From the Bookshelf of Reading List Completists…

The Stand

Stephen King,

Bernie Wrightson (Illustrator)

Start date: July 1, 2016

Finish date: September 30, 2016

Discussion: The Stand - July-Sept 2016

Why we're reading this: Runner Up - April-June BIG read Poll - so we will be reading it the next 3 months.
[close] Runner Up - April-June BIG read Poll - so we will be reading it the next 3 months.

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Showing 2 of 5 topics — 107 comments total

The Stand - July-Sept 2016

Abridged or Unabridged?
By Jennifer · 22 posts · 61 views

last updated Dec 05, 2017 06:52AM

The Stand - General Discussion
By Matthew , Assistant List Master · 29 posts · 45 views

last updated Oct 10, 2016 08:37AM

showing 2 of 2 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Oct 05, 2016 Matthew rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: at-home-reading, 2016, own, supernatural, completist-book-club, stephen-king, post-apocalyptic-dystopian

The Stand Abridged: 5 Stars
The Stand Unabridged: 3.5 to 4 Stars

I hope that Goodreads lets both of my star ratings of this book go through as I already rated The Stand Abridged years ago, but in case it doesn’t, I am combining my review of the two into one.

The original Stand is one of my top three favorite books of all time (the other two being Brave New World and 1984 – I am a sucker for post-apocalyptic/dystopian). I don’t think The Stand is the best introduction a person could have to Stephen The Stand Abridged: 5 Stars
The Stand Unabridged: 3.5 to 4 Stars

I hope that Goodreads lets both of my star ratings of this book go through as I already rated The Stand Abridged years ago, but in case it doesn’t, I am combining my review of the two into one.

The original Stand is one of my top three favorite books of all time (the other two being Brave New World and 1984 – I am a sucker for post-apocalyptic/dystopian). I don’t think The Stand is the best introduction a person could have to Stephen King (that lies with Salem’s Lot or The Dead Zone), but it is a great story of good vs evil that shows King’s writing chops to the extreme. Other than a slow spot in the middle (view spoiler), it is perfectly paced and un-put-downable.

That is where my problem with the Unabridged version lies – and I have seen other reviews complaining about the same thing; some even saying that the abridged version of The Stand is their favorite King book, and the Unabridged their least favorite. There is just too much extra!

I think the editors had it right when they cut down some of the extended scenes - they slow the pace considerably of what was a roller coaster ride of a book. There are extensive scenes at the beginning of the book and in the middle that felt like they would never end. The already slow part I mentioned above is now close to 400 pages – longer than most books I read! The best paced part was the action packed final 200 pages or so, and they were almost the same as in the abridged version. In fact, all the parts I enjoyed the most were there in the abridged version – and I don’t think I enjoyed them just because of familiarity.

Another thing that the extended parts caused was getting out of touch with the characters for a much longer time than before. Several times I found myself asking “Where is so and so – it has been forever since we heard what was going on with them”. It caused me to lose my connection with some of the minor characters because they are now overshadowed by the major characters. Also, most of the added parts related to the good guys, which made the story lines of the bad guys almost feel like an afterthought. Probably the best new part was (view spoiler).

In summary, I think if I didn’t have the abridged version to compare it to it may have been a 4.5 or 5 star book. But, with the 5 star abridged version out there, it is no contest. While it is interesting to learn more about the characters, it throws the pacing off and makes it more of a chore and less of a joy to read.
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135 likes · Like · see review

Jan 01, 2015 Phil J rated it it was ok

Review with comparison of '78 and '89 editions and info from Danse Macabre and "Night Surf"

Comments on the original short story: "Night Surf"

The first thing I did after finishing The Stand was picking up the short story "Night Surf," which is in the Night Shift collection.

I'm sure the King fans have already read it, but here's a quick summary: (view spoiler) ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Jan 04, 2015 Lindsay Chalmers rated it really liked it

Super long book but very compelling story. You have a sense of accomplishment and relief upon finishing it. Would've been 5 stars if it were a more appropriate length. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2014 Jeff rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: king, desert-island, my-library, the-long-one

This is usually the book I turn to every other summer. It's always readable, and I always find new things to discover in it. The tale of the apocalypse told from a uniquely American perspective is perhaps my favorite book. Its characters are likable and incredibly well written. The ending could have been better, but its all small price to pay for such an engrossing book.

Addendum 1-9/20/14
Randall Flagg is perhaps the best personification of evil I have read. He is smooth, cheery, insightful, bri ...more

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