NationMaster - Encyclopedia: The Gunslinger

The Gunslinger is a novel by American author Stephen King, and is the first volume in the Dark Tower series, which King considers to be his magnum opus. The story centers upon "the gunslinger", who has been chasing after his adversary, "the man in black", for many years. Chronicled is the gunslinger's quest through a large desert, and then a mountain, in search of the man. Along the way, he encounters various people, among them a boy named Jake, who is from another world. Image File history File links Cover image of Book One of Stephen Kings Dark Tower series This image is a book cover. ... For other persons named Stephen King, see Stephen King (disambiguation). ... At the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow, August 2005 Michael Whelan (born June 29, 1950) is a multiple award winning American artist specializing in science fiction and fantasy illustration. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Look up Fantasy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary For other definitions of fantasy, see fantasy (psychology). ... â€œHorror storyâ€ redirects here. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... A publisher is a person or entity which engages in the act of publishing. ... Donald M. Grant is a fantasy/ science fiction publisher in [[New Hampshire]. It is notable for publishing fantasy novels with beautiful illustrations. ... Hardcover books A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) is a book bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with cloth, heavy paper, or sometimes leather). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... ISBN redirects here. ... The Drawing of the Three is the second book in the Dark Tower series written by Stephen King in 1970 and published by Donald M. Grant, Publisher in 1987. ... Image File history File links Portal. ... For other persons named Stephen King, see Stephen King (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see The Dark Tower. ... Magnum opus (sometimes Opus magnum, plural magna opera), from the Latin meaning great work,[1] refers to the best, most popular, or most renowned achievement of an author, artist, or composer, and most commonly one who has contributed a very large amount of material. ... Roland Deschain as depicted on the cover of The Dark Tower VII. Art by Michael Whelan . ...

Background and publication

The novel was inspired by the poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" by Robert Browning, which King read as a sophomore at the University of Maine. King explains that he "played with the idea of trying a long romantic novel embodying the feel, if not the exact sense, of the Browning poem." In March 1970, while a senior at the university, King began writing the novel on bright green sheets of paper. The five parts that constitute the novel were originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction: Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came painted by Thomas Moran in 1859 Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came is a poem by Robert Browning, written in 1855, first published that same year in the collection entitled Men and Women. ... Robert Browning (May 7, 1812 â€“ December 12, 1889) was a British poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets. ... The University of Maine, established in 1865, is the flagship university of the University of Maine System. ... F&SF April 1971, special Poul Anderson issue. ...

In all, it took King twelve years to finish the novel. The finished product was first published by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as a limited edition in 1982. In 1988, Plume released it in trade paperback form. Since then, the book has been re-issued in various formats and included in boxed sets with other volumes of the series. Donald M. Grant is a fantasy/ science fiction publisher in [[New Hampshire]. It is notable for publishing fantasy novels with beautiful illustrations. ... A trade paperback can refer to any book that is bound with a heavy paper cover that is generally cheaper than the hardcover but more expensive than the regular paperback version. ...

In 2003 the novel was reissued in a revised and expanded version with modified language and added scenes intended to resolve inconsistencies with the later books in the series.

Synopsis

The book begins, "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." It tells the story of the gunslinger, Roland of Gilead, and his quest to catch the man in black, which will ultimately lead him to the Dark Tower. Roland is a Gunslinger, his world's answer to the knight-errant, and he follows the trail of his fatal obsession. Roland Deschain as depicted on the cover of The Dark Tower VII. Art by Michael Whelan . ... Randall Flagg. ... A knight errant is a figure of Medieval romantic chivalric literature. ...

The main story takes place in a world that is recognizable as the Old West but exists in an alternate time frame or parallel universe to ours; Roland exists in a place where "the world has moved on." This world has a few things in common with our own, however, including memories of the song "Hey Jude" and the child's rhyme that begins "Beans, beans, the musical fruit." Vestiges of forgotten or skewed versions of real-world technology also appear, such as a reference to a gas pump in a tunnel under a mountain that is worshipped as a god named "Amoco", and an abandoned way station with a water pump which is powered by an "atomic slug". Great Basin region, typical American West The Western United States has played a significant role in history and fiction. ... Parallel universe or alternate reality in science fiction and fantasy is a self-contained separate reality coexisting with our own. ... For the album of the same name, see Hey Jude (album). ... The American Oil Company, or Amoco, was a global chemical and oil company, founded in Baltimore in 1910 and incorporated in 1922 by Louis Blaustein and his son Jacob, but now part of BP. The firms early innovations include the gasoline tanker truck and the drive-through filling station. ...

It is at this way station that Roland first meets John Chambers (who goes by Jake), a child who died in the world that we know. Jake was pushed in front of a car by a fellow named Jack Mort, who he thought was the Man in Black (the name Jack Mort was never used in this novel), and woke up at the way station. Roland takes Jake with him on his journey across the desert and through the mountain. Jake becomes a symbolic son to Roland, but Roland sacrifices Jake when he is faced with a choice between saving Jake's life and catching the Man In Black. Before Jake dies, he says, "Go, then. There are other worlds than these." The importance of these other worlds, as well as some of their inhabitants, is revealed as the series progresses. Jake Chambers captured by Gasher in Lud. ...

The Gunslinger takes the form of a series of interleaved flashbacks, as Roland's quest is interrupted with dreamlike vignettes from his youth. By far the most stylized and enigmatic of King's longer works, the book is perhaps best seen as an introductory tableau or prologue to the entire series, the subsequent books of which are much more concrete and linear in their story-telling.

Editions

Hardcover books A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) is a book bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with cloth, heavy paper, or sometimes leather). ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... A Prebound book is a book that was previously bound and has been rebound with a library quality hardcover binding. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... For the meaning of cassette in genetics, see cassette (genetics). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Categories: Stub | Books ... A user viewing an electronic page on an eBook reading device An e-book (for electronic book: also eBook, ecoBook) is the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book. ...

References

External links

The Gunslinger · The Drawing of the Three · The Waste Lands · Wizard and Glass · Wolves of the Calla · Song of Susannah · The Dark Tower For other uses, see The Dark Tower. ... For other persons named Stephen King, see Stephen King (disambiguation). ... The Drawing of the Three is the second book in the Dark Tower series written by Stephen King in 1970 and published by Donald M. Grant, Publisher in 1987. ... The Waste Lands is book III of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. ... Wizard and Glass is the fourth book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. ... Wolves of the Calla is the fifth book in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ... Song of Susannah is the sixth and penultimate novel in Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. ... The Dark Tower is the seventh and final book of novelist Stephen Kings Dark Tower series, published September 21, 2004 (Kings birthday) by Donald M. Grant Publishers, and illustrated by Michael Whelan. ...

Prequels: The Little Sisters of Eluria · The Gunslinger Born · The Long Road Home The Little Sisters of Eluria, Art by Erik Wilson. ...

Ka-tets

Roland Deschain · Jake Chambers · Eddie Dean · Susannah Dean · Oy · Father Callahan The Dark Tower is a fantasy fiction, science fantasy, horror, and western themed series of novels by the American writer Stephen King. ... Roland Deschain as depicted on the cover of The Dark Tower VII. Art by Michael Whelan . ... Jake Chambers captured by Gasher in Lud. ... Eddie Dean is a fictional main character of Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series of novels. ... Susannah Dean (also referred to as Odetta Holmes and Detta Walker) is a fictional character from Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ... Oy is a character from the Dark Tower series written by Stephen King. ... Father Callahan from Wolves of the Calla. ...

Cuthbert Allgood · Alain Johns · Jamie De Curry Cuthbert Allgood is a fictional character from Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ... Alain Johns is a character in Stephen Kings epic series of Dark Tower novels. ... Jamie De Curry is a character and gunslinger in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ...

The Red

Crimson King · Randall Flagg · John Farson · Dandelo · Mordred Deschain · Rhea of the Cöos · Eldred Jonas The following terms are used in The Dark Tower, a series of books by Stephen King. ... For the similarly-named progressive rock band, see King Crimson. ... Randall Flagg. ... John Farson, The Good Man, was a leader of a revolution in the land of Gilead from Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ... Dandelo is a fictional character from The Dark Tower, the seventh book in Stephen Kings Dark Tower Series. ... Mordred. ... Rhea of the Coos is a witch mentioned several times in the fictional Dark Tower series by Stephen King. ... Eldred Jonas is a fictional character from the novel Wizard and Glass by Stephen King. ...

Other characters

Patrick Danville · Stephen King · Bryan Smith · Sheemie Ruiz · Shardik · Blaine the Mono · Calvin Tower · Dinky Earnshaw · Andrew Quick · Pimli Prentiss · Finli O'Tego · Susan Delgado · Steven Deschain · Cort // Main article: Roland Deschain Roland Deschain, son of Steven Deschain, was born in the Land of Gilead. ... Patrick Danville as an adult. ... For other persons named Stephen King, see Stephen King (disambiguation). ... Bryan Smith. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Shardik is a character encountered by Roland and his ka-tet during the novel The Waste Lands, book three of Stephen Kings epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower. ... Blaine the Mono is a demented monorail train appearing in the third and fourth books of Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. ... Calvin Tower is a character in the Dark Tower books by Stephen King. ... Dinky Earnshaw is a fictional character appearing in Stephen Kings Dark Tower series and short story Everythings Eventual. Dinky is a powerful psychic, also known as a Breaker. ... Andrew Quick, known as the Tick-Tock Man to his followers, is a fictional character created by writer Stephen King appearing in The Dark Tower series. ... Pimli Prentiss is a character in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ... Finli OTego in a scene from The Dark Tower VII. Art by Michael Whelan. ... Spoiler warning: // [edit] Protagonists [edit] Ka-tet of the Nineteen and Ninety-nine [edit] Roland Deschain Main article: Roland Deschain Roland Deschain by Phil Hale for Dark Tower II: Drawing of The Three Roland Deschain, son of Steven Deschain, was born in the fictional Land of Gilead. ... Stephen Deschain is the father of Roland Deschain, the main protaganist in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower book series. ... // Main article: Roland Deschain Roland Deschain, son of Steven Deschain, was born in the Land of Gilead. ...

Races

Slow mutants · Old Ones · Grays · Taheen · Can-toi Slow mutants are an offshoot of humanity in the post-apocalyptic world of Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. ... Old One is a term used to refer periphrastically to God or a deity. ... The Grays are inhabitants of the city Lud in Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. ... The Taheen are fictional human like creatures in proportion, but have animal characteristics. ... The Can-Toi are fictional creatures from Stephen Kings Dark Tower series and related works. ...

Places

All-World · Devar-Toi · Lud · Calla Bryn Sturgis The Dark Tower series of novels, by Stephen King, contain references to numerous locations. ... All-World is the world/universe (see: parallel universe) also known as Keystone Tower. The only known referance to such a place is found in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower (series). ... Devar-toi is a screamo band from Charlotte, North Carolina that began in 2002. ... Lud is a fictional city in Stephen Kings Dark Tower series and mentioned in his Rose Madder. ... Calla Bryn Sturgis is the fictional locale of the first major battle that Roland Deschains ka-tet faces on their journey to the Dark Tower, in Stephen Kings epic series. ...

Organizations

North Central Positronics · Sombra Corporation · Tet Corporation North Central Positronics is a fictional corporation in Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. ... Spoiler warning: Sombra Corporation is a megacorporation in The Dark Tower (series) by Stephen King. ... In the Dark Tower series of novels by Steven King, the Tet Corporation was founded by Roland Deschain and his ka-tet to prevent the destruction of The Rose (in the Dark Tower series) by stopping the Sombra Corporation from purchasing the vacant lot on which the rose grew. ...

Related books

’Salem's Lot · The Stand · The Talisman · Skeleton Crew · It · The Eyes of the Dragon · Insomnia · Rose Madder · Desperation · The Regulators · Bag of Bones · Hearts in Atlantis · Black House · Everything's Eventual · From a Buick 8 â€™Salemâ€™s Lot is a horror novel by Stephen King, written in 1975. ... The Stand is a post-apocalyptic Horror/Science Fiction novel by Stephen King originally published in 1978. ... The Talisman is a 1984 fantasy novel by Stephen King and Peter Straub. ... Skeleton Crew (1985) is the second published anthology of short stories by Stephen King. ... It is a horror novel by Stephen King, published in 1986. ... The Eyes of the Dragon is a book by Stephen King published in 1987. ... Insomnia is a novel written by Stephen King and first published in 1994. ... Rose Madder is a 1995 novel by Stephen King. ... Desperation. ... The Regulators is a novel by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. ... Bag of Bones is a 1998 novel by Stephen King. ... Hearts in Atlantis (1999), is a fictional work by Stephen King. ... Black House is a novel by horror writers Stephen King and Peter Straub. ... From a Buick 8 is a novel by horror writer Stephen King (ISBN 0-7432-1137-5). ...

Glossary

Ka · Slo-Trans The following terms are used in The Dark Tower, a series of books by Stephen King. ... Ka is the force that leads all living (and unliving) creatures, it is the equivilant of destiny, yet not. ... Slo-Trans is a fictional engine in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ...

Categories: 1982 novels | The Dark Tower novels For other persons named Stephen King, see Stephen King (disambiguation). ... This Stephen King bibliography is a list of books written by Stephen King, including collections, ebooks, and comic books. ... Carrie (1974) is Stephen Kings first published novel. ... â€™Salemâ€™s Lot is a horror novel by Stephen King, written in 1975. ... For other uses of this term, see Shining. ... The Stand is a post-apocalyptic Horror/Science Fiction novel by Stephen King originally published in 1978. ... The Dead Zone is a novel by Stephen King published in 1979. ... FireStarter (Japanese ãƒ•ã‚¡ã‚¤ã‚¹ã‚¿ Fai Suta) is the second episode of the anime FLCL. Spoiler warning: Summary The Episode starts out with Mamimi playing some handheld videogame about burning stuff to please a dark god Cantide. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... This article is about the novel by Stephen King. ... This section has been identified as trivia. ... Cycle of the Werewolf is a horror novel released in 1983 by Stephen King, featuring illustrations by renowned comic book artist Bernie Wrightson. ... The Talisman is a 1984 fantasy novel by Stephen King and Peter Straub. ... Peter Straub at the University of South Florida on February 15, 2007 Peter Francis Straub, born March 2, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a writer of fiction and poetry, best known as a prolific horror author. ... It is a horror novel by Stephen King, published in 1986. ... The Eyes of the Dragon is a book by Stephen King published in 1987. ... Misery is a horror novel by Stephen King, published in 1987. ... The Novel The Tommyknockers is a 1987 horror novel by Stephen King. ... --58. ... Needful Things is a horror novel by Stephen King and published in 1991. ... Geralds Game (1992) is a novel by Stephen King. ... Dolores Claiborne (1993) is a novel by Stephen King, which was adapted into a 1995 film starring Kathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. ... Insomnia is a novel written by Stephen King and first published in 1994. ... Rose Madder is a 1995 novel by Stephen King. ... This article is about the serial novel by Stephen King. ... Desperation. ... Bag of Bones is a 1998 novel by Stephen King. ... The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999) is a novel by Stephen King about a young girl, Patricia Trisha McFarland, who gets lost in the woods for more than a week. ... Dreamcatcher (2001) is a novel written by Stephen King. ... Black House is a novel by horror writers Stephen King and Peter Straub. ... Peter Straub at the University of South Florida on February 15, 2007 Peter Francis Straub, born March 2, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a writer of fiction and poetry, best known as a prolific horror author. ... From a Buick 8 is a novel by horror writer Stephen King (ISBN 0-7432-1137-5). ... The Colorado Kid is a mystery novel written by Stephen King for the Hard Case Crime imprint, published in 2005. ... Cell is an apocalyptic horror novel published by American author Stephen King in January 2006. ... Liseys Story is a novel by Stephen King. ... Duma Key is a forthcoming novel by horror writer Stephen King. ... For other uses, see The Dark Tower. ... The Drawing of the Three is the second book in the Dark Tower series written by Stephen King in 1970 and published by Donald M. Grant, Publisher in 1987. ... The Waste Lands is book III of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. ... Wizard and Glass is the fourth book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. ... Wolves of the Calla is the fifth book in Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series. ... Song of Susannah is the sixth and penultimate novel in Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. ... The Dark Tower is the seventh and final book of novelist Stephen Kings Dark Tower series, published September 21, 2004 (Kings birthday) by Donald M. Grant Publishers, and illustrated by Michael Whelan. ... The Bachman Books is a collection of novels by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. ... For the film sequel to Carrie, see The Rage: Carrie 2 Rage (originally titled Getting It On) is the first novel by Stephen King published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. ... For the forced relocation of Native Americans to eastern New Mexico, see Long Walk of the Navajo. ... Roadwork is a novel by Stephen King, published in 1981 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. ... The Running Man (1982) is a science fiction novel by Stephen King, written under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. ... Thinner is a 1984 novel by Stephen King, published under his pseudonym, Richard Bachman. ... The Regulators is a novel by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. ... Blaze is a novel written by Stephen King under the name Richard Bachman. ... Night Shift is the first anthology of short stories by Stephen King, first published in 1978. ... Different Seasons (1982) is a novella collection by Stephen King containing the following stories: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (subtitled: Hope Springs Eternal) Apt Pupil (subtitled: Summer of Corruption) The Body (subtitled: Fall From Innocence) The Breathing Method (subtitled: A Winters Tale) Three movies, The Shawshank Redemption (based on... Skeleton Crew (1985) is the second published anthology of short stories by Stephen King. ... Four Past Midnight is a collection of four novellas by Stephen King. ... Nightmares & Dreamscapes is a short story collection by Stephen King published in 1993. ... Hearts in Atlantis (1999), is a fictional work by Stephen King. ... Danse Macabre is a nonfiction book by Stephen King on horror fiction and United States pop culture. ... A Book with Text by King and Photos by F-Stop Fitzgerald, published in 1988 This was a coffee table photo book. ... On Writing. ... Ã if i was going to help you you would not need it because you so surepass my intellgents ... Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season (also known as Faithful) is a book co-written by Stephen King and Stewart ONan. ... Stewart ONan (born February 4, 1961) is an American author, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... Riding the Bullet (2000) is a novella by Stephen King. ... The Plant is a fiction novel published in 2000 by Stephen King. ... Creepshow is a classic 1982 anthology horror movie directed by George A. Romero (of Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead fame), and written by Stephen King (The Shining, Misery, The Stand). ... Cats Eye (also known as Stephen Kings Cats Eye) is a 1985 horror film directed by Lewis Teague and written by Stephen King. ... Silver Bullet is a 1985 film based on the Stephen King novella Cycle of the Werewolf. ... Maximum Overdrive is a 1986 tongue-in-cheek horror film, written and directed by horror novelist Stephen King. ... Pet Sematary (sometimes referred to as Stephen Kings Pet Sematary) is a 1989 horror film adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. ... Sleepwalkers is a 1992 American horror film based on an unpublished Stephen King novel and adapted by Mick Garris. ... The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer is a 2003 television miniseries prequel to the film Rose Red (2002). ... Sorry, Right Number is a teleplay written by author Stephen King for an episode of the horror anthology TV series Tales From The Darkside. ... Golden Years is a Stephen King miniseries that aired in seven parts on CBS in 1991. ... The Stand is a 1994 television miniseries based on the novel The Stand by Stephen King. ... For the 1980 film see The Shining (film). ... Storm of the Century is a 1999 horror TV miniseries written by Stephen King and directed by Craig R. Baxley. ... Rose Red is a 2002 horror movie with mystery and thriller elements, based on a plot written by Stephen King. ... Desperation. ... Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County is an upcoming musical written by novelist Stephen King with music by rock legend John Mellencamp. ... John Mellencamp, also known as John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp, (born October 7, 1951) is best known for being an American rock singer-songwriter. ... Stephen Kings Kingdom Hospital was a thirteen-episode miniseries based on Lars von Triers Riget, which was developed by horror writer Stephen King in 2004 for American television. ... Richard Bachmans author photo. ... Tabitha King (born Tabitha Spruce on March 24, 1949) is an American author, the wife of author Stephen King, and the mother of three children, two of whom are also published authors. ... Joe Hill (born 1971 as Joseph Hillstrom King) is an American writer of horror fiction. ... This page may meet Wikipediaâ€™s criteria for speedy deletion. ... Bryan Smith. ... Peter Straub at the University of South Florida on February 15, 2007 Peter Francis Straub, born March 2, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a writer of fiction and poetry, best known as a prolific horror author. ... The Rock Bottom Remainders is a rock & roll band consisting of published writers, most of them both amateur musicians and popular English-language book, magazine, and newspaper authors. ... Stephen King is one of the best selling novelists in the world, and his influence on popular culture and public consciousness is large and wide-ranging. ... The Dollar Baby (also sometimes referred to as the Dollar Deal) is a term coined by best-selling author Stephen King in reference to a select group of student and aspiring filmmakers for whom he has granted permission to adapt one of his short stories for the sole consideration of... This is a list of media based on work by Stephen King (including the Richard Bachman titles): // 1976 Carrie 1979 Salems Lot (TV miniseries) 1980 The Shining 1982 Creepshow (consists of five short films: Fathers Day, The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill, Something to Tide You Over, The... Castle Rock, Maine is a fictional town used by Stephen King as the setting for a number of his novels, novellas, and short stories. ... Derry, Maine is a fictional town used by Stephen King as the setting for a number of his novels, novellas, and short stories. ...

Contents

Synopsis

Editions

References

External links