Current Events > Would it be a bad idea to start the Dark Tower series?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I have only read IT and Salem's Lot. I am interested in Dark Tower, but hear that there are a lot of tie ins to other books. If I should hold off, what should I read next? I am a little exhausted from IT to start another 1,000+ page novel, so not looking at the Strand right now.

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Insomnia and Salem's Lot are arguably the two most important tie ins. The Stand also plays a role as well.

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No, it's fine to read on its own. The references are just supplemental.

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Nah youve already read the only tie in that really matters, go for it

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I'd recommend The Stand first.

But either way, The Dark Tower is a fantastic read.
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i loved it, having never read any of the tie ins. it's probably better if you have, but it's not necessary to enjoy the story itself.

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I enjoyed The Dark Tower just fine without having read any other of King's work.

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Any tie-ins are either explained in the DT series itself, or not relevant enough to confuse the reader. Honestly I only remember IT, Salem's Lot, and The Stand being heavily referenced, so you're probably good.

great series.

you might appreciate some stuff more if you read some of his other books first, but I feel like it uses those references in meaningful enough ways that you can enjoy those story elements in their own rights.

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ScazarMeltex posted...

Insomnia and Salem's Lot are arguably the two most important tie ins. The Stand also plays a role as well.

This & I'd highly recommend reading Salem's Lot anyway because it's great.

ScazarMeltex posted...

Insomnia and Salem's Lot are arguably the two most important tie ins. The Stand also plays a role as well.

This, but you don't need any of them and wouldn't know you're missing anything if you didn't read them.

Not my thing, but give it a shot.

We need more readers in this country.

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TheOtherMike posted...

Any tie-ins are either explained in the DT series itself, or not relevant enough to confuse the reader. Honestly I only remember IT, Salem's Lot, and The Stand being heavily referenced, so you're probably good.

Don't forget Eyes of the Dragon and Insomnia!

Actually forget Insomnia if you can.

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RadiantJoyrock posted...

Don't forget Eyes of the Dragon and Insomnia!

Actually forget Insomnia if you can.

Never read EotD. Insomnia was kinda bad. Not terrible, but bad enough for King to retcon it out of his expanded universe in the DT books. For that reason alone I don't really consider it a tie-in.

Oh I didn't know he retconned it, that's kinda sad since that's all it has going for it and makes the book even more pointless >.>