, such as Hey Jude, or Eat at Joes. "

This confused ..."

I think the book is set in more in a future alternate earth with elements of our world, eg the "hey Jude" song. The gunslinger talks of him being around for thousands of years I'm not sure if that means he's that old or whether the gunslingers of which he is the last, have been around that long.

I'm not sure who I would cast as Roland I haven't got a clear picture of him in my head and don't recall his description from the book.

I hope True Detective does for VV what it did for MM. I was a little disappointed when I saw he was cast for the second season. Could be a breakout role for him, which could lead right into a starring role in The Gunslinger, and then we could all look back at this moment in time where we discussed it.

Justin wrote: "I hope True Detective does for VV what it did for MM. I was a little disappointed when I saw he was cast for the second season. Could be a breakout role for him, which could lead right into a starr..."

The truth is he would be perfect for the part. Sorry, I missed the first part of this conversation, but aren't they talking about making the movie? Or haven't they been talking about it for a really long time?

They have talked about it for a while. Ron Howard had this plan to use both movies and TV to bring the story to life, but it still hasn't turned into anything yet.

Justin wrote: "They have talked about it for a while. Ron Howard had this plan to use both movies and TV to bring the story to life, but it still hasn't turned into anything yet."

He's always slow with things- though it always pans out. Remember Arrested Development's new season? I thought I hated it, and then I looked up all the references and realized it was just too smart for me to understand even the second time around when I had more information.

I'm going to try and finish the Gunslinger today. At least get close to finish it.

Me too Anita! :)

I love all the theories and wish I didn't know more than I'm supposed to because it means I can't comment on some of them. :p

For some reason, I've been picturing Daddy Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as the gunslinger as I've been reading. And my brain is filling in the face of the man in black as someone I can't say bc it will spoil! :p

Ok. So far I haven't finished, but I'm about half way and I met Jake and they're on the way trying to find the man in black. It's starting to get a little creepy now, but also really exciting. I'm thinking the next part will be read pretty quickly. but since it's almost 22.00 here in Denmark, I don't think I'll get to finish it tonight.

Steven wrote: "Of course, Carmen!

I'd recommend The Shining and 'Salem's Lot and Misery. Great books!"

I'm so going to try Misery but will also try the others. I've had these books for year on my bookshelf but never got to them but I definitely will make it a New Years resolution :)

I agree that it's getting creepier. The man in black wigs me out, but the weird oracle demon thing really got my nerves wracked!!!

I am so far behind lol I gotta catch up!

So I did finally get some done at my lunch today!

If people would just leave me alone when I am trying to Read, I could of gotten more....
I mean seriously, don't they know I am trying to win this game?
Gosh!

So is this world like Hell or something? The kid dies, and is now here, that is just how I see it. Really starting to get interesting.

Taryn wrote: "I am so far behind lol I gotta catch up!

"

lol!! Love your gif! I feel like that all the time. :)

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "Taryn wrote: "I am so far behind lol I gotta catch up!

"

lol!! Love your gif! I feel like that all the time. :)"


Lol thank you. I get on people's nerves I'm sure because I love me some gifs.

Greta wrote: "I just finished the first part and find this really intriguing. The part in Tull is definitely intense and confusing, but I really do want to know what happens next.

One thing that is interestin..."

Greta I thought so too. Especially the Hey Jude. Its like the gunslinger is somewhere in the past and the kid was from the now or future. I know they are from different eras from the way the gunslinger asks questions about certain things the kid says.

Abbie wrote: "So I did finally get some done at my lunch today!

If people would just leave me alone when I am trying to Read, I could of gotten more....
I mean seriously, don't they know I am trying to win this..."

You know, I was wondering the same thing but I couldn't understand why a kid would be there. What could he have done wrong that he would be sent there.

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Abbie wrote: "So I did finally get some done at my lunch today!

If people would just leave me alone when I am trying to Read, I could of gotten more....
I mean seriously, don't they know I am tryi..."

My thoughts too.
I am still trying to figure this book out...I am kind of going in blind still. But I am hoping I get some idea soon, I am about half way through!

Abbie I was having the same problem too. So I decided to re-read some of the parts to see if I was missing anything but I was still trying to figure out where they were at. I guess maybe after the next book it will come to me. At some point I felt sad for the gunslinger because I felt like the man in black was just there to torcher him with things that is about to happen or just telling him things that would confuse him about what is about to happen or is happening to him.

I finished this yesterday and here are my comments:

- I KNOW I have read this before (probably more than 20 years ago), but NOTHING about this story was familiar! I also think I enjoyed it more the first time around. This time I was just confused. I know, I know...keep reading!

- The issues with time are interesting. It seemed like Roland was from an almost medieval time period, until he mentioned electric lights at the cotillion. So we are now WAY into the future, correct? The Man in Black mentions they are several generations past finding a cure for cancer. However, how trustworthy is the Man in Black anyway?

- I am very disappointed in the portrayal of women in this book.

I will read the next one for sure. I want to find out what the heck King has in store since I can't remember anything!

I'm so scared for the little kid, Jake.
Still about 60 pages to go.

Abbie wrote: "so is this world like hell..."

I was thinking the same thing after meeting Jake and hearing his story. Im still struggling with this book and finding myself having to force myself to read it. Ive still got just under 3 hours of reading time left. Will try to make a dent in it tonight.