The Gunslinger - Stephen King

Some books, despite their reputation, are mistreated by readers.

By readers I mean me.  The book was Stephen King's The Gunslinger.  Ignoring the reverent following it's garnered since release in 1982 and the countless recommendations from people who's opinions I respect, The Gunslinger sat untouched on the to-read pile for years.  Collecting dust instead of my attention and respect.

I'd love to say that this was something I quickly rectified, but the truth is I read The Gunslinger in 2012.

Criminal.

The most surprising part of all this is The Gunslinger possesses many of the traits which I most appreciate in a story.  Consistent characterisations and a well crafted sense of tone and atmosphere.  A compelling sense of "What's next?".  A simplicity of prose to remind us that writing is not a contest.

If any criticism of The Gunslinger is valid, it would be this; Roland Deschain, the titular character, is a distant protagonist.  He is so self-assured in his purpose that there is little room to explore his motivation.  But this is Stephen King.  Wielding a sharp sense of timing and story progression, King provides us with just enough, at just the right moment in time to keep us turning the pages.  Through a series of flashbacks Roland's past is revealed and the reader is given an understanding of what it is that drives him forward to the point where nothing will turn him from his goal, least of all humanitarian concerns.

It's a tight rope to walk.  The sort of single-minded focus and lack of moral ambiguity that can turn a reader against a protagonist.  But again, this is Stephen King.  A storyteller of the highest order.  The bleak outlook and the harsh tone of the world (and ultimately the series) is balanced by King's masterful characterisations, which he uses to create in Roland of Gilead and the Man in Black avatars of morality.  And as avatars, there is no room for ambiguity.  Consistency is key, or the Gunslinger himself would ring false.

There are many ways to judge a book when looking to rate it.  Prose.  Characterisation.  Story.  Atmosphere. Consistency.  I look at all these things.  And with a book like this, it is very difficult to remove "points" in any of those categories.  So I won't.

Understand, this is not my favourite book - though it does stand quite high.  But for what it is, it is perfect.  It is, intrinsically, flawless.  And for that reason...

My score - 10/10