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Reviews

BevVincentBevVincent
edited February 2013 in The Dark Tower Companion
Rocky Wood reviews THE DARK TOWER COMPANION



New readers and Dark Tower fans alike will benefit from this book. There is always something to learn about the Dark Tower universe. Even if you might not agree with Vincent’s opinion, it’s worth remembering he’s had access to King in compiling both of his books. In fact, he includes a short and enlightening interview with King (now we know the name of Roland’s sister!). Vincent has a strong commitment to opening Mid-World and its secrets to all readers, and this book proves he knows how to deliver.

Comments

  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Barry R. Hunter at The Baryon Review



    This is an an edition of all new material to update King’s additions to the canon of Roland, The Gunslinger. Bev Vincent is the author of THE ROAD TO THE DARK TOWER which Stephen King called "Wonderful". This new edition includes everything up to THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE and the graphic novels from Marvel which may or may not be the last volume of the saga. King can’t even say if there are any more stories tucked away before they pop out someday.



    Each book has its own section and gives a brief synopsis of the book along with listing characters, places, things and crossovers from other titles. Following that is a listing of other books written by King that have ties to The Dark Tower Canon. There is also a listing of the artwork in each volume as well as information on the contributors of the Marvel comics.



    There are also interviews with Robin Furth, Brian Stark, Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman. The listings of places and people in our world and mid-world as well as how things change along the timelines help the reader to understand some of the happenings that may not be clear without re-reading the series as each new one comes along.



    Vincent has done a terrific job in putting this together and it fills a need for each “Constant Reader”. It demands a place on the shelf next to The Dark Tower Canon where it can be easily found when a question comes up.



    Don’t wait for the April 2, 2013 release date, reserve it at your local bookseller to make sure that it doesn’t slip away.



    http://thebaryonreview.blogspot.com/
  • Lou_SytsmaLou_Sytsma
    Niiiiice.
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Kev Quigley at FEARnet
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Rocky Wood at Monster Librarian
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Blu Gilliand at October Country



    In part:

    Books like this are made to be perused, dipped into here and there when a question or confusion about something Dark Tower-related arises. However, Vincent’s open, thoughtful approach to the writing makes it a book that you could easily read cover-to-cover. The material flows in a way that most guidebooks don’t. Vincent’s knowledge of the material is encyclopedic, but his writing style reads nothing like an encyclopedia. It’s incredibly readable, packed with detail and information and insight, and completely approachable. Vincent set out to write something that would appeal to Dark Tower junkies and newbies alike, and in that he has succeeded handily.



    Oh, and one more thing – after reading a few pages of material, I was fired up and ready to dive headfirst back into the Dark Tower series again. So, if you pick this book up, make sure your reading schedule is clear – not only are you going to want to absorb every word of Vincent’s book, you’ll likely be stacking up those eight Dark Tower novels right behind it.
  • Lou_SytsmaLou_Sytsma
    Most excellent writeup.
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    The first Spanish review
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Club Stephen King:

    I am a fan of Stephen King and The Dark Tower is a wonderful saga... but i am not what is called a "Dark Tower junkie", nor a specialist of The Dark Tower.

    Bev Vincent, is definitely a Dark Tower specialist.

    Abnd he just released THE DARK TOWER COMPANION, whom is his second book about The Dark Tower, the first being THE ROAD TO THE DARK TOWER.



    But you dont need to be a Dark Tower specialist to read and appreciate THE DARK TOWER COMPANION. This book is well structured, and it covers EVERYTHING that could be said & need to be said about THE DARK TOWER.



    After an initial introduction, the book opens with a wonderful presentation of the saga ("What's it all about?"), before developping the original work which corresponds to 8 books + a short story titled The Little Sisters of Eluria.



    TDC presents all the links between The Dark Tower and Stephen King books & short stories, but also covers the extented universe : Discordia (an interactive experience on the official website, which tends to be forgotten. ie : i personally wasnt aware of the recent update of Discordia), and the graphic novels + its appendices that are the guides & almanachs created by Marvel.

    On top of this, Bev Vincent adds to this book a work that seems quite comprehensive in which he presents the characters & Roland's ennemis, the places (fictitious or the true places of Manhattan), as well as the timeline of The Dark Tower.

    And finally, let's not forget the different interviews that Bev Vincent conducted and which are relevant for each parts of the book : the original work (with Stephen King), the extended universe of Discordia(Brian Stark & Robin Furth), the project of adaptation in movies+series+games(Ron Howard & Akiva Goldsman in which they present their vision for this ambitious project), and the Marvel graphic novels (with numerous artists & people involved in the comics).



    As it was the case with his other bestseller 'companion' book on Stephen King, THE ILLUSTRATED STEPHEN KING COMPANION, Bev Vincent keeps proving, if it was needed, that he is a real Stephen King specialist, and shows with great attention the large scale of the saga that Stephen King wrote over 40 years and that is his magnum opus. Despite the fact that THE DARK TOWER corresponds to 8 books + 1 short story, which span on more than 4,000 pages, the saga do also develops its roots & story arc in the rest of Stephen King's work... and is a lot richer that 'only' 8 books.



    This saga will last, and i am certain that if a project of adaptation one days sees the light, despite the challenges that will surround such a project, this saga will only gain in popularity. The same way than did THE LORD OF THE RINGS. But i think that it's honnest to see that, currently, THE DARK TOWER is mostly known by Stephen King fans.



    If you want to go back to THE DARK TOWER. If you want to discover more about the saga, or you want to refresh your memory. If you want to find out more about the other side of the mirror of the extended universe of this work, or even if you want to broaden your vision of the adaptation that Ron Howard & Akiva Goldsman wants to do, then do not wait anymore.

    You will simply not find a better book about THE DARK TOWER, than this DARK TOWER COMPANION... written by a recognised & great specialist es Stephen King.
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Bryant Burnette's extensive and insightful review. I love the shocked faces.

    Personally, I think it's worth having if only for the interview with King; but there's plenty more gravy on top of that piece of country-fried steak, and I would think that all but the most casual of Dark Tower fans would find something to enjoy here.
  • Lou_SytsmaLou_Sytsma
    Heheh. I was pretty shocked by that question too. Can't wait to read the answer. Book is on the To Be Read Pile.
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Review at I Smell Sheep
  • Lou_SytsmaLou_Sytsma
    I'll be getting a copy of it today.  So a review of it will be upcoming on the Lilja & Lou podcast.  Let me know if you are up for doing an interview for the book.
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Absolutely!
  • Lou_SytsmaLou_Sytsma
    8-)



    I have one more book to read and then yours is next.  Should get to it next week and then we can set something up.


  • BevVincentBevVincent
    Awesome -- just let me know!
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    "Bev Vincent is able to speak with authority on the subject without talking down to the readers. In fact, he is so fluent in Mid-World, one gets the feeling he has gone through a doorway and visited. Really, you have the sense that he’s been there."



    David Squyres' detailed and highly positive review at Talk Stephen King
  • Lou_SytsmaLou_Sytsma
    I scanned it only because I want to discover your book treasures myself but it has me even more excited to read it.
  • BevVincentBevVincent
    A new review by Tony Northrup at Through the Black Hole

    This was the biggest, most collected info on The Dark Tower I’ve ever read! This is not just a well-written history and bio on the series, but you could really tell Bev wrote this from the heart and as a fan. Die hards will love this book and new fans will get a little more understanding on why The Dark Tower means so much to us. This was an enjoyable read and extremely informative. I highly recommend The Dark Tower Companion.
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