The Gunslinger Discussion Thread

[Steve 3,819]

If you'll be posting spoilers please use the spoiler tag and specify the chapter

It's a little early for the thread, but for those of you reading ahead figured it's better to get the discussion thread started

[Ercy- Circe's Booked 45]

Hey everyone!

So I am 46 pages into the book so far and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are of the book so far as they get started. 

My copy of the book has a forward and an intro both written by Stephen King but written years later. He mentions in them that he made a lot of revisions and edits to the book after its publication. He also kind of apologizes for the book and gives a sort of promise that the books get better as the series continues. I wonder if he did this because there are so many people who have this nostalgia associated with the earlier books.

It could also be another hook for those who are uncertain about how they feel about the first book. I'm the kind of person that will only buy the first book of a series and make a decision there whether or not I will continue in a series or not. I think that King made this introduction for people like me who may be uncertain, in the hopes that they would keep going. What makes me hopeful is that this seems to be reinforced by the reviews of the series in total. There seems to be a consensus that the later books are way better than the first few. 

After 46 pages, I'm interested in what's going on, but the writing does seem a bit pretentious. I pride myself in having a good vocabulary and I keep having to look up definitions while reading this 

What do you all think?

[Stacyejaye 306]

23 hours ago, Ercy- Circe's Booked said:

Hey everyone!

So I am 46 pages into the book so far and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are of the book so far as they get started. 

My copy of the book has a forward and an intro both written by Stephen King but written years later. He mentions in them that he made a lot of revisions and edits to the book after its publication. He also kind of apologizes for the book and gives a sort of promise that the books get better as the series continues. I wonder if he did this because there are so many people who have this nostalgia associated with the earlier books.

It could also be another hook for those who are uncertain about how they feel about the first book. I'm the kind of person that will only buy the first book of a series and make a decision there whether or not I will continue in a series or not. I think that King made this introduction for people like me who may be uncertain, in the hopes that they would keep going. What makes me hopeful is that this seems to be reinforced by the reviews of the series in total. There seems to be a consensus that the later books are way better than the first few. 

After 46 pages, I'm interested in what's going on, but the writing does seem a bit pretentious. I pride myself in having a good vocabulary and I keep having to look up definitions while reading this 

What do you all think?

I felt the same way. If I didn't trust some of the people who have recommended this series, I would not be continuing after The Gunslinger. I felt like it was one very long prologue. I can't say more without spoiling the next 200 pages for you.

[Steve 3,819]

Most people who love the series tell me the first book is the worst and to stick with it.  In @Jeff Lane I trust.

[Jeff Lane 13]

Yes. Absolutely! Stick with it. Think of this as world building and an introduction to Roland. 

[MhairiB 5]

On 8/2/2021 at 5:17 PM, Stacyejaye said:

I felt the same way. If I didn't trust some of the people who have recommended this series, I would not be continuing after The Gunslinger. I felt like it was one very long prologue. I can't say more without spoiling the next 200 pages for you.

I'm just under halfway through and it definitely feels like lots of setup so far. Glad to be warned that the whole book feels like that.

[Steve 3,819]

1 hour ago, MhairiB said:

I'm just under halfway through and it definitely feels like lots of setup so far. Glad to be warned that the whole book feels like that.

Welcome to the forum!  Glad you're coming along for the ride with us

 

[MhairiB 5]

19 hours ago, Lasraik said:

Welcome to the forum!  Glad you're coming along for the ride with us

 

Thanks Steve! 

[Jeremy Fee 9]

I absolutely loved the beginning of this book. I was all for the way the story opened. I'm enjoying the mystery of the Man in Black (which I just assume is Johnny Cash, LOL). How does he cover his tracks so well? I can't wait to find out!

[Steve 3,819]

Going to start it in the next week or so, a couple of books to get to first

[Ercy- Circe's Booked 45]

Just finished....This is going to be  very interesting discussion 

[Jeremy Fee 9]

Has anyone gotten to the part of the book where The Gunslinger starts throwing his guns at people? That's what I'm looking forward to the most, and I'd love to know what page number it's at. LOL.

[Steve 3,819]

On 8/6/2021 at 10:54 AM, Ercy- Circe's Booked said:

Just finished....This is going to be  very interesting discussion 

Uh oh…

[MhairiB 5]

Finished the other day.... My  thoughts are simply "I have no idea what's going on, but I think I enjoyed it"

[Ercy- Circe's Booked 45]

On 8/7/2021 at 9:26 PM, Lasraik said:

Uh oh…

Now that I'm done, its not that bad. If anything, I want to give the rest of the series a chance. I'm just a bit confused... 

I'm currently trying to find the words for a review of this book to put on my channel. I'm struggling 

[Summer (Quaker cats) 5]

I’m halfway through my re-read. I disliked this book so much the first time I read it. But as a re-read I’m kind of enjoying it The 2nd book is my favorite, so just hang in there guys. 

[Steve 3,819]

Just now, Summer (Quaker cats) said:

I’m halfway through my re-read. I disliked this book so much the first time I read it. But as a re-read I’m kind of enjoying it The 2nd book is my favorite, so just hang in there guys. 

I'm only about 30 pages in but so far it's fine.  Trying to remember this is basically a prologue from what I hear and the worst of the series. 

[Summer (Quaker cats) 5]

At least the worst book is the shortest

[Kayla Lenzen 17]

@Jeremy Fee pg 67 at least in my version.

This book is a reread for me and the first time I read this (in January) I was reading the first edition. This time around I’m reading the 2003 version. WOW! He put so much foreshadowing that was never brought up in the first. Also the first one was written when he was still a kid. I’m pretty sure he started this before he published Carrie. I think both versions are great but the 2003 is definitely more so written in King fashion. With all that said, I’m easy to please And I LOVE this series.

[Steve 3,819]

Chapter one spoilers:

 

Spoiler

 

[Kayla Lenzen 17]

2 hours ago, Lasraik said:

Chapter one spoilers:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Yeah I was wondering because it doesn’t say……but it kinda says…..but not really?? Lol

[Steve 3,819]

Finished it.  It was... interesting.  I think?

[Ercy- Circe's Booked 45]

Its hard to find the words on how to feel about this book

[Jag 750]

You guys are finishing up book 1 of the Gunslinger?  I'm gonna catch up if so.

[Stacyejaye 306]

1 hour ago, Jag said:

You guys are finishing up book 1 of the Gunslinger?  I'm gonna catch up if so.

Yes. We have a live discussion scheduled for this Sunday.

https://www.creepingdeath.org/forum/index.php?/calendar/event/68-the-gunslinger-discussion/