What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
Tull or the final test. Can't decide.
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
I think Allie.
What bugged you the most about this book?
Honestly... *sigh* ...Iamgoingtogetsuchshitforthis... Jake's entrance into the gunslinger's world.
For the longest time, I wanted the focus of the story to JUST be on the gunslinger's world, no mention of the "real" world at all. I like reading stories that are set in other worlds, I just do.
What surprised you most about this book?
The gunslinger dropping Jake.
At that moment, would you have let jake drop?
No. Never.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
Dark mountains. It just felt more eerie to me. I could feel that darkness myself, and I didn't like it.
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
The final test
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Cort
What bugged you the most about this book?
Nothing
What surprised you most about this book?
That its only 300 pages
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
Yes - I've been hunting/tracking the Man In Black for years, see ya Jake
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
Traveling in the dark under the mountains. In the desert you can see what's coming.
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
Tull
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Brown or Allie
What bugged you the most about this book?
When Jake died
What surprised you most about this book?
The end
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
If I knew I could get him back, otherwise I don't think I could
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert? Under the mountains.
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
Probably when Roland and Jake are trying to get away from the Slow Mutants.
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Brown. Your dinner's ready. Your mule passed away. Just some poor fool out there in the desert, growing corn. And his pet, Zoltan.
What bugged you the most about this book?
I had trouble understanding the placement of Walter's speech, or the need for it, for that matter. I'm reading original for the first time. Maybe I'll see that in a new light.
What surprised you most about this book?
I think the style of writing, simple, concise, to the point. Nothing extra, no more, no less.
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
How can I answer that honestly? I dunno, if I had, I think I would have followed him. Tough call. Can I hang onto him and still go on? Turned out okay, didn't it?
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
In the dark. All that unknown. Course, when I was out west a few years back, all that big open, there was all that unknown out there. Wanted to stop the car and climb the nearest hill, like maybe there was a party going on just over the rise, and I was missin' out.
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
Palaver in the Golgotha
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Allie.
What bugged you the most about this book?
there were a few places i missed things, and I'd find a reference to it, and was thinking WTF?!
Seriously, the first time i read it, i had no clue why the people of Tull attacked Roland. i didn't know that Allie died.
What surprised you most about this book?
that it was awesome. I heard about the series from a friend who said it sucked.
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
possibly. I didn't like The Gunslinger's Jake.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
Hot desert. I hate the heat.
Originaly i tried to read the book, but only got 1/4 of the way through it then left it alone for a few years. I then went on to read the DoT3, missing out the Gunslinger all together. The problem i had was that after i read that book, i felt that something was missing, there was parts i didnt understand. So i left the series compleatly for a few more years.
The about 6 weeks ago i picked up the series again and started from the begining and absolutly loved it. Im now about to start book 7 and cant wait to see how it ends.
... From the keyboard of Kevin
"A gunslinger knows pride - that invisible bone that keeps the neck stiff."
"Officer Benzyck! It's good to see you and there's some jam right there on your collar, praise God!"- Rev. Earl Harrigan
I would have to say the opening lines. They captured me straight away. I was lifted off into a knew world that I haven't dared thought of leaving any time soon!
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Probably Sheb! He was quite the character. Little did I know he had a larger role in Roland's story though! I was very glad to see his story extended.
Zoltan comes in second place though. That bird was just unforgettable. His name is utterly hilarious also!
What bugged you the most about this book?
The fact that it ended and I didn't have a copy of the Drawing of the Three until the following Tuesday! (I finished it on a Thursday!)
What surprised you most about this book?
That Roland let Jake drop!! I totally did not see that coming, I was expecting Jake to have a much larger role in Roland's quest for the tower then only a few dozen pages!
Spoiler:
Little did I know I was right (:
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
I have to say yes. It would haunt me for the rest of my life, but I realized if I was in that situation, and my doorway to the tower was about to shut if I took the time to save this kid, I would have HAD to let the poor soul fall to his death.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
Definatly the the desert. After all, it was the apotheosis of ALL deserts. I can't stand the heat, and just imagining being trapped in that massive sandbox, with the hills on the horizon just standing there teasing me... I don't know if i would have made it out alive!
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
The palaver at the end
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Jake
What bugged you the most about this book?
I'm read it in English (not my first language) so i had some trouble with landscape descriptions and i was kinda confused with the whole walter-marten-man in black thing...
What surprised you most about this book?
That it wasn't as difficult to read as i thought it would be.
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
No way. But i think i can see why Roland did.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
I can't stand the heat, but i think it would be worst to be in the darkness, hearing noises, not knowing what's ahead.
=> The note left to Allie by Marten about what's after death. I just loved this idea of a somehow perfect trap. In the same time you feel that she will say it, she will no matter what happens. On the other hand you don't know when. Marten doesn't when either...and he doesn't care! I love this sooo nasty way of joking. He's just happy to know that the shithole will eventuelly blow up. I pictured it very very well.
=> When he meets Jake for the first time, and when he saves him from the succubus in the mountains.
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
=> Cuthbert and Marten, I have a thing with jokers...
What bugged you the most about this book?
=> The ending...after all that, after Jake died, just "let's talk and 10 years will pass by". I was really bothered.
What surprised you most about this book?
=> Nothing and everything. That's what I love. Its a real tragedy, you know what's happening and you can just watch it. You know what is going to happen in Tull and with Jake. Yet, seing it properly is always surprising because of course no details are
forseen.
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
=> NO, never in my life I could let a child fall to his death. I would have protected Jake at any cost. => My heart
=> Well, what was to happen next? We both survive in this world with nothing to go on with? We watch the world collapse as we get old with nothing more than each other? Of course I would have let him fall all the way down the pit. => My head
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
=> The two choices are both the opposite extreme of each other. I really have no idea.
The end, when the Man in Black shows Roland so many things he can't understand. I also really liked the part with the Oracle. It was also very mysterious and a kind of riddle in its own way.
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Cuthbert.
What bugged you the most about this book?
I wondered why the Man in Black would kill Jake in his world to put him in the desert where he'd meet Roland. I still don't understand why, since at this point in the story, Roland has no trouble killing kids like during the battle in Tull but the Man in Black thought Roland'd come to love Jake. How did he predict that? Why did it work? That really puzzled me.
What surprised you most about this book?
That Roland was aroused by Sylvia Pittson. I really didn't get it even after rereading it so many times.
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
I really can't say. I resented Roland a lot for doing it but I don't know what I would have done if I had to choose between being given the chance of a lifetime to know what everything is about and taking care of a child I'd have come to love. It's a really tough choice to make.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
In the heat across the desert.
I wondered why the Man in Black would kill Jake in his world to put him in the desert where he'd meet Roland. I still don't understand why, since at this point in the story, Roland has no trouble killing kids like during the battle in Tull but the Man in Black thought Roland'd come to love Jake. How did he predict that? Why did it work? That really puzzled me.
I think the Ma in Black can feel a lot and a lot of things. He's a powerfull wizard able to travel between the worlds, to see far away both in time and space and probably he could feel who might strike Roland's heart the way Susan did. The Man in Black seems to know Roland very well, the way an old friend would know what you might like.
Probably he wasn't sure who he was looking for when he walked through the whens and wheres, but he knew when he saw Jake. He knew that was the perfect bait for the trap he'd chosen: love.
But I think that Jake was first thought of as a whole by SK, then his story came. That's how things usually happen. First you see the character and then you build around him a lot of things to explain the way he is.
The Gunslinger is known for its incoherences, but I don't mind them. To me they're a great opportunity to feel and imagine how things are in this strange world. I love when things aren't said but implied, or even neglected. I can build my own vision, and in the case of the Gunslinger, it works very well.
-What do we usually do about bad things that aren't of our concern?
-Well...we laught about it.
-Then, my friend, once you're in the grave death might be a lot more fun than what we expect.
Little Gem: I think there's great difference between killing someone in a battle, immediately saving your own life and sacrificing the same person after you've talked, shared bread and water, and created some form of attachment - all for the sake of an abstraction, something you've never seen and which is not present as an immediate factor.
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 wondered why the Man in Black would kill Jake in his world to put him in the desert where he'd meet Roland. I still don't understand why, since at this point in the story, Roland has no trouble killing kids like during the battle in Tull but the Man in Black thought Roland'd come to love Jake. How did he predict that? Why did it work? That really puzzled me.
I think the Ma in Black can feel a lot and a lot of things. He's a powerfull wizard able to travel between the worlds, to see far away both in time and space and probably he could feel who might strike Roland's heart the way Susan did. The Man in Black seems to know Roland very well, the way an old friend would know what you might like.
Probably he wasn't sure who he was looking for when he walked through the whens and wheres, but he knew when he saw Jake. He knew that was the perfect bait for the trap he'd chosen: love.
But I think that Jake was first thought of as a whole by SK, then his story came. That's how things usually happen. First you see the character and then you build around him a lot of things to explain the way he is.
The Gunslinger is known for its incoherences, but I don't mind them. To me they're a great opportunity to feel and imagine how things are in this strange world. I love when things aren't said but implied, or even neglected. I can build my own vision, and in the case of the Gunslinger, it works very well.
Originally Posted by Jean
Little Gem: I think there's great difference between killing someone in a battle, immediately saving your own life and sacrificing the same person after you've talked, shared bread and water, and created some form of attachment - all for the sake of an abstraction, something you've never seen and which is not present as an immediate factor.
I get both of your points but what puzzled me about this is the fact that Jake had planned to hide when he saw Roland approching and Roland decided to talk with Jake. What if Jake had hidden or what if Roland had not wanted to talk with the kid (who is far from lovable at this point in the story)? That makes a lot of "if" for the purpose of the Man in Black to be fulfilled, doesn't it?
Well, basically I could answer with one word. One very clever excuse for nearly every question such as the one that buggers you: Ka.
About Jake hidding, maybe the Man in Black knew that Jake would go to Roland anyway. I don't think it's a risky bet to say that a lone kid lost in the desert might want to find someone to help him. Even if Roland is cold or whatever, he's far less scray (to Jake) than the Man in Black.
Jake isn't stupid, he knows he will die if he stays alone, even if he gives himslef the image of a survivor.
Then, about Roland wanting to speak with Jake. Well, it's said that Roland loved Jake since the forst time he saw him:
"Maybe the truth was that he'd loved the kid from the first momenet he'd seen him (as he had Susan Delgado)..."
The Man in Black knew it because it's what his trap is about! Then there is no chance that Roland could step by Jake without a word.
Anyway, I don't think the Man in Black would mind his trap being avoided by Roland. He doesn't care much. It's like the trap set in Tull, he left before seing what would happen.
In the end it doesn't change anything.
-What do we usually do about bad things that aren't of our concern?
-Well...we laught about it.
-Then, my friend, once you're in the grave death might be a lot more fun than what we expect.
What bugged you the most about this book?
I wondered why the Man in Black would kill Jake in his world to put him in the desert where he'd meet Roland. I still don't understand why, since at this point in the story, Roland has no trouble killing kids like during the battle in Tull but the Man in Black thought Roland'd come to love Jake. How did he predict that? Why did it work? That really puzzled me.
The Man in Black knew Roland much better than we did at that time. And I think he knew him better than Roland knew himself.
Great power doesn't come from magic. Great power comes from knowing the human soul.
TMiB gave it a try and this time it worked.
Originally Posted by stone, rose, unfound door
I get both of your points but what puzzled me about this is the fact that Jake had planned to hide when he saw Roland approching and Roland decided to talk with Jake. What if Jake had hidden or what if Roland had not wanted to talk with the kid (who is far from lovable at this point in the story)? That makes a lot of "if" for the purpose of the Man in Black to be fulfilled, doesn't it?
In this case the Man in Black would have needed a new trap. That's all. Who knows how many of his traps hadn't worked before Roland met Jake.
"Hai! David Kill!" One of those moments that give you gooseflesh.
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Cort, without a doubt. I think he brought more clarity to the book than any other. Even Roland. Not to mention he reminded me alot of men that trained me in the Air Force lol!
What bugged you the most about this book?
I was more confused at the end than I was at the beginning. I still think that it is WAY to cryptic than the first book of a series should be. Points for originality tho.
What surprised you most about this book?
That I was so compelled to pick up the second even though I wasn't sure whether I liked the story or not.
At that moment, would you have let jake drop?
Knowing what Roland knew? Absolutely. But, of course I didn't know what he knew, the first time around, which made me pretty upset that he dropped a boy he loved. It was a weird feeling, hating a character you respected. A good feeling to start to like him as the story continued, and a great feeling to love that character by the end.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
Rather be in the desert, darkness like that would drive you mad if it didn't kill you.
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
Rolands battle in Tull
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Cort, He is awesome!
What bugged you the most about this book?
It ended
What surprised you most about this book?
Rolands battle in Tull
At that moment, would you have let Jake drop?
I think so, It was the only way
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
OMG, I hate the heat. Plus you would have sand everywhere
“There are no men like me. There's only me”- The Kingslayer
Knowing what Roland knew? Absolutely. But, of course I didn't know what he knew, the first time around, which made me pretty upset that he dropped a boy he loved. It was a weird feeling, hating a character you respected. A good feeling to start to like him as the story continued, and a great feeling to love that character by the end.
And people dare to say King is just a simple horror writer..
What was your favorite moment in The Gunslinger?
Roland's test with Cort.
Who is your favorite minor character in The Gunslinger?
Brown and Zoltan, very interesting
What bugged you the most about this book?
It ended too soon.
What surprised you most about this book?
1. That it is not a "western", although in a lot of ways it is. 2. That I not only like it, I love it and all things DT. I, like some of the others on this board, had to try several times over a period of years to actually pick this book up and read it all the way through which is unusual with me and SK. 3. Roland interested me which kept me coming back wanting to know more about him. It blows my mind that a person can be totally obsessed by a fictional person. This board really makes me feel OK about it........I am not alone.
At that moment, would you have let jake drop?
I don't know, who can say. Did I think Roland was going to do it? Yes because that is who he is.
Which was worse....Traveling in the dark under the mountains or traveling in the heat across the desert?
I hate heat but I think the claustrophobia in the dark would have made me insane so I am going with under the mountains.