The Dark Tower

Well, folks, it is almost finished. I have read all of the Dark Tower Books, and have reached the very end of my journey with Roland, and his Ka-tet. It has been a long journey, full of hardship and kinship, sorrow, and joy. And love.

At the end of the book, Sai Stephen King has given his readers a choice. At this particular junction, we are left with quite a happy scene...one that would leave his readers, like me, sobbing with relief...happiness...sincerity...

And yet, he taunts us with one more key...one more revelation, that, he warns, will not make the reader happy at all. In fact, it may leave the reader heartbroken.

He gives us the option to stop here, with the scolding that so many of his Constant Readers ignore the journey for the "end.." and reminds us that the end isn't always the most worthwhile part of a journey.

(And, to be honest, I was shocked when I got to the choice...I really thought the "ending," or what I thought was the ending, was sufficient...I had thought that knowing more would not be possible...it is too great...or to horrible...especially is it has to do with what I suspect it may...)

And feeling it a sufficient ending, I wouldn't have been sad closing the book there...wouldn't have clamored for more...

But know that I know that there is more...

I can't close the book...I must go with him all the way, for he has pulled me along thus far...to abondond him at the end of his path...despite what must lie there, I can not do.

So I will go on...

But not tonight (What? You mean I haven't already finished it?) No...I will wait to finish this tale. Tonight, I will leave in my thoughts the warm memories Sai King has planted at the near end of his tale.

I am not ready to go on...

Our Gunslinger would understand...