Currently reading the extended edition of The Stand by Stephen King, can't seem to finish

[Chris]

So I'm at page 800 / 1,100 in the extended edition of The Stand and I've found my enthusiasm losing steam. For a long time now they've just been in the town, conducting town hall meetings and having votes, the most exciting thing in a while has been Mother Abigail leaving town!

Has anyone finished this themselves? Should I trudge through? Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

[Christy]

There is definitely light at the end of that tunnel! I just read it a couple of months ago and I remember kind of hitting that same wall. Muscle through, it's worth it.

[Suzanne]

ooh please continue!! the last quarter of the book is my favorite by far :)

[Kathy]

I may be a bit biased as a long-time Stephen King fan, but this book is truly my all-time favorite! Please continue! I think you will find it's definitely worth your while! I've read it 3 times now and I love it more and more each time! :)

[Renee]

Is it much different than the older version? One of the reasons I haven't read that one is because I've already read the first one and I usually don't like re-reading books because I have so many on my TBR pile.

[Suzanne]

No, there is a note about it from Stephen King at the start of the book, which says basically that this extended version does not change the storyline in anyway or give out any extra relevant information. or something like that :) It's basically just parts from his original longer draft which were cut out to make it shorter for publishing. I wouldn't recommend re-reading it. The extended edition is great if you have never read the shorter version, because there is more to read! But having read the shorter version.. you aren't missing out on anything important :)

[Kathy]

I have to disagree w/ that. The material that's put back into the bok may not change the story, what it does is add dimension to characters that you otherwise didn't have. For instance Frannie's mother is really given more depth as you get to know her more and see their relationship in a differet light. I've read both versions and am glad I have read the complete version! It's my favorite book and I am happy for every added little detail. I think the answer to your question, Chris, can only be answered by how much of a fan you are. One read of the incomplete version may be enough for you.

[Suzanne]

disagree with what? lol.. Stephen King said it himself in the book, i was only repeating that. Of course it's given more depth, it's hundreds of pages longer. Doesn't mean your missing anything by reading the original version.

[Kathy]

You were saying that you recommend she not read the complete version. I feel you're missing out on what he meant to be in the book in the first place. Whether someone opts to read the complete version or not, of course, is their decision, It's only my opinion that it's worth reading. To some, it might be long enough. I can understand that....I just disagree.

[Suzanne]

Oh i see, you were just disagreeing with my recommendation to not read the book. I agree that you are missing out on certain things if you don't read the extended version.. though i have never read the shorter version so not entirely sure!

[Kathy]

Yeah, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear on what I was disagreeing with. I'm an avid rereader when it comes to favorite books, so there's no question which version of a book I will read. If a book is abridged in any way, it's not for me.