Rating: Summary: A disappointment Review: A shame. The premise had such great potential. The characters seemed human in the beginning, but became nothing more than puppets to serve the story by the end. The action only starts after a meandering introduction (300 pages or so), before the real story starts. The survivors start grouping into "good" and "bad" factions, although they seem more like "flawed but well-meaning people" and "simple-minded incompetents who only work together because they're being led like sheep." The story builds up, and builds up, and then... goes nowhere. It's billed as a supreme conflict between good and evil, but there's no conflict. We read through 950 pages only to get a cheap throwaway ending; it seems like even King was sick of it and just wanted out. The Stand is a good read (if you can stand dozens of pages of excessive meaningless detail), but nowhere near the masterpiece it's being made out to be.
Rating: Summary: Review of The Stand Review: This was a wonderful book. It truly took me to another time and place and left me always wanting to get back to it. It is very lengthy, but this was one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. I would look forward to continuing the story every night. The story line has a deep meaning and as always, King is very descriptive and brings the reader into the scenery.
Rating: Summary: I chose this book as my book of the millenium Review: I was so pleased to see my choice of book in the Millenium list - even no 6 is great, considering how many books there are to choose from. I have read this book at least 12 times- the uncut, and about the same, the abridged till the uncut came out. It absolutely my favourite book of all time. The style, the story, the people - they are friends. End of the world, plague, the chosen few, Randolf (the devil) Flagg - it's all been done - but Stephen King does it the best.
Rating: Summary: An old premise with a new twist Review: Out of the Stephen King novels I've read this is the one I enjoyed the most. As every reader of the book knows, a plague escapes a secret military base in California and kills nearly everyone in America. (And presumably the rest of the world.) This is not a new premise. Another book with the same theme is "Earth Abides" (1949) by George R Stewart. However, in addition to the trauma of living in a devastated country, King has given the survivors something else to contend with: the evil Randall Flagg, often referred to as "the dark man" or the "walkin' dude." Part of the reason I read this novel was because I liked the sound of the plot when I read the back cover. Another reason was the challenge of embarking on a long, long story. The novel makes quite a few references to "Lord of the Rings" and there are some parallels between the two. (Apart from being long.) Those who have read "Night Shift" will know "The Stand" is an expansion of the short story "Night Surf", though there are some inconsistencies with the continuity. An unusual thing for a Stephen King novel are the addition of illustrations. As an aspiring illustrator I can say these are very well done, and help enhance the book. If you like post apocalypse literature and have the patience for King's descriptive writing then this is the book for you.
Rating: Summary: Not that great.. Review: The Stand is decent, true, but nowhere near the definitive masterpiece so many people seem to think it is. It establishes a fascinating plot, does some interesting speculating on the situation and its possibilities, and then tapers off into one of the worst endings I've ever read in any book. It supposedly splits the disaster's survivors into two factions, "good" and "bad," although they seem more like "flawed but well-meaning" and "incompetent fools that only work together because they're being led like sheep." The tension is established, the story builds up to a grand climax, and then... goes nowhere. There is no conflict, only a cheap throwaway ending. It seems like even King got sick of the story and just wanted an easy out. After 1000 pages of directionless wandering plots and excessive meaningless detail, I don't really blame him.
Rating: Summary: The Stand by Stephen King Review: It is the most wonderful and powerful book he has written to date. The characters, the idea, everything make you want to read faster and faster to get to the end and find out what happens. If anyone asked me what was my favorite book, I'd have to answer The Stand, hands down.
Rating: Summary: THE STAND IS SIMPLY BRILLIANT Review: It is my firm belief that Stephen King has produced thus far in his career four literary masterpieces (and another half-dozen or so which come pretty close): THE SHINING, THE STAND, MISERY, and, most recently, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS. (Of those that come close, I'd include 'SALEM'S LOT, THE DEAD ZONE, DIFFERENT SEASONS, PET SEMATARY, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, and THE GREEN MILE.) THE STAND captures virtually every human emotion possible, intensely rivaling, I think, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS for the spot of King's most poignant book. It shall one day, I think (or at least hope), be taught in universities and regarded as a veritable American classic.
Rating: Summary: absolutely incredible. His best work. Review: I have never been a bing King fan until I read this book. He takes the last step in showing what could happen and shows in fiction, what could be truth. Of all the books I've read and there been hundreds, this one I could read over and over and never tire of it.
Rating: Summary: Best Book I've Read Most of Review: I cannot begin to tell you How much I enjoy this book changing my life when I try to read it. It is a difficult read and yet rewarding. I like it. it is warm and good in my head. Stephen King is the greatest artist of our time or any time of ours, that I know of. I like books. Ussually I only read boks about animal detectives, but this book was good anyways.
Rating: Summary: A definite worthwhile read Review: Don't get put off by the size of this book, it is worth every moment invested into it. This is one of the few books I have ever read more than once. If you happened to see the tv mini series, the book is DEFINITELY better than the movie.
|