Excellent review, Mike! As a first time reader of the series, I had no problem with Wizard and Glass being mostly a flashback. In fact, it’s my favorite Dark Tower book so far, and it increased my investment in Roland’s character more than I could have imagined.
I just read through the series for the first time last year and W&G was easily my favorite of the series and one of my favorite books of all time. A fantastic Western with horror and fantasy weaved in as well. Anyone who suggests any books in the series are ok to skip has forgotten the face of their father.
This is my favorite DT book. Eldred Jonas and his interactions with Roland are gold. Also I like the young love story showing Roland before he became much more heartless.
I just bought a 1st edition of Wizard and Glass off Ebay because it’s truly one of my favorite books of all time. I’ll be sleeping on the couch for the next couple nights.. 🤣🤣
An excellent book!! I loved learning about Roland's first Ka-Tet and how his world was before the wars. I couldn't imagine skipping any of these books?! I think this book has everything to do with the previous 3, i don't really see it as a diversion it adds to the richness. Great review Mike!
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Probably my fave so far. Although, I can see how people could be so divided when this book came out due to the fact that they waited years for each dark tower book and one comes along and almost exclusively takes them away from the journey towards the tower. But my god, the quality of writing and story telling is likely the best in the series. Roland is HUMAN. Is my big take away.
I think one of the most important things about this book is that we FINALLY learn Roland's backstory and how he ended up on his quest in the first place. The first three books are fairly sparse as far as who Roland actually is so the flashback is a great way to get to know what lead up to who Roland (as we know him thusfar) actually is.
Also, the Touch is the same as the Shine. In addition to Allain, Jake also has the Touch. There are connections in other books that mention the same kind of thing. The Institute and Insomnia are great examples.
I remember reading this and initially disliked the flashback, since we had just arrived in “Kansas” and really looked forward to the next chapter, but about halfway through I was fully invested in this story. It’s one of the few times I probably would have wanted the minor spoiler that the book was almost all back-story before going in. Fortunately, the entire series was complete at the time and I was able to read on without having to wait.
Wonderful review! Such a great observation about the bar standoff scene being Tarentino-like. Some very emotionally impactful moments towards the end, and I felt the strengthening of the katet along with my own investment as a reader strengthening. Looking forward to reading on in this series!
Back when I first read this it immediately became my favorite of King’s works. Nothing has supplanted it yet. Although, 11/22/63 and Revival got close.
Superb review Mike. I think the placement of this story (in book 4) is the key to its success. I know King felt an obligation somewhat to continue the main quest, and since he did so this book won't be renumbered in the future as Book 1 of Dark Tower. How ridiculous would that be? About as misguided as renumbering The Magician's Nephew in another 7-volume classic series, that's how ridiculous. Keep on the Path of the Beam, I'll look for these after the 19th of the month.
I’m just starting book VI on my quest to the Dark Tower. Wizard and Glass is definitely my favorite so far. I’m a Constant Reader and I love a good western, so this book checked so many boxes for me.
From my experience it definitely improves in context of the full story but as impatient teenager i just kept on waiting for the "real story" to get back on track. The Xfiles comparison makes me laugh because i always preferred the monster of the week eps.
Loved the book just not the timing of its release. I was one of those that had to wait for each new book. Wanted the journey to go forward not be a flashback after such a long wait.
I thought it was great. I was a bit apprehensive about the book being a big flashback, but I really liked how it delivered on the concept of western fantasy with cowboys as knights that the first book promised but two and three moved away from. Also, I went in feeling that I couldn't care less about Alain or Cuthbert, and went away loving them. The scene at the Rest really sold me on Cuthbert as a character! King is also great at creating a sense of off-ness and disgust, which worked great with Rhea.
Ok I’m probably on my 6th reread (I believe) and this one is vital… just a a quick aside here. Is that I believe Eddie is cuthbert reincarnated or at minimum his twinner
I've only read the series once, and even though I found the ending of this book (back in the modern timeline) a bit of a let down, the flashback story was so amazing that I consider this my favourite King book, maybe along with IT. It was just the most emotional and well-written story I've ever read. Curious to see if I'll prefer the ending upon re-read.
My first attempt to read the series i stalled here,reading about baby Roland tryin to get some strange bored me to tears,i never finished at 29 years of age Second attempt this time i listened to the whole thing and still found it the worst book of the series,but not bad like the first time,39 and another year at this time Listening to me is better because I'd remembered Blaine but totally forgot Eddie and Susannah,never did i forget Jake but i didn't remember Oy
Just read it for the first time and cried my eyes out, loved the battle stuff with roland, alain, and cuthbert but all that stuff near the end after what happened in eyebolt canyon i didnt expect to be written like that nor did I expect her to have the dialogue she did Ive liked quite a bit of stuff in the first three books, there’s stuff in drawing of three I absolutely love. As soon as i got to the backstory portion of W&G i was hooked, i liked it quite a bit and was really digging reading about roland in his younger yrs with alain and cuthbert. Im not gonna say its my favorite book (im on my first journey to the tower) but i did enjoy the backstory stuff
This is my personal favorite DT book by a good margin. I like you think that Alain's "touch" is implied to be the Shine and its also implied Jake has it too thus fulfilling the same role in their respective version of Roland's Ka-tet(ka is a wheel afterall.)The ending to this is brilliant as is the ending to Wind through the keyhole which amplifies it. I know you are reading them in publication order but i can't wait to see you experience it. I understand why people reading it in real time hated the pause. However it finally gives you something of Roland and it allows you to recontextualize his actions in the first 3 books.
The Wastelands is my favorite book of all time, followed by Wolves of the Callah. Skipped this one due to flashback, and now I'm back to read it about 15 years after i skipped it
The music you use for your dark tower videos is absolutely incredible and fits the series so well! In general I think your dark tower intros are my favorites of all your intros along with your wysr red rising intro!
Rhea of the Coos is one of my favorite King villains. One of my favorite quotes is from Mayor Thorin . . . “I must have something, a bon-bon, aye, so I must. Balls to the witch, I say!” If you remember the scene, then you know the quote.
Wizard and Glass is absoulutely my favorite (at least in fiction) book of all time, for me personally my favorite book by FAR in the series, and the dark tower series is my favorite series. It feels like it could stand alone as its own story if the series never existed, yet at the same time ties in to the series so perfectly and adds so much to Roland's character, his habits,apprehensions, and motivations. This book is also so important on a broader world building scale, with a major theme throughout the series that Roland's universe is a decaying one, that the life and colour is fading from it, in this flashback, there are moments that so perfectly show a youth and vibrance that once existed in his universe, that Roland also goes back to throughout the series in his brief stories and anecdotes to his katet, and in his own internal dialog. King does and amazing job of implying fleeting glimmers in his eyes and moments of genuine vulnerability and longing, for things that are long gone, and in W&G you get the full bore experience that is usually only covered in a few sentences in the other books. Both in the individual arcs in the book and maybe more importantly the general descriptive writing throughout, it feels different than any other book in the series, and I think thats very intentional on King's part. Probably worked for me so well too because I am someone that loves westerns, and this book leans heavier on those themes than any other in the series (minus maybe wind through the keyhole but I treat that as a bit of a separate entity from the main series)something reading always reminds me of is the real life story of Billy The Kid and the Regulators in the Lincoln County War, and considering the Big Coffin Hunters are also called regulators in w&g (and later in wolves of the calla) I think when King wrote w&g he had recently been reading about those real world events and maybe other stories from those times. For me personally just a masterpiece of fiction and a book I could see every little moment and interaction in vividly in my head from start to finish.
The Wizard in the Glass might be my favorite Dark Tower but it's definitely the one that really hooked me on the series. I had a really hard time with the Gunslinger too the point that I DNFed it 2 or 3 times before I finally managed to finish it. I enjoyed The Drawing of the Three and The Waste Lands. But The Wizard in the Glass just sucked me in and had me waiting for the rest of the series. I read it for the first time right before the 5th book came out I finally got threw the Gunslinger and than read the other 3 right before book 5 came out. At the time the Dark Tower were the only Stephen King books that I had read. I've read several of his other books since than but none of them have hit me in the same way as the Dark Tower did
I enjoyed it very much. This was the first time reading it for me. I'm so glad to be back in the world of Dark Tower and I wish I hadn't almost 30 years to get past the first 3 books. But I'm here now and I'm loving exploring new to me territory. Honestly, it's your read-along and YT channel that got me here. Thankee, sai
I just finished rereading this book last night! The first time I read it was in 2005 or so and I hadn't read The Stand at that time. I really enjoyed seeing the connections on a reread. Should I read Salem's Lot before I reread Wolves of the Calla?
I just finished wizard and glass and I loved it. The only real problem for me was that, after a little while I forgot about our ka-tet in kansas and was mostly focused on the young gunslingers and when the flashback finally ends it feels kinda unceremonious, especially since we go right into the wizard of oz stuff. I also think the tick tock man was wasted. I think it would have been much better if the the Blaine resolution was the end of The Wastelands instead of the beginning of Wizard and Glass, and the end of the book was the beginning of the next one. Basically the flashback would have been awesome as a book by itself.
This is my favorite of The Dark Tower books. When it came out was so surprised to see the art of Dave McKean gracing the book. Seeing his art gracing album covers and Sandman comics had made him one of my faves. Was happy to finally get an end to the battle with Blaine after the cliffhanger we had been left with. It continued to establish Eddie as more than a simple back-up/companion. The origin of Roland was one of those things thought would be more sprinkled through the books rather than one sitting but what a tale. Earning his guns, The Coffin Hunters, Jericho Hill, the earlier ka-tet, Susan Delgado, and on and on. This was the book for me that totally confirmed that there was a big picture and connections out there with Stephen King's works. Was something that before the internet wasn't easy to talk about. Something my friends and I would notice but it was clearly something more than a little Easter egg with revelations in Kansas. My King reading friends at the time expressed a dislike because it read so much like a western to them. I seemed to remember them wanting more Jake too.
For me, I was enjoying the story before the flashback that I was kind of disappointed that Roland’s story of his past took up the entire book pretty much, even though it was really good. I think my opinion of this book will change once I read the rest of the series.
I recently picked up the series and just finished Wizard and Glass. I've never had a book leave me with the emotional destroyed like this book did. Especially in the last 70 pages. I was so shaken that I had to talk with my dad (Whose read the entire series and recommended it to me), about what I read and he just said to me " Your in King's World now."
Glad I found this channel and decided to read DT. Other than book two I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. Would you recommend reading the sisters of Eulalia and through the keyhole after the original books or after book four? I’ve seen ppl suggest both but I’m still not sure what to read next
@cap9357 idk what you ended up doing but i read sisters of eluria before wolves, if I remember right there is a very small nod to something from sisters in either DT book 6 or 7. You could read eluria before wolves because it came out before books 5, 6, and 7 but its up to you and i dont think it really matters, its just a creepy solo roland story. I can’t comment on wind through the key hole because i havent read that yet but a few different constant readers were telling me to save it till after the main journey because its a nice treat to have something to have after the conclusion of book 7
(Spoilers) Wizard and Glass to me felt like Stephen King wanted to jam in as many tributes to classics as he could. First we have the riddle game calling back to The Hobbit. Then, we take a big interlude for an entire book's worth of backstory, that plays out much like a Shakespearian tragedy in a Western setting. But after all that, suddenly the ka-tet isn't in Kansas anymore and just drops the Emerald City of Wizard of Oz out of nowhere.
It my least favorite books so far I just finished book 5 and I’m reading insomnia before I do the rest of the dark tower books I did the stand before I started and Salems lot after book 3
Once upon a time, I read Dark Tower 1-3, and in 1997 I was a freshman in HS, my mom got me Wizard and Glass for Christmas. I read all through Blaine the Pain, and by the time I got into the backstory, I ended up putting the book down. I must have lost interest... Fast forward to 2017, I started to re-read DT and in August, having finished Wizard and Glass, I discovered that this installment became my favorite book in the series. Funny how that works! My favorite characters were Rhea, and even simple ol Sheemie
Great book, yea it's a long flashback, but like u said its necessary to know where Roland is coming from, a few other books from the series flashback also like when Rolands fighting his teacher Cort , I think that's the first book, not nearly as long of a flashback, but it happens a few other times also. So flashbacks are interesting to me at least, I loved it. The romance with Susanna is awesome along with the coffin hunters, Ria and the grapefruit are awesome and how Roland is tricked into killing the person he loves. I mean c'mon. U need to know Rolands past to understand him better, It's 1 of my favorite books from the series and a Good Review too
Yeah, I couldnt finish this book. I just kept thinking that Roland is actually sitting there and telling a 450 page story in front of that bonfire. Fantasy? Damn right
I just finished W&G today and I didn't like it at all. I kept reading how it's everyone's favorite so I kept reading and it got a little better after the flashback ended. But I still thought the ending was cheesy. I only finished it for my father's sake even though it seems I've forgotten his face.
The reason I find this book hard to read is that Rhea of the Coos is just horrific, zero redeeming qualities and she stinks. It's not that I don't like the book, I do love it.
I read Stephen King in the 7-9th grade and my mom never would have allowed it. So I had to store the books under my mattress. Now as 37 year old I can admit I should have waited a bit if only so I could remember them better. My favorite Dark Tower book was 3 and 4 and Rose Madder was my fav multiverse book!
In my Stephen King top 5, and favourite so far in the Dark Tower (currently reading Wolves of the Calla). Don't know where this series is heading, but I feel like this book was necessary.
Just finished this yesterday and I think it's my favorite King book I've read. Legit cried at the end at the fate of Susan. I really hope Roland gets to see her again the end of the series.
I'm in the same boat partially, this is the last book I've read before continuing on to his other related books. Then ill jump back to tower. I liked this book but it took me a way through it to realize I did. This is my reading list, if its missing important books just let me know y'all. X means I've read it, its in the order i plan to read them. Love the channel, keep it up! I love the connected worlds theme, which is why I probably love Brandon Sanderson too. X Book 1 (the gunslinger) 6/10/1982 X Salem’s Lot 10/17/1975 X The dark man(poem) 1969 X The Stand 1978 X The eyes of the dragon 1984 X The talisman 1984 X The mist 1980 X It 09/15/1986 The reploids 1988 X Book 2 (the drawing of the 3) 1987 X Book 3 (the wastelands) 08/01/1991 X Insomnia 09/15/1994 Reading this now! Needful things 10/01/1991 Rose madder 06/01/1995 X Desperation 1996 X The regulators 09/24/1996 X Book 4 (Wizard and Glass) 11/04/1997 Everything’s eventual 03/01/2002 X Little sisters of eluria 1998 The wind through the keyhole 02/21/2012 Bag of bones 09/22/1998 Storm of the century 1999 X Hearts in Atlantis 09/14/1999 X Black house 09/15/2001 From a Buick 8 09/24/2002 Book 5 (Wolves of calla) 11/01/2003 Kingdom hospital 03/01/2004 Book 6 (song of Susannah) 06/08/2004 Book 7 (The Dark Tower) 09/21/2004 Cell 01/24/2006 Ur 02/12/2009 11/22/63 11/08/2011
This book probably has my favorite final showdown between protagonist and antagonistic that I ever read. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that: Rian Johnson, read this book and make note. THIS is how you subvert expectations.
As I read, “Rian Johnson, read this book…” I panicked and thought “No! I don’t want him anywhere near this story or the DT!” Then I read your last sentence…lol.
@@jereXIX omg no! "The Dark Tower" by Rian Johnson, featuring Eldred Jonas in the comic relief role, Susan Delgado as the tough no-nonsense gunslinger, Roland and Cuthbert on an irrelevant adventure far away from the main story, and Rhea would have purple hair.
Have you heard of a channel called dave reads king it's really great he talks about 19 reasons why you should read a book from Stephen king he's already done videos on Dolores Claiborne from a Buick 8 The dark tower series 🤔📚📖
Excellent review, Mike! As a first time reader of the series, I had no problem with Wizard and Glass being mostly a flashback. In fact, it’s my favorite Dark Tower book so far, and it increased my investment in Roland’s character more than I could have imagined.
Agreed man, it is my favorite for sure. King is so good at building characters. You understand the pain and distain Roland holds through this book.
@@bluemoon10665 Exactly!
Agreed.
My favorite DT book as well. Love it.
I just read through the series for the first time last year and W&G was easily my favorite of the series and one of my favorite books of all time. A fantastic Western with horror and fantasy weaved in as well. Anyone who suggests any books in the series are ok to skip has forgotten the face of their father.
Thumbs up. Anyone who says different is just wrong.
“Forgotten the face of their father” is now the only insult I will use 😂
Don’t forget romance.
Probably my favourite book in the series!
This is my favorite DT book. Eldred Jonas and his interactions with Roland are gold. Also I like the young love story showing Roland before he became much more heartless.
I just bought a 1st edition of Wizard and Glass off Ebay because it’s truly one of my favorite books of all time. I’ll be sleeping on the couch for the next couple nights.. 🤣🤣
I was just looking at those.They are pricey
My favourite Dark Tower book, & one I cried at the ending of..
Excellent review.. 👍
An excellent book!! I loved learning about Roland's first Ka-Tet and how his world was before the wars. I couldn't imagine skipping any of these books?! I think this book has everything to do with the previous 3, i don't really see it as a diversion it adds to the richness. Great review Mike!
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Probably my fave so far. Although, I can see how people could be so divided when this book came out due to the fact that they waited years for each dark tower book and one comes along and almost exclusively takes them away from the journey towards the tower. But my god, the quality of writing and story telling is likely the best in the series. Roland is HUMAN. Is my big take away.
The amount of awesome, quality content you put out on a consistent basis is truly astounding Mike. Seriously love the videos man!
Wow, thank you!
W&G and the Bridge to Terabithea destroyed me as a teen. W&G is my second favorite book after for Whom the Bell Tolls.
I think one of the most important things about this book is that we FINALLY learn Roland's backstory and how he ended up on his quest in the first place. The first three books are fairly sparse as far as who Roland actually is so the flashback is a great way to get to know what lead up to who Roland (as we know him thusfar) actually is.
Also, the Touch is the same as the Shine. In addition to Allain, Jake also has the Touch. There are connections in other books that mention the same kind of thing. The Institute and Insomnia are great examples.
I remember reading this and initially disliked the flashback, since we had just arrived in “Kansas” and really looked forward to the next chapter, but about halfway through I was fully invested in this story. It’s one of the few times I probably would have wanted the minor spoiler that the book was almost all back-story before going in. Fortunately, the entire series was complete at the time and I was able to read on without having to wait.
Wonderful review! Such a great observation about the bar standoff scene being Tarentino-like. Some very emotionally impactful moments towards the end, and I felt the strengthening of the katet along with my own investment as a reader strengthening. Looking forward to reading on in this series!
Reading this book was such a magical experience, much like the rest of the series. Rhea of the Coos might be King’s greatest villain.
Hope you read and review Wind through the Keyhole after DT7! Love that book.
The guns openings are always the best openings :D love your channel
Back when I first read this it immediately became my favorite of King’s works. Nothing has supplanted it yet. Although, 11/22/63 and Revival got close.
I LOVE your intros Mike. They’re always so epic and well thought out. We all appreciate your hard work, keep it up sir!
Superb review Mike. I think the placement of this story (in book 4) is the key to its success. I know King felt an obligation somewhat to continue the main quest, and since he did so this book won't be renumbered in the future as Book 1 of Dark Tower. How ridiculous would that be? About as misguided as renumbering The Magician's Nephew in another 7-volume classic series, that's how ridiculous. Keep on the Path of the Beam, I'll look for these after the 19th of the month.
I’m just starting book VI on my quest to the Dark Tower. Wizard and Glass is definitely my favorite so far. I’m a Constant Reader and I love a good western, so this book checked so many boxes for me.
Wizard and glass is my favorite book in the dark tower series it was good seeing a different side of roland
💝🥰😊
My favorite so far in the series, and book of the month for April! I love reading about Young Roland.
While the dark tower is one of the most disappointing reads man....wizard and glass...that book is SPECIAL. Absolutely love that book.
From my experience it definitely improves in context of the full story but as impatient teenager i just kept on waiting for the "real story" to get back on track.
The Xfiles comparison makes me laugh because i always preferred the monster of the week eps.
Loved the book just not the timing of its release. I was one of those that had to wait for each new book. Wanted the journey to go forward not be a flashback after such a long wait.
I thought it was great. I was a bit apprehensive about the book being a big flashback, but I really liked how it delivered on the concept of western fantasy with cowboys as knights that the first book promised but two and three moved away from.
Also, I went in feeling that I couldn't care less about Alain or Cuthbert, and went away loving them. The scene at the Rest really sold me on Cuthbert as a character!
King is also great at creating a sense of off-ness and disgust, which worked great with Rhea.
Ok I’m probably on my 6th reread (I believe) and this one is vital… just a a quick aside here. Is that I believe Eddie is cuthbert reincarnated or at minimum his twinner
I believe King has verified that Cuthbert and Eddie are twinners.
This is a great series!!! I have reread 50 times. The last 2 books are a little hit or miss for me but still great
Great review. My favorite of the Dark Tower books.
I've only read the series once, and even though I found the ending of this book (back in the modern timeline) a bit of a let down, the flashback story was so amazing that I consider this my favourite King book, maybe along with IT. It was just the most emotional and well-written story I've ever read. Curious to see if I'll prefer the ending upon re-read.
haha nice intro! And great review, I love this book!
Thanks so much!
Great video, Mike! Similar to Philip this is my first read through and so far wizard and glass is my favorite. I have read through WOTC so far
My first attempt to read the series i stalled here,reading about baby Roland tryin to get some strange bored me to tears,i never finished at 29 years of age
Second attempt this time i listened to the whole thing and still found it the worst book of the series,but not bad like the first time,39 and another year at this time
Listening to me is better because I'd remembered Blaine but totally forgot Eddie and Susannah,never did i forget Jake but i didn't remember Oy
Just read it for the first time and cried my eyes out, loved the battle stuff with roland, alain, and cuthbert but all that stuff near the end after what happened in eyebolt canyon i didnt expect to be written like that nor did I expect her to have the dialogue she did
Ive liked quite a bit of stuff in the first three books, there’s stuff in drawing of three I absolutely love. As soon as i got to the backstory portion of W&G i was hooked, i liked it quite a bit and was really digging reading about roland in his younger yrs with alain and cuthbert.
Im not gonna say its my favorite book (im on my first journey to the tower) but i did enjoy the backstory stuff
When I was reading the Dark Tower Wizards and Glass slowed down the main quest but after I finished book 7 I went back and read I did like it .
Oh my goodness. That beginning, though. 😆🤣 There's a reason you've remained my favorite booktuber.
Thanks so much!
A friend always said the flashback was written before Wasteland. But King didn't think it was the right to happen after Drawing of the Three
This is my personal favorite DT book by a good margin. I like you think that Alain's "touch" is implied to be the Shine and its also implied Jake has it too thus fulfilling the same role in their respective version of Roland's Ka-tet(ka is a wheel afterall.)The ending to this is brilliant as is the ending to Wind through the keyhole which amplifies it. I know you are reading them in publication order but i can't wait to see you experience it. I understand why people reading it in real time hated the pause. However it finally gives you something of Roland and it allows you to recontextualize his actions in the first 3 books.
Man, your intros are great. I just watched all four of your Dark Tower reviews, and I loved you shot me every intro. Haha, great great stuff.
The best DT book ❤️🐴🔫
I love this book. Maybe the fact I didn't have to wait for book five when I read it helped. Books 2,3,4 have always been my favourite in the series.
Yeah, all 3 are magnificent.
The Wastelands is my favorite book of all time, followed by Wolves of the Callah. Skipped this one due to flashback, and now I'm back to read it about 15 years after i skipped it
Loved the review. I finished this book around 3 weeks ago on my first read through and enjoyed it. Got book 5 lined up for the 19th!
The music you use for your dark tower videos is absolutely incredible and fits the series so well! In general I think your dark tower intros are my favorites of all your intros along with your wysr red rising intro!
Hands down this was my favorite dark tower book
Rhea of the Coos is one of my favorite King villains. One of my favorite quotes is from Mayor Thorin . . . “I must have something, a bon-bon, aye, so I must. Balls to the witch, I say!” If you remember the scene, then you know the quote.
Yeah, lots of sleazeball villains in this one. Rhea is an all-timer.
Wizard and Glass is absoulutely my favorite (at least in fiction) book of all time, for me personally my favorite book by FAR in the series, and the dark tower series is my favorite series. It feels like it could stand alone as its own story if the series never existed, yet at the same time ties in to the series so perfectly and adds so much to Roland's character, his habits,apprehensions, and motivations. This book is also so important on a broader world building scale, with a major theme throughout the series that Roland's universe is a decaying one, that the life and colour is fading from it, in this flashback, there are moments that so perfectly show a youth and vibrance that once existed in his universe, that Roland also goes back to throughout the series in his brief stories and anecdotes to his katet, and in his own internal dialog. King does and amazing job of implying fleeting glimmers in his eyes and moments of genuine vulnerability and longing, for things that are long gone, and in W&G you get the full bore experience that is usually only covered in a few sentences in the other books. Both in the individual arcs in the book and maybe more importantly the general descriptive writing throughout, it feels different than any other book in the series, and I think thats very intentional on King's part. Probably worked for me so well too because I am someone that loves westerns, and this book leans heavier on those themes than any other in the series (minus maybe wind through the keyhole but I treat that as a bit of a separate entity from the main series)something reading always reminds me of is the real life story of Billy The Kid and the Regulators in the Lincoln County War, and considering the Big Coffin Hunters are also called regulators in w&g (and later in wolves of the calla) I think when King wrote w&g he had recently been reading about those real world events and maybe other stories from those times. For me personally just a masterpiece of fiction and a book I could see every little moment and interaction in vividly in my head from start to finish.
The Wizard in the Glass might be my favorite Dark Tower but it's definitely the one that really hooked me on the series. I had a really hard time with the Gunslinger too the point that I DNFed it 2 or 3 times before I finally managed to finish it. I enjoyed The Drawing of the Three and The Waste Lands. But The Wizard in the Glass just sucked me in and had me waiting for the rest of the series. I read it for the first time right before the 5th book came out I finally got threw the Gunslinger and than read the other 3 right before book 5 came out. At the time the Dark Tower were the only Stephen King books that I had read. I've read several of his other books since than but none of them have hit me in the same way as the Dark Tower did
You say true, I say thankee-sai! Just finished my second re-read of this and loved it just as much now as when it first came out.
Amazing review!
I understand why readers back then didn't like it, but as a saga it makes an important part in deepening and expanding the world.
This is Kings best unmade movie
Amazing writing. I scratch my head at how this series is not on TV.
They would ruin it.
I enjoyed it very much. This was the first time reading it for me. I'm so glad to be back in the world of Dark Tower and I wish I hadn't almost 30 years to get past the first 3 books. But I'm here now and I'm loving exploring new to me territory. Honestly, it's your read-along and YT channel that got me here. Thankee, sai
The Big Coffin Hunters are great. Reynolds and Jonas were so great and you're right Depape always felt like the runt of that litter.
I don’t care what anyone says, including Stephen king. It’s CUTH-Bert and not KYOOTH-bert.
My second favorite of the series. The flash back story is some of Kings best work. Great review.
What's your fav?
@@jer2dabear The drawing of the three. It just has so many great elements to the story. Like the doors on the beach and so forth.
I just finished rereading this book last night! The first time I read it was in 2005 or so and I hadn't read The Stand at that time. I really enjoyed seeing the connections on a reread. Should I read Salem's Lot before I reread Wolves of the Calla?
Sales lot is great, and it introduces the preist( can't remember his name). Might be a good idea.
If you don't mind the detour, Salem's Lot is a perfect pre-read to Wolves of the Calla.
@@buckfozos5554 thanks!
I just finished wizard and glass and I loved it. The only real problem for me was that, after a little while I forgot about our ka-tet in kansas and was mostly focused on the young gunslingers and when the flashback finally ends it feels kinda unceremonious, especially since we go right into the wizard of oz stuff.
I also think the tick tock man was wasted.
I think it would have been much better if the the Blaine resolution was the end of The Wastelands instead of the beginning of Wizard and Glass, and the end of the book was the beginning of the next one.
Basically the flashback would have been awesome as a book by itself.
This is my favorite of The Dark Tower books.
When it came out was so surprised to see the art of Dave McKean gracing the book. Seeing his art gracing album covers and Sandman comics had made him one of my faves.
Was happy to finally get an end to the battle with Blaine after the cliffhanger we had been left with. It continued to establish Eddie as more than a simple back-up/companion.
The origin of Roland was one of those things thought would be more sprinkled through the books rather than one sitting but what a tale. Earning his guns, The Coffin Hunters, Jericho Hill, the earlier ka-tet, Susan Delgado, and on and on.
This was the book for me that totally confirmed that there was a big picture and connections out there with Stephen King's works. Was something that before the internet wasn't easy to talk about. Something my friends and I would notice but it was clearly something more than a little Easter egg with revelations in Kansas.
My King reading friends at the time expressed a dislike because it read so much like a western to them. I seemed to remember them wanting more Jake too.
For me, I was enjoying the story before the flashback that I was kind of disappointed that Roland’s story of his past took up the entire book pretty much, even though it was really good. I think my opinion of this book will change once I read the rest of the series.
I recently picked up the series and just finished Wizard and Glass. I've never had a book leave me with the emotional destroyed like this book did. Especially in the last 70 pages. I was so shaken that I had to talk with my dad (Whose read the entire series and recommended it to me), about what I read and he just said to me " Your in King's World now."
Glad I found this channel and decided to read DT. Other than book two I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. Would you recommend reading the sisters of Eulalia and through the keyhole after the original books or after book four? I’ve seen ppl suggest both but I’m still not sure what to read next
I’ve yet to read WTTK so I can’t say.
@cap9357 idk what you ended up doing but i read sisters of eluria before wolves, if I remember right there is a very small nod to something from sisters in either DT book 6 or 7. You could read eluria before wolves because it came out before books 5, 6, and 7 but its up to you and i dont think it really matters, its just a creepy solo roland story.
I can’t comment on wind through the key hole because i havent read that yet but a few different constant readers were telling me to save it till after the main journey because its a nice treat to have something to have after the conclusion of book 7
(Spoilers)
Wizard and Glass to me felt like Stephen King wanted to jam in as many tributes to classics as he could. First we have the riddle game calling back to The Hobbit. Then, we take a big interlude for an entire book's worth of backstory, that plays out much like a Shakespearian tragedy in a Western setting. But after all that, suddenly the ka-tet isn't in Kansas anymore and just drops the Emerald City of Wizard of Oz out of nowhere.
This is one of my favorite King books. The tension is built up at a perfect pace and he really stuck the landing. I couldn’t put it down.
Loved the flashback!
Same.
It my least favorite books so far I just finished book 5 and I’m reading insomnia before I do the rest of the dark tower books I did the stand before I started and Salems lot after book 3
Once upon a time, I read Dark Tower 1-3, and in 1997 I was a freshman in HS, my mom got me Wizard and Glass for Christmas. I read all through Blaine the Pain, and by the time I got into the backstory, I ended up putting the book down. I must have lost interest...
Fast forward to 2017, I started to re-read DT and in August, having finished Wizard and Glass, I discovered that this installment became my favorite book in the series. Funny how that works! My favorite characters were Rhea, and even simple ol Sheemie
Great book, yea it's a long flashback, but like u said its necessary to know where Roland is coming from, a few other books from the series flashback also like when Rolands fighting his teacher Cort , I think that's the first book, not nearly as long of a flashback, but it happens a few other times also. So flashbacks are interesting to me at least, I loved it. The romance with Susanna is awesome along with the coffin hunters, Ria and the grapefruit are awesome and how Roland is tricked into killing the person he loves. I mean c'mon. U need to know Rolands past to understand him better, It's 1 of my favorite books from the series and a Good Review too
Yeah, I couldnt finish this book. I just kept thinking that Roland is actually sitting there and telling a 450 page story in front of that bonfire. Fantasy? Damn right
I couldn’t put the series down until I got to the flashback, really took me out of the story, but now I can’t put down wolves of the calla
I just finished W&G today and I didn't like it at all. I kept reading how it's everyone's favorite so I kept reading and it got a little better after the flashback ended. But I still thought the ending was cheesy. I only finished it for my father's sake even though it seems I've forgotten his face.
The reason I find this book hard to read is that Rhea of the Coos is just horrific, zero redeeming qualities and she stinks. It's not that I don't like the book, I do love it.
If you've only read this book do yourself a favor and do up the frank Muller audio book.
I won’t stay for the review as I haven’t started the series but I’ll drop a like 👍
I've got two people who are stopped on wag. It's hard sometimes. It hung me up for a bit but I got through it. Trying hard to get them through it.
Yesss! Love this book!
Not sure how anything can beat The Wastelands, but I'm gonna give it a shot
Mike I love watching your reviews thank you !
Currently reading it & helps me decide now on what i want to do with winds through the keyhole
Why did the dead baby cross the road. Gotta love Eddie Dean
Is that Excalibur a real pistola or is it a prop piece that one can buy?
I read Stephen King in the 7-9th grade and my mom never would have allowed it. So I had to store the books under my mattress. Now as 37 year old I can admit I should have waited a bit if only so I could remember them better. My favorite Dark Tower book was 3 and 4 and Rose Madder was my fav multiverse book!
😂 the quick draw at the end of the intro has me crying yo
Best intro so far?
Yeah this video intro was exceptional!
In my Stephen King top 5, and favourite so far in the Dark Tower (currently reading Wolves of the Calla). Don't know where this series is heading, but I feel like this book was necessary.
Just finished a reread of wolves of calla, definitely better the second time around
Excellent book. Good review.
Just finished this yesterday and I think it's my favorite King book I've read. Legit cried at the end at the fate of Susan. I really hope Roland gets to see her again the end of the series.
Charyou Tree.
Long days and pleasant nights Mike
Great comments keep it coming!
I'm in the same boat partially, this is the last book I've read before continuing on to his other related books. Then ill jump back to tower. I liked this book but it took me a way through it to realize I did. This is my reading list, if its missing important books just let me know y'all. X means I've read it, its in the order i plan to read them. Love the channel, keep it up! I love the connected worlds theme, which is why I probably love Brandon Sanderson too.
X Book 1 (the gunslinger) 6/10/1982
X Salem’s Lot 10/17/1975
X The dark man(poem) 1969
X The Stand 1978
X The eyes of the dragon 1984
X The talisman 1984
X The mist 1980
X It 09/15/1986
The reploids 1988
X Book 2 (the drawing of the 3) 1987
X Book 3 (the wastelands) 08/01/1991
X Insomnia 09/15/1994
Reading this now! Needful things 10/01/1991
Rose madder 06/01/1995
X Desperation 1996
X The regulators 09/24/1996
X Book 4 (Wizard and Glass) 11/04/1997
Everything’s eventual 03/01/2002
X Little sisters of eluria 1998
The wind through the keyhole 02/21/2012
Bag of bones 09/22/1998
Storm of the century 1999
X Hearts in Atlantis 09/14/1999
X Black house 09/15/2001
From a Buick 8 09/24/2002
Book 5 (Wolves of calla) 11/01/2003
Kingdom hospital 03/01/2004
Book 6 (song of Susannah) 06/08/2004
Book 7 (The Dark Tower) 09/21/2004
Cell 01/24/2006
Ur 02/12/2009
11/22/63 11/08/2011
Definitely my favourite of the series!
So the whole explanation for the mist it's basically kind of like the warp from Warhammer 40K
This book probably has my favorite final showdown between protagonist and antagonistic that I ever read. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that: Rian Johnson, read this book and make note. THIS is how you subvert expectations.
As I read, “Rian Johnson, read this book…” I panicked and thought “No! I don’t want him anywhere near this story or the DT!” Then I read your last sentence…lol.
@@jereXIX omg no! "The Dark Tower" by Rian Johnson, featuring Eldred Jonas in the comic relief role, Susan Delgado as the tough no-nonsense gunslinger, Roland and Cuthbert on an irrelevant adventure far away from the main story, and Rhea would have purple hair.
Have you heard of a channel called dave reads king it's really great he talks about 19 reasons why you should read a book from Stephen king he's already done videos on
Dolores Claiborne from a Buick 8
The dark tower series 🤔📚📖
First time reader of this incredible series, and this one has become my favorite. Greetings from Brazil, Mike!
This is my favorite in the series-- beautiful and heart wrenching. just sooo good :)
Where is that song from??? It's driving me crazy. I love this book. It's become one of my favorite not only DT book but as a stand alone novel.
I have the song credits linked in the description.
It's from the Risk Global Domination mobile game
Sweet renderings
Hey Mike, do you have the dark tower omnibus? Check it out if you dont
First! Not that it matters. Lovely morning everyone.
🤩