The Griffin or the Agate

    Can an 830 page novel serve as a confessional? An apology or sorts? A mea culpa from author to reader? The Dark Tower series, in the sense of when the works were actually written, has spanned most of Stephen King's wildly successful career. It is, perhaps, indicative of his works as a whole, for within the seven novels (and at least one short story) that comprise the epic tale can be found some of King's weakest efforts (this summer's Song of Susannah) as well as one of his best (the superlative and fully realized Wizard and Glass). The lengthy gaps between releases served to madden and frustrate his loyal readers, something that may have prompted King to insert the younger version of himself into the mythos of the Dark Tower series and, indeed, makes the author one of the linchpins that serve to hold all of existence together. Somewhat appropriate for an author appearing in his own creation, although King shies away from embracing the concept of meta fiction or the shattering of the 'fourth wall.'
    Still, what else can one call it? While King addresses his early problems with substance abuse and lack of attention to his Dark Tower manuscripts as a sort of apology to his readers, he also sends members of his questing heroes – determined and focused Roland, the last of Mid-World's original gunslingers; Eddie and Susannah Dean, both formerly from New York City (but from different times), now married and gunslingers in their own right despite Susannah's lack of feet; Jake Chambers, once a boy from New York but now a gunslinger pushed into manhood much too quickly, and his fiercely loyal dog-like companion Oy – back to save him both from others as well as himself. Characters journey from Mid-World to our Earth and back as King attempts to give his readers the closure they so desperately – obsessively? - crave? For in addition to being both an apology and a coda, The Dark Tower is also a study of obsession and what those within its thrall are willing to do and sacrifice. What does the noble knight do when the task is completed? At what point does the quest become too personal and self-centered?
    Those familiar with King and the Dark Tower series don't need a synopsis of The Dark Tower. There will be battles fought, lives lost, lots of conversation, and a story that trundles steadily along. In this case it's a tale well-told as King shakes off the underwhelming psychobabble of Song of Susannah to produce a sturdy adventure. In the end the reader is left to wonder who is more relieved with the closure provided by The Dark Tower. Either way, it serves as a fitting conclusion to a series that, for the most part, was a pleasure to read.   §

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