I must say, the amount of gore and violence that happened at the Sunlight Home has been some of King’s greatest. Absolutely loved how gruesome it was, incredibly vivid and super satisfying to see such a despicable set of characters meet that fate. 😈
Another entertaining review. This is not one of my favorite books in the series, but I think it's necessary to the extended reading order because of the themes that it introduces. If I had to pick one, I guess I would be Team Wolf. Both Richard and Wolf were annoying but Richard more so in my opinion. Looking forward to your next one.
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it and yeah I saw a lot of relevance here in terms of switching between worlds. I’m looking forward to reading Black House. Have you read that one also?
@@PaperbackJourneys Yeah I have read Black House, I liked it better than The Talisman here is my reading order again The Gunslinger The Eyes of the Dragon The Talisman The Drawing of the Three IT The Wastelands The Stand Wizard and Glass Insomnia Little Sisters Of Eluria (short story in Everything's Eventual) The Wind Through the Keyhole Salem's Lot Wolves of the Calla Black House Song of Susannah Low Men in Yellow Coats (Short story in Heart's in Atlantis) Everything's Eventual (short story in Everything's Eventual) The Dark Tower
Everything Everywhere All at Once is exactly what I thought of during that scene! Love the videos, and I’m following along. I’m about 4 books behind you at the moment so keep them coming!
It's so funny that you made the same connection with 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'! And I'm thrilled to know you're following along; no worries about being a few books behind, it's all about the journey. I'll definitely keep the videos coming. Happy reading and thanks for being a part of this adventure with me!
I’m not gonna lie, I had really high expectations for this books because people said it was really epic and fascinating and it end up being really predictable, but still I like it although it felt heavier than the stand ,also you feel like there is not a lot happening in a lot of parts. But it was okay
@@PaperbackJourneys I really loved wolf, it was such a lovely character also Jack is a good protagonist but my only issue is richard, idk I really didnt like him that much.
First thing I look forward to after finishing a book is coming to watch your spoiler reviews. Agree with most of what you said, especially about the repetitive nature of Jack continually getting sidetracked in various trials that were unrelated to the point of his quest. The book could have been a couple hundreds of pages shorter and still sufficiently told the story.
Aaron! I love hearing this mate. It's so rewarding for me to know that people are joining along on the journey to the tower. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It made my day.
Still really enjoying watching your journey to the Dark Tower. Can’t fault the review, when I read The Talisman I had a very similar response. When you get to Black House you’ll find a much more engaging book, and a book much more linked to the narrative of the Dark Tower, but you need to have read The Talisman for context. Fun fact. Every time I try and type ‘Talisman’ my phone tries to autocorrect to ‘Talisker’. I clearly text about scotch too much. PS the increase in production values have not gone unnoticed, well done, the video looks and sounds great. PPS Team Wolf
Oh thank you so much for mentioning the different background and lighting. I was concerned about the sound because the mic was further from my mouth here. I’m a voice actor so I’m overly sensitive to audio I think haha. Ahhh you’re a Talisker man! Nice!
Listened to half of this book on audible and your sketch and narration of Wolf was spot on 😂. Richard was completely useless and Wolf had his moments, so have to give the nod to Wolf. Great review as always 👏
Haha oh that makes me happy! Yeah I will say that Wolf served at least some purpose, you’re right. I think the thing that really got me was when he was in the movie theatre and freaked out and then couldn’t relax because he was in a car!! Like mate! Chill!!
Great opening sketch! Your videos only get better and better! Tbh, I am team wolf, he was a little bit more interesting than Richard. But only a little bit
Thank you so much. I never know if people are in to the little sketches at the beginning haha. My wife walks in as I make them and is like "What are you doing dude?" HAHA! Yeah as much as I didn't care for Wolf he was more interesting than Richard. I felt like Richard had potential though. He just needed something to do, especially since the villain was his father. I really expected him to step up and have some kind of an impact.
@@PaperbackJourneys the sketches are always great! I already am wondering what you’ll do in the next video! :D The question then is, whose idea was it to have Wolf and Richard as characters? Who should we blame? Straub or King? XD A common theme I’ve started to see with King novels is the inability for a character to make a stand and make them a better character, like the people of Vegas and now Richard. Heck even Thomas in EOTD. Anyway. Keep up the great work! Your videos are always amazing! :D
@@skunke2290 Yeah Stephen King makes very interesting decisions and my expectations of where a story / character is headed are almost always wrong. I think that’s because he’s what’s referred to as a “pantser” rather than a “planner.” He “writes by the seat of his pants” and doesn’t outline the story before he gets started which is exciting to read most of the time but occasionally confusing. I’m enjoying the journey though.
I feel like this is the introduction of the wizard's glass into the gunslinger/ dark tower epic. But i read the unrevised original books without the continuity upgrades. Wizard and glass in 96 was the first time i was reintroduced to the idea that this "palantir" type object
Great opening sketch, wolf. I read The Talisman back in the 1980s, I don't remember much about it but enjoyed it at the time and went on to read Ghost Story by Peter Straub.
Good read BUT didn’t see the necessity to read it as part of TDT extended series reading list …. Or at least only a few chapters need to be read to continue the journey to the Dark Tower.. if you disagree PLEASE comment - I am not opposed to changing my mind when a valid argument is proposed. Thanks!!
Yeah I would say it’s a good book but not one of my favourites from Stephen King. It’s better than The Eyes of the Dragon but not as good as The Drawing of the Three or The Stand. It’s kind of middle of the road. Thanks for your kind words Jarrod. I’m glad that you enjoyed the review.
I love the Talisman so much. It's so good and in retrospect, it's easy to see how it could be related to The Dark Tower. However, it did NOT need to be retconned to be a direct tie-in with the sequel. Black House is one of only a very few disappointments for me in King's entire bibliography. The DT stuff ruins it for me. It retroactively hurts Talisman for me.
You need to listen to this on Audible. Frank Muller is the best Morgan Slaut. Team Wolf only because he did more for Jack then boring ol Richard. The whole ending fight scene, it's a 11 year old child versus his 40 year old uncle yeah he fights like a kid lol.
Right I take your point but it all became cartoonish. I think even at one point Sloat is losing it and poking out his tongue and wiggling his fingers as he dances a jig. I just found it bizarre. I do love Frank Muller!
I liked Wolf, but I was immediately worried for him because he's a) loveable and innocent, b) mentality simple, and c) he's an animal; in King books, those characters tend to suffer greatly. Richard was annoying as piss.
To be honest I enjoyevtge story but I wasn't a fan of the mix of writing styles from Peter straub and stephen king which mad it hard for me to get immersed and I would lose snippets here and there An hour later: I've read the first 140 pages and I think I understand the concept of Twinners enough that I can just quit reading it for now and go on to the wastelands
Wolf was at least helpful at times. Richard did nothing meaningful the whole book. You are spot on the book would be no different without him. I think Wolf was actually complimentary to Jack in abilities. He was big, strong and could run with Jack on his back and defend him (the herd). Jack took care of the things Wolf was bad at. Richard was just bad at everything.
Yeah in terms of who was most useful, definitely Wolf was. I think i just have a particular irritation in repetition, and hearing the word Wolf over and over again was driving me nuts. I liked Wolf a lot in the scene where he attacked those idiots in the... Sunlight House? (is that the name of it?) and he was kind of creepy when Jack was hiding in the shed and he was outside in his full Wolf form.
@PaperbackJourneys I listened to the audiobook while I read, and I think Frank Muller played him up to be really endearing. I can understand the constant "wolf" getting annoying. But Richard just gave me Jar Jar Binks vibes, lol. Thanks for the reply!
I’m finally near the end of this book and oh my god it felt like such a bloated and convoluted slog 🫠🫠🫠 I wanted to love the book, you can clearly see King developing the dark tower with how he plays with the territories and the talisman’s power. But it felt like The Witcher Season 1. They kept jumping and I had no idea where tf I was half the time. On another note: I hated Richard the way you hate wolf. Wolf was honestly the only part of this book that I enjoyed. On a separate note: you’re my favorite book channel and have watched your videos a bunch regarding King’s dark tower universe. On another note - I’ve hated King’s “magical negro” trope in every book he’s featured it. What’s worse is when you’re listening to an audiobook and the clearly white English dude is doing “the accent”…(I’ll leave it at that)
![Method Writing: The First Four Concepts - Jack Grapes [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/1.gif)
I must say, the amount of gore and violence that happened at the Sunlight Home has been some of King’s greatest. Absolutely loved how gruesome it was, incredibly vivid and super satisfying to see such a despicable set of characters meet that fate. 😈
Yeah... it's darkly satisfying when fictional characters get what they deserve. You're my kind of person! hahaha.
Sunlight Gardner is a fantastic villian
the "wolf" sketch cracked me up
Another entertaining review. This is not one of my favorite books in the series, but I think it's necessary to the extended reading order because of the themes that it introduces. If I had to pick one, I guess I would be Team Wolf. Both Richard and Wolf were annoying but Richard more so in my opinion. Looking forward to your next one.
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it and yeah I saw a lot of relevance here in terms of switching between worlds. I’m looking forward to reading Black House. Have you read that one also?
@@PaperbackJourneys Yeah I have read Black House, I liked it better than The Talisman here is my reading order again
The Gunslinger
The Eyes of the Dragon
The Talisman
The Drawing of the Three
IT
The Wastelands
The Stand
Wizard and Glass
Insomnia
Little Sisters Of Eluria (short story in Everything's Eventual)
The Wind Through the Keyhole
Salem's Lot
Wolves of the Calla
Black House
Song of Susannah
Low Men in Yellow Coats (Short story in Heart's in Atlantis)
Everything's Eventual (short story in Everything's Eventual)
The Dark Tower
Everything Everywhere All at Once is exactly what I thought of during that scene! Love the videos, and I’m following along. I’m about 4 books behind you at the moment so keep them coming!
It's so funny that you made the same connection with 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'! And I'm thrilled to know you're following along; no worries about being a few books behind, it's all about the journey. I'll definitely keep the videos coming. Happy reading and thanks for being a part of this adventure with me!
The loved the three stooges aspect you gave to the end of the final showdown. Spot on!
The final showdown became so cartoonish haha. Thanks for the comment mate.
I’m not gonna lie, I had really high expectations for this books because people said it was really epic and fascinating and it end up being really predictable, but still I like it although it felt heavier than the stand ,also you feel like there is not a lot happening in a lot of parts. But it was okay
Right! It wasn’t my favourite from Stephen King but it was fun. Did you enjoy the characters?
@@PaperbackJourneys I really loved wolf, it was such a lovely character also Jack is a good protagonist but my only issue is richard, idk I really didnt like him that much.
First thing I look forward to after finishing a book is coming to watch your spoiler reviews. Agree with most of what you said, especially about the repetitive nature of Jack continually getting sidetracked in various trials that were unrelated to the point of his quest. The book could have been a couple hundreds of pages shorter and still sufficiently told the story.
Aaron! I love hearing this mate. It's so rewarding for me to know that people are joining along on the journey to the tower. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It made my day.
Still really enjoying watching your journey to the Dark Tower. Can’t fault the review, when I read The Talisman I had a very similar response. When you get to Black House you’ll find a much more engaging book, and a book much more linked to the narrative of the Dark Tower, but you need to have read The Talisman for context.
Fun fact. Every time I try and type ‘Talisman’ my phone tries to autocorrect to ‘Talisker’. I clearly text about scotch too much.
PS the increase in production values have not gone unnoticed, well done, the video looks and sounds great.
PPS Team Wolf
Oh thank you so much for mentioning the different background and lighting. I was concerned about the sound because the mic was further from my mouth here. I’m a voice actor so I’m overly sensitive to audio I think haha.
Ahhh you’re a Talisker man! Nice!
@@PaperbackJourneys you’ve nothing to worry about, it sounds just as professional as ever
Listened to half of this book on audible and your sketch and narration of Wolf was spot on 😂. Richard was completely useless and Wolf had his moments, so have to give the nod to Wolf. Great review as always 👏
Haha oh that makes me happy!
Yeah I will say that Wolf served at least some purpose, you’re right. I think the thing that really got me was when he was in the movie theatre and freaked out and then couldn’t relax because he was in a car!! Like mate! Chill!!
Great opening sketch!
Your videos only get better and better!
Tbh, I am team wolf, he was a little bit more interesting than Richard. But only a little bit
Thank you so much. I never know if people are in to the little sketches at the beginning haha. My wife walks in as I make them and is like "What are you doing dude?" HAHA!
Yeah as much as I didn't care for Wolf he was more interesting than Richard. I felt like Richard had potential though. He just needed something to do, especially since the villain was his father. I really expected him to step up and have some kind of an impact.
@@PaperbackJourneys the sketches are always great! I already am wondering what you’ll do in the next video! :D
The question then is, whose idea was it to have Wolf and Richard as characters? Who should we blame? Straub or King? XD
A common theme I’ve started to see with King novels is the inability for a character to make a stand and make them a better character, like the people of Vegas and now Richard. Heck even Thomas in EOTD.
Anyway. Keep up the great work! Your videos are always amazing! :D
@@skunke2290 Yeah Stephen King makes very interesting decisions and my expectations of where a story / character is headed are almost always wrong.
I think that’s because he’s what’s referred to as a “pantser” rather than a “planner.” He “writes by the seat of his pants” and doesn’t outline the story before he gets started which is exciting to read most of the time but occasionally confusing. I’m enjoying the journey though.
Nobody that has ever existed is team Richard. I agree wolf was annoying at first but he's more beloved then Richard can ever dream to be
HAHA! Yeah I guess you're right. I wouldn't say I'm Team Richard exactly but I just really didn't like Wolf. Thanks for the fun comment mate.
Finally finished the book - I’ve never wanted a character to die more than Richard - also, I kinda loved Wolf tbh
I hope you did not miss the connection of speedy parker being the twinner of a gunslinger on the other side
Mate…. What?? I must be stupid haha!
@@PaperbackJourneys yeah if memory serves his name was Parkus
I feel like this is the introduction of the wizard's glass into the gunslinger/ dark tower epic. But i read the unrevised original books without the continuity upgrades. Wizard and glass in 96 was the first time i was reintroduced to the idea that this "palantir" type object
Great opening sketch, wolf. I read The Talisman back in the 1980s, I don't remember much about it but enjoyed it at the time and went on to read Ghost Story by Peter Straub.
Oohhh is Ghost Story good? I haven't read any other Peter Straub other than this.
@@PaperbackJourneys I enjoyed Ghost Story.
Team wolf
HAHA! He wasn't my favourite but I see why people liked him.
I actually loved Wolf. He was like a dog with a voice.
Good read BUT didn’t see the necessity to read it as part of TDT extended series reading list …. Or at least only a few chapters need to be read to continue the journey to the Dark Tower.. if you disagree PLEASE comment - I am not opposed to changing my mind when a valid argument is proposed. Thanks!!
I think the sequel to this book has a much bigger involvement in the story than this one.
@@PaperbackJourneys currently on part 2 of Black House and I agree so far
Team wolf for sure!
That intro….WOLF!
"Wolf! Wolf!" Every five minutes with this guy 😂 🐺
Fun review. I remember this one not being my favorite either. It was okay, though...Jarrod
Yeah I would say it’s a good book but not one of my favourites from Stephen King. It’s better than The Eyes of the Dragon but not as good as The Drawing of the Three or The Stand. It’s kind of middle of the road.
Thanks for your kind words Jarrod. I’m glad that you enjoyed the review.
I love the Talisman so much. It's so good and in retrospect, it's easy to see how it could be related to The Dark Tower. However, it did NOT need to be retconned to be a direct tie-in with the sequel. Black House is one of only a very few disappointments for me in King's entire bibliography. The DT stuff ruins it for me. It retroactively hurts Talisman for me.
You need to listen to this on Audible. Frank Muller is the best Morgan Slaut.
Team Wolf only because he did more for Jack then boring ol Richard.
The whole ending fight scene, it's a 11 year old child versus his 40 year old uncle yeah he fights like a kid lol.
Right I take your point but it all became cartoonish. I think even at one point Sloat is losing it and poking out his tongue and wiggling his fingers as he dances a jig. I just found it bizarre. I do love Frank Muller!
@@PaperbackJourneys I thinks that why I liked it. It made me laugh at him acting like that. I do see your point though.
I liked Wolf, but I was immediately worried for him because he's a) loveable and innocent, b) mentality simple, and c) he's an animal; in King books, those characters tend to suffer greatly. Richard was annoying as piss.
To be honest I enjoyevtge story but I wasn't a fan of the mix of writing styles from Peter straub and stephen king which mad it hard for me to get immersed and I would lose snippets here and there
An hour later: I've read the first 140 pages and I think I understand the concept of Twinners enough that I can just quit reading it for now and go on to the wastelands
Wolf was at least helpful at times. Richard did nothing meaningful the whole book. You are spot on the book would be no different without him.
I think Wolf was actually complimentary to Jack in abilities. He was big, strong and could run with Jack on his back and defend him (the herd). Jack took care of the things Wolf was bad at. Richard was just bad at everything.
Yeah in terms of who was most useful, definitely Wolf was. I think i just have a particular irritation in repetition, and hearing the word Wolf over and over again was driving me nuts. I liked Wolf a lot in the scene where he attacked those idiots in the... Sunlight House? (is that the name of it?) and he was kind of creepy when Jack was hiding in the shed and he was outside in his full Wolf form.
I absolutely hated Richard , I would take Wolf over him any day.
HAHA! Fair enough. I think I'm in the minority in not liking Wolf. Everybody hates Richard though lol.
But is Jack The Rose? :)
Oh I don’t know what this means yet lol
Team Wolf, All Day!!!!
Yeah. I think most people are on your side there. People LOVE Wolf. He's not for me. Thanks for the comment mate!
@PaperbackJourneys I listened to the audiobook while I read, and I think Frank Muller played him up to be really endearing. I can understand the constant "wolf" getting annoying. But Richard just gave me Jar Jar Binks vibes, lol. Thanks for the reply!
My favourite King by a furlong
Woooahhhh big statement. I'm glad you love it. Did you like the sequel?
It started pretty good but once jack gets the pub and then leaves the pub and is walking the highway
I was like meeeeeh
And gave up reading the story
That's fair. It's not one of my favourites either. Thanks for the comment mate.
Wolf!
WOLF!!!! lol.
This is easily King's most boring book. It should be retitled "The Interminable". Awful.
HAHA! It did drag a little in the middle. Also I think it was just too long. It easily could have been half the length.
Annoying to read? Wolf? Try listening to the audiobook. Wolf?
Wait... is he more annoying in the audiobook or do you mean he's actually okay in that?
@@PaperbackJourneys It's annoying. It is not the narrator's fault. The character is written to be annoying.
i wish i could give your review more than 1 thumb down.
You could create another account? Or ask a friend to help you out?
I’m finally near the end of this book and oh my god it felt like such a bloated and convoluted slog 🫠🫠🫠
I wanted to love the book, you can clearly see King developing the dark tower with how he plays with the territories and the talisman’s power. But it felt like The Witcher Season 1. They kept jumping and I had no idea where tf I was half the time.
On another note: I hated Richard the way you hate wolf. Wolf was honestly the only part of this book that I enjoyed.
On a separate note: you’re my favorite book channel and have watched your videos a bunch regarding King’s dark tower universe.
On another note - I’ve hated King’s “magical negro” trope in every book he’s featured it. What’s worse is when you’re listening to an audiobook and the clearly white English dude is doing “the accent”…(I’ll leave it at that)