Stephen King's Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger

From King Arthur's search for the Holy Grail to J. R. R. Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS, the subject of a quest has proven to be fertile ground for the growth of epic stories. With THE GUNSLINGER, Stephen King has staked his territory and planted his seeds. THE GUNSLINGER appeared without fanfare in 1982 in a small print-run of 10,000 copies. Marketed through mail-order and specialty shops (such as comic-book stores), the book's initial printing quickly sold out before the general public even knew it existed. It wasn't until THE DARK TOWER I: THE GUNSLINGER began to be listed in King's other books that the demand for the book began, and it has continued unabated ever since. A second printing of 10,000 copies, done in 1984, has not come close to satisfying the demand.

THE GUNSLINGER represents a true departure for King in subject matter and style. It relates the story of Roland, the last knight-errant in a post-apocalyptic future. Although never stated, this future world is probably Earth long after the events related in THE STAND. In the story, the world is coming apart at the seams and the Dark Tower stands at the nexus of the difficulties. Roland's quest to find the Tower and somehow heal the wrong that exists there is the basic plot that drives this tale which features some of the best story-telling and characterization of King's career.

And this is just the beginning. THE DARK TOWER is projected to include six to eight volumes, three of which have already appeared. THE GUNSLINGER was followed in 1987 with THE DRAWING OF THE THREE and in 1991 with THE WASTE LANDS, the latter two books having only one hardcover printing each. The next book in the series, WIZARD IN GLASS, was expected in 1997. With King's collectibility and the built-in growth potential inherent in a popular on-going story line, THE DARK TOWER series is a valuable addition to any collection, and THE GUNSLINGER is the best place to start.

Copyright 1996 - 2001 C. Dickens Fine, Rare and Collectible Books, Atlanta, Georgia