[Bridge of Birds]

I've been tempted on several occasions to pick up the first in the King series but the book descriptions always turn me off.

I'm partial to traditional fantasy and the presence of a gunslinger just seems like it can't go anywhere for me.

[ChrisW]

I don't really think anyone can answer that for you. Try it and find out. The first one is only small.

[PJS]

If you're really into traditional fantasy, I wouldn't really recommend it. The first book, apart from being far from traditional fantasy backdrop, has lots of abstract philosophical elements. From what I hear though, that tends to decrease as the series goes on. So from your premise, I wouldn't recommend it. Of course, my only experience is from the first novel. Personally, I would consider myself more of a typical fantasy/epic reader. I dabble in sci-fi. And I found it a difficult and different read, but I will pick up the rest of it eventually.

Hope my perspective helps

[TarotGaladriel]

I was the same as you. I read on here how good it was, but every time I went to look at it on Amazon I just kept being out off by the Gunslinger aspect, not for me...... I love books like the Farseer Trilogy, so quite traditional.....

However, I finally relented and put my faith in the recommendations on here and bought the whole series in one go just a few months ago....

I am so pleased I did, it is wonderful !! Very far removed from my usual fantasy. The first book is very sketchy, you are thrown into the middle of a world you can't understand, but that is what got me hooked. I loved that it made me think so much, that it led me into a different world and one I fought to understand. I have only read the first two books, but the second was far easier to understand and the characters are brilliant. I have fallen in love with the Gunslinger character, he is so cool :D it has opened my eyes to new books, ones I wouldn't normally read as I was never into Westerns, my fav being The Book With No Name, now that was a fab read too, very good. I never would have found that book without reading about the Gunslinger.

Maybe see if you can borrow the first book from the library, though I would recommend sticking with it for the second book too, as it changes so much in feel in the second one. I adored how the first book was so sketchy, but not everyone does, this is why I say to try the first two books before deciding, as the read gets easier.

I love this series so much I am reading them slowly as I really don't want to reach the end too quickly, I am thoroughly enjoying the journey and wish to take my time.

It was so far from my usual reading track, yet Im so pleased I took the plunge.

[Konrad]

I agree, The Gunslinger is very good and I've read it several times. I like traditional fantasy like tlotr and such and don't quite understand your problem.
:confused:

It's a great book and you'll love it :D (I hope, yell at me if you think I'm wrong:) )

[Envoy]

I agree.


Great series, my personal favourite is book four. As some of you other guys said, I found book 1 a bit sketchy, but felt the story really picked up from there on in.

I must say that I am a big King fan anyway, another of his which is more of a 'fantasy' type is The Talisman...well worth a read also.

[Bridge of Birds]

OK, now I'm more tempted than ever. Sounds like the first book is a wader though.....guess I'll just have to plunge through.

[TarotGaladriel]

LOL not necessarily, I adored it because it was so sketchy, it made me want to learn so much more and I loved that only small bits were being revealed to me, slowly over the course of the book. You may find you like that too.
This is part of the reason I don't want to finish the series too soon, I am enjoying being in the dark, as it were. So far book one is the best for the exact reason some don't like it, but then I've only read two ;)

[TarotGaladriel]

My Gunslinger is the revised version and it has an intro by Stephen King, he explains that it is like a mix of Good the Bad and the Ugly and Lord of the Rings, as these were his inspiration. I would say that pretty much sums it up so far. though there is a definite time-travel/parallel universe and mystery element too.

hope that helps :D

Edited to add that I stress I am on book two, so I may be wrong about where its heading LOL thats part of the fun with these books

[Beleg]

The series description turned me off as well but then I picked up the first book.


and became wise.