The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
Donald M. Grant, 1982
Bracket #3
Voting for this Book is Closed
Final Average Score:
4.186440678
Bracket Runner-up! The Gunslinger will advance to Round 2
I loved it - 5
I liked it - 4
Average - 3
Only so-so - 2
I didn't like it - 1
Never Read
The Gunslinger--Bracket 3 Runner-Up
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
Donald M. Grant, 1982
Bracket #3
Voting for this Book is Closed
Final Average Score:
4.186440678
Bracket Runner-up! The Gunslinger will advance to Round 2
Heng Dai
I gave this one a 3. It was good, but in the grand scheme of things I may never have read the series if I hadn't picked up DTII.
"People, especially children, aren't measured by their IQ. What's important about them is whether they're good or bad, and these children are bad." ~ Alan Bernard
"You needn't die happy when your day comes, but you must die satisfied, for you have lived your life from beginning to end and ka is always served." ~ Roland Deschain
A 3 here as well.
i gave it a 4 based on my reading the revised. it would have been a 3 if i had ranked it on the original. you know, i can't wait to see how the votes go on this one considering it's how the journey begins.
oh, and aaron? kudos on the explanation at the side. appreciated that a lot!
I gave it a 5. Best out of the series in my opinion.
I gave it a five, as well. I read the original version when it was first released to the mass market. I was already a King fan, but it was so not what I had come to expect from King, that I was totally intrigued and couldn't wait for the rest of the story.
I think, overall, when voting for the DT books, I'm going to have a really hard time separating the books from the whole story.
Donna
"What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad."--Spike
I dunno, but I don't have a problem doing that. Each book, while maybe not exactly stand-alone, is a complete book in my head. Sure they all blend in, and with me especially, since I'm reading each volume in succession, one after the other, non-stop. But there are clear differences between each one, and I did my own ranking in another thread here, so I won't repeat myself, but I'll just say, as it pertains to DT1, I felt it was a good book, but nothing spectacular. I gave it a 3 not even because it's not one of my favorite DT books overall (because we're judging each book here on its own merit), but because it felt uneven. And that's understandable, since it was written over a large period of time, and is not technically a novel. but a novella collection.Originally Posted by KaLikeAWheel
I ♥'d it.
a five for me. This was my favorite book for a long time. This was the gateway to Roland and it was the book that sucked me in.
Lalalalaaaa, lalalalaaa
Lalalalaaaa, lalalalaaa
sugarpop <3
This was actually one of my LEAST favorite King story that I finished. (There are only a very few that I have not finished because I didn't like the story.) I'm giving this one a two. That may seem harsh to those who loved it, but I had to force myself to finish it. The only reason I did finish was because my brother had read DT II and told me the story got a lot better. I haven't read the revised story yet.
Margaret Emmie Mackey Catoe, you are, have been, and always will be my soulmate, and I love you.
Con todo mi corazon, por todo de mis dias. And I always will, in this life and into the next.
August 2, 1947 - September 24, 2010
The revised one is better.
If I could I would give it 10.
Roland would have understood.
I agree that each book can stand alone, and that some are better than others, but because of the entire scope of the story, I still love even my least favorite of the DT books more than any other single book (or other series, for that matter) that I've ever read.
I just finished a re-read of the series, and for the first year after VII was released, I did a non-stop re-read myself, so I understand what you're saying. The Gunslinger is the most flawed of the series, but to me, it is one of the most important parts of the overall story. I believe it was letting Jake fall that basically began to change Roland from the anti-hero he began the story as, to the hero he is at the end of DT VII.
Also, as Maerlyn said, it is the one that started my journey, so I'll always love it.
Of course, all this is just my opinion.
Donna
"What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad."--Spike
Voted "2"; it was saved from "1" by Jake's New York story, and to a lesser extent by the hanging of Hax
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was a 5 for me. I tend to generally ignore the fact it was revised - otherwise it would only be a 4.9
I agree with Jean, my favourite part was Jake's tale. However I gave it a 3.
I gave it a 5. I liked everything in this one and I never get bored, however many times I read it.
Gave it a 5. I have read this story more than any other book. At least 4 times, as I reread each of the previous books as the new ones came out. Until Wolves that is. The final two came quickly enough, that I did not feel compelled to reread the series before starting the new book.
Though it's not my all time favorite inthe series ( I think that would have to be Drawing of the Three ) - I had to give this one a 5. I did love it.
The Man In Black Fled Across The Desert...
...And The Gunslinger Followed.
“I’m always on the Batman rule, sir.” - Kate Kane / Detective Comics 857
"It is the story, not he who tells it." Except to us collectors who have to put limits somewhere. - jhanic
Remember, Remember, The Fifth of November, The Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot.
And of course you're welcome to have your opinion, which is fine. I was only stressing that for the purposes of the poll we're asked to grade each book on its own merit, that is not taking into account any other and judging it strictly on what's between that one book's covers. Given that philosophy, I gave this one a 3. I'll give DT2 a 5, when the time comes.I agree that each book can stand alone, and that some are better than others, but because of the entire scope of the story, I still love even my least favorite of the DT books more than any other single book (or other series, for that matter) that I've ever read.
I just finished a re-read of the series, and for the first year after VII was released, I did a non-stop re-read myself, so I understand what you're saying. The Gunslinger is the most flawed of the series, but to me, it is one of the most important parts of the overall story. I believe it was letting Jake fall that basically began to change Roland from the anti-hero he began the story as, to the hero he is at the end of DT VII.
Also, as Maerlyn said, it is the one that started my journey, so I'll always love it.
Of course, all this is just my opinion.
Donna
I gave it a five, but that reflects my views of the original version of the book. I loved the book the first time I read it, flaws of a young writer and all. I felt the story itself was compelling enough to make up for any little issues here and there.
If I had to rate the Revised edition, it'd likely be a four, or possibly even a three.
Why such a drastic difference? Most people I think believe the Revised is a better book, not worse.
Well, being on the opposite end of popular opinion is nothing new for me.
I don't find the revised better or even necessary. I didn't have issues in the first place with most of the things that he went back and "fixed." To me, it's the literary equivalent of something some bands do when they go back and re-record some of their classic songs. It's unnecessary and really just makes me appreciate the original that much more.
I understand King's desire to bring the first book in line with the continuity of the last three books, but he could have accomplished that by using an outline and not abandoning the original continuity in the first place.
I gave this one a five. It was the book that changed my life, quite literally.
I gave it a four - it definitely got me interested in Roland's story, but DTII got me hooked.
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