Reality, aside. I am about to embark on the final leg of the path that leads to the Dark Tower, and boy is it bittersweet. When my head clears from this, someday if ever, maybe I'll return to reality. On the cover of this book is the Dark Tower itself in a field of roses, with The Rose shining in the foreground. I know there will be death and disappointment in this book, as in so many other things, but also redemption, fulfillment, and meaning. If the irregularity of my posts for the last few months irked you ("you" here is reflexive, as well), blame the Tower, blame Roland. I have looked forward to this for so long.
Stephen King pays Trent Reznor's "Hurt" homage in opening page just after the book's dedication. And I've no doubt that it's only gonna get better.
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Update (05/29/2009): There is no greater testament than the Dark Tower standing in the field of roses that meaning in life is gained along the way, not at the end. Ka is a wheel, of course, so it's no surprise that I feel so overwhelmingly bittersweet upon reaching the end of the story, right back where I started. But what it's taught me along the way...