The Drawing of the Three

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Wonderful fantasy from King - Rated
Although originally published seven years later, The Drawing of the Three takes up the story right where The Gunslinger ended. According to the oracle’s prophesy Roland must now find three persons to accompany him on his road to the Dark Tower. The book is divided into three big sections, each dedicated to the finding of one these persons, but they are cleverly interconnected and the main story line is progressing all the way through the book.

In many ways this book is quite different from The Gunslinger. The remoteness in the narrative is gone, there are fewer flashbacks, and very little in the way of speculation about what the ultimate goal is. It also has a quicker pace, with truly breathtaking action sequences, and some exceptional plot twists. Overall I felt this work was more mature, and more in line with King’s writing in general, at the same time as it has an excellent fantasy background.

King claims that the Dark Tower is inspired mainly by Tolkien and Sergio Leone, but after finishing The Drawing of the Three I definitely have the feeling that he also has read one or two books by Stephen Donaldson. Some of the same ideas that are the foundation of Donaldson’s writing are evident here too, especially the flawed, unwilling hero concept, and there was at least one detail that instantly reminded me of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

The similarity to Donaldson does in no way affect my judgment negatively. This is King at his best, and fantasy at its finest – I give The Drawing of the Three all 5 stars available.

The dark tower is king at his best - Rated
If you read the first book of the dark tower series and like me were not much impressed, you will be amazed at how good the drawing of the three is.
This is king at his best, with strong characters, a fast pace, and most importantly a story that will leave you guessing until the very end it enbodies all that stephen king should be.

The plot moves along considerably from the first book adding new characters that shape enough story to keep the readers interest for several volumes yet.

If like many you have felt let down be some of kings endings you will not be let down here.
This is a book you can't put down and it will leave you waiting eagerly for more.

A review by someone who enjoys the books. - Rated
Although the first in the series (''The gunslinger'') was less interesting, this edition really draws the reader into Roland of Gilead's world. Roland discovers himself on a beach somewhere he knows not and, as he progresses along the beach in search of his elusive dark tower, he finds three doors, that are in fact portals into our world. Three times he goes through and three times he finds himself in the mind of that whom he must draw. The ending is climatic and overall the story is worth whatever price laid upon it, being a compelling read and wonderful tale.

Drawing on an excellent mind. - Rated
Stephen King has done something special, very special. Constant Readers (his term), will understand that the Dark Tower saga is the core of the King universe and this episode grabs you by the throat and commits you to the quest.
The Gunslinger sets the tone, but this “Drawing” is truly awesome, it's not horror it's deeper and darker, King takes you on a journey like you've never been on before. It’s a trek through time, emotions, reality and unreality at the same time as being an erratic thriller that cannot be put down. To give you even an inkling of the script would be a "spoiler". Read Gunslinger, for a (boring, but important) introduction and then pick up this book and enjoy!

Onwards to the Tower!

Behind closed doors - Rated
After the slightly poor first book the second book ‘The Drawing of the Three’ is pretty damn good! Roland has to ‘draw’ three people from another world (our world actually) to aid him on his quest for the Dark Tower.

For the first 200 pages or so, this book is pretty much un-put-down-able. The account of ‘drawing’ Eddie Dean is high octane stuff, so it’s a bit of an anticlimax when the tale switches to the ‘drawing’ of the second person. Still, the finale, the ‘non-drawing’ of the third person, makes up for the - dare I say it - boring middle section and the book finishes as blisteringly fast paced as it started.