The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands)
"The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands)" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the The Dark Tower Series.
🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot
This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.
Verdict Insight: While this short_story provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.
SourceWizard And Glass
Book #3 of 6 in Series
Complete Series Reading Order
Publication Order
Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Chronological Order
May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.
Order Confidence
Why this order?
Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for The Dark Tower Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip reading The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands)?
This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.
Can I read The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands) before The Drawing Of The Three?
Yes. The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands) is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.
Is The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands) required reading for the The Dark Tower Series?
No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.
What comes after The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands) in the reading order?
The next recommended book after The Dark Tower (Gunslinger / Drawing Of The Three / Waste Lands) is Wizard And Glass (Book #3).
![The Stand [1/2]](https://covers.openlibrary.org/b/id/977658-L.jpg)
