I find this piece weak, second-hand from the point of view of writing, dragging, uselessly lengthy, cliched, not really adding anything to the main story that couldn't be added in short flashbacks (like it was done in The Gunslinger).
The only comfort I can offer is that, first, it will end some day... and then, there will be some redeeming features, mainly closer to the end of the "section". And, of course, when it is finally ended and the real story comes back, that's big-time bliss!
Jean, you are absolutely right. That's exactly how I feel! I am so glad someone else feels the same way. I was perfectly fine with the short flashbacks in The Gunslinger but a 300 page flashback about riding ponies and witches sticking their finger where it doesn't belong? I don't think so.
I can't wait until it gets back to the real story. I don't know how much more of this that I can take. I keep saying to myself, This is not The Dark Tower! The question is, will it get back to the real story and not this useless flashback?
My experience is similar to Razz's. At the time of the first reading, I was thinking "okay, so Roland fell in love and he and his original ka-tet had to go through a lot" but the whole section felt like I was swimming uphill in snot. Once I read the rest of the story, I understood why it was necessary for me to know everything that happened. On the re-read, I savored every word of the Susan arc.
Trust me, once you get through it and read volumes V-VII, you'll understand why the entire arc was necessary.
Trust me, once you get through it and read volumes V-VII, you'll understand why the entire arc was necessary.
hmmm
I still didn't. I might if the arc was, say, 15 degrees instead of 270.
but, Ricky - patience my friend! Soon you will be comforted. Yes, it will get back to the real story, even within this very volume.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait until it gets back to the real story. I don't know how much more of this that I can take. I keep saying to myself, This is not The Dark Tower! The question is, will it get back to the real story and not this useless flashback?
Minor spoiler (don't worry it won't affect the plot it's just an answer to your question above)
Spoiler:
To be fair the 'flashback' does take up most of the book. (So much so I wouldn't really class it as a flashback, as 'flash' in my mind makes me think of snippets.) But yes, you do get some present day stuff later. You really do need to read the backstory though as it ties to the end part.
That being said, I liked it overall, although I wasn't all that keen on the romantic stuff. Stick at it though, there is some great stuff to come. (In my opinion, anyway, it's all so subjective isn't it?)
but, Ricky - patience my friend! Soon you will be comforted. Yes, it will get back to the real story, even within this very volume.
Jean, you don't understand (actually, you do)! I don't know how much more I can read without going braindead. I keep zoning out and having to read passages over again.
Patience. If I could do that, you can. I promise a few quite good Easter eggs once you are past the Equator line.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I second everything Jean said. He and I are of one mind on W&G. I, too, was of the original readership who "waited all those years" for... this?! Kitty said what?
Good luck!
It'll take a lot more than words and guns,
A whole lot more than riches and muscle.
The hands of the many must join as one.
And together we'll cross the river.
I love the book for the sole reason that it stands outside what happens later.
It seems "true" if that makes sense. Sure, it drags but I love it for what it represents in the same way I loved the sidebars in DTI concerning Roland's rise to manhood.
The kindness of close friends is like a warm blanket
Keep reading. I have met some fellas all around who weren't satisfied and could hardly read this book at the begining but got to like it at the end.
For me it's a marvellous book. I hope you can find some good in it.
jean and woofer -- you're both killing me here. just killing me.
now that i can breath again:
ricky just hang in there. the first time i read this book, it was high on my list of favorites (not just DT favorites, but all time favorites). this reread, however, changed all that. as i have said in numerous threads, ad nauseum.
you must read it though. so much happens in this book that will be pivotal to later books. so much will make sense later, and will make sense in the future, (if you see the difference i'm trying to make) once this book is past. just think of it as a very, very, very, very, very, very, very long blaine ride.
Ricky, you might have had too big expectations. Hey, it's about Roland's past, does this fact make it any better?
For me everything about Roland and his life is interesting (for me at least). Even the way he goes to the toilet or the way he rolls his cigarette.
I can understand if someone doesn't get hooked on this book (we all are different) but don't forget it's your Roland, the gunslinger you really care about so whatever he does... it can't be so damn boring.
Ricky, you might have had too big expectations. Hey, it's about Roland's past, does this fact make it any better?
I can understand if someone doesn't get hooked on this book (we all are different) but don't forget it's your Roland, the gunslinger you really care about so whatever he does... it can't be so damn boring.
I don't think I had too big expectations. I was liking it just fine until we go into this ginormous flashback. I'm really not one for flashbacks that far back. I just feel like there is so much to explain in the present situation...why go into the past?
Once he starts to get into the Tower and connect with some things that we've established already, it'll get better. Right now it just feels like a whole different series.
Don't you see the old killing gunslinger in that young boy?
Isn't it interesting to get a window where you can get some answers why he is how he is?
I wouldn't like to be pushy let me know if I should stop.
tell me where you are, I'll tell you how much longer you have to suffer and when anything interesting will happen
Nikolett: ok, we learned that before the real story started Roland wasn't anything special. Good. How long did it have to take that point to be proved? He was one thousand times as much interesting in the Unrevised flashbacks, and they (especially Hax hanging) told me so much more about Roland than this bland, endless story where he doesn't even do anything but standing there with a thumb up his ass.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am around page 200 at the part where Roland met Susan at Thorin's "for the first time".
Originally Posted by Jean
He was one thousand times as much interesting in the Unrevised flashbacks, and they (especially Hax hanging) told me so much more about Roland than this bland, endless story where he doesn't even do anything but standing there with a thumb up his ass.
Exactly, Jean!! Nothing interesting is happening! They might as well throw in another 300 page flashback of Roland's first words or first steps. After that, we can learn what Roland ate for breakfast. Then, we can learn what Roland's favorite board game was.
They might as well throw in another 300 page flashback of Roland's first words or first steps. After that, we can learn what Roland ate for breakfast. Then, we can learn what Roland's favorite board game was.
I am around page 200 at the part where Roland met Susan at Thorin's "for the first time".
good news: it won't get any worse. In fact, it will get better (with occasional relapses... sometimes rather long ones)
wonderful news: go on reading, and you'll immediately come across one of the best scenes ever written! (yes, in this very book! surprise surprise!)
bad news: there'll be not too many such scenes there... (but I guarantee at least one more; to my personal taste, about half a dozen pretty decent pieces)
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted by Jean
