Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, Book 5)

Rating:
Summary: It's Been a Long Time Coming ... So Does "Wolves" Deliver?
Review: Once, there was a story of simple gunman, traversing the desert in hunt of his prey, a fiendish wizard. He learns that the Dark Tower and the Beams which hold it, pivotal monuments to the working reality of the universe, are slowly deteriorating, and that the worlds denaturing as a result. Now, more than twenty years later, we are nearing the end of Stephen King's fantasy/sci-fi Dark Tower series. Amidst all the hype, one has to wonder whether "Wolves of the Calla," the fifth volume of the series, is really as good as it's said to be.

First off, let me say this: no matter what one's beef is with King and/or his plots, everyone has to admit that his writing is simply beautiful. Stunningly descriptive without being droningly mundane, King crafts wonderous landscapes, objects, and characters with a few eloquent sentences.

As far as the plot goes ... well, it seems to be more on a like-it-or-hate-it basis. Out of all the Tower novels, this one seems to be receiving the harshest criticism. The story is as thus: Roland Deschain, Eddie and Susannah Dean, Jake Chambers, and Oy the Bumbler continue their quest to the Dark Tower. They make a detour to a small village called Calla Bryn Sturgis, where they are asked to protect the folken from beings called the Wolves, who storm into town each generation and steal one child from every set of twins (which are highly prominent in this little glade).

Personally, I had few problems with the story itself, and even the deliverance of it took no skin off my back. The characters continue to grow, and more unique ones are introduced (including a C3PO-like robot and a character from one of King's earlier novels). Wolves did a good job convincing me that the quest to the Dark Tower was important; worlds appear to be drifting together, and major power players are trying to halt the Ka-Tet's progress (particularly Randall Flagg and the Crimson King). The climax of the book was far too short for my liking however, and, like The Waste Lands, Wolves of the Calla leaves off on one of those irritating cliffhangers.

In fact, my only complaint about the book, ironically enough, is the artwork. Bernie Wrightson does some pretty keen pencil sketches, but they're overpowered by the rough, gawdy paintings spread throughout the tome like a nasty plague. Even the cover is incredibly painful to look at; for the first time in years, I removed the cover just to have it out of my sight. It's a shame that greats like Michael Whelan or Dave McKean couldn't have been in on this project.

All in all, Wolves of the Calla is a quality novel, if a bit below the standard it's predecessors have set. Chances are if you've read the first four novels, you'll have to read this one, just to get a sense of closure. My advice to those who don't like this book? Hold off on the bashing until the series wraps up. King, as usual, has got SOMETHING up his sleeve ...

Rating:
Summary: "Gunslingers, to me!"
Review: Few authors can instill a sense of awe and wonder within their audience especially in a series, sometimes the author writes to quickly and the series begins to lose its power (Wheel of time) and sometimes the author just keeps putting out the same material but changing the names and faces (Shannara Series). However, King's DT series remains invigorating and interesting to say the least and is a testament to Kings skill as a writer. I have read many comments on how the climax of the final battle with the wolves was too short, but King stays true, the DT series is not focused on battling the wolves but on reaching the Dark Tower, the battle is one tiny step in a great journey and who could forget Roland's quote "five minutes of blood and stupidity."

Wolves of the Calla is an excellent edition to the DT series and after I read it I was inspired to write my very own series, look for it appearing soon..NOT! Anyways King continues to impress me, and remember no one is a flawless writer, least of the the reviewer. ONWARD TO THE DARK TOWER...

Rating:
Summary: Great read/listen
Review: Once again the master of storytelling strikes gold with Wolves of the Calla. I am an audio listener and was most apprehensive by the new reader who had big shoes to fill replacing Frank Muller. It did not take long for George Guidall to grow on me and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Those that criticize the cultural language (thankya big big, ya kin, may it do ya, etc) as annoyances would benefit from the audio version. The language and inflection brought richness and depth to the story/sub-stories and is perhaps my favorite part of the book.

All in all a terrific story, and I thank ya.

Rating:
Summary: Calm down a bit..... sheesh..
Review: I'm a little surprised at some of the negative reviews here... Not the fact solely that they're negative, but the reasons behind them are silly...

First of all, I had a few problems with the book. I agree that the Callahan flashback was way too long and that the final clash with the wolves was way too short. I kept expecting that surprise attack from the river, or something - they just shot them and then it was over... Alot of us could have written that. I was looking for more of a Wizard's Glass type ending where, when you stop reading to get a glass of water you can't drink it because you hand is shaking so much and your heart is beating so fast..

Now - why is everyone so ticked off about the self-insertion bit at the end? Isn't that kind of cool? I personally was wondering if Calvin Tower had a couple 1st edition King's stashed in that warehouse. It's not self-serving, What King does is entertainment, allow yourselves to be entertained for once, relax and enjoy the book - why literally look for things to bag on?

I've also read reviews that indicate the reader's malice toward the unresolved storylines such as Susannah's pregnancy, etc.... Um, isn't this a series? There are TWO more books left. I'm sure they won't be thin pamphlets either. Again, relax, enjoy the books and let a little of the suspense grow - only eight more months guys, and your thirsts will be satisfied.

I would reccommend this book wholeheartedly for the DT fan who loves the story for what it is. If you're a nitpicking, type A, stick-in-the-rear, read something else.
conversej799@hotmail

Rating:
Summary: I love this series...so I'm hanging in
Review: I liked this book but I had issues with it. For example, I have no problem with Father Callahan being involved in the final push, I just didn't care about his character enough for the incredibly long flashback story. Also, the end battle was over way too quickly and easily. Totally anticlimatic. I don't know what King is planning but I do hope his intention is not to write himself into the story in any significant way. However, I'm concerned that IS where he's going because of the strong emphasis on the numbers "19" and "99". I haven't seen anyone else mention it so I'm bringing it up: 1999 is the year that King was hit by the truck while he was out walking. I don't think its a coincidence that 1999 is obviously where Susannah/Mia took off too and where the remaining ka-tet undoubtedly will follow her. But whatever, I'm in this until the end. I just hope my tears when its over aren't out of frustration and anger because I love King and this series!

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Summary: and the Tower is closer...
Review: First off, the Dark Tower series is like an expensive, good drug - you either go with it and it produces all kinds of happiness, or you fight it and it fights back. Some people get completely confused the moment you introduce time travel into any story - the concept of "any-where-any-when" isn't going to help you. Just give up now and stop putting up the lame one-star ratings to make the average go down.

To go with the drug, you do have to shell out some bucks and buy not only the first four Dark Tower books, but also The Talisman, Black House, Hearts in Atlantis, The Stand, Eye of the Dragon, Salem's Lot, and some of the others that SK has highlighted in the front part of this current book. While it could be cynically viewed as an elaborate marketing strategy, I find it an incredible tie-in of so many stories that is just fascinating. If you come to the conclusion that I have that SK is the master story-teller of his era, then reading all these books is just one reward after another. This is certainly his opus, and one I find to be the best series of books I've ever read.

I still think Dark Tower 4 - Wizard and Glass - is the top book he's ever written, but this is a nice 'point D to point E' book, much like Dark Tower 3. All the travel 'back' to modern day New York continues to weave in the story of the Rose, the Low Men, etc. and I found all the length of the book necessary and interesting.

I did laugh at others that talked about the book making your hands black! I thought it was just mine!! Also, the illustrator was pathetic - clearly not bothering to even read the specifics of the book before beginning the drawings.

I am looking forward to the Ka-Tet eventually finding the world of The Talisman and Black House, and Roland's first meeting with Jack Sawyer - two great heros.

Rating:
Summary: So that's what I've been waiting for?
Review: King is my favorite author, and I have been devouring the "Tower" books several times.
However, I have never read, nor had any interest to read "Salem's Lot". As such, I couldn't care less about Father Callahan and found his presence in Roland's world totally uncalled for. "Wolves of the Calla" felt like King couldn't quite continue the "Tower" series by itself. Like he really wanted to tell another story altogether but was guilttripped into continuing the series. By itself, without any of the Dark Tower characters, "Wolves" would have been a great read, but as a "Tower" installment, it left me feeling "This is what I have been waiting for all these years?"
I am such a tower junkie, that I actually feel a little cheated.
As an example, Eddie never struck me as a baseball fan, or one who would even follow the World Series. As a Red Sox fan, I'm way familiar with the name Buckner, but for Eddie, it seemed out of character. Maybe the "Girl who loved Tom Gordon" would have made a better time/dimension traveler...

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Summary: The Dark Tower Series Keeps Getting Better and Better
Review: I could talk about how much I love the writing of Stephen King and especially The Dark Tower series all day, but I will keep it short and sweet.

If you have read the other books in the Tower series, do not hesitate to pick Wolves of the Calla up. It may be the best one to date.

If you are a fan of Stephen King but have not read any of The Dark Tower books, do yourself a favor and run, not walk, to get a copy of The Gunslinger. You will not regret it. It is a long series, but you will be rewarded with one of the best stories you have ever read.

If you are a fan of The Lord Of The Rings, but have never read The Dark Tower, you owe it to yourself to start reading them now. The Dark Tower is the next best thing to our beloved Middle-earth epic.

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Summary: Salvation and destruction both come from inside our psyche
Review: This is the most expected book by Stephen King. And the expectation is rewarded with a marvellous experience : reading this fifth volume of the Dark Tower series. Stephen King is here at his best. He brings together some other books of his and entertwines them, dramatically and effectively, into the tale. It is Salem's Lot of course, and that is a brilliant development. Some may say that he uses again situations like the assembly of the village and this repetition may seem humdrum. This is a false perception. He renews the situation in all possible ways. And the book stands out as one great achievement. It also deals with problems of our society. There is a strong feeling of rebellion against machines and modern technology that want to take over the universe, as the tools of some individuals or groups of individuals who want to conquer and control the whole world. It is a denunciation of this technological and mechanical dictatorship we are living in, but technology and machines are always seen as the extension of the morbid desires and impulses of some dark people who pull the strings in the wings, and we long to discover those wings, and we feel in phase with our gunslingers who want to prevent this domination, to save the universe from the dictatorship of these dark minds. Stephen King is also mixing motivations : some are moved by religious feelings and convictions, some are moved by adolescent needs and dreams, some are moved by the desire to control their lives, some are moved by the impulse to destroy the dark side of humanity, etc. These motivations bring together very different people in one common task. Stephen King also explores the people who are ready, for petty profits, to sign up with the dark side of life and become traitors of their own community, and the reasons of this treachery are also very varied, and the gunslingers are not immune. Anyone can become possessed by some dark forces : personal ambition, personal interest, or just some schizophrenic split in their psyhe, a split that is produced by society itself because we do have to be schizophrenic to be able to survive in a world deeply divided between humanistic dreams of peace and quiet development and totalitarian selfish interests. This exploration of the deepest layers of modern man's or woman's psyche is fascinating, frightening and also thrilling : the thrill of the future not being entirely determined and enslaved, of the future being open to our decision to stand against dark forces, of the future being in our own hands. And yet it is not that simple, because to bring up this humanistic future, the gunslingers are at times obliged to be ruthless and brutal with other human beings or even with themselves or among themselves. The dark forces are everywhere and the future can only be brought about through a painful and sometimes fatal delivery. We are mesmerized by this sense of delivery that pervades the whole book : delivery as in the bringing about of a new life, delivery as a liberation of our potentials, even if these potentials are at times purely destructive.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Rating:
Summary: Just as great as the rest of the series
Review: For all fans of the Dark Tower series, this next chapter will not disappoint. Enough said.