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

How does he do it?

What did you love best about The Wind Through the Keyhole?

Stephen King is amazing. How can he go back and insert this good a story into the Dark Tower series? It works, it adds to the series, but can also stand alone as a beautifully crafted story. He manages to add even more depth to Roland and Jamie, and fill in a few small holes along the way.

What about Stephen King’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed his performance, but sometimes you could tell he labored to make the voices different.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Roland's actions to comfort and protect the young victim in the story are very touching.

Not his best, but still worth a listen.

Still entertaining. Took longer than usual to get into it. It's actually 3 stories and, unlike most King stories, the plot lines and endings were fairly predictable. Also, and maybe because, it's not as engaging a book as most of his novels, King didn't really carry off the narration well. With a great reader the overall experience would have been better.

Even with the above criticisms, there were some interesting characters and settings. I still recommend it-especially if you're a fan. King stories are never bad.

A fun trip back to Mid World

I love it when Stephen King reads his own work , and I loved the whole trip he takes us through the Gunslingers world. Taking place before the Dark Tower series began it's shark approach it is a wonderful listen !

Great Addition to the Story

If you could sum up The Wind Through the Keyhole in three words, what would they be?

Another Story Within

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wind Through the Keyhole?

**Limited Spoiler**
The final battle, great detailed description of conflict and combative movement.

What three words best describe Stephen King’s performance?

Limited character differentiation

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hard to avoid any spoilers but there are many inspirational moments regarding Tim and his mother.

Any additional comments?

Another great example of Stephen King being able to weave a story within a story within a story. My favorite part of the book, which I think was why King felt he needed to tell the tale, was Tim Stoutheart's story within Roland's story, within King's series.

Mr King ruined the story as the narrator

Where does The Wind Through the Keyhole rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

i would rank it not on the top maybe on the very bottom... it could have been great but when Stephen King narrates one of his books its just a cryin shame...

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wind Through the Keyhole?

i dont know... i was too busy hating the narator...

Would you be willing to try another one of Stephen King’s performances?

I am not sure... i really want to listen to his new book coming in 2013 ... a sequal to the shinning but .. i cringe at the thought of Stephen King narrating his own book.. my 5 year old grandson could put more feeling in it..

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

honestly... its been a couple of months since i listened to it... i could tell you a tag line for all the gun slinger books but the story in this book was absolutly lost in the inability to show any kind of emotion... or distinguishing one characters voice from another...

Any additional comments?

I dont regret listening to the book but i will end my comments begging Stephen King to have pity on his loyal reader and shell out the money for George Guidall or anyone else but himself to narrate the audio books.. if he ever gets another narrator to to re-narrate Wind through the Keyhole.. i will pay to listen to it again... it would be worth it...

It is what it is...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would have had a Professional voice actor read this story. As far as the Story goes, it could have been a little more Gun Slingerish. Yes I know it's a story within a story, but for Gad's Sake, it seemed like the biggest character and Villain was the Storm. So we are revisiting really nothing as far as the Dark Tower is concerned.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

As with most King stories the Ending seems a bit of a let down...then you let it sit with you. Then you sit alone in the dark and wonder, "Why the hell do I do this to myself?". Then you pull out the old "It is what it is" to make yourself feel better.

Did Stephen King do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

In the beginning it was very hard to tell which character is which. Typical King. Towards the end he got a little more into it, by that I mean he fluctuated his voice a tad more.

Was The Wind Through the Keyhole worth the listening time?

Yeah, only if you had listened to the whole Dark Tower series. Then it's a must. On it's own it's...Meh.

Friendships

The friendships of Roland's katet draw ever closer, forming strong bonds on their journey along the beam. This story added so much later than the series itself adds so much. If a friend could only read one part of the Dark Tower series, I would recommend this book.

Welcome back to the world of the Beam....

Let's get this out of the way right up front. Stephen King's narration does NOT ruin the book. In fact he might be the only person who can pull off following the legendary performances of the previous narrators.

It's not as action driven as all the other volumes of the Dark Tower series and that might initially turn some people off to this gem. I found it to be a welcome return to the land of the Beam. It's really a story within a story within the story.... as confusing as that sounds it's really not.

It has some beautiful word play beyond the language of the Gunslinger series and I found one passage in particular quite nice.

‘Time is a keyhole, he thought as he looked up at the stars. Yes, I think so. We sometimes bend and peer through it. And the wind we feel on our cheeks when we do – the wind that blows through the keyhole – is the breath of all the living universe.’

Now that is King at the top of his craft in my opinion. Let's hope the Mr. King has many more intricate "little" Dark Tower stories. I for one cannot wait, say thankee sai.

Why Stephen King???

Horrible narration, especially compared to the other books in this series. So bad that I can't finish the audiobook, had to read it. Stephen King did himself and the audible customers a disservice by releasing this book with poor narration.

Where's george guidall reading of this last tale

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes I really liked the story but missed the narrator who got me hooked George Guidall

What did you like best about this story?

Its a story within a story

Would you be willing to try another one of Stephen King’s performances?

Maybe if it was a stand alone I have like his narration on other books

Could you see The Wind Through the Keyhole being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

That would be great

Any additional comments?

Keep on writing your a great Author