This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides — or are chosen. A world in … world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abigail — and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.
In 1978 Stephen King published The Stand, the novel that is now considered to be one of his finest works. But as it was first published, The Stand was incomplete, since more than 150,000 words had been cut from the original manuscript.
Now Stephen King’s apocalyptic vision of a world blasted by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil has been restored to its entirety. The Stand : The Complete And Uncut Edition includes more than five hundred pages of material previously deleted, along with new material that King added as he reworked the manuscript for a new generation. It gives us new characters and endows familiar ones with new depths. It has a new beginning and a new ending. What emerges is a gripping work with the scope and moral comlexity of a true epic.
For hundreds of thousands of fans who read The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King’s gift. And those who are reading The Stand for the first time will discover a triumphant and eerily plausible work of the imagination that takes on the issues that will determine our survival.
From the Hardcover edition.
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My favorite Stephen King story
King at his best.
Another Stephen King story coming to life now.(Covid 19)
Rereading The Stand (after almost 30 years since I first read it) reminded me of all the things I like and dislike about Stephen King. His longer books (as this one is over 1,000 pages) tend to be long in the journey and short in the wrap up. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. Nevertheless, the man can write a horror and I’ll always be a fan.
The Stand has long been a favorite of mine. It is classic good against evil, with a plague that kick-starts the end of the world…some immune and most not. It’s scary this was written so long ago and some aspects reflect the current state of the world.
I’m excited to see they are making a new series with Whoopi Goldberg as Mother Abagail (insert geeky scream and happy dance here please). I enjoyed the original mini-series way back when and plan on rewatching it. This new series doesn’t come out until December from what I’m reading so here’s me….patiently waiting….
A wonderful piece of storytelling by a master of contemporary literature.
Stephen King is a stunningly prolific author, and I’ve enjoyed many of his books over the years. But The Stand is Stephen King at his absolute best. I read it for the first time in high school, and it blew me away. For months afterward, I was paranoid every time someone coughed or sneezed around me. That’s how impactful this book was. It’s a post-apocalyptic saga with unforgettable characters, a plague-ridden landscape, and a terrifying plot. Given the dystopian nightmare we’re currently living through, The Stand seems more chillingly prescient than ever. Five stars aren’t enough for this masterpiece. If you haven’t read The Stand, you’re missing out on a truly epic story!
This book is mind blowingly fantastic. I stayed glued. Definitely recommend this book. Way better then the movie, and the movie is pretty darn good.
Not for those under 17, the extended version of the book is graphic in some places, so if you don’t want that stay with the original version.
It starts with a pandemic created by our government that kills 99.9 percent of the population. Then those who are left start having dreams that lead them in 2 different directions.
Great read
“A Masterpiece”
This is one of my favorite books of all time!
I recently re-read. It takes some time to digest it all. but written well and thought provoking
Was just a very good book. How it brought all the characters together and the ending is worth the read.
One of my all-time favorite books. I’ve read it multiple times!
The first Stephan King book I read, and I never stopped.
The Stand is one of my favorite books of all time. It begins with a pandemic that is eerily familiar these days (except, thankfully, in our situation, the mortality rate is nowhere near the 99% of Captain Trips). But the heart of the story is about the survivors who divide into two camps, transforming the novel into an epic tale of good versus evil. Despite being over 1,100 pages, the story is so gripping it made for an easy read. And parts of the book, including a cross-country trek by a character named the Trashcan Man, are simply brilliant. As always, however, it’s King’s thoroughly developed characters that make the book such an excellent read. If you are looking for a novel that seems strangely relatable to the world we find ourselves in today, I highly recommend The Stand.
I’d read this one before, years ago, but I just got through reading it again. I love this book and this story. I believe it’s some of King’s best work. I’m sure I’ll read again in another 10-15 years and love it just as much or more.
Another great Stephen King story. A harrowing tale of post-apocalyptic life, set off by a viral strand. I thought it was exceedingly interesting to see how in such a world, the decision to turn to the light or the dark isn’t as simple as it seems. As usual with King, there were some preternatural elements but overall I felt like this story was eerily realistic.
I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I have read this book at least 5 times and will read several more times in the future.
Such an epic book, one of Stephen King’s best. An essential read of all his books.
The Stand is right up there amidst my favorites of SK. Maybe I’m just a sucker for Randall Flagg/The Man In Black/Walter, the character who is not only in this story but many others of SK. The only ‘problem’ i see with it these days is that it’s now dated. but I could see a new movie (preferably HBO series) being made of it that updates to today’s technology etc.
EPIC. POWERFUL. ENGAGING. I was drawn in fully, and it’s definitely one of the books that inspired me to write.
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