The Wind Through the Keyhole

The Dark Tower

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Stephen King

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

For those discovering the epic best-selling Dark Tower series for the first time—and for its legions of dedicated fans—here is an immensely satisfying stand-alone novel and perfect introduction to the series.

Beginning in 1974, gaining momentum in the 1980s and coming to a thrilling conclusion when the last three novels were published in 2003 and 2004, the Dark Tower epic fantasy saga stands as Stephen King’s most beguiling achievement. It has been the basis for a long-running Marvel comic series.

Now, with The Wind Through the Keyhole, King has returned to the rich landscape of Mid-World. This story within a story within a story finds Roland Deschain, Mid-World’s last gunslinger, in his early days during the guilt-ridden year following his mother’s death. Sent by his father to investigate evidence of a murderous shape-shifter, a "skin-man", Roland takes charge of Bill Streeter, a brave but terrified boy who is the sole surviving witness to the beast's most recent slaughter. Roland, himself only a teenager, calms the boy by reciting a story from the Book of Eld that his mother used to read to him at bedtime. "A person's never too old for stories," he says to Bill. "Man and boy, girl and woman, we live for them."

Sure to captivate the avid fans of the Dark Tower epic, this is an enchanting introduction to Roland’s world and the power of Stephen King’s storytelling magic.

Please Note: This audio edition of The Wind Through the Keyhole ends with a short preview of Stephen King's The Dark Tower VII, read by George Guidall, followed by a brief introduction and the first chapter of King's Doctor Sleep, both read by the author.

©2012 Stephen King (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

King is a great story writer, but reader...

King is a bit bland in his reading abilities, other guy was a lot better. Still a great book.

Good story, and don't be put off by King narrating

This is a great, quick look back into Rolland's life. Very entertaining little story. Don't be put off by King narrating. At first, it's a bit painful, but you get into the rhythm of his readying fairly quickly.

Disappointing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The rest of the series was narrated so wonderfully that having to listen to King was almost unbearable.

For (extreme) fans only

This is a "bonus feature" book. It's a tale (within a tale (within a tale)) told by Roland while he and the ka-tet take shelter from a storm immediately after Book 4: Wizard and Glass.

The first problem is that this rambling tale brings the overall series to a grinding halt, and it's really not that consequential. It's more like a deleted scene from that second DVD that comes with a movie you really love. It's something to pass the time if you really like the series, but I imagine a casual fan would find it pretty tedious.

The second problem is that Stephen King's narration doesn't fit the book. I happen to like Stephen King's narration when it's one of his "everyman" stories like "Bag of Bones" or "Needful Things." Here, it's a bad fit, kind of like Woody Allen reading the Lord of the Rings.

Finally, the last thirty minutes or so of the audiobook is a preview of "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to "The Shining." This is worth the price of the audiobook. Stephen King is up to top form, and his narration is spot-on. Because of the sneak peak, I left this mediocre audiobook exhilarated, and looking forward to readling the whole thing in 2013.

Satisfying Story

Would you listen to The Wind Through the Keyhole again? Why?

If you have missed the characters from Stephen King's Dark Tower series you will enjoy this short tale. It is set before the final book of the series and actually contains a story within a story (actually 3 stories if you count Roland and the gang). While taking shelter from the sort of weird storm that could only happen in this lost land. Roland tells a tale from his youth that contains a second tale within. The main tale reveals an interesting tidbit about his relationship to his mother and the embedded Wind in the Woods tale is very satisfying.

This story can be enjoyed by someone new to the series, but I think it is best appreciated by long-time Dark Tower fans.

Be sure to listen past the closing credits so that you don't miss the free excerpt from the upcoming sequel to The Shining.

Would be better with a professional reading

Great story and I enjoy a lot of King's books, but he should really leave the reading to a professional. It was really unpleasant on the ears.

Dark Tower Treat

Such an intriguing story (within a story, within a story) from start to finish. Pure adventure and delight, placed right in the middle of the DT series, almost as a fun intermission / short story. Had lower expectations going in because of some reviews, but was pleasantly surprised by this great story. Great job King, and great narration too!

Stick to writing

Mr King is an excellent author, but not so much an audiobook performer. Had to stop several times because the monotone was putting me to sleep. Really enjoyed the story overall though.

Could have been wonderful

Great story, too bad King decided to read this himself rather than opting for a pro. That would have changed this from 3 stars to 5.

Like 3 stories in one - I liked it.

Any additional comments?

Although the book starts off with Roland as he is in the Dark Tower Series it moves to when he was a young kid.

If the book had remained with Roland as an older gentleman I would have had to agree that Stephen King as a narrator would have been terrible. HOWEVER, Stephen King does a great job as Roland as a younger man. Do not believe all the bad comments about the narration as its not as bad as they say.

The story was good, but it only has a faint relation to the Dark Tower Series. Its actually a story within a story within a story.

Its still a good listen and I enjoyed considerably.