The Dark tower connection

[Cosmo_ac]

this is a question for the Dark tower series (By stephen king) readers on the board. There will be spoilers here, so for those currently reading the series, you might want to stay clear. Also there will be talk of other books by king, so there might be some spoilers there too. Read at your own risk.


Anyway, i just finished reading the sixth book in the series, called "The Song of Susanah", and as i was looking at the front of the book, and reading the book itself, there is meantion of various little tie in's to the dark tower series in other books. Now, here is the question and what i want to discuss. What are the tie in's for the books?

Some of them are fairly obvious but there are others i don't remember, or books i haven't read yet.

For example, i haven't read Salems lot yet, but i understand the link there, with Father calahan. Also Flag, from "The Stand" and the less well known "The Dragons eyes".

So, lets figure out the other ones.

 

[ticklkitten]

OMG... there are so many... I wish my tired brain could help remember some right now but that is part of what I think makes this twisted series of novels so brilliant.

 

[Cosmo_ac]

*Takes out a spanking paddle and a feather* I can wait until you remember hun, but don't make me wait too long 😀 Your right though, it is what makes the series so cool.

Although i do remember from one book, "insominia" i believe, an old man is trying to stop an anti-abortionist from blowing up a stadium where a pro-choice seminar is going on, and one of the children there attending with his mother is meantioned as telling his mother how he drew a picture of Rolan, the gunslinger. There is also a reference towards "IT" as there is meantion of "The Deadlights".

 

[Iwon'tgrowup]

The Crimson King is revealed in Insomnia and Black House. There's another two. And of course, Randall Flagg is one of the major characters in King's best work, The Stand (to which you've alluded), as well as The Eyes of the Dragon. Roland's world closely resembles the parallel dimension featured in The Talisman. There's a couple more.

But, Cosmo, as a devotee of this series, may I give you something to think about? When you reach the end of Book VII, the author (in his end notes) will give you the opportunity to put the book down and NOT READ THE EPILOGUE.

I wish I had followed that advice. For me, it was like one more helping of really great ice cream in the freezer. I couldn't resist it. The result was far worse than just a "brain freeze."

Since you haven't started the final book, please consider NOT reading the epilogue/optional ending. I can't say more. I have given other friends the same advice. Some have taken it. Others wish they had. (A few think I'm some kind of nut, but that should be obvious).

P.S. As a favor to yourself, move Salem's Lot to the top of your reading list soon. A good understanding of what happened to Father Callahan in Jerusalem's Lot will enhance your appreciation for the courage he's discovered in battling vampires.

 

[BigJim]

Yeah, I've never known a worse ending to such an excellent series. I only hope Jo Rowling doesn't perform similar crapola with the end of Harry Potter.

 

[Cosmo_ac]

Come on, there must be more then three people who have read this! Bwa~!

 

[drew70]

Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came

I thought I had replied to this thread, but I may have gotten sidetracked and closed it out before submitting....

I would say that Iwontgrowup pretty much hit the nail on the head with regards to the connections or tie-ins with other books. I must say, I was glad to see King do something with Father Callahan, as I was most unsatisfied with how this character was left unresolved in Salem's Lot.

The strongest tie-in to the Dark Tower series in my opinion would have to be Insomnia. Released in 1994, this lengthy tome deals with Ed Deepneau, The Crimson King, and Patrick, the artistic wunderkindt. It's one of King's finest stories in my opinion, taking place predominantly in the fictitious town of Derry, Maine.

As a side note, check out TheShire's sig pic of Roland at the Dark Tower. Most cool.

 

[BigJim]

I guess the DT series was a bit barren for me when it came to the tie-ins, because I've only read The Tommyknockers, The Green Mile and The Stand of Stephen King's.

Would have been nice to have Roland bump into a seven foot black dude, wandering around aimlessly and healing people. 😀

 

[Iwon'tgrowup]

This is my 200th post today, boys and girls. I'm so glad to have TMF to lay back and unwind.

Jim, you are so funny. Can't you see John Coffey picking up Oy, healing him, then saying to Roland, "I helped him, didn't I, boss?" (Oops, probably shouldn't have written that, should I? I'll leave it here because I like the image).

And let's not forget the Low Men from Hearts in Atlantis, Desperation and The Regulators. They make a strong appearance in Book VII.

Enough. Happy Towering, Cosmo, and everyone.

 

[drew70]

I guess the DT series was a bit barren for me when it came to the tie-ins, because I've only read The Tommyknockers, The Green Mile and The Stand of Stephen King's.

Whenever somebody mentions The Tommyknockers, I always imagine the butler from that WB cartoon saying in his proper aristocratic voice, "Your Thomas-knocker, sir!"

And let's not forget the Low Men from Hearts in Atlantis, Desperation and The Regulators. They make a strong appearance in Book VII.

Wow, I missed that altogether. I've never read Hearts In Atlantis, but I've read both Desperation and The Regulators. Don't remember the low men in those two. Time for a re-read!

 

[Iwon'tgrowup]

Actually, you're right, Drew. Shouldn't have tossed Desperation in there. There's linkage between it and Regulators, but the Low Men are not in Desperation. There is a connection between the Tower and Desperation, but I'll have to remember what it is. BTW, Hearts in Atlantis is terrific work and well worth your time.