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)

The Dark Tower Review - Part Five

<B><U>The Dark Tower: </B> Wolves of the Calla</U> opens with a prologue that introduces listeners to the folken of Calla Bryn Sturgis, people in need of ?hard calibers?; people in need of help from Gunslingers. The residents of the Calla are farmers and ranchers but as listeners quickly learn, they are themselves a crop of sorts, harvested every 20 odd years by the wolves. Roland and his band are engaged to put an end to the raids of the wolves forever.

The narrative elapsed time in <U>Wolves of the Calla</U> spans about the space of a month but it is packed with action, back story and tantalizing links to other worlds in Stephen King?s universe. One of the leaders of the Calla folken is a man called Pere Callahan. In a former life, he was known to a small New England town called Jerusalem?s Lot as Father Donald Callahan.

As the Gunslingers prepare to defend the Calla from the oncoming attack of the wolves, listeners learn more about what is going wrong at the Dark Tower and find new ways to travel between the worlds. We also see the true gunslingers in a maturing Eddie Dean and soon to be tested Jake Chambers. In addition, Susannah Dean is about to face her greatest trial. You will have to listen to the story to find out what happens?

George Guidall does a great job of reading this 5th volume of <B><U>The Dark Tower</U></B>. Listeners will definitely miss Frank Muller?s voice for the first hour or so, as Stephen King himself acknowledges in the Afterword, but Mr. Guidall is an excellent choice to take up this spectacular tale in Mr. Muller?s sad absence.

Must read Stephen King books that link directly to <U>Wolves of the Calla</U>: <U>Salem?s Lot</U> and <U>Hearts In Atlantis</U>, the second of which is available from audible.com. Other King books related to <B><U>The Dark Tower</U></B> include: <U>Eyes of the Dragon</U>, and <U>Insomnia</U>, to name but a couple.

Review continues, Summer 2004, with <U>Song of Susannah</U>?

Kevin

I liked Wolves of the Calla a great deal. While the 1st and 4th of the series are still my favorite (I have not listened to the 6th or 7th yet) I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The biggest dissappointment was the Frank Mueller was not the narrator in these books like he was in the prior books (which I heard on cassettes). I don't know what happened to Frank, but he was missed. I got used to the new narrator, and he did a good job, but I liked Frank more.

The Wolves

Another fantastic entry in the Dark Tower saga. if you have enjoyed the other stories this one will not disappoint.

Characters Finally Brought to Life

Having read the first four books and enjoyed them it was even more enjoyable to hear the characters come to life by having the book read to me. This story begins to tie up many loose ends from the first four books and helps the reader understand more about the quest for the Dark Tower and what it means. Having heard of the death of the reader shortly after his completion of this book made me sad to think he will not be reading the last two chapters because I felt I had come to know him and he was fantastic.

Another home run in the epic series

Memorable and heartfelt, WOC is one of my favorite books in this series.
RIP Muller

Series just keeps getting better

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend this audiobook, the story gets more riveting and characters more interesting and compelling.

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

Rolland or Eddie

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found myself trying to find excuses to work in the yard or go on long drives so I could finish it.

Excellent - a MUST LISTEN!!!

As with most listeners I was disappointed to hear about the loss of Frank Muller. I read a LOT of poor reviews from George Guidall's reading so, after finishing wizard and glass I waited a good 6 months to start Wolves of the Calla. I have to say that I feel George did an amazing job!!! I was pleasantly surprised and truly enjoyed listening to this. So much so I plan to give he gunslinger a listen before moving on to song of Susannah.

Like most King novels this one had its share of bizarro world; however, it works.

I still find the wastelands (Blaine the mono) and wizard and glass my favourites so far but I am looking forward to reading more of Roland's tale...

Amazing Series!

This is my favorite of the Dark Tower books so far, and it's an incredible series. I waited a long time between book 4 and book 5, which was a mistake--it really is a continuum and there are a lot of moving parts, so best to keep going. Stephen King's imagination never ceases to amaze and delight me.

LOVE the book - HATE the latest reader!

I have been listening to The Dark Tower Series from book 1. I absolutely LOVED Frank Muller and his variety of voices. This latest reader just leaves me cold, however. I looked to see if maybe I could expect Muller to be back for books VI and VII, but no such luck.

This guy's voice sounds like a shaky old man's voice, no matter which character he is reading. Sometimes gets REALLY confusing.

Only 4 stars because of the reader.

uh-huh... not a good book

Not a good book to listen to while trying to wind down at night.... you just keep going and going and going.... great read and listen