The Gunslinger, oh what do I say of you? Clunky, mix matched, mumbo jumbo of great awesomeness!

Being the first in the series of 7 (now 8) books, it shows it's very early style of King. A style that really isn't all too great and trimmed into what makes the later books the known King style. With that bit, there's also a bunch of hints of a world that isn't expanded on. A little bit of this mystery here and a little bit of that mystery there, with only another mystery being fully solved.
That's as a first time read.

As a reread, the picture clears so much better. And it does what a first in a series is suppose to do. Get you interested enough to get you to read book 2. that's all that I really have to say to this one. deeply flawed but still a must read.

One other thing, Roland is character that deserves so much hatred! and still at the end of the book, you're interested in his journey. you want to know to what other lengths he is willing to go. You've seen him make one heart breaking sacrifice, what comes next?