The Gunslinger
by Stephen King · first published 1976
38% recommend63% neutral
[The Dark Tower][1] I The Gunslinger is a dark-fantasy by American author Stephen King. It is the first volume in the Dark Tower series. The Gunslinger was first published in 1982 as a fix-up novel, joining five short stories that had been published between 1978 and 1981. King substantially revised the novel in 2003; this version has remained in print ever since, with the subtitle RESUMPTION. The story centers upon Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, who has been chasing his adversary, "the man in black," for many years. The novel fuses Western fiction with fantasy, science fiction,
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Ever heard of The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King? I actually started it about 6 years ago, but recently picked up The Wolves of Calla (the fifth book). The Gunslinger (first in the series) is awesome.
on “Ask HN: Best non-technical book you've read lately? ” ↗I loved the first three books when I read them back in the early nineties but The Gunslinger is my favourite of the series. It had a certain poetic beauty and mysterious quality to it that was unlike any other Stephen King book that I had read before – or since.
on “What makes a great opening line?” ↗I've never been much fiction reader but I recently picked up The Gunslinger by Stephen King and it has been tough to put down.
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗> I may be one of the few people who preferred the original version of The Gunslinger. In case it isn't clear, I think poster I'm replying to is referencing the fact that King went back decades later and re-wrote The Gunslinger, mostly for continuity I believe. I've not yet read the rewrite,…
on “Show HN: Opening lines of famous literary works” ↗…Malazan Book of The Fallen series and loved it but I felt it went off-rails, I prefer sagas that at least know where they will end up- as opposed to just figuring it out as you go (like Stephen King's 'Gunslinger'). As I've gotten older I can't do filler (why I hate most modern anime without a site that tells you which are filler episodes and so safe to skip). I refuse to even watch any anime series on Netflix…
on “The Eldritch Roots of Dungeons and Dragons” ↗Stephen King recently rewrote the Gunslinger (first dark tower book) by mostly deleting the florid "serial adjective abuse". He goes into it in detail in the forward. The result isn't Hemingway, but it is more readable, and actually feels richer…
on “This Man Moved to a Desert Island to Disappear. Here's What Happened” ↗The only one I can immediately recall: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed" - Stephen King's The Gunslinger
on “How to Start a Novel” ↗…Neuromancer - William Gibson Blood of Elves - Andrzej Sapkowski We Were Eight Years In Power - Ta-Nehisi Coates Mort - Terry Pratchett I’m Glad My Mom Died - Jennette McCurdy The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - Stephen King American Gods - Neil Gaiman The Boy’s in the Boat - Daniel James Brown Can’t Hurt Me - David Goggins Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want…
on “Ask HN: What did you read in 2025?” ↗