The Road to the Dark Tower: Exploring Stephen King's Magnum Opus - Bev Vincent

...are few that fall into the middle ground. . Naturally I fall into the former category!

This reference book is published with the full co-operation of Stephen King and with glowing praise from the author and co-writer of "Black House" Peter Straub which for me can only be a good thing. If King feels strongly enough about this book to endorse it then it must be good. After all King himself calls "The Dark Tower" series ...
.../> Aptly, "The Road to the Dark Tower" is subtitled "Exploring Stephen King's Magnum Opus" and that is certainly what the author, Bev Vincent does successfully throughout. This is a clearly written, well-structured reference to all things associated with "The Dark Tower". Sections are neatly divided into the following:

"More Worlds Than These"
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more

"The Dark Tower" Series is one that creates such a reaction amongst Stephen King fans. It would appear that there is a definite split amongst his "constant readers" into those who love it and think it is his best work, and those that think it is King at his most pretentious and self-absorbed. There are few that fall into the middle ground. . Naturally I fall into the former category!

This reference book is published with the full co-operation of Stephen King and with glowing praise from the author and co-writer of "Black House" Peter Straub which for me can only be a good thing. If King feels strongly enough about this book to endorse it then it must be good. After all King himself calls "The Dark Tower" series his "Magnum Opus" so his confidence in the authors ability to delve into his works must be high.

Aptly, "The Road to the Dark Tower" is subtitled "Exploring Stephen King's Magnum Opus" and that is certainly what the author, Bev Vincent does successfully throughout. This is a clearly written, well-structured reference to all things associated with "The Dark Tower". Sections are neatly divided into the following:

"More Worlds Than These"
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A brief introduction outlining the purpose of the book. Bev Vincent's reasons for writing it and what she hopes to accomplish. This is an impassioned start by an obvious enthusiast and bodes well for the remainder of the book

The Long Journey To The Tower
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A fascinating insight for a Dark Tower fan such as myself into the creative processes involved during the seven books sagas creation and publication. From the first novel "The Gunslinger", written in 1970 but not heard of until 1982 to the last "The Dark Tower" published in 2004 it including letters, quotes and interview excerpts from King himself. This is an extensive resource into the mind of King that gives a good idea of the creative frustrations that dogged him throughout the writing of the series.

The Gunslinger to The Dark Tower
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Seven chapters, one dedicated to each of the seven books. Each book is meticulously examined and pulled apart covering plots, differences between subsequent and prior episodes and the importance of the illustrations throughout. Vincent explores the whys and wherefores of each novel examining them on their own merits and as part of the collection. Each chapter is a mine of untapped, unknown information providing plot and character information that even as an avid fan I was previously unaware of. For example, I was unaware that Father Callahan (who plays a pivotal role in the last three books) appeared at the same way station Jake did shortly after he and Roland left in the very first novel! Information such as this, littered throughout these sections only add to my understanding and admiration of the series.

Related Works
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Fans of the series will be aware that so many of Stephen King's books have links to "The Dark Tower". What this section does is something my feeble memory cannot, it examines the books separately in their relation to the series. Obvious links to stories such as "Low Men in Yellow Coats" and "The Little Sister Of Eluria" are given close examination while other more tenuous links to stories such as "Rose Madder" , some of which I was unaware of are given explanations and assigned theories that I may never have worked out on my own. This is a fantastic section for finally putting to bed the reasoning behind King's weaving of "The Dark Tower" into so many of his stories although it is by no means exhaustive as I myself have spotted links to other novels that Vincent does not even touch upon.

Dramatis Personae
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An in-depth character analysis and history lesson of all the major characters with particular emphasis on Roland the stories hero cum anti-hero. Vincent examines the relationships between the characters and places emphasis on how their lives are all undeniably linked by the mystical force of ka. Perhaps this section is the only weak link in this reference book as it assigns so much time to Roland, other characters of similar importance and interest such as Eddie Dean and Randall Flagg are devoted hardly any time at all. Roland is a fascinating character but he is not the be all and end all of the series. Vincent seems to have fell into a similar trap as Roland himself in not realising the importance these characters have to me as a constant reader.

Epics, Influences and Ka
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An interesting account in conjunction with King as to what influenced him. Fans will know that King's primary influence is the Robert Browning poem "Childe Roland to The Dark Tower Came" and are more than aware of the Tolkien and Sergio Leone influences but what have sixties group "The Beatles" got to do with it and what of King's obsession with Ka, wheels and trains? This is a great section for those who wish to know more on how it all started and where the King's influences lie although it is a little disheartening to see how King draws rather heavily on others for his inspiration.

Art and The Act of Creation
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Much has been made of King's decision to make himself a major player with Godlike qualities and importance by including himself as a character in the series and his insistence in mentioning his other works.. Art and The Act of Creation allows Vincent to explain King's reasons for this and at times this section read like a biography with Vincent a little over keen to defend King's decision. King himself often refers to his arrogance and power as a writer to do "anything he damn well pleases" with his novels and although it is nice to see Vincent make a case for King's self inclusion it seems at odds with King's own reasoning's. It is however, interesting to see the excerpts from King explaining why he feels the need to interweave his novels into the series.

Magnum Opus
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The final section would perhaps be of most interest to people who are not fans of the series. Vincent provides a compelling argument as to why, in terms of scope and imagination, "The Dark Tower" series should be King's Magnum Opus and greatest work. However, the most convincing arguments perhaps come from excerpts by King and fellow writer Peter Straub with King stating that anything which follows the series will be "an epilogue to what I have done with my life's work". This section although of interest to me was merely confirming what I already knew. That "The Dark Tower" series was King's favourite work but also my own. It does however have the best closing line I have ever read in a reference book!

Appendix
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A strange mix with timelines of publication dates interwoven with the history of King's publishing career there is also a glossary of terms used throughout the series and a bizarre synopsis of the series by "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction". The appendix finishes with King's main inspiration Robert Browning's "Childe Roland To The Dark Tower Came". Although interesting it is all a bit pointless to someone who knows the series well enough to understand the terminology and has already read two chapters on how and when the novels where published!

All in all this is a superb reference book for avid fans of the series who feel the need to learn even more. Vincent's writing style is very academic and this can be off putting with a large amount of endnotes and references. However, this is as definitive a guide as you will find and Vincent does well to cover all the bases on such an epic series. The cover illustrates a keyhole opening to the rose, the very hub of "The Dark Tower" and this is perhaps most apt as Bev Vincent allows the reader to open the secret doors of "The Dark Tower" they never new existed. Her enthusiasm is obvious throughout and adds a reverential feel to what could have been an otherwise staid.
This is also a fascinating insight into how King creates and even has a touch of the biographical about it. As such this may even appeal to those who are not fans of the series as it bears a resemblance to King's own "On Writing" and both his and Straub's contributions are insightful. A must have for fans of the series and those "constant readers" interested in what makes Stephen King tick it is also a nice companion for those reading or re-reading the series.

Priced at $14.99 at amazon.com or £7.72 at amazon.uk in paperback
ISBN: 0451213041

 

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