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The Dark Tower

Eight novels where the eighth is really book four and a half, and book one exists in two different versions.

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Where to start with The Dark Tower

Seven books in one line, one that sits in the middle of them and was written last, and a shelf of other Stephen King novels that feed into it. The path below is the core sequence in story order, with the one decision that matters flagged where it comes up.

  1. 1
    The Gunslinger (1982, revised 2003) The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger

    Short, strange, and not much like the rest. Get the 2003 revised text, which is what is in print, and treat it as a prologue rather than a sample.

  2. 2
    The Drawing of the Three (1987) The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three

    The book the series is actually made of. If The Gunslinger left you unconvinced, this is the one that decides it, and it is the reason people say to push through.

  3. 3
    Wizard and Glass (1997) The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass

    Roland's own story, told at length, and the emotional centre of the whole thing. Everything after it lands differently because of what is in here.

  4. 4
    The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole

    Optional, and this is where it goes if you want it. A self-contained tale that pauses the journey rather than moving it, so skipping it costs nothing.

Then what? Then Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower, in that order and preferably close together, because the last three are one long ending. The connected King novels can wait until you meet the character they explain: 'Salem's Lot before Wolves of the Calla, and Insomnia and Black House before book seven. The 2017 film is not an adaptation of any of it and is best left until after, if at all.

A suggested way in, not an official one. The full list is below — tick anything off in either place.

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