Rating: 
Summary: "Stands" up as one of Kings best.
Review: About 10 years ago I read the original Stand and at the time thought it was a little too long. For what reason I have know idea, probably just a restless young mind that counldn't focus for any length of time. So, 10 years later, what do I do when I come upon a used copy of the uncut edition? Well of course I read it again, and guess what? This time it doesn't seem as long.
A paradox? Not really. It's just I think that the full version is much more intricate giving a lot more insight into the characters. The overall Good vs. Evil theme is always lingering, always building to a cresendo, but you genuinely get swept away caring about the (rather large) cast of characters. It is a huge story (1141 pages of densely packaged prose) but you're sure to enjoy the ride.
The only complaint I have is that, because of richness of the story that gets built up for the first 3/4's of the book, it seems that it almost winds down a little too quickly. Maybe it was just a case of not wanting it end and having to say goodbye to some of the most interesting characters in Kings repetoire.
Then again maybe my powers of focus are now so honed that it's simply too short for me.
I wonder where I can find a used copy of War and Peace...
Rating:
Summary: A different Stephen King - but perhaps his best.
Review: "The Stand" is widely regarded by his fans as Stephen King's best ever novel. I've not read the original editor's cut version of 1978, only the huge uncut version published in 1990 with 150,000 words added. At an imposing 1100+ pages in paperback, it may be surprising that this novel is regarded as King's best. But while King's usual fare is to indulge in horror, in "The Stand" he goes far beyond that. There is some horror, but it is not the focus, since this novel is far broader and more epic than that. The length enables it to be peopled with vivid characters and events that lend it much credibility and colour. Essentially it's an apocalyptic "end-of-the-world" type story, as a contagious and lethal super-flu bug escapes from a US Defence Department lab facility where it was created, and spreads around the world in epidemic proportions, killing over 99% of the world's population. The survivors gradually pool themselves into two distinct groups and pit themselves against each other in a final stand of good versus evil. King divides the story into three books, Book 1 entitled "Captain Trips" describing the spread of the superflu; Book 2 entitled "On The boarder" describing the struggles and polarization of the survivors; Book 3 entitled "The Stand" describing the final conflict. I personally did not care for the blasphemy, profanity, immorality and crude sexual talk, and bloody gore that occasionally was present, but fortunately these elements were less evident as the novel progressed. But these are made up by the novel's real strengths: a well-paced and suspenseful plot, and splendid characterization. The characters are vivid and believable, especially those such as Stuart Redmond, the only survivor of those at the gas station where the initial outbreak of the superflu occurred; Frannie Goldsmith, a pregnant teen; Nick Andros, a deaf-mute; Larry Underwood, a musician on the verge of success; Glen Bateman and his dog Kojak; Tom Cullen, retarded but useful; Harold Lauder, the eccentric devotee of Frannie; Donald Merwin Elbert, better known as the pyromaniac Trash Can Man, and Abagail Freemantle, the 108 year old black Christian with a deep faith. But the novel's real strength is the clear conflict between good and evil. On the side of good, the ancient Abagail Freemantle becomes a spiritual leader and guide as the good guys try to reorganize society and take their stand against evil. Chief on the side of evil is the mysterious Randall Flagg, otherwise known as "the Dark Man" and "the Walkin' Dude", and his associates which include the thug Lloyd Henreid and others, and who also succeeds in gaining the allegiance of Harold Lauder and Nadine Cross. The spiritual nature of the conflict is especially evident in "the Adversary" Randall Flagg, who is clearly portrayed as a supernatural being with special powers and "the devil's pawn". In contrast, Abagail Freemantle frequently quotes the Bible, asserting the need to "Trust and obey the Word of God". The Stand thus is essentially an apocalyptic tale of spiritual proportions: "we are all part of a chess game between God and Satan; Satan's chief agent in this game is the Adversary, whose name she says is Randall Flagg...for reasons best known to Himself, God has chosen her as His agent in this matter." As the people of Boulder (on the side of good) and of Las Vegas (on the side of evil) take their final stand, much more is at stake than personal conflict. The spiritual tale is not without flaws, notably two: Firstly, those on the side of good also indulge in evil behaviour, such as immorality; Secondly, King's conclusion presents history as circular (confirmed by titling the prologue and epilogue as "The Circle Opens" and "The Circle Closes") where people do not learn from the past. In reality, history is linear, and the Messiah will accomplish an apocalyptic victory by completely destroying evil - this truly religious and Biblical answer is missing from King's novel. But even so, the apocalyptic themes and Biblical imagery that King frequently draws upon, makes this a very interesting and entertaining read. It's little wonder that it stands out from the rest of Stephen King's works, and deserves the respect it has earned. I'm not a fan of King's typical horror fiction, but it's awfully difficult not to be a fan of this book! -GODLY GADFLY
Rating: 
Summary: What? I Can Only Give It 5 Stars??
Review: I read this book back in '78 when it first came out. I loved it then and love it even more now that it's the full unabridged version. I don't understand how anyone could not like it. It's got everything in it: drama, suspense, sex, comedy, gore, etc. there's something for everybody. Yes of course it's looooong, it's Stephen King! He is well-known for being long-winded. If you want a fast read, then read Patterson or someone else. Man, I read this book just about every year and as another reviewer said, I still pick-up little things that I didn't notice before (it's almost creepy). It's a classic. Every King fan will tell you that their favorite is either The Stand or The Gunslinger series. Hey, I've been reading this guy for 26 years, yeah, he's my favorite fiction writer. This book is, of course, my favorite. Give it a chance.
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever
Review: This is my all time favorite Stephen King book! I have worn out several copies reading and rereading it. The characters in this book are extremely well developed and the plot takes many unexpected twists and turns.
Definitely read the complete uncut version. It is worth the extra time it will take you.
I can't praise this book enough!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book About People
Review: As a huge King fan, I have been rereading many of the books that I read years ago. Having just reread The Stand, I have fallen in love with King's work all over again. It is amazing to see how the people are affected by the superflu, created by their own government, and the afteraffects of creating society again. King gives insights into each characters personality, as well as showing the trials they must face, like Larry Underwood's trip through the Lincoln Tunnel in the pitch black. Not only do you attach yourself to these characters in their struggle against evil, but you see snippets of other lives as well, making this book one of the greatest masterpieces of our time.
Rating:
Summary: Flawless Brilliance Characteristic of King
Review: Upon purchasing this book, I was skeptical of how good it would really turn out to be; mostly due to the fact that I was inexperienced with King's work (having only read Thinner, which did not impress me to any degree). Little did I know that I was about to partake upon a journey of masterfully crafted, literary magnificence. The story began in a US Military research facility out in the desolate deserts of the west. Slowly creeping its way through Kansas, Nevada, the Western States, New York, Boulder (Colorado), Maine (of course...this is a King novel folks), Georgia, Texas, much of New England, and finally plants itself firmly in Boulder and Las Vegas (mostly). This in itself shows the vast knowledge of our home countries many landscapes, cities and diverse populace. Amidst the seemingly endless debacles, roadblocks and stirrings of revolt along the treachorous journey for the weary travelers, there is a man...a dark man who craves the alleigance of all, and feels he must crush all that oppose him. This happens to pose somewhat of a problem for the followers of a person that was to me, the living, breathing embodiment of god. Mother Abigail. It is the job of four men to defeat the dark man, and in the process save the world from the depraved future of rampant malice envisioned by the dark man. In a world where only 1/2 of a percent of the existing population at that time still exists, enveloping the world in a darkness unbeknownst to the people of America. Plague, love, savage hatred, burning envy (cough...Harold...cough), bitter loss, thrilling chases, spine-tingling action, hair-raising suspense, vaunted power, wondrous victory, spicy sex and an apocolyptic air unmatched by any story told (excluding the Bible) are the things in "The Stand" that altered my opinion of King. This is a literary accomplishment by anyones standards, and should be read by anyone who has any disposition whatsoever towards reading. "Thinner" seems almost infinitesimal in comparison to the twisted world of death that King has created in "The Stand". A must read!
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: Read both versions, the expanded version is better but both five star. Generally I think King is too slow in developing his plot. Not the case here. Just one of the best books I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: I'd give it three and a half, can't give it four
Review: Stephen king originally wrote this book to add more depth to the original story. He claims that these additions are like the bread crumbs in Hansel and Gretel and the glass slipper in Cinderella. I'm not sure exactly what he added because I never read the original cut version, but there were definetly parts of the story that could have been done without. According to the introduction, the Trashcan man's memorable journey across the desert seen through his freaky eyes was added, and the scene with Frannie and her mother. Not that these scenes weren't interesting, I just think that some of these little additions are more like someone taking a dump on the original story than magical, enchanting excerpts that added so much to the story. Sometimes I found myself thinking "Was it really necessary to add that?"
Apparently it was. Do you want to know what it's like to have a loaded gun shoved up your butt? This story takes the time to explain it.
I loved parts of this mammoth of a book. My favorite character was Larry Underwood. It kept my attention for a long time and I found that I was still thinking about it after I finished reading it, which is a sign of a good book.
The main complaint I have is that the characters spent so long getting where they were supposed to go that the apocalyptic end battle seemed weak and hurried in comparision. Also, Stephen King is not a very impartial god and he let the two most annoying characters live on, with divine intervention while almost everyone else got blown to hell. It really annoyed me.
I thought, like his other book "IT" he couldn't manage to live up to the pages and pages of suspense and intricate plot twists that he spent so long building, and so the ending was anticlimatic.
But-If you like long books then this is definetly something to check out because it is interesting and well thought out for the most part. It is also very, very entertaining, after all, getting there is half the fun right? These characters just spend a really long time getting there.
Rating:
Summary: best book i ever read
Review: this, by far, was the best book i ever read. as you read it, you are actually transported to the deserted world and feel what the characters feel. i completed this book in 3 days time. i could not put it down. that was over 10 years ago and i still hold all other books up to this one. some may come a little close, but none have ever reached the level of imagination and ability to envelope their readers as stephen king did with this book. i love all his works, but this is the best.
Rating:
Summary: A naive story about good & evil brilliantly written...
Review: I don't think i've ever been in more of a dillema about a review I've writen here in Amazon nor about a book I've read for that matter.
While a lot of people have been raving about the "Stand" being King's best book it is obvious that this is directly connected with your entire view of life (as is with many books of course).
If your take on evil is that evil is something in the form of a man who comes from below and is called the "dark man" or the "devil" or "Randall Flagg" and who can make mean faces and have a couple of extra powers for good effect then you're holding the right book.
If your take on "good" is simpletons who believe in "god" (in this case a specific god) and who dont know how to manage without him, what's more they always expect his whimsical help offerings when the going gets tough, then, again, you're holding the right book.
If you belong in none of the above categories be patient I'll get to you by the end of this review which wont be as long as the "Stand" (over 1400 pages) i promise... The story: a virus wipes out the majority of the population of the earth, and we are looking at the few scattered survivors in America who try to get themselves together and start anew. Simoultaneously certain survivors who are immediately categorised as the "bad" characters do the same. Both "tribes" pick a town as a base and both are guided/led by central figures such as Randall Flagg (the "Walking Dude") or Mother Abigail who is very obviously a mouthpiece for god and very probably for King himself too. All this starts building up to an inevitable showdown between the armies of good and evil and you get to watch the preparations as they happen. The result? Well, lemme put it this way: the result in a fight between a world champion boxer and drunkard from your local bar would be LESS predictable than the result of the "Stand's" showdown. King's effort in this book is like a great card player choosing to deliberately play with bad cards as a challenge and see how often he can pull off wins anyway. Stunnigly for such an experiment he does pull it off but you'd need to cut him a lot of slack because the other players on the table (the readers in this case) have to play with HIS rules in order for that to happen. Explanation needed then:
while this is a book that at times comes to borderline brilliance when it comes to character description and plotting (esp. with the bad characters with whom King seems to have a knack in portraying them) it is the main plot where the novel loses inches, a lot of inches in fact.
Being that that the plot is heavily religious (god, devil, belief) it automatically alienates the non religious people. So what you say? Good answer if you are religious yourself but thats like reading a book about Santa Claus which would only work if you believed or allowed yourself to believe in Santa to begin with.. So why does the book work then? Well, as I said above, mainly because KIng does a tremendous job in building up his "baddies". Trashcan man in particular, as well as Lloyd and Harold are all excellent and very convincing characters. The part of the story that involves them is exactly the part where the book grabs you and doesnt let go until, well, until, the "good" characters kick in.
Those "good" characters come across as an army of simpletons with their only "weapon" being their belief in god and their guidance by Mother Abigail who is the Megasimpleton and who eventually leads them to glory. It's exactly when these characters are involved that the book starts to plummet like a Boeing with all its engines shut off. Long before such things become clear, and particularly during the first 200-300 pages of the book there's a tremendous build up to all this as we go through the part of the story where a super flu virus wipes out mostly everybody. That is possibly the best part of the "Stand" and i can very well imagine that this part taken intact and in the hands of a less biased author would be pure marvel. Nevertheless, and kudos to King for it, i read this book through and through despite its tremendous size because when King is good he's damn good even if he mixes it up with a lot of nonsense in multihundred page book. Stories which deal with good and evil in such a childish ultranaive way are not exactly my cuppa tea especially since I've also given up believing in Santa or the Tooth Fairy long, long ago. Same reason i got bored to tears with the Lord of the Rings.
But this is exactly the dillema i meant at the beginning of this review. Despite all this, would I still reccomend this book to someone and especially someone likeminded with me?
Yes.
If you "allow yourself" (and believe me you have to) to not be bothered by the main plot and have fun instead with the subplots (and that's a lot of fun to be precise) then you're in for a good ride. That's the concession you have to make.
Interestingly, and that echoes other reviewers that I read here as well, many times everyday humdrum life is much more scarier than parts of this book. Funny cuzz this is supposed to be the ultimate disaster and the ultimate showdown between the goodies and the baddies. I hope King is right and that the ultimate will really be like this, because if it is we actually have a lot of hope.
But i seriously, seriously doubt it...
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