Wizard and Glass (2003) by Stephen King is the fourth installment in The Dark Tower series, a haunting blend of epic fantasy, Western, and Gothic romance that delves into the tragic past of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger of Mid-World. Set primarily in the barony of Mejis, the novel unfolds as Roland recounts his adolescence—a love affair with Susan Delgado, a fierce and doomed beauty, amid a conspiracy involving the oil-rich “Big Coffin Hunters” and the sorcerous “Wizard’s Rainbow” glass.
King’s lyrical prose and mythic storytelling shine in this heartbreaking origin story, where Roland’s youthful idealism collides with betrayal and loss. The framing narrative—featuring Roland’s ka-tet (Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy) in a post-apocalyptic Topeka—ties the tale to the series’ broader quest for the Dark Tower.
A fan-favorite for its emotional depth and world-building, though its abrupt tonal shifts divide readers.
*The 2003 revised edition includes King’s tweaks for series continuity
