Wolves of the Calla

Dark Tower V

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World, the almost timeless landscape that seems to stretch from the wreckage of civility that defined Roland's youth to the crimson chaos that seems the future's only promise. Followers of Stephen King's epic series know Roland well, or as well as this enigmatic hero can be known. They also know the companions who have been drawn to his quest for the Dark Tower: Eddie Dean and his wife, Susannah; Jake Chambers, the boy who has come twice through the doorway of death into Roland's world; and Oy, the Billy Bumbler.

In this long-awaited fifth novel in the saga, their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis, a tranquil valley community of farmers and ranchers on Mid-World's borderlands. Beyond the town, the rocky ground rises toward the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is slowly stealing the community's soul. One of the town's residents is Pere Callahan, a ruined priest who, like Susannah, Eddie and Jake, passed through one of the portals that lead both into and out of Roland's world.

As Father Callahan tells the ka-tet the astonishing story of what happened following his shamed departure from Maine in 1977, his connection to the Dark Tower becomes clear, as does the danger facing a single red rose in a vacant lot off Second Avenue in midtown Manhattan. For Calla Bryn Sturgis, danger gathers in the east like a storm cloud. The Wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to, and they can give the Calla folken both courage and cunning. Their guns, however, will not be enough.

Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, The Dark Tower series is unlike anything you've ever heard. Here is Stephen King's most visionary piece of storytelling, a magical mix of fantasy and horror that may well be his crowning achievement. Don't miss the other volumes of Stephen King's The Dark Tower.

©2003 Stephen King (P)2003 Simon & Schuster, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Audioworks is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gonna be a humdinger of a fight! Fore and aft of the showdown, King stuffs the book with juice...One of the greatest cavalcades in popular fiction is back on track." (Booklist)
"The high suspense and extensive character development here...plus the enormity of King's ever-expanding universe, will surely keep his 'Constant Readers' in awe." (Publishers Weekly)

as always fantastic

Any additional comments?

i've read the books a couple of times but listening to the story is a new experience!
fantastic!

On My Third Time Around

This is the first of the final three books in the series and stands alone as Steve King channels Sergio Leone in a story where the gunslingers pause in their quest for the Tower to help a village reclaim its dignity in the face of oppressive raiders who will come to steal their children. It is a thrilling page-turner in which King mostly abandons his "King of Horror" reputation in favor weaving a tale that lets us get to know the ka-tet of the 99 and watch them fill out their personalities and characters as they prepare themselves for the journey ahead. Still, a demon lurks behind this story as Suzanna begins to worry about the consequences of her encounter in the Speaking Ring in Wastelands. It is a terriffic story.

Awesome book!

Would you consider the audio edition of Wolves of the Calla to be better than the print version?

For me, yes. I don't take the time to read, but listening while driving is great

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wolves of the Calla?

A character getting killed in the latrine.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

That's where things get sticky. George did a great job, but Frank (who was in an accident, and couldn't perform any more) set the tone for the characters. I really missed his voice in this one.

Any additional comments?

Great book, great performance.

King is king

a strange and kikass story as only king can deliver. So may say it's too long but with stephen king stories there really is no such thing as too long

always good stuff

still really enjoy this series.. king is back on track in this one .. last dragged on a bit but this one brought it back

More amazing storytelling

I listen to a book a week, and have done so for about 5 years now. That's about 250 books. Most of them I prefer to be part of a series because it allows the reader to be immersed for a month or two in the same story. The Dark Tower is perhaps the best series I have ever encountered. It is better than The Stand, better than the Mr Mercedes series and better than a variety of other series from other authors. Frank Muller was absolutely amazing. I dreaded settling for George Guidall, based on reviews. But I must say, Guidall is better than expected but nowhere near Muller. Can't wait to get to the last two volumes. Thanks Stephen King for a grand ride through a mind blowing series.

could not stop listening

I've read the books but listening to them now is amazing. The Dark Tower is such a fantastic story. I'd recommend to all. Hile gunslingers!

There's gonna a party when the comes home

A truly extraordinary follow up to the wizard of glass. The gunslinger's tale unfolds with unthinkable plot twists.

Don't care for the Narrator

good story but the Narrator is just off. poor voice differentiation. and the list is to distracting

Another great book

It was a little disconcerting at first with the change in narration, especially with the character voices, but after a few chapters I no longer noticed. Great work and an excellent addition to the installment