The Dark Tower 7

856 Pages·2004·5.21 MB·English

THE DARK TOWER VII

THE DARK TOWER

BY STEPHEN KING

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READERS COPY OF THIS BOOK.

ALTHOUGH WE DEPLORE UNPROOFED RELEASES
WE ARE TAKING THE RARE STEP OF RELEASING
THIS BOOK IN THIS FORMAT TODAY, 19 SEPTEMBER
2004 - ONLY SO THAT IT CAN BE ENJOYED PRIOR TO
THE PUBLICATION OF THE TREEBOOK ON 21
SEPTEMBER 2004.

YOU MAY REST ASSURED THAT A FULLY PROOFED
VERSION, IN MULTIPLE FORMATS, WILL BE
RELEASED BY US IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE!

ELF (EBOOK LIBERATION FRONT)
STEPHEN KING
ILLUSTRATED BY MKHAKL WHELAN
THE DARK TOWER VII:
THE DARK TOWER
The final volume of Stephen King's masterful
multi-volume epic—hailed as a "hypnotic blend of suspense and
sentimentality...a sprawling, eventful tale of demons, monsters, narrow
escapes, and magic portals" (The New York Times Book Review).
T
he most anticipated book in Stephen King's legendary career, The Dark Tower
VII: The Dark Tower is the final installment to the bestselling author's epic
series—a story that began thirty-three years ago with The Cunslinger and has
gathered millions of ardent fans since Donald M. Grant published a limited edition
of that first volume in 1981.
This volume completes the quest of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger in
a world which has "moved on." Like the first book in the series, the last is beautiful-
ly illustrated by famed fantasy artist Michael Whelan. And with the same mix of tri-
umph and loss that made Wolves of the Calla a runaway bestseller, The Dark Toiver
tracks Roland towards his ultimate goal, the tower itself—the center of all time, all
place. But this time, as Roland's ka-tet moves through The Dixie Pig in New York
City to Algul Siento in End-World, the losses come from within his circle of com-
panions. His antagonists, from Mia's chap Mordred to the force of evil known as the
Crimson King, grow more desperate. In the final stage of his search, Roland needs
one more ally, a last key to gain entry to the tower. What awaits him there, at the
tower's very top, is a mystery sure to awe King's legions of devoted fans.
With Stephen King's unparalleled storytelling power, and with interest in
fantasy at an all-time high, the release of The Dark Tower will be the most exciting
publishing event of the year.
Stephen King is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished
Contribution to American Letters. The international bestselling author of more than forty
novels and two hundred short stories, including Wolves of the Calla, Everything's Eventual,
and Dreamcatcher, he lives with his wife, Tabitha, in Maine and Florida.
The Dark Tower VII
September 21, 2004
A Donald M. Grant Book/Scribner
Fiction
6x9, 864 pages
$35.00
1-880418-62-2
Nonmerch0684031795
Do not quote for publication until verified with finished book.
This advance uncorrected reader's proof is the property of
Simon & Schuster. It is being loaned for promotional purposes
and review by the recipient and may not be used for any other
purpose or transferred to any third party. Simon & Schuster
reserves the right to cancel the loan and recall possession of the
proof at any time. Any duplication, sale or distribution to the
public is a violation of law.
THE DARK TOWER VII: THE DARK TOWER
Copyright © 2004 by Stephen King
WWW.STEPHENKING.COM
Illustrations © 2004 by Michael Whelan
WWW.GLASSONIONGRAPHICS.COM
Book design by Thomas Canty and Robert K. Wiener
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products
of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events
or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Maps © 2004 by Robin Furth
"BAD COMPANY," by Paul Bernard Rodgers, Simon F. Kirke © 1974 (renewed)
WB MUSIC CORP. and BADCO MUSIC INC. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Warner Bros. Publications U.S. Inc., Miami, Florida 33014
Lyric excerpt from "Hurt" written by Trent Reznor, copyright 1994
Leaving Hope Music/TVT Music, Inc. Administered by Leaving Hope Music, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.
"THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT" by George David Weiss, Luigi Creatore, and Hugo Peretti
© 1961, Renewed Abilene Music, Inc. Permission secured. All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2004109365
Printed in the United States of America
1 3 5 79 10 8 6 42
ISBN 1-880418-62-2
FIRST TRADE EDITION
Distributed by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
SCRIBNER
1230 Avenue of the Americas
' New York, NY 10020
DONALD M. GRANT, PUBLISHER, INC.
Post Office Box 187, Hampton Falls, NH 03844
WWW.GRANTBOOKS.COM
He who speaks without an attentive ear is mute.
Therefore, Constant Reader, this final book in the Dark Tower cycle
is dedicated to you.
Long days and pleasant nights.

Not hear? When noise was everywhere! it tolled
Increasing like a bell. Names in my ears
Of all the lost adventurers, my peers —
How such a one was strong, and such was bold,
And such was fortunate, yet each of old
Lost, lost! one moment knelled the woe of years.
There they stood, ranged along the hillsides, met
To view the last of me, a living frame
For one more picture! In a sheet of flame
I saw them and I knew them all. And yet
Dauntless the slug-horn to my lips I set,
And blew. 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came.'
—Robert Browning
"Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came"
I was born
Six-gun in my hand,
behind a gun
I'll make my final stand.
—Bad Company
What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end
You could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
—Trent Reznor

CONTENTS
PART ONE:
THE LITTLE RED KING
DAN-TETE
I: CALIAHAN AND THE VAMPIRES 3
II: LIFTED ON THE WAVE 17
III: EDDIE MAKES A CALL 31
IV: DAN-TETE 55
V: IN THE JUNGLE, THE MIGHTY JUNGLE 81
VI: ONTURTLEBACKLANE 113
VII: REUNION 133
PART TWO:
BLUE HEAVEN
DEVAR-TOI
I: THE DEVAR-TETE /.' 141
II: THE WATCHER ! 155
III: THE SHINING WIRE 171
IV: THE DOOR INTO THUNDERCLAP 189
V: STEEK-TETE 199
VI: THE MASTER OF BLUE HEAVEN 221
VII: KA-SHUME 247
VIII: NOTES FROM THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE 265
IX: TRACKS ON THE PATH 309
X: THE LAST PALAVER
(SHEEMIE'S DREAM) 321
XI: THE ATTACK ON ALGUL SIENTO 343
XII: THE TET BREAKS . 387
PART THREE:
IN THIS HAZE OF GREEN AND GOLD
VES'-KA GAN
I: MRS. TASSENBAUM DRIVES SOUTH 421
II: VES'-KAGAN 451
III: NEW YORK AGAIN
(ROLAND SHOWS ID) 485
IV: FEDIC
(TWOVIEWS) 531
PART FOUR: V
THE WHITE LANDS OF EMPATHIGA
DANDELO
I: THE THING UNDER THE CASTLE 549
II: ON BADLANDS AVENUE 577
III: THE CASTLE OF THE CRIMSON KING 597
IV: HIDES 629
V: JOE COLLINS OF ODD'S LANE 647
VI: PATRICK DANVILLE 685
PART FIVE:
THE SCARLET FIELD OF
CAN'-KANOREY
I: THE SORE AND THE DOOR
(GOODBYE, MY DEAR) 715
II: MORDRED 751
III: THE CRIMSON KING AND
THE DARK TOWER 777
EPILOGUE
SUSANNAH IN NEW YORK
807
CODA
FOUND
817
APPENDIX
ROBERT BROWNING
"CHILDE ROLAND TO THE DARK TOWER CAME" 833
AUTHOR'S NOTE 843