The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King
One of King’s earlier novels, this story is more of a fantasy than the horror he is best known for.
The book’s setting is in the kingdom of Delain, where King Roland reigns.
Roland the king was neither the best nor the worst king ever to rule the land. He tried very hard not to do anyone great evil and mostly succeeded. He also tried very hard to do great works, but unfortunately, he didn’t succeed so well at that. The result was a mediocre King; he doubted if he would be remembered very long after he was dead. (p9)
Roland begets two sons, Peter and Thoma. Peter, the elder, is successful and good-natured, and so is favoured both by his father and by the kingdom he is expected to eventually rule. By (arguably) no fault to himself or those who surround him, Thomas becomes embittered by these facts.
Quote:
He felt as if someone had reached into his chest and cut of a tiny piece of his heart and made him eat it.
And although the taste had been bitter, he had liked it.
Because it was his heart. (p90)
The King’s evil magician advisor Flagg manipulates Thomas so as to feed his self-pity and anger.
Flagg realises that he will not be able to control Peter as he did Roland, and so he plans to dispose of him. He poisons the King and has Peter framed for the murder. Peter is locked away in a tower, whilst Thomas, a pawn in a game so much greater than himself, is crowned King.
As Peter plans what he can do from the tower’s heights, Flagg is destroying the kingdom through King Thomas. Thomas has only one secret? when Flagg gave King Roland the poisoned drink, Thomas was in a secret compartment behind a trophy dragon head.
Quote:
He watched through the eyes of the dragon and saw it all. (p92)
Comments: The book seems to be aimed at a younger audience than most of King’s other work, and is much more innocent in many ways. The book is much more interesting in its connections to the Dark Tower series. The most obvious links are the names, especially Roland, and moreso Flagg, who plays a very similar character. In addition, a character named ‘Rhiannon, witch of the coos’ is mentioned.
Quote:
When times are long enough,
even the storyteller forgets the tales. (p70)
