"The Gunslinger" (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King

Stephen King's fantasy/western, "The Gunslinger," is the first of the books that comprise the extraordinary "Dark Tower" series. Roland Deshayn, or Roland of Gilead, is the last of a long line of noble gunslingers. He inhabits a world that has "moved on," or is in the process of dying, and what remains is a wasteland. A man of few words, this enigmatic epic hero, (I picture Clint Eastwood as a younger man), pursues his nemesis, a sorcerer named Walter, the elusive "man in black," leaving behind a trail of bloodshed. Most of the blood is shed by Roland's own hand, as he is forced to make crucial decisions, "degrading to his spirit," in order to continue with his quest to seek The Dark Tower, the "nexus of all worlds."

As Roland makes his way across the brutal heat of the desert, the reader learns about the Gunslinger's past, and his knightly quest, through a series of flashbacks to an earlier time. Although nothing specific is described in this book, it is apparent that there were problems dealing with violence and revolution in Gilead, and a terrible betrayal - all provoked by Marten, Roland's father's court magician, a much greater sorcerer than Walter. These events could have precipitated the destruction and misery that is the present state of affairs in Mid-World. Roland's premature coming-of-age rite is described, however, as are the relationships of his youth, and a bloody showdown with the entire town of Tull. Through these episodes, one gets a clear image of a man, mature beyond his years, who has seen much and done more. And he accepted his fate long ago, while still a boy, with a foreshadowing of all the anguish he would cause and be caused on his quest.

On his journey, Roland meets a man, a lone corn farmer at the edge of the desert. He is offered a meal, a bed and cool water, as well as some rare conversation with the farmer and his talking raven. Later on the trail, he meets the boy Jake at an abandoned way station. Jake was killed in a previous life on what seems to be earth, (NYC) - his death was caused by the man in black. Roland, although portrayed as emotionless and cold in his pursuit of justice, does develop an extremely strong attachment to the boy. The Gunslinger finally catches-up to the man in black for a final confrontation. The dark sorcerer tells Roland's future with a deck of Tarot cards and then dies.

Obviously, as the series continues, Roland's journey will be a long one - after all, it has to last through seven books. "The Gunslinger" is almost guaranteed to travel through several different worlds before he reaches the Dark Tower. His next stop, in "The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, Book 2)," will be the Western Sea.

Author King sets a mood of total solitude here, a loneliness that is almost chilling. And the scenery is as empty, solitary, and almost as devoid of life as Roland's journey. I am aware that there are several characters in this novel, and not all of them exist in the past - but one is always left with the feeling that Roland is completely alone, with the man in black ahead of him, the only other living creature. The quest for the Tower is the only thing of import. Everyone and everything else is secondary.

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