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on 1 August 2010
The Stand may be one of the longest books published in recent times and the Uncut edition adds several hundred pages to it's length making it a monster of a book but don't let this put you off!
Unlike some other long books every single page is in The Stand for a reason all it's many sub-plots and characters add to the richness of the book as Stephen King himself explains in the introduction, not one page is wasted on unnecessary prose or 'filler material'. In fact The Stand only get's better the more you read, at no point did reading it feel like a chore.
King spends several hundred pages setting up the characters and plot of the book as well as various sub-plots before moving into the novel 'proper' some two or three hundred pages in but again this only adds to the richness of the book as you understand exactly what happened and why. All of The Stand's characters even the minor ones feel like living breathing people as Stephen King says in the introduction 'People often write to me asking what happened to so and so character as if they were real and keep me updated on what's happening to them'. And here lies Stephen King's genius despite the typically brutal and somewhat depressing plot you're unable to put the book down because the characters feel so real and not only do you want to know what happens to so and so but you want to know why.
The Plot itself is masterful, King keeps you guessing till the very end and though it may not be the 'happily ever after' ending of many other novels it deeply satisfying and will leave you begging for more. Before reading this book I wondered if it could be as good as it's hyped up to be, if it really was Stephen Kings masterpiece and after reading it I can say with complete confidence that not only is The Stand the best Stephen King novel I have read it is one of the best novels I have ever read only James Clavells Noble House (The Asian saga) can compare with it's depth and epic nature.
In short if you're a Stephen King fan you need to own this book or for that matter if you're a fan of Epic's.
Unlike some other long books every single page is in The Stand for a reason all it's many sub-plots and characters add to the richness of the book as Stephen King himself explains in the introduction, not one page is wasted on unnecessary prose or 'filler material'. In fact The Stand only get's better the more you read, at no point did reading it feel like a chore.
King spends several hundred pages setting up the characters and plot of the book as well as various sub-plots before moving into the novel 'proper' some two or three hundred pages in but again this only adds to the richness of the book as you understand exactly what happened and why. All of The Stand's characters even the minor ones feel like living breathing people as Stephen King says in the introduction 'People often write to me asking what happened to so and so character as if they were real and keep me updated on what's happening to them'. And here lies Stephen King's genius despite the typically brutal and somewhat depressing plot you're unable to put the book down because the characters feel so real and not only do you want to know what happens to so and so but you want to know why.
The Plot itself is masterful, King keeps you guessing till the very end and though it may not be the 'happily ever after' ending of many other novels it deeply satisfying and will leave you begging for more. Before reading this book I wondered if it could be as good as it's hyped up to be, if it really was Stephen Kings masterpiece and after reading it I can say with complete confidence that not only is The Stand the best Stephen King novel I have read it is one of the best novels I have ever read only James Clavells Noble House (The Asian saga) can compare with it's depth and epic nature.
In short if you're a Stephen King fan you need to own this book or for that matter if you're a fan of Epic's.
on 4 February 2014
I absolutely love this novel. For me, it's one of his very best. I admit, there were times within the first 40% that I felt were too slow, but for every chapter that was slow, there were two that stood out. After the first half I could not put it down. I was totally hooked and it just got better and better. A must read for everybody. I'm only disappointed that out took me so long to start reading this epic novel.
on 27 February 2015
It's the end of the world. Most people are dead. This book tells the story of some of the survivors and their process of getting together and building society 2.0. The story telling and character building is great. One passage really stood out and slightly terrified me (a journey through an underground tunnel in complete blackness).
I couldn't' put the book down, awesome!
I couldn't' put the book down, awesome!
on 30 May 2017
Still one of my favourite books ever. If you enjoy a bit of dystopian fiction, this is a must read. Written well and in the days before his books became glorified screenplays.
on 2 June 2017
I read this book when it was first published , I enjoyed it then as now .
on 17 March 2017
Probably Kings greatest work which given the success of his many novels speaks volumes for the sheer quality of this book
on 20 September 2013
This is the third time I have read this book in the last 14 years.
I feel it's the best apocalyptic book ever written and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the genre.
I would love to see a decent TV series made.
I feel it's the best apocalyptic book ever written and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the genre.
I would love to see a decent TV series made.
on 23 April 2017
In my opinion, only The Passage by Justin Cronin has come close to this. Vivid world is built in your mind as you read. Amazing characters and a gripping storyline. What a read. Don't miss out.
on 12 June 2016
Received in good order as described.
