logo

53 pages 1 hour read

Stephen King

The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger

Stephen KingFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Stephen King

The Gunslinger

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Mid-World • Undefined Future

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Gunslinger by Stephen King follows Roland Deschain, an anti-hero in a dystopian world reminiscent of the Old West, as he pursues the elusive Man in Black in a journey filled with physical and metaphysical trials. This narrative explores Roland's encounters, including a tragic episode in Tull and his companionship with Jake, culminating in a fateful confrontation with the Man in Black and a vision of the universe. This book includes themes of violence, death, and magic.

Dark

Mysterious

Gritty

Suspenseful

Adventurous

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Stephen King's The Gunslinger captivates readers with its unique blend of fantasy and Western genres, intricate world-building, and compelling protagonist. However, some critics find its pacing uneven and its narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, the novel serves as an intriguing introduction to the ambitious Dark Tower series.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Gunslinger?

Fans engrossed by dark fantasy and intricate storytelling akin to J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings or Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea will relish Stephen King's The Gunslinger. This novel appeals to readers fascinated by a blend of Western motifs, mythic quests, and psychological depth. A captivating start to King's epic The Dark Tower series.

Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Mid-World • Undefined Future

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.