The imagery in this novel is awesome. The bulk of the story is in a western style post apocalyptic desert. There's saloons, gun fights and creepy abandoned towns. The Gunslinger also had flashbacks that took us to some kind of medieval-style fantasy world and we even meet a character that took us back to current time New York. I couldn't figure out how they all fit together though. I spent most of this story trying to piece together details to help me figure out the plot. Roland, The Gunslinger, is on the tail of The Man In Black and chasing him through the desert. I think he is chasing him to find some kind of tower. I am not sure why we want to find The Tower. The book is full of creative details that I spent too much time trying to figure out in hopes that they might be connected to the plot. For example, in this futuristic world, poker is called 'Watch Me'. It took me half a chapter to figure this out and it added nothing to the plot! I was starting to have a hard time turning the pages. There wasn't enough back story to explain what was going on. Roland also had a very disconnected character and in the beginning I took this as part of his 'bad ass take no prisoners' persona. Then we get introduce to the kid and I realized that the characters are just underdeveloped. I felt no heart ache in their moments of loss and I should have. The reader spends the entire book chasing after The Man in Black to find The Tower. We never find out what The Tower is and we never find it. Very unsatisfying. Stephen King failed to hook me with this first book and I won't be continuing with the series. 
 Character Casting: 
 Roland - The Gunslinger: Hugh Jackman