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Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, The

Auteur	Stephen King , Bernie Wrightson (illustrator)
Eerste Uitgave	2003
Uitgave	2003
Uitgeverij	Grant
Vorm	roman
Taal	Engels
Bladzijden	714 bladzijden
Gelezen	2006-06-24
Score	8/10

Inhoud

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World, the almost timeless landscape that seems to stretch from the wreckage of civility that defined Roland's youth to the crimson chaos that seems thefuture's only promise. Readers of Stephen King's epic series know Roland well, or as well as this enigmatic hero can be known. They also know the companions who have been drawn to his quest for the Dark Tower: Eddie Dean and his wife,Susannah Jake Chambers, the boy who has come twice through the doorway of death into Roland's world and Oy, the Billy-Bumbler. In this long-awaited fifth novel in the saga, their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis,a tranquil valley community of farmers and ranchers on Mid-World's borderlands. Beyond the town, the rocky ground rises toward the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is slowly stealing thecommunity's soul. One of the town's residents is Pere Callahan, a ruined priest who, like Susannah, Eddie, and Jake, passed through one of the portals that lead both into and out of Roland's world. As Father Callahan tells the ka-tetthe astonishing story of what happened following his shamed departure from Maine in 1977, his connection to the Dark Tower becomes clear, as does the danger facing a single red rose in a vacant lot off Second Avenue in midtown Manhattan.For Calla Bryn Sturgis, danger gathers in the east like a storm cloud. The Wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to, and they cangive the Calla-folken both courage and cunning. Their guns, however, will not be enough.

Bespreking

Excellent continuation of King's greatest saga

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet are traveling through the dense forests of Mid-World. Their quest for the Dark Tower is nearing completion, when they arrive at Calla, a village traumatized by the kidnapping of their children by the Wolves of Thunderclap. When the villagers learn that Roland and his friends are visiting, some of them hope that these gunslingers will finally bring salvation. But not everyone is convinced that getting help from foreigners is such a good idea, so Roland has to prepare his best 'dance' to try and convince everyone of his good intentions. Indeed, it is important that the people of Calla get help, because that seems to be the only way the secret of Father Callahan will get released. A secret that might help the ka-tet reach their ultimate goal: The Dark Tower.

This long-awaited fifth novel of the Dark Tower saga has turned out to be a massive 714-pages counting episode. Based upon the latest produce of Stephen King, that would normally mean a rather flimsy storyline packed with some page filling nonsense. But I am happy to say that Wolves of Calla is an nice exception to the rule. Wolves is so packed with storylines, that you never get bored. Although many ongoing plotlines get developed further, almost none of them get concluded. This can only mean one thing: Stephen King is preparing for the grand finale! If King can keep up this pace in the next two episodes, I trust that the finale will be unforgettable.

One of the many enjoyable things about this series is the intention of King to make links to his earlier novels. For a King-fan this can only mean more enjoyment. Wolves of Calla has until now been the best example of this. Introducing Father Callahan, the priest that first appeared in Stephen King's Salem's Lot, has been an excellent addition to the series. Callahan does not just perform a cameo, but, without revealing too much, gets a very important role to fulfill. It also sheds another light on the original Salem's Lot story. So be warned: After finishing Wolves you will feel the urge to (re)read Salem's Lot, so make sure you have a copy in your library.