Can I read The Wind right after Wizard and Glass ?
Hi all,
I'm relatively new to the Dark Tower.
As Wikipedia says the 8th book plays between the fourth and fifth book and it happens to be that I was just near the end of book four when I heard about The Wind Through The Keyhole. - I think certain people arround here call that Ka, right ?
So would it be wise to read it right after Wizard and Glass which I am about to finish ?
I'm relatively new to the Dark Tower.
As Wikipedia says the 8th book plays between the fourth and fifth book and it happens to be that I was just near the end of book four when I heard about The Wind Through The Keyhole. - I think certain people arround here call that Ka, right ?
So would it be wise to read it right after Wizard and Glass which I am about to finish ?
Thanks!
Well, I thoroughly see Pablo's point, but if I were reading it for the first time, I think I would want to read TWTTKH before Wolves of the Calla. However, that's just me. To each his own, right?
Well, I thoroughly see Pablo's point, but if I were reading it for the first time, I think I would want to read TWTTKH before Wolves of the Calla. However, that's just me. To each his own, right?
I think it could be interesting from an experimental point of view. One of the things that worries me a little about the positioning of Wind... is will it be jarring what with chronologically later books not referencing that material, at all. I'm thinking mainly of the start of Wolves of the Calla here where
Spoiler:
you get the impression the Ka-tet have gone through a long period of nothing much happening since leaving the Crystal palace. Then again, if it's mainly back-story stuff, maybe nothing much did happen for them, and we do know that Roland told them other stories off-stage so to speak from a comment made in Song of Susannah concerning the Little Doctors and Walking waters... (or something like that.)
It will be interesting to see how a first time reader, reading these events chronologically, will take the later books.
While I don't think it matters too much I'm with Merlin. I say go for it. Not just because I'm just trying to use you as an experimental subject, mind. I do genuinely think it's a good opportunity to catch all the events in the order in which they happened.
Stephen King says that this book falls between Wizard and Glass and The Wolves of the Calla. I really don't understand why there is even a debate about this. It seems pretty logical that The Wind Through the Keyhole should be read after Wizard and Glass.
It doesn't seem quite as cut and dry to me...although I haven't read Wind yet, I can see how there might be differences in tone and style that would make it better as a capper to the series--kind of a "lost tale." From what I gather, the book centers around another long reminiscence, and after the long tale of nostalgia that is W&G, some readers may be ready for the ka-tet to hit the road again at that point, instead of sitting down for another campfire story. I know I was!
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It doesn't seem quite as cut and dry to me...although I haven't read Wind yet, I can see how there might be differences in tone and style that would make it better as a capper to the series--kind of a "lost tale." From what I gather, the book centers around another long reminiscence, and after the long tale of nostalgia that is W&G, some readers may be ready for the ka-tet to hit the road again at that point, instead of sitting down for another campfire story. I know I was!
Not trying to argue with ya at all, but from what I understand (I have yet to read it as well) King's intention with regard to style and content is to make up for the timeline gap between DT IV and V. So I guess he is "Ret-Conning" to an extent. Again FWIW I see the points both ways. Matter of opinion IMHO
It doesn't seem quite as cut and dry to me...although I haven't read Wind yet, I can see how there might be differences in tone and style that would make it better as a capper to the series--kind of a "lost tale." From what I gather, the book centers around another long reminiscence, and after the long tale of nostalgia that is W&G, some readers may be ready for the ka-tet to hit the road again at that point, instead of sitting down for another campfire story. I know I was!
that's what I think, too
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When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
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It doesn't seem quite as cut and dry to me...although I haven't read Wind yet, I can see how there might be differences in tone and style that would make it better as a capper to the series--kind of a "lost tale." From what I gather, the book centers around another long reminiscence, and after the long tale of nostalgia that is W&G, some readers may be ready for the ka-tet to hit the road again at that point, instead of sitting down for another campfire story. I know I was!
that's what I think, too
I read TWTTKH after finishing the other books (of course, since I have been reading the DT books one by one since 1988 or 1989) and for me, having read the whole tale first adds to the reading experience of TWTTKH. It's a kind of 'reverse nostalgia/melancholy' because you know what will happen in their future whereas the ka-tet doesn't. It adds a layer of emotion that you'd miss if you read TWTTKH between DTIV and DTV.
excellent point indeed, and makes me want to read it NOW
which I won't be able to do at least till June, by which time I hope someone will bring it from some country
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Having experienced this with OSC's Enderverse/Shadow Series, I found it helpful to read them in published order as I could see the different connections to future events, or past events. I also had a greater familiarity with the universe as a whole, so it was much easier to get into the story.
Although, a good point was brought up about the tone. I could definitely feel a difference in tone and writing style compared to OSC's earlier books and it was a bit jarring. I just started a re-read of the DT series and I forgot how different the first book is from even the second, as far as tone and style. Since I've already read all the DT books, I'll probably read TWTTKH immediately after WandG, but I am already familiar with all the original books, so it's tough to say. I guess I would lean toward reading in published order.
Another thing I noticed upon re-reading the whole DT series, I appreciate the small references to things in Roland's past that appear throughout the revised edition of The Gunslinger. When i first started the DT series, I had no clue what he was talking about and the references were completely lost on me, and subsequently forgotten.
I think it works in both places, either after finishing the main series or between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla. I found it to be an unexpectedly good bridge between the two halves of the series, since the narrative is stylistically similar to the first three books. It's very fast-paced, compact, and has almost none of the despair and melancholy that peppers the final three books in the series—and it's focused on the metaphysical aspects of storytelling and the power of fiction itself, which is more like books five through seven.
But as good a bridge as it is, and as good idea as I think it was to set it between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla, I'm glad I had already finished the series when it came out. Wind Through the Keyhole ends on probably the most hopeful note of any of the books in the series, and it was refreshing to visit a more youthful, adventurous version of Mid-World after learning, in the last book, that...
Spoiler:
Roland is trapped in the Tower's endless cycle. It definitely feels like a "lost tale" or B-side of sorts, and it gives the impression that even though Roland is damned to repeat his quest forever, there's still more to learn about his life in Mid-World. Wind Through the Keyhole as a whole is very heartwarming, but I think a lot of it's due to the feeling of hope it leaves Stephen King's "Constant Reader" with, even after s/he has finished the main series and learned the truth about Roland's quest.
My only issue is that the reader, if they are reading the series with this in between 4 and 5, might get restless with yet another "Roland tells the Ka-tet a story" tale after Wizard and Glass, especially one that has no real bearing on the rest of the series and won't enjoy it as much.
But rereading it I would probably read it like that.
My only issue is that the reader, if they are reading the series with this in between 4 and 5, might get restless with yet another "Roland tells the Ka-tet a story" tale after Wizard and Glass, especially one that has no real bearing on the rest of the series and won't enjoy it as much.
But rereading it I would probably read it like that.
Actually, that's a very good point!!! I forget how difficult it was to slog through The Mejis part in W&G!!! I revise my recommendation for this reason!!!
yes W&G did drag on in some areas. but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. or instead of reading the books back to back one right after another. you could take a break from wizard & Glass & than i dunno at some point read the new one than read "wolves of calla' and so on.
i just bought this the other day. for $15 at "Sam's Club" i just haven't started it yet. is it any good?
also in the beginging of the book 'King" pretty much says in it that it like someone here said takes place after the end of w&g. by the looks of it the 1st say 30 pages are normal time than the story starts. like it did in W&G
yes W&G did drag on in some areas. but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. or instead of reading the books back to back one right after another. you could take a break from wizard & Glass & than i dunno at some point read the new one than read "wolves of calla' and so on.
i just bought this the other day. for $15 at "Sam's Club" i just haven't started it yet. is it any good?
also in the beginging of the book 'King" pretty much says in it that it like someone here said takes place after the end of w&g. by the looks of it the 1st say 30 pages are normal time than the story starts. like it did in W&G
Didn't mean to sound like I didn't enjoy the book, I did. Like you say for me, the first time, it dragged a bit. You have to understand I was one of those folks that began reading TDT back in the '80's. There were literally "Years" between books and I was anxious to get to the Tower!!!!! Or at least continue on that storyline. It drove me nuts!!!! Cause I knew there were years until the next installment!!! LOL
yes W&G did drag on in some areas. but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. or instead of reading the books back to back one right after another. you could take a break from wizard & Glass & than i dunno at some point read the new one than read "wolves of calla' and so on.
i just bought this the other day. for $15 at "Sam's Club" i just haven't started it yet. is it any good?
also in the beginging of the book 'King" pretty much says in it that it like someone here said takes place after the end of w&g. by the looks of it the 1st say 30 pages are normal time than the story starts. like it did in W&G
Have you read all the books yet? I'd be mad at King if the publishing order was Wizard and then Wind. It does absolutely nothing to move the plot. Basically, Roland is telling a story to pass some time. I mean, if you prefer to read the story in the chronological/correct timeline order, that's fine and your prerogative but then you might as well read the Mejis parts from Wizard first, then Little Sisters, then The Gunslinger, Drawing, Waste Lands followed by non-Mejis/childhood parts of Wizard. That'd be the correct time line, more or less. Or just read them in the published order.
I mean, if you prefer to read the story in the chronological/correct timeline order, that's fine and your prerogative but then you might as well read the Mejis parts from Wizard first, then Little Sisters, then The Gunslinger, Drawing, Waste Lands followed by non-Mejis/childhood parts of Wizard. That'd be the correct time line, more or less. Or just read them in the published order.
It still takes place between 4 and 5 -- Roland and the Ka-tet have left the Emerald Castle, etc and are on their way to the Callas. It's written as part of the series proper even if it doesn't advance the main plot. King himself said it's intended to be read between the two and bridge the gap. Little Sisters of Eluria was its own thing taking place outside of the series.
Now again I wouldn't necessarily recommend reading it that way the first time around as some may grow impatient with the bulk of the novel being a largely unrelated story and wanting to get back into the main plot but it's not the same thing as reading W&G first as that would be reading what King intended to be the fourth part of the series before the first.