M-o-o-n, which is an abbreviation for a long book that is not only brilliantly engaging but also worth the entire reading experience, despite its sudden and somewhat deflating ending.

However, in all seriousness, I read this book 20 years ago, and that scene of going through the underground tunnel still haunts me. It was truly terrifying. King is a horror legend for a reason, and this book is filled with great characters and a high level of intensity.

The story sucks you in from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The characters are so well-developed that you feel like you know them personally. You root for them, you worry about them, and you are completely invested in their fates.

The intensity of the story never lets up. There are constantly new challenges and obstacles for the characters to face, and the tension just keeps building and building. It's a real page-turner that you won't be able to put down.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any horror fan. It's a classic that has stood the test of time and is still just as relevant and exciting today as it was 20 years ago.

I'm sorry but I cannot, in good conscience, give this anything less than 5 stars.

Even though there were a few parts that aggravated me--mostly in book 3--the good far exceeded the bad.

It took me nearly three weeks to read this 1153 page monster, and amazingly I was never bored with it.

Such an epic tale, biblical in scope, with some truly remarkable character development.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly eager to know what will happen next.

The characters are so well-written that you feel as if you know them personally.

Each one has their own unique personality, flaws, and strengths.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a world that is both rich and detailed.

I'll be remembering this one for a long, long time to come.

It's a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good adventure story.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy, historical fiction, or just a great read, this book has something for everyone.

So if you're looking for a book that will keep you entertained for hours on end, look no further than this one.

You won't be disappointed.

**Title: A Review of Stephen King's The Stand**

\\n  “Man is a gregarious, social animal, and eventually we'll get back together, if only so we can tell each other stories about how we survived the great plague.”\\n

For years, Stephen King's The Stand sat gathering dust on my long list of future reading material. But during the pandemic lockdown, when I was trapped at home, I deliberately chose the most appropriate time to pick it up. What better moment to immerse myself in a hefty novel centered around the downfall of the human race due to a pandemic?

Surprisingly, it presents a novel idea. In the entire post-war era, post-apocalyptic stories have often been based on the concept of a nuclear apocalypse, depicting mankind's ultimate self-annihilation and creating a radioactive world of mutations and dull colors. Or, in more absurd and lowbrow versions, there's some form of zombie transformation. The idea of the almost instant removal of 99.4% of humanity, leaving the material world in a preserved state, breaks with the traditional post-apocalyptic feel (although similar works have been written before, like I am Legend).

That being said, the similarities with post-apocalyptic stories based on the nuclear explanation are easy to spot. The Stand is one of the most influential works in the genre, and it occurred to me more than once how the developers of Fallout: New Vegas must have read, loved, and been forever shaped by this book. There are mentions of the rise of new dictators, 'little caesars', the formation of depraved communities in the desert around Las Vegas, the crucifixion of dissenters, and so on.

While the formation of these tropes is interesting in itself, the true beauty of the book lies in its exploration of humanity's reaction to near-annihilation. This is sometimes expressed through the analytical monologues of sociologist Glen Bateman, but more often through the inner musings of various characters who are in doubt about their own situations. How are the advances of technology, including those in gender, politics, and education, dealt with when the infrastructure that made them possible no longer exists? What happens to the social values we've taken for granted in our post-industrial world? How does mankind reassemble, and what types of communities are formed?

The exploration of these questions inevitably makes the development of certain characters incredibly interesting. The tragic and doubt-ridden journey of the almost archetypal "disgruntled young man" Harold Lauder is one such example. The life and times of the supernaturally endowed centenarian Mother Abagail are equally fascinating. As the survivors emerge from the ashes of human civilization, so do their stories, motives, and dreams.\\t

Problematically, it's very clear that King spent so much time crafting, building, and setting things up that he forgot to plan a proper ending. The last section of the book feels extremely rushed, far too convenient, and fails to do justice to the first 80%. It falls miserably short of the expectations set by the rest of the book, and it takes a significant amount of willpower not to let the final disappointment overshadow the entire reading experience.

However, during the long days of quarantine, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the book. It's a flawed work, and reading the uncut edition meant I had to endure origin stories for the characters that were much longer than necessary to progress the actual plot. But whether sitting or lying down in various spots in my small London apartment, I had a great time delving into The Stand. Sometimes I read it for pure entertainment, sometimes I nitpicked and critically analyzed the more scientific and sociological aspects, sometimes I followed the characters' lives, and sometimes I was annoyed by them.

All in all, reading The Stand was like living with it, especially given the situation in the real world. It's a book that makes you think about humanity, its strengths, its weaknesses, and its ability to persevere in the face of disaster.

I really like the part where they stand. It is a moment that holds a certain charm and significance.

When they stand there, it seems as if time slows down, and all the distractions around them fade away. Their postures, expressions, and the way they interact with each other create a unique atmosphere.

Maybe it's the look of determination in their eyes, or the gentle smile that crosses their faces. It could be the way they lean slightly towards each other, sharing a secret or a joke.

This simple act of standing together becomes a powerful symbol of connection, friendship, or perhaps even love. It makes me wonder what stories lie behind that moment, what led them to be there, and what the future holds for them.

Overall, the part where they stand is a captivating and memorable scene that leaves a lasting impression on me.

As soon as Chinese New Year got cancelled, I knew coronavirus was serious.

Then the virus spread just like viruses do in every horror novel. So much so, in fact, that my immediate first thought was not to stock up on bottled water and toilet paper, but that it's finally time to read The Stand.

Naturally I'm a Stephen King superfan, so it's strange I hadn't yet read what is commonly considered his magnum opus. In the back of my mind I knew there would be a right time to read it. I thought it might be after King's death (rue the day) or after reading everything else by him. As a way to fully compare it to the rest of his oeuvre. Clearly, however, a once-in-a-100-years pandemic was the sign I was looking for. This is it, folks. It's time.

As it turned out...maybe not the best idea. After seven months of living through this, there's a level of new normalcy. But in those early days, during constant uncertainty, seeing nearly 4,000 Americans die daily, entire nursing homes wiped out, entire families...it was scary as hell. Reading a scary book during a scary time isn't nearly as fun as it sounds.

I kept a reading journal throughout this time. Partly because I wanted to remember my reactions throughout such an enormous read, but also to monitor my mental state during a pandemic. Much of my journal entries relate to bad dreams, reactions to the news, or just keeping up with the death count. Many times Stephen King's world was a close parallel to the real world, resulting in much anxiety and much admiration for a writer capable of prophecy.

Here's the full, unabridged copy of my The Stand review journal:

01/27/2020 - What better time to see what The Stand is all about than during a global coronavirus pandemic? Given this book's epic length, I’m going to do a review journal with spoiler-free reactions over the many months I suspect it will take me to finish. Three chapters in, and of course I’m hooked. Would expect nothing less from King. It may be a big ass book, but he doesn’t wait around to get started. For this rollercoaster, you skip the line and sit right up front. Clickity-clank, clickity-clank, then a straight drop. If the rest of the ride is this intense, and the coronavirus doesn’t kill me first, I’m going to be one frazzled mess by the end.

02/11/2020 - I've been reading this a while, but only at 10%. My main thought right now is that it's entirely unfair for Stephen King, probably writing most of this while still in his 20s, to be this good. Old characters, female characters, rich, poor--they all come across so real it's startling. How can one mind comprehend so much? How does he articulate it so well? He builds this terrifying world one person at a time and it's so much scarier that way. I'm in awe. In other news, over 1,000 deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus. That's approximately 2-3% death rate for those infected. Better than the 99% death rate in The Stand, so there's a bright side. Of course, there are Internet rumors circulating that China is under-reporting and the real count is significantly higher.

02/28/2020 - Up to 15%. Starting to question my logic that reading this during a pandemic will make it more fun. I became physically disturbed last night while reading in bed. Like, on the brink of a panic attack. It's all getting too real. The careful pacing particularly. Stephen King, prophet that he is, describes our current world too well. One case spreads to ten, to fifty, to a thousand. The government doing all it can to prevent blame, to avoid panic. Of course that's making it worse. For historical reference, what's going on right now is that there are more coronavirus cases outside of ground zero China than in. Last I heard that includes 56 countries, with rates rising every day. Other than China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan seem to have it the worst. The W.H.O. just raised its risk assessment from "high" to "very high," which is their most extreme rating outside of declaring an outright pandemic. Saying the world is under pandemic essentially succumbs to the realization that the virus is unstoppable and everyone on the planet will eventually be exposed. The death rate for the coronavirus is somewhere between 2-3%. I calculate that 2% of the world population is 154 million. There's also been a case where someone previously "cured" of the coronavirus caught it a second time. At home, our president has censored the CDC from making any announcements about the virus without approval by the vice president. When asked why the stock market is tanking, he blamed the recent Democratic debate. Still unclear which is scarier right now, Stephen King's novel or reality.

03/03/2020 - I have to share this frightening quote from the book before I forget:The President is scheduled to speak tonight at 6:00 PST and his press secretary, Hubert Ross, has branded reports that the President will speak from a set mocked up to look like the Oval Office but actually deep in the White House bunker “hysterical, vicious, and totally unfounded.” Advanced copies of the President’s speech indicate that he will “spank” the American people for overreacting, and compare the current panic to that which followed Orson Welles’s “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast in the early 30s.

03/13/2020 - It's a misty Friday the 13th. I'm reading The Stand on my break, which happens to be at home now. The office is still open, but we've been instructed to work from home for the unforeseeable future. This doesn't come as a surprise since nearly all gatherings have been cancelled. Talk shows are without an audience, theme parks are closed, movie releases are all delayed. The upcoming presidential debate has been relocated to avoid cross-country travel. Entire countries are on lockdown. It's all playing out eerily similar to Stephen King's doomsday scenario. The book, so far, has been a crystal ball for what happens next. Within hours of reading a passage where King's president delivers a cough-filled address stating that virus concerns are blown out of proportion and a vaccine will be delivered next week, Mr. Trump appears in the oval office and assures all Americans will have access to testing and free medical treatment. Surprise, surprise, both presidents lied. What's still to be determined is just how deadly this virus is. On one hand you have 22 dead in a single Seattle nursing home, but on the other it's been suggested that hundreds of thousands of infected people are running around who don't even know it because they don't have symptoms or they aren't serious. It seems like either way I'm not personally at high risk, but I am worried about those who are. These are certainly interesting times, to say the least.

03/19/2020 - Today marks my first full week of not leaving the house. There's little incentive to at this point. Movie theaters, restaurants, and book stores are all closed. And even if they weren't, the risk of getting COVID-19 isn't worth the reward. Fortunately we saw this coming and our house is stocked with food, water and other essentials. I'm thinking we can last another two weeks before needing to venture out again. Being honest, I've struggled to pick up The Stand as of late. King usually delivers a delicious dose of escapism disaster, but under the circumstances it's all hitting too close to home. Like reading Cujo while living with a rabid dog. I also think the last few chapters have been really boring, though. I'm at 26%, which probably translates to page 350ish, and the most recent characters have really snoozed the action. I know I still have a bazillion pages to go so I'll hold off before giving final judgement, but in this present state I wouldn't call it his best work. Of course this wouldn't be the first time that a King book had a lengthy lull before launching back into life-changing thrills. We'll see how I feel after another week. Hopefully I'll have better things to say about The Stand, and will not have yet descended into madness.

03/28/2020 - The Stand did get good again. I’m at 35%. Been reading faster than normal because I have this conspiracy in my head that the coronavirus will finally end the day I finish reading this book. Unfortunately, even at my current pace, that might be several more months. I’m trying, world, I’m trying! Lol. As for current affairs, today is sadly noteworthy because over 2,000 people have officially died from COVID-19 in the United States. Just two days ago we hit 1,000 dead. The way things are going, it’s very realistic for those numbers to continue doubling every few days. The virus itself is still somewhat mysterious. Is it airborne? Kinda yes, kinda no. How long can it stay on surfaces? Several days...ish. Can you get it from touching cardboard boxes? Maybe? Will warmer weather do any good? Don’t count on it. Who can you trust? No one, of course, because even the seemingly-healthy can spread it all around. The president expects everything to be fixed in a few weeks so churches can be packed on Easter Sunday. We’d all get a good laugh out of a comment like that, except the situation is too dire. What else has been going on? So much I can’t even keep track. The government somehow came up with $2,000,000,000,000+ to infuse the economy, save businesses and give people enough money to hopefully keep the lights on. Pretty cool, I guess, but I think we’re all wondering what will happen next if this goes on for several more months. A number of celebrities and politicians have caught the virus, some have died from it. A grim reminder that this really does impact everyone. You can’t buy your way out of this mess.

04/16/2020 - Future me, whenever you decide to re-read The Stand (which I’m sure you will at some point) remember that the end of “Book 1” gets boring. But don’t give up, because the adventure really starts with “Book 2.” There’s a lot of direct homage to The Wizard of Oz, like there is in The Dark Tower series. Slightly cheesy, I suppose, but Oz is up there among the great quest novels so it’s worthy. And like Oz, King populates his journey with unexpected characters who become close to your heart. You’ll fear for them, and really hope they don’t die—even though in the back of your mind you suspect they will. Hopefully you won’t live to see another global pandemic, but if you do—don’t read The Stand during it. You will be tempted, because it is perhaps the definitive literary achievement of pandemic stories, but it won’t make you feel better. It will make you feel worse. If it’s been 19 days since you last updated your review/blog, remember that looking back at what’s happened in the world will be depressing. For example, 19 days ago only 1,000 Americans were documented as succumbing to the virus. Now that number is 34,000 and growing rapidly. Globally, there’s been 144,341 deaths. These numbers include only those who were officially counted, of course. The world is unfair, and you know that there are many more who society didn’t deem important enough to be included in the statistics. One good thing about revisiting The Stand will be recognizing that no matter how horrible your current political situations are, remember that most political situations are horrible. In the 1970s, King imagined a president who refused to take any responsibility for the handling of a pandemic. Had King’s president lived long enough for the other branches of government to approve stimulus checks, there’s no doubt he would have demanded that those checks bear his name. Situations change, but people generally don’t. If you are absolutely determined to re-read The Stand during another pandemic, remember that it’s okay to take a break and read other books before coming back to it. I recommend gothic romances. They're a good melodramatic distraction from all the real drama swirling around.

05/06/2020 - What’s life like during a pandemic? I suppose people will ask years from now. For me, at least, the staying at home part isn’t bad. Where there’s books and Internet, I’m good. I’m still employed (from home) and taking online classes, so too busy to let staying in every night be oppressive. That said, I still find myself suddenly panic-stricken. The smallest thing sends me a spiraling. Planning a birthday party and realizing it’s impossible amid a swirl of uncertainty. Will I still have a job in six months? Will it be safe to travel? Will the next wave of virus be even worse? Will I be dead by then—what about my family? Other things too. Watching a movie where people happily interact can be an escape, or a grim reminder that those moments were the before times—times we may never see again. Are my panic attacks unwarranted? Probably. Mostly. But how can I be sure? Even if we do eventually return to normal, what’s the long-term psychological impact? Can I ever attend a concert or visit an amusement park without imagining a plague of death in the air? The new developments haven’t been reassuring. It’s not just flu-like symptoms; the virus causes blood clots which can lead to fatal strokes. The strain that’s out now is more severe than the original strain. Maybe you get it once and you have antibodies, maybe you can get it an unlimited number of times. The official death toll continues to rise to terrifying numbers, but they’re also saying the virus could have gone global as early as December 2019. How many COVID deaths haven't been counted? Hundreds? Thousands? By the way, says some government leaders, we believe this virus was manufactured in a Chinese lab. Great. What does that mean? Was China reckless? Was this intentional and we have a nuclear war to look forward to? Oh, and murder hornets. Ugh! Anyway, back to The Stand. I’ll admit to still reading slowly. It’s good. Really good. But I can only handle small doses at a time. King is revving up to create the ultimate Good vs. Evil battle. Stakes of Biblical proportions. I still got about 500 pages to read, but I can see why people find that aspect of it appealing. I’m not convinced it’s Top 5 King material yet, but I’m willing to let the adventure roll on and be convinced otherwise.

06/04/2020 - Dreams play an important role in The Stand. Survivors of the super flu dream both of holy Mother Abigail and evil Randall Flagg, but where their sympathies lie determines their allegiance. Since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve had my own reoccurring nightmares. All of them some variation on the same theme: impending doom. ***Goodreads Word Limit Reached, read the rest HERE.

Traveling sister read with Norma and Kaceey.

I am currently experiencing a sense of wonder and excitement. Reading "The Stand" has been an outstanding achievement. Spending two weeks immersed in this remarkable book has been truly wonderful. The best part, however, has been the discussions it has sparked with Norma and Kaceey. We have engaged in deep and thought-provoking conversations about the characters, the plot, and the themes of the book. It has been a great experience to share our thoughts and perspectives with each other.

"The Stand" is indeed a great book for a group read. It has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community. Through our discussions, we have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story and meaningful conversations with friends.

I am not a die-hard Stephen King fan. However, this particular work is among the few by him that I truly enjoy. It seems that Mr. King has an inherent difficulty in creating a traditional “hero figure.” The motif of the fatal flaw is highly prominent in his protagonists. This aspect may attract some readers, who find it to be “a touch of realism.” At times, I wonder about this. Nevertheless, it is not as明显 as in his other books. The main characters, although clearly belonging to the “feet of clay” category, do not generally have major crimes lurking in their pasts. At least not all of them.

The book also delves into many of King's attitudes towards God, I suppose. (Of course, I can't be certain, but it appears that way.) As the story progresses and eventually (major spoiler alert) the death of Mother Abigail occurs. I believe many Christians will perceive significant flaws in this understanding of God. Although the aforementioned view (the view presented by Mr. King in the book, which I would call the “legalistic” view of God, a failure to fully grasp grace) may be somewhat common, as it appears frequently.
The plot unfolds well, and the characters feel real within the context of their story and the book's world. I think it has the potential to be regarded as a classic of its kind and will, I believe, be one of Mr. King's works that endures.
For those who have read the Dark Tower Series (another set of his works that I have read and reviewed), this book has a peripheral connection to the story (as do many of King's works). It touches on Mr. King's larger mythology and “multiverse.” It is quite readable, although it does contain a significant amount of “life’s crudities.”
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I read the “extended version” of this book. There isn't a huge difference. In fact, I think it prolonged the story quite a bit. There isn't really much that is truly different, but rather “more of the same” to a certain extent. There are more accounts of events during the plague, more detail about later events, and a slight amplification of the end.
Still, it remains a good book.

It took me just under a week, and I've finally reached the end of the epic journey that reading "The Stand" for the second time has been.

It was an incredibly long read, but I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it. In fact, I already wish I could go back and do it all over again.

I feel there's a valid reason why I didn't read it when I first became a King fan as a teenager. I don't think I could have fully appreciated this book back then.

It is so filled with countless little details that come together to form a truly awesome larger picture. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it all fully.

And I don't think I've ever enjoyed a cast of characters as much as I did in this book. They're each so distinct and unique, and I fell in love with each of them for different reasons.

I think my favorite would have to be Tom Cullen. He'll forever hold a special place in my heart and is probably my all-time favorite King character EVER.

Flagg still disappoints me a bit. He's made out to be such a big bad boogeyman, but really, he's just the dried-out old drunk at the back of the bar, raving about how he's god after just having pissed his pants.

I'm glad I decided to revisit this book, despite initially wanting to skip over it in my chronological King reread just because of its sheer size. I feel like I was able to absorb more of it, and I fell even more in love with the story and its characters. I can now confidently say it's one of my top 5 King books.

M-O-O-N spells spectacular!

I first read THE STAND in the early 80's. It was during the Christmas break. I lived out in the boonies with my family. After the holiday hoopla was over, I planted myself in my favorite chair and sat there for 4 days, devouring every page. I only left for bathroom breaks, meals, and sleep.

30+ years later, my reading experience was a little different. I read it with my Goodreads friend Lisa. She had the uncut version, while I had the original. I stopped and started as she caught up. There were huge amounts of messages back and forth about the characters, the differences in editions, who we loved, who we hated, and everything and anything we could think of to discuss. It was a month-long read.

But the one thing both experiences did have in common was that I LOVED IT each time!

At a remote U.S. Army base, a strain of influenza is accidentally released. Despite a lockdown, soldier Charles Campion is able to escape with his wife and child. By the time the military is able to track his whereabouts, Campion has spread the disease around parts of Texas, triggering a pandemic which kills off 99 percent of the population.

The one percent are left in survival mode, spread out over the entire country and plagued by strange dreams about two individuals which eventually draw some to Nebraska and some to Las Vegas.

Hemingford Home, Nebraska, is the home of Abagail Freemantle— "Mother Abagail," a 108-year-old woman who receives visions from God. She is the embodiment of good.

Las Vegas, Nevada, is where Randall Flagg has set up shop. Randall is also called The Dark Man and The Walking Dude. He lives to cause death and destruction and has supernatural powers which allow him to be human, animal, or demon. He is the embodiment of evil.

King said that he "wanted to write a fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings, only with an American setting," and that is just what he did. THE STAND is a wonderful epic fantasy adventure about good vs evil. One that I would recommend to anybody who hasn't read it yet, and even to those who have! It's a story that captivates readers with its vivid characters, thrilling plot, and profound exploration of the human condition. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or not, THE STAND is a must-read that will leave you thinking long after you've turned the last page.

4.5 stars Whew! This complete and uncut edition of THE STAND contains a whopping 1,200 pages. However, it is such a great story that it had me completely hooked from the very beginning. In fact, it was so engaging that I felt as if I was actually catching the Super Flu myself. :)

For all Stephen King fans, this book is an absolute must-read. It takes you on a thrilling journey filled with complex characters, intense drama, and nail-biting suspense. The detailed descriptions and vivid imagery bring the story to life, making it easy to get lost in the world that King has created. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his work, THE STAND is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Seven years ago to the very day, I completed this book for the very first time. Now, as I am reading it for the fourth time, it remains my all-time favorite book. It's a bit strange to be reading it in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It feels a bit too close to home, yet it is still every bit as excellent as I recall.

M-O-O-N, that spells one of the greatest books ever! This is King at his absolute best. His writing is so engaging and captivating that it draws you in from the very beginning and keeps you hooked until the very end. The characters are well-developed and the story is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a book that you can read over and over again and still discover new things each time. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.

I read this over 20 years ago.

This is Stephen King's Magnum Opus. I firmly believe it is the book of the 20th century or at least of modern times.

I loved this book with a passion and it still remains as my favorite Stephen King novel. It truly blew my mind.

Undoubtedly, this would have to be in my top 10 favorite all-time books.

I'm aware that a significant number of people don't like the ending of the story the way King crafted it. However, I, for one, think it's one of his best endings.

In most stories, we seem to accept that forces of evil can utilize magic to influence events, and that's considered okay. But we don't witness much of the forces of good using magic to have an impact.

Mother Abagail is a good, almost angelic person, and she gathers people together. But she doesn't really use any sort of magic or power other than the dreams.

Most books tend to take this approach. What I appreciate about this ending is that good actually steps in and does assist the world.

For the world that Stephen has set up, I think it functions rather well. It's unusual and rarely seen.

In my view, it makes for a great ending. It might be a bit of a stretch, but it's still satisfying to read.