Why The Dark Tower Books Are Essential Reading | Series Explained

Stephen King has written countless large books, but none stand as tall as the Dark Tower series. Equal parts Western, Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Meta Fiction, The Dark Tower unites all of King's stories and favorite themes. If you're a King fan and haven't read about Roland and his Ka-tet, then you are missing out on some of his best and most emotional work. In this discussion, we will make the case for why you should read the series, and we also break down the series as a whole (themes and best moments) for those who have read.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:17 What Is The Dark Tower?
09:40 Connection's to Other Stories
14:10 Genre(s)
17:29 Why Roland Is a Great Character
21:12 Reading Order
28:20 Spoilers Start Here
28:52 Stand Out Moments on Reread
38:55 What Changed Upon Rereading Series
46:20 Andrew's Ranking
48:17 Dan's Ranking
48:38 Why the Meta Parts are Great
1:00:12 The Ending and Themes
1:15:25 Brief Casting Ideas
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[@peteharper2687]

Cowboys, vampires, mutants, robots, technology, magic, multiple realities, portals and a version of Stephen King himself.

[@stunitech]

I absolutely loved that point made that Roland is an archetype for all our favourite characters in books. Roland is Gandalf, falling into the deeps of the world with Durins Bane for the 20th time, it is Paul riding the sandworm for the 10th. That we, in an abstract way make these characters live in loops. I love that.

[@stunitech]

This kicked me off to reread the books as I have done before. No spoilers and maybe a bit meta but this is journey number 3 😉

[@elizabethjackson7741]

Great summary guys! I'm about to do my second read and you've given me a lot to keep in mind. For the series, here are my picks for the cast (since my dream cast is too old now) ROLAND: Timothy Olyphant, Nikolaj Waldauor (Jamie Lannister), or Christian Bale (Clint Eastwood if he was younger) JAKE: a complete newcomer (unfortunately, Gaten Matarazzo is too old now) SUSANNAH (Odetta/Detta)/: Lupita Nyong'o, Rutina Wesley, Sonequa Martin-Green, or Jodie Turner-Smith (Angel Bassett HANDS DOWN if she were younger) EDDIE: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Aaron Paul, or Paul Dano MAN IN BLACK: Benedict Cumberbatch

[@EnergyShifting]

Very nice! And I just finished the 2nd read

[@addictstatic]

I was just now thinking about this in a way the tower is the number of pages in the saga in fact of any saga and the beams could then be the binding of said book. If you break the binding before partaking of the tome you ease its wisdom into our harsh reality. The breaking of the beams gave weight to the actions of the characters, a sense of stakes that all good stories have, without said stakes death as well as life has no meaning or consequence.

[@larrycorman6465]

You can NOT skip The Gunslinger! It establishes Rolands all encompassing focus on the man in black and the Dark Tower. Roland is never again this single minded in the whole series. I would have preferred this Roland to the one he becomes for the entire series. It is a necessary drive to match the seriousness of the task (saving EVERYTHING)

[@WhyItsGreat]

Agreed. I don't think the series would be ruined if someone started at Drawing of the Three and then went back eventually. But I feel like it's less rewarding

[@stunitech]

To me it's important to read TG first. It establishes the feel and mood of the overall series for me. I walked into TFotT with that feeling of exhausted obessesson along with Roland and his actions and drive made perfect sense. Starting with the Did-a-chum boys eating his fingers and him almost dying on a random beach and his drive to keep going would have confused the life out of me.

[@NinaHernandez-qb3rb]

I just started the Dark Tower books and I'm so excited. I felt lost at first, but after a few chapters, I'm feeling connected to the characters and story. It pulls you in so deeply, I often feel untethered to the real world. Only Stephen King novels can do that for me.

[@mydragonseyes8177]

Long days and pleasant nights.

[@stunitech]

And may you have many more, thankie sai

[@yourguitarist]

@23:12 This is like the third video that I have watched that throws shade at The Gunslinger. And I don't get it. I was hooked from the first sentence. Its the only one if the series that I have read 3 times. It's not "slow". Its the shortest in the series. You guys are quite a bit younger than me. Maybe this this a mellinial thing. We're being told that attention spans are shrinking and maybe that's why younger folks find the Gunslinger slow. I feel like people will look at videos like this end up skipping the Gunslinger and there is absolutely no reason to skip it. Its excellent.

[@WhyItsGreat]

I think you're reading too much into this comment. We both love The Gunslinger. Hell, I was 13 years old when I first read it. It was my first King book, and it made me fall in love with his work. But it's a known fact that a lot of other people struggle with the book, hence my brother suggesting *some* start with book 2. I don't agree with this, but I get the impulse. Also, a book's length doesn't always equate to the pace of the story. It is slower paced. But I love it nonetheless.

[@stunitech]

​​@@WhyItsGreatRecently I heard The Gunslinger described as a "mood piece". This is the best way to describe it in my opinion. It's an establishing story that sets out the feel of the world. Edit to add - One of the most iconic opening lines ever too