The Dark Tower

The Dark Tower VII

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: George Guidall

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.©2004 Stephen King; (P)2004 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

Publisher's Weekly A pilgrimage that began with one lone man's quest to save multiple worlds from chaos and destruction unfolds into a tale of epic proportions. While King saw some criticism for the slow pace of 1982's The Gunslinger, the book that launched this series, The Drawing of the Three (Book II, 1987), reeled in readers with its fantastical allure. And those who have faithfully journeyed alongside Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake and Oy ever since will find their loyalty toward the series' creator richly rewarded. The tangled web of the tower's multiple worlds has manifested itself in many of King's other works -- The Stand (1978), Insomnia (1994) and Hearts in Atlantis (1999), to name a few. As one character explains here, "From the spring of 1970, when he typed the line The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed...very few of the things Stephen King wrote were 'just stories.' He may not believe that; we do." King, in fact, intertwines his own life story deeper and deeper into the tale of Roland and his surrogate family of gunslingers, and, in this final installment, playfully and seductively suggests that it might not be the author who drives the story, but rather the fictional characters that control the author. This philosophical exploration of free will and destiny may surprise those who have viewed King as a prolific pop-fiction dispenser. But a closer look at the brilliant complexity of his Dark Tower world should explain why this bestselling author has finally been recognized for his contribution to the contemporary literary canon. With the conclusion of this tale, ostensibly the last published work of his career, King has certainly reached the top of his game. And as for who or what resides at the top of the tower...The many readers dying to know will have to start at the beginning and work their way up.

Now that I've thought it over...

I finished this audiobook a few months ago and couldn't post my review then because I was still reeling from that ending. I had to think long and hard about how I felt. Now I can post my honest review.

I really enjoyed the first three-fourths of this book. Great story line. It felt like the intensity of <i>Drawing of the Three</i> and <i>The Wastelands</i> was back. I savored it, especially after being bogged down with <i>Song of Susanna</i> for so long. Knowing it was the last book in the series may have also had something to do with it. It had been a long journey through these books and the end was finally in sight.

Then the long walk to the tower. Sheesh, what a marathon that was. It went on and on, and of course I HAD to keep listening. You know, only (fill-in-the-blank) more hours to go. Can't press "stop" now. That contributed to my burnout with this book, I'm sure. The last four hours of this book was swallowed in one fell swoop. I do NOT recommend this method of listening. Give it a break and come back to it the next day. Really.

Anyways, the ending was...well...an ending that made sense I suppose. Fairly clever. Overall, when the guy said "Audible hopes you have enjoyed this program" I was just happy it was over. I spent nearly a year (off and on) listening to this series on audio. I was so glad it was over. If I ever listen to this series again it will be DECADES in the future.

Four stars. Good novel, decent ending. Some loose ends but that's to be expected in a series that the author spent around a quarter century writing. The way Stephen King wrote himself into the storyline was absolutely brilliant. He really reached for the stars of his storytelling gift with that idea.

4.21 stars

My journey to The Dark Tower has finally come to an end. The series is at its best in books 4 and 5. This last installment is good, though there are many new characters introduced as the series comes to an end. Still, it’s a great series.


Overall rating for book # 7: 4.21 stars

Series rating: 4.51 stars

Quite possibly the best book King has ever written

What made the experience of listening to The Dark Tower the most enjoyable?

The narrator brought to life the characters I have grown up with, and did a great job doing doing so. I have always pictured Roland sounding allot like Clint Eastwood's "man with no name" and George Guidall did an excellent job.

What did you like best about this story?

I started reading this series in 1992, when I was twelve years old, so I would have to say the longevity of the story is one of the best things in my opinion. And how King works many of his characters from his universe into this epic adventure.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Definately Roland Deschain. Followed by Oy as a close second.

If you could take any character from The Dark Tower out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Steven King himself without a doubt!

i can't believe my trip is done

favorite series, by far.
long days and pleasant nights to ya.
don't miss this fantastical series.

an excellent escape!

i LOVED every page of this story and crave more... wish it wasnt over yet.