The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower: 7 - Softcover

King, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0743254562 ISBN 13: 9780743254564

Publisher: Scribner Book Company, 2005

Synopsis

Now a major motion picture starring Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba

Creating "true narrative magic" (The Washington Post) at every revelatory turn, Stephen King surpasses all expectation in the stunning final volume of his seven-part epic masterwork. Entwining stories and worlds from a vast and complex canvas, here is the conclusion readers have long awaited--breathtakingly imaginative, boldly visionary, and wholly entertaining.

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet have journeyed together and apart, scattered far and wide across multilayered worlds of wheres and whens. The destinies of Roland, Susannah, Jake, Father Callahan, Oy, and Eddie are bound in the Dark Tower itself, which now pulls them ever closer to their own endings and beginnings...and into a maelstrom of emotion, violence, and discovery.

About this title

Review

The Dark Tower is the final volume in Stephen King’s 34 years in the writing septet with which it shares its title. Not only does the book complete the 3000-plus page quest, but also weaves together much of King’s fiction from his entire career. It is, as King notes in his afterword, as much the summation of his own journey as it is of the last gunslinger, Roland Deschain.

The story continues directly from the end of Song of Susannah, but this time is much more of an epic fantasy than a surreal metafiction (a word King tells us he hates, but is stuck with). Roland finally reaches The Dark Tower, but getting there is a wonder in itself, a bleak and often tragic tale with King pulling no punches as the small band of warriors find their destinies. There is more action and excitement, suspense and adventure than in the two proceeding volumes--from desperate chases to battles with a giant spider--while the tone is often melancholy with the remorseless of fate. King works within the patterns of the great fantasy epics, from the Arthurian legends to The Lord of the Rings and his writing is as beautiful as it is unsparingly graphic. The final 100 pages are simply breathtaking in their perfect dark beauty. Doubtless the meaning of it all will be debated for decades to come, with some loving the ending, others feeling let down. But the result is an immensely bold piece of work which avoids the clichés of stock heroic fantasy while completely fulfilling the series’ atavistic promise. One thing is certain, the final pages will make many readers head straight back to the first volume, The Gunslinger to make the journey all over again.--Gary Dalkin

Review

"[A] hypnotic blend of suspense and sentimentality...sprawling, eventful tale of demons, monsters, narrow escapes, and magic portals."
--The New York Times Book Review

"One gets the feeling that this colossal story means a lot to King, that he's telling it because he has to....He's giving The Dark Tower everything he's got."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"With the conclusion of this tale...King has certainly reached the top of his game."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About this edition

• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0743254562
• ISBN 13: 9780743254564
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 864
• Illustrator: Whelan Michael