The Drawing of the Three begins just seven hours after the ending of The Gunslinger and Roland is immediately attacked by a lobster-like creature — he starts to refer to them as “lobstrosity” — he eventually kills the creature but ends up losing his index and middle finger on his right hand and most of his big toe on his right foot in the fight. All of that happens in the prologue for this book. Needless to say, this book has some extra high tension moments.
Photo Source: The Drawing of the Three, goodreads
Roland’s injuries quickly become infected, but he continues to make his way north along the beach where he encounters three door that all lead to New York City, but different years (1987, 1964, and 1977, respectively) where he meets and brings back the people who will be traveling with him. Behind door number one he meets Eddie, a young heroin addict in the process of smuggling cocaine for his boss, Enrico Balazar. Roland helps Eddie out by hiding the drugs back through the door. Eddie makes it through the customs inspection, but they are still suspicious of him so they keep him and interrogate him for hours. Balazar finds out about this so he kidnaps Eddies brother, Henry — who also happens to be a drug addict — in order to get Eddie to deliver the drugs. When Eddie gets there he tells them he can get the drugs, but he’ll need to do it in the restroom. After some searching in the bathroom he is allowed to go in. After retrieving the drugs he and Roland overhear that Henry has died of an accidental overdose of heroin given to him by Balazar’s people, so they engage in a lengthy shootout. Of course our guys win and I cannot do it justice how awesome this part of the story is.
The book is basically written in three different parts, with each of the doors being at the center of each. The first part is easily my favorite, simply because of the super cool shootout. The third part is also great. The second part was a little boring for my taste, but it’s still very cool for what happens at the end with the character that he pulls from the second door, which I am not going to get into because it’s a little spoiler-y.
Photo Source: The Drawing of the Three, goodreads
The bits I did not like are between the chapters there are these parts between the main chapters that are just not that interesting. They are important, but just sort of boring. Basically it’s Roland going in and out of consciousness as he is healing from his infections.
The overall story and writing/style of this book really worked for me. I did not get bored during the main story at all. I was very glad for the change of pace between this and The Gunslinger. My friends had spoken so highly of the series so when I read The Gunslinger I was worried that I would not like it, but this book gave me a lot of confidence that the series will continue to tread in this direction.
Photo Source: The Drawing of the Three, goodreads
Rating: 4
Length: 400 pages
Favorite Quote: “Did-a-chick? Dum-a-chum? Dad-a-cham? Ded-a-chek?Read”
Niles’ rankings of Stephen King books:
- IT
11/22/63 - Mr. Mercedes
- ‘Salem’s Lot
- The Drawing of the Three
- The Shining
- End of Watch
- Carrie
- Gerald’s Game
- Christine
- Finders Keepers
- The Gunslinger
As always, if you would like to discuss anything Stephen King or horror related feel free to contact me on Twitter or Instagram @NilesHougaboom and be sure to check out The Game of Nerds for any of your other nerdy needs.
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