The pivotal sixth instalment in King’s bestselling epic fantasy saga provides the key to the quest that defines Roland’s life.In the next part of their journey to the tower, Roland and his band of followers face adversity from every side: Susannah Dean has been taken over by a demon-mother and uses the power of Black Thirteen to get from the Mid-World New York City. But who is the father of her … father of her child? And what role will the Crimson King play?
Roland sends Jake to break Susannah’s date with destiny, while he himself uses ‘the persistence of magic’ to get to Maine in the Summer of 1977. It is a terrible world: for one thing it is real and bullets are flying. For another, it is inhabited by the author of a novel called ‘SALEM’S LOT.
SONG OF SUSANNAH is driven by revelation and by suspense. It continues THE DARK TOWER series seamlessly from WOLVES OF THE CALLA and the dramatic climax will leave readers desperate to read the quest’s conclusion.
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Song of Susannah is my favorite of Stephen King’s Dark Tower books so far.
There are several reasons. For one thing, King picks up right where the last book, Wolves of the Calla, left off, with Roland’s companion Susannah partially possessed by Mia, a former demon determined to have her baby in Susannah’s body. And unlike some of the earlier subplots in the series, this one ties directly to the main story: Mia’s child will be no ordinary boy—he’s foretold to be Roland’s doom and the Breaker of the last Beams supporting the multiverse. Upping the urgency even more, one of those Beams fails early in Song of Susannah. In short, the stakes are high and the story gripping.
Until King enters the story. Literally—as a character.
This threw me at first. Earlier books in the series have referenced some of King’s other works, most notably The Stand and Salem’s Lot. And some of the characters were starting to realize that they might be characters, fictional constructs rather than actual people. But in Song of Susannah, King is one of those constructs.
It’s easy to see this as indulgent. Every character an author creates contains a bit of that author, but explicitly writing yourself into your self-proclaimed “Ur Story” like this is only a character sheet and a twenty-sided die away from roleplaying. And Song of Susannah isn’t a tongue-and-cheek piece of self-aware literature like Redshirts. The Dark Tower series takes itself pretty seriously (well, as seriously as a series with “lobstrosities” can). It’s an epic tale that didn’t start with any indication that it would feature such a device.
I also balked at how King’s inclusion of himself took me out of the story. The best books allow you to get lost in them; they’re not just words on a page—they’re experiences. But when the author appears on the page, you’re forced to acknowledge that you’re reading something he/she wrote, and it destroys the illusion.
So given those reservations, why did I still like Song of Susannah? Because as I went further, King pulled me back in by making himself a believable character. He doesn’t shrink from his brushes with alcoholism and drug use. He’s not a hero: he’s a person, flawed but trying. And I’m okay with that.
I’m also excited to read the final book in the series. I wasn’t sure that would be the case when I set out on this journey with Roland and (later) his band of gunslingers, but if nothing else, Song of Susannah suggests the Dark Tower will finish strong.
(For more reviews like this one, see http://www.nickwisseman.com)
The entire Dark Tower series is wonderful. The character interactions, the plots and subplots, it is all fantastic!
Big fan of King and this series, just wish the books could have been written and published closer together
After getting past the original Gunslinger the rest of the Dark Tower was fantastic! A must read .
‘All things follow the beam.’
There’s a lot going on here, and it lost me a few times (my fault, not King’s). Also, it is LONG. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous books (or as much as the final one, which I am reading now), but make no mistake, this is storytelling of the highest order. I can’t fault the prose, especially the parts involving Father Callahan; that guy has to be one of the best characters King has ever written. Read it. Read them all.
As with all of Stephen King’s work, from the first page to the last, it kept you immersed in the story.
It keeps you going, engaging. Great descriptions of events, background. You never know what will happen. Great work !
Susannah was one of the most intricately written characters that I didn’t like. She was very slutty and had an angry mans mouth. Not for me.
Each book in the Dark Tower series is a good stand alone story but for best enjoyment, read the entire series. Its not like the movie.
While Wizard and Glass remains my favorite of the series, I believe this one has taken second place. Twists I didn’t see coming and explanations that have filled out some previously unclear pieces of the story. This was also the quickest read for me in the series as well. And with a total cliffhanger ending, I’ll be looking forward to the tale’s conclusion with anticipation.
I love this series, and this book was no exception!
An integral part of the Dark Tower series, the Song of Susannah is a window into the struggling soul of a key character.
Fabulous series..king doesn’t disappoint
Love this whole series!