The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Stephen King's epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower, is being made into a major movie starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. Due in cinemas February 17, 2017 USA.

In the second novel of King's best-selling fantasy masterpiece, Roland of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger, encounters three doors which open to 1980s America. Here he joins forces with the defiant Eddie Dean and courageous, volatile Odetta Holmes. And confronts deadly serial killer Jack Mort.

As the titanic forces gather, a savage struggle between underworld evil and otherworldly enemies conspire to bring an end to Roland's quest for the Dark Tower....

Masterfully weaving dark fantasy and icy realism, The Drawing of the Three compulsively propels listeners toward the next chapter.

And the Tower is closer....

©1987 Stephen King (P)1991 Penguin Audiobooks

Great writing but slightly thin story

If you could sum up The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three in three words, what would they be?

Slightly thin story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Roland and Eddie Dean seem to be a good match for one another

What three words best describe Frank Muller’s performance?

Nowhere near the performance of George Guidall who read the first book in the series, The Gunslinger. Frank Muellers narration feels laboured and uncomfortable, a monotonous droning that from time to time made me pause the story to give my ears a break. His voice for Eddie is identical with Lenny from the Simpsons, which makes the emotional complexity that King tries to weave into his character unconvincing. Not a good performance at all.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

One tower, three gunslingers

Any additional comments?

This story, while interesting and extremely well written, is not quite as engaging as the first of the series. I was drawn to Roland, to his quest, his perfection, his solitude in this world that has somehow moved on. The contribution by Eddie and Susanna and their emotional baggage and split personalities amount to little more than a confusing distraction for which there seems to be little justification at least for the time being. Eddie and Susannas relationship is confusing, their romance is surprising and not credible. Who married them?And why is east on their left side when they are travelling north, up the beach? Something to find out later, perhaps...

Interesting story and amazing characters

Frank Muller is soooo good! He brings the characters alive! Wow the best narrater I have listened to as yet.

A Great Book

More of a series of character introductions with little real headway made toward the Tower, but the characters are amazing, as are the circumstances under which they're introduced and it's written and performed with skill. As i said, there's not much distance made toward the Tower here or what even awaits them there, but the adventures the Gunslinger goes on to 'draw the three' are full of peril, wonder, intrigue, tension, drama and all with a surprising amount of humor throughout. The beach, the doors, the lobstrocities (dad-a-chum?) are wonderfully realised. Other than the vivid presence that is the Gunslinger, it's peppered with excellently written characters all-round with scenes tackled from multiple angles and points of view in way that makes such writing seem easy, when it certainly is not. A real 'page' turner (if there is such a thing in an audio book), often engrossing and an incredible performance from Frank Muller. I can't recommend it highly enough and can't wait to listen to The Wastelands to see how the journey continues...

More!

More. I need more! That goes for more in the story and also more in my bank account to get the story.

Anyone else keep thinking this is the third book?

Despite it being clearly numbered, I keep remembering this story as the third of the series rather than the second, and I fall into the trap of thinking there hasn't been as much development by this stage as there should be. Then I realise my mistake and I'm impressed all over again how so many new characters and developments are worked into the story. This is a great second volume to what starts as quite a confusing story, with more exposition worked into the narrative than you'll realise until a future re-reading.

excellent

i am a massive king fan .this narration brings the character's to life. I have read all the tower books .I am looking forward to the next book.

great

great story. great voice acting. very engaging.
I have regular podcasts that were completely ignored whilst I listened to the drawing.

Introduction of new characters and great narrator

I loved the audio version which is very vivid, the narrator’s voice and style are perfectly suited for the book. I am a big fan of Frank Muller!

Phenomenal second installment

A real nailbiter of a story, the narrator is fantastic with great diversity of voice. The story is likewise written skillfully by King with excellent pacing and interesting characters.

Amazing story and Narration

Characters were a mix of mysterious, funny and dark. The whole story is fantastic.
Narration was top notch.