Download The Gunslinger Pdf: The First Book of The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
The Gunslinger Stephen King Pdf Download
If you are a fan of dark fantasy, western, horror, or science fiction genres, you might have heard of The Gunslinger, a novel by American author Stephen King. It is the first volume in his epic The Dark Tower series, which spans eight books and several related works. In this article, we will tell you what The Gunslinger is about, why you should read it, how it was revised by King in 2003, and how you can download it as a pdf file for free.
The Gunslinger Stephen King Pdf Download
The Dark Tower Series
The Dark Tower series is one of King's most ambitious and acclaimed works. It combines elements of fantasy, western, horror, science fiction, and metafiction to create a unique and complex story that explores themes such as fate, free will, good and evil, identity, loyalty, redemption, and the nature of reality. The series follows the quest of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger of a dying world called Mid-World, who pursues his nemesis, the mysterious man in black , across a vast desert and beyond in search of the Dark Tower , a mythical structure that holds the key to saving or destroying all existence.
The series was inspired by Robert Browning's poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" (1855), which King read as a sophomore at the University of Maine. He started writing The Gunslinger in 1970 on a ream of bright green paper that he found at the library. It took him twelve-and-a-half years to finish the novel. He then published it as a fix-up novel in 1982 , joining five short stories that had been published between 1978 and 1981 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He continued writing the rest of the series over the next three decades , completing it with The Dark Tower in 2004 . He also revised The Gunslinger in 2003 to make it more consistent with the later books.
The Gunslinger: The First Volume
The Gunslinger introduces us to the main protagonist of the series, Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger of Gilead, a fallen kingdom in Mid-World. Roland is a descendant of Arthur Eld, the legendary king who wielded Excalibur and founded the order of the gunslingers, a group of elite warriors who swore to protect the Dark Tower and the beams that support it. Roland is also a master of the art of shooting, which involves not only physical skill but also mental discipline and intuition.
The novel begins with the iconic sentence: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." This sets the tone and premise of the story, which is a relentless chase between Roland and his adversary, the man in black , a mysterious figure who has many names and faces, such as Walter O'Dim, Marten Broadcloak, Randall Flagg, and others. The man in black is a powerful sorcerer who serves the Crimson King , the main antagonist of the series, who wants to destroy the Dark Tower and unleash chaos upon all worlds.
As Roland pursues the man in black across a vast and desolate landscape, he encounters several people and creatures along his way, some of whom help him and some of whom hinder him. He also faces many dangers and challenges, such as thirst, hunger, heat, cold, violence, traps, riddles, and temptations. He also has to deal with his own memories, dreams, and regrets, which reveal his past and his motivations for seeking the Dark Tower.
One of the most important characters that Roland meets is Jake Chambers , a boy from New York City who died in 1977 and was transported to Mid-World by the man in black. Jake becomes Roland's companion and surrogate son for part of his journey. Their relationship is one of the most emotional and tragic aspects of the novel.
Roland Deschain: The Last Gunslinger
Roland Deschain is a complex and fascinating character who evolves throughout the series. In The Gunslinger, he is portrayed as a cold, ruthless, and determined man who will stop at nothing to reach his goal. He is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone for his quest, even his own humanity. He is haunted by his past failures and losses, such as the death of his father Steven , the betrayal of his lover Susan , the fall of his homeland Gilead , and the slaughter of his friends Cuthbert and Alain . He is also driven by a sense of duty and destiny, as he believes he is the last hope for saving the Dark Tower and all existence.
However, Roland is not a completely heartless or evil person. He has a code of honor and justice that he follows as a gunslinger. He respects his enemies and allies alike. He shows compassion and kindness to those who need it. He also has a sense of humor and curiosity that sometimes lighten up his mood. He loves music, stories, riddles, and games. He is loyal to his friends and family, especially to his ka-tet , a group of people who share a common destiny with him.
Roland is also a dynamic character who changes over time. As he progresses in his quest, he learns more about himself and others. He develops new skills and abilities. He faces new challenges and dilemmas. He makes new friends and enemies. He also grows more human and empathetic , as he realizes that there is more to life than reaching the Dark Tower.
The Man in Black: The Mysterious Adversary
The man in black is one of King's most recurring and enigmatic villains. He appears in many of his works under different names and guises , such as Walter O'Dim , Marten Broadcloak , Randall Flagg , Richard Fannin , Raymond Fiegler , John Farson , Russell Faraday , The Walkin' Dude , The Ageless Stranger , The Covenant Man , The Dark Man , The Hardcase , The Antagonist , The Grinning Man , The Wizard , The Magician , The Necromancer , The Sorcerer , The Master , The Enemy , The Adversary , The Man with No Face , The Man with Many Faces . He is described as having blue eyes that can change color depending on his mood or disguise. He usually wears black clothes and a hat. He has a charismatic personality that can charm or terrify people. He has a wicked sense of humor that often involves sarcasm or mockery. He also has a penchant for leaving graffiti or messages behind him.
Jake Chambers: The Boy from Another World
Jake Chambers is a boy from New York City who died in 1977 when he was pushed by the man in black in front of a car. He then woke up in Mid-World, a world that has "moved on", meaning that it is decaying and losing its coherence. He wandered in the desert until he met Roland at a way station, a place where travelers can rest and replenish their supplies. Roland sensed that Jake was important for his quest and decided to take him along. Jake quickly developed a bond with Roland, who became his father figure and mentor. Jake also learned to adapt to the harsh and strange environment of Mid-World, where he encountered mutants, demons, and other dangers.
Jake's role in the story is crucial, as he represents Roland's humanity and conscience. He also represents the innocence and hope that are fading away in Mid-World. He challenges Roland's single-mindedness and coldness, and makes him question his choices and actions. He also helps Roland to remember his past and to connect with his ka-tet . Jake's fate is also intertwined with Roland's, as they share a paradoxical connection that involves death and rebirth.
The Revised Edition of The Gunslinger
In 2003, King released a revised and expanded edition of The Gunslinger with the subtitle RESUMPTION. He made several changes and additions to the original text, mainly to make it more consistent with the later books in the series. He also improved the language and style of the novel, which he felt was too dry and stiff in some parts. He explained his reasons for revising the book in his introduction:
"What I did want to do was to give newcomers to the tale of the Tower (and old readers who want to refresh their memories) a clearer start and a slightly easier entry into Rolands world. I also wanted them to have a volume that more effectively foreshadowed coming events."
Some of the major differences between the original and revised editions are:
Reasons for Revising the Book
King had several motivations and intentions for revising The Gunslinger. Some of them were:
To make the novel more accessible and engaging for new readers who might be intimidated or confused by the original version.
To fix some errors and inconsistencies that he noticed or that were pointed out by his fans over the years.
To update some references and details that were outdated or inaccurate.
To add some foreshadowing and hints that would connect better with the later books in the series.
To enrich some characters and scenes that he felt were underdeveloped or lacking in depth.
To express his gratitude and appreciation to his loyal readers who supported him throughout his career, especially after his near-fatal accident in 1999 .
Major Differences between the Original and Revised Editions
Some of the most noticeable changes and additions that King made to The Gunslinger are:
He changed some words and phrases that he thought were too archaic or obscure , such as "sulphurous" , "glimmering" , "gibbering" , "eldritch" , "palaver" , "ka-mai" , etc.
He added some descriptions and details that he thought were missing or insufficient , such as Roland's appearance , the landscape of Mid-World , the history of Gilead , etc.
He modified some scenes and dialogues that he thought were too vague or ambiguous , such as Roland's encounter with Brown , Roland's conversation with Jake at the way station , Roland's confrontation with Nort , etc.
He inserted some references and allusions that he thought were relevant or interesting , such as The Beatles , Star Wars , Harry Potter , Lord of the Rings , etc.
He deleted some parts that he thought were unnecessary or redundant , such as Roland's flashback to his test of manhood , Roland's encounter with Sylvia Pittston , etc.
He added some new scenes and characters that he thought were important or useful , such as Roland's meeting with Sheb McCurdy , Roland's encounter with Cort Andrus , Roland's vision of the Crimson King , etc.
Implications for the Rest of the Series
The revised edition of The Gunslinger has some effects on the rest of the series, such as:
It establishes some concepts and terms that are essential for understanding the series, such as ka , ka-tet , nineteen , the beams , etc.
It introduces some characters and events that are significant for the series, such as Sheb McCurdy , Cort Andrus , the Crimson King , etc.
It clarifies some aspects and mysteries that are relevant for the series, such as Roland's age , the man in black's identity , Jake's paradox , etc.
It sets up some themes and conflicts that are central for the series, such as fate vs. free will , good vs. evil , reality vs. illusion , etc.
How to Download The Gunslinger Pdf for Free
If you are interested in reading The Gunslinger, you might be wondering how you can download it as a pdf file for free. Pdf stands for Portable Document Format, which is a file format that can be viewed and printed on any device. Pdf files are convenient, accessible, and affordable, as they can be easily downloaded, shared, and stored. However, there are also some risks and challenges involved in downloading pdf books online, such as scams, viruses, and copyright issues. In this section, we will guide you through the steps and sources to download The Gunslinger pdf legally and safely.
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Reading pdf books has many advantages, such as:
You can read them on any device that supports pdf files, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc.
You can adjust the font size, color, and layout of the text according to your preferences and needs.
You can bookmark, highlight, annotate, and search the text easily and quickly.
You can access them anytime and anywhere without needing an internet connection or a physical copy.
You can save money and space by not buying or storing paper books.
Websites that Offer Free Pdf Downloads of The Gunslinger
There are many websites that offer free pdf downloads of The Gunslinger and other books by Stephen King. However, not all of them are reliable or legal. Some of them might contain malware or viruses that can harm your device or steal your personal information. Some of them might also violate the author's or publisher's rights and expose you to legal consequences. Therefore, you should be careful and selective when choosing a website to download pdf books from. Here are some of the websites that we recommend:
Open Library: This is a project of the Internet Archive , a non-profit organization that provides free access to millions of books, movies, music, and other digital content. Open Library has over 20 million books in various formats, including pdf. You can borrow up to five books at a time for 14 days each. You need to create a free account to access the books.
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Z-Library: This is one of the largest online libraries in the world, with over 8 million books in various formats, including pdf. You can download up to five books per day for free without registration. However, if you want to download more books or support the project, you can donate or create a free account.
Tips and Warnings for Downloading Pdf Books Online
Downloading pdf books online can be easy and fun, but it can also be risky and illegal. Here are some tips and warnings to help you download pdf books online safely and legally:
Always check the source and reputation of the website before downloading any file from it. You can use tools like Google Safe Browsing or VirusTotal to scan the website for malware or phishing.
Tips and Warnings for Downloading Pdf Books Online
Downloading pdf books online can be easy and fun, but it can also be risky and illegal. Here are some tips and warnings to help you download pdf books online safely and legally:
Always check the source and reputation of the website before downloading any file from it. You can use tools like Google Safe Browsing or VirusTotal to scan the website for malware or phishing.
Always scan the file before opening it with your antivirus software or online scanners like VirusTotal or Jotti . You can also use tools like PDF Examiner or PDFiD to analyze the file for malicious code or hidden content.
Always respect the author's or publisher's rights and follow their terms and conditions. You can check if the book is in the public domain or has a Creative Commons license that allows free distribution. You can also contact the author or publisher and ask for their permission to download or share their book.
Always use a VPN or proxy service to hide your IP address and location when downloading pdf books online. This can protect your privacy and security from hackers, trackers, or authorities. You can also use tools like Tor Browser or I2P to access websites that are blocked or censored in your country.
Always backup your files and devices regularly and keep them updated with the latest software and security patches. This can prevent data loss or damage from malware, viruses, or ransomware.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Gunslinger is a dark-fantasy novel by Stephen King that is the first volume in his epic The Dark Tower series. It tells the story of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger of a dying world, who chases his nemesis, the man in black , across a vast desert and beyond in search of the Dark Tower , a mythical structure that holds the key to saving or destroying all existence. The novel was first published in 1982 as a fix-up novel, joining five short stories that had been published between 1978 and 1981. King revised the novel in 2003 to make it more consistent with the later books in the series. The novel introduces some of the main characters and themes of the series, such as Roland, the man in black , Jake , ka , ka-tet , nineteen , etc.
If you want to read The Gunslinger, you can download it as a pdf file for free from various websites online. Pdf files are convenient, accessible, and affordable, as they can be viewed and printed on any device. However, you should also be careful and selective when choosing a website to download pdf books from, as some of them might contain malware or viruses that can harm your device or steal your personal information. Some of them might also violate the author's or publisher's rights and expose you to legal consequences. Therefore, you should always check the source and reputation of the website, scan the file before opening it, respect the author's or publisher's rights, use a VPN or proxy service to hide your IP address and location, and backup your files and devices regularly.
We hope this article has given you some useful information and tips on how to download The Gunslinger pdf for free. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions that people ask about The Gunslinger pdf download:
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The answer depends on where you download it from and what you do with it. Some websites might offer legal and free downloads of The Gunslinger pdf if they have the author's or publisher's permission or if the book is in the public domain or has a Creative Commons license that allows free distribution. However, some websites might offer illegal and pirated downloads of The Gunslinger pdf if they do not have the author's or publisher's permission or if they violate their terms and conditions. Therefore, you should always check the source and reputation of the website before downloading any file from it. You should also respect the author's or publisher's rights and follow their terms and conditions when using their book.
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