Entertaining the Alien

43. The Road to the Dark Tower, Bev Vincent

Yeah, I'm still a little Tower-crazy right now. I've been looking forward to this book since I first heard about it at work back in May. It isn't quite what it was touted as being (a complete academic analysis of the series, tracing the various influences and allusions therein) but it's close. Close enough to make me completely happy. Vincent spends a chapter on each of the books, mostly summarizing it, but also making connections and conclusions that I'd always missed on my readthroughs. Then there are chapters on the characters, on the non-series works that directly (and sometimes indirectly) relate to the series, as well as a chapter on external influences, and an essay on whether or not the series is in fact King's magnum opus.

The biggest thing the book did for me is reinforce my desire to write a paper or series of papers on the books. I'm almost to the point that I'd gladly write said paper(s) just for myself alone, forget about being in school. I can guarantee, if/when I do get around to writing, this book will be one of my major resources.