First published 1976 · 256 pages · about 4 hours to read
On these lists: #20 The best fantasy series of all time
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About this book
The Dark Tower I
The Gunslinger is a dark-fantasy by American author Stephen King. It is the first volume in the Dark Tower series.
The Gunslinger was first published in 1982 as a fix-up novel, joining five short stories that had been published between 1978 and 1981. King substantially revised the novel in 2003; this version has remained in print ever since, with the subtitle RESUMPTION.
The story centers upon Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, who has been chasing his adversary, "the man in black," for many years. The novel fuses Western fiction with fantasy, science fiction, and horror, following Roland's trek through a vast desert and beyond in search of the man in black. Roland meets several people along his journey, including a boy named Jake Chambers, who travels with him part of the way.
"The Gunslinger" (October 1978) "The Way Station" (April 1980) "The Oracle and the Mountains" (February 1981) "The Slow Mutants" (July 1981) "The Gunslinger and the Dark Man" (November 1981)
Will you like it?
Readers drawn to hybrid blends of Westerns, fantasy, horror, and science fiction will appreciate this opening installment. It suits those interested in an enduring pursuit across a vast desert, following the last gunslinger on the trail of a long-sought adversary.
- the last gunslinger
- desert trek
- chasing an adversary
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Books like The Gunslinger
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Between two fires
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A scarred, weary warrior escorts a mysterious child across a demon-ravaged landscape, echoing the bleak, protective bond between Roland and Jake.
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Features an enigmatic wanderer traversing a dying earth where ancient, forgotten technology has decayed into myth, mirroring Mid-World.
The Etched City
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Blood Meridian
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A primary influence on King, this nightmarish western features mythic violence, desolate landscapes, and a demonic antagonist akin to Walter.
Books like it →Elric of Melniboné
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Quotes
“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”
More quotes
“The gunslinger waited for the time of the drawing and dreamed his long dreams of the Dark Tower, to which he would someday come at dusk and approach, winding his horn, to do some unimaginable final battle.”
“It was a blade of grass. But it was purple.”
“The World has moved on. Bad times are on horseback.”
“Shaken and alone, enwrapt in the darkness, terrified of an ultimate meaning rushing at him, he gathered himself and uttered the final answer on that subject: “NEVER!”“THEN LET THERE BE LIGHT!” And there was light, crashing in on him like a hammer, a great and primordial light.”
Quotes from Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0).
More by Stephen King
- On WritingOn Writing2000
- The Green MileThe Green Mile1996
- InsomniaInsomnia1994
- MiseryMisery1987
- ItIt1986
- Pet SemataryPet Sematary1983
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