The Stand Paperback – August 7, 2012

Ive been a Stephen King fan for 40 years. The Stand is and will remain my favorite of his books. I like all of them but I love a select few and The Stand is at the top of the list. If you are already a King fan and you haven't read The Stand, you'll love this book. The overall theme is Biblically related and he sticks close to details in well known Biblical stories. But, don't get me wrong, this is not "Christian Fiction". This is the best of Sci-Fi/Horror you'll find in King's books. The characters are fully developed and totally interesting. The dystopian story is compelling and believable. If you are a fan, since this is one of his earlier works, you'll see familiar types of characters, ie..Randy Flagg and Tom Collin. If you're a new King reader, you will get to know the characters and you'll care about them. This isn't a read in one sitting book. Rather, it is a day after day reading that you'll enjoy and hate to put down. Though some may say King is extremely verbose, I think his detailed telling of the story connects the reader to the characters like very few authors are able to do. This is my sixth reading of the book and the first time I listened to the audio book. It was just as good this time as the last. With a hour long ride to work and back, my time in the car seemed shorter because of the quality of the reader and the quality of the story.
I won't give away anything, I'll only say take your time and enjoy the ride with King's epic. I loved every word.

The uncut and unedited version is the version I read, although I guess that is normal these days as I read that the original shorter version is harder to find now. Anyways, I can understand the criticism about this book. A friend complained the ending was weak, and I kind of think it was. Savvy book readers will probably be able to predict it after a certain point. My Dad absolutely gushed about this book and nearly demanded I read it. Of course, he read that edited original version while I was left with the uncut kindle edition. I was ready to give the book a near perfect rating around the 400 page mark but it took a different turn than I thought it would. There is no final stand, ironically, between good and evil. I don't think that spoils anything, but I was expecting there to be a final epic war or confrontation of some kind. There wasn't any. Unfortunately, the book makes you think that is inevitable.

The book is split into three books according to the table of contents. Book 1 (Captain Trips) and 2 (on the border) are the biggest books - basically sections. The 3rd book, which has the same name as the title of the entire book "The stand" is the shortest of all of them, containing only 18 of the books 78 chapters. Book 1 (Captain Trips) is probably the best overall. As it describes the outbreak of the superflu and introduces all of the main characters that each have incredible back stories. I've never read a book this big before and it was amazing to read 400 pages without being bored and still only feel like the adventure was just beginning.

Things slow down in book 2 when the main protagnists (there are many) kind of settle down in Boulder Colorado after all being led there through dreams and visions from a very old woman, arriving as a hodgepodge of separate groups during their journeys, after having met each other through a variety of strange ways and sometimes complete happenstance. The city continues to grow as more are led there by dreams and visions. Of course, on the other side of the mountains, people are being led to another city via dreams and visions, except these dreams and visions come from a demonic man, probably satan or someone one notch below. This individual, who has the human name of Randall Flagg among some others, has the goal of rebuilding his city and gathering arms. The book eludes to the fact that Randal Flagg gathered people who were technologically inclined so their city was much more functional than that of Boulder whose inhabitants struggled to get the electricity turned on. The main characters in boulder decide to form a make shift government which occupies a large part of Book 2. One reason why the book started to decline for me. This book also introduces the old woman, Mother Abigail, who people have been seeing in their dreams. After the main characters keep seeing her in their dreams over and over, they come to the conclusion that she must be real as crazy as it is, and thus they go to Boulder. For me, the introduction of her character, was my least favorite chapter. There is no justification for her abilities. Her story didn't add anything. God has just picked her for reasons unknown. Things started to get interesting again near the end of book 2 going into book 3.

I don't know exactly which parts were included in the uncut version. But I imagine that some of the things I didn't like must have been the uncut portions as many others have also criticized. There really is a lot of stuff in the book that just doesn't advance the story which is probably why it was taken out in the first place. Who knows, if I read the original, I might have given it 5 stars.

I have read this book several times - each time is as if it was the first. I discover new themes, characters and events with each read. What never changes is my longing to keep turning the page when I reach the end
The first time I picked up this book was when it first came out in paperback. I remember writing a letter to the author (whichever sent) asking - no, begging for a sequel. I downloaded this expanded version last year and though I have just finished my third reading of it, I find the longing still as strong.
Stephen King' s ability to weave characters and plots and themes so intricately is as compelling today as s it was when he first burst on the scene. His newer books have drawn me into the story and made the idea of it SO believable that indeed I believed in vampires and clowns that lived in sewers-Even aliens placing a dome over a small town.
As I began the most recent read of The Stand, the Ebola epidemic was winding down and the measles woes were ramping up in the US. There were even rumblings of the measles outbreak being the result of a government conspiracy and this year's flu is a strain not well covered by the immunizations as the strain had mutated. Ah, scary thoughts when reading this book. What Mr. King manages to do each time is to weave a story of good vs evil wherein good triumphs but not in a predictable or easy way. Thank you for this Mr King from a long time constant reader.