Helpful Score: 2
This is the definition of a masterpiece. The characters are deep, diverse, and well managed. You really care about these people after getting to know them. King really builds them well. The story is really fantastic, well thought out, and delivered expertly. I think, though, what I loved most about this story is that "God" was personified as an old black woman and "Satan" is a white guy who wears cowboy boots. Interesting contrast! This book will scare you. It will make you laugh. You will most likely shed a few tears. You will cheer. You will be angry. You will ponder deeply your own beliefs. But most of all, you will love it, every single page, period. I loved this book and would recommend it to any avid reader.
Helpful Score: 2
One man escapes from a biological weapon facility after an accident, carrying with him the deadly virus known as Captain Tripps, a rapidly mutating flu that - in the ensuing weeks - wipes out most of the world's population. In the aftermath, survivors choose between following an elderly black woman to Boulder or the dark man, Randall Flagg, who has set up his command post in Las Vegas. The two factions prepare for a confrontation between the forces of good and evil.
Helpful Score: 2
This is my favorite King book. I wasn't deterred by the length at all because I wanted to find out more about the main character's stuggle cross country without modern day resources. King's way of describing post-apocolypse America was so real and vivid at points.
Helpful Score: 2
complete and uncut, 1141 pages
This is not my favorite of King's works, but still good; the first part of the book, the actual spread of Captain Tripps (the apocalyptic flu) was fascinating and, I felt, the most interesting part of the book. Good post-apocalyptic story on a large scale at first, then whittling down to the few important characters we will follow on their journey.
This is not my favorite of King's works, but still good; the first part of the book, the actual spread of Captain Tripps (the apocalyptic flu) was fascinating and, I felt, the most interesting part of the book. Good post-apocalyptic story on a large scale at first, then whittling down to the few important characters we will follow on their journey.
Helpful Score: 2
This is my absolute favorite book of all time. It draws you in and makes you think of what would happen? I love how he develops the characters and felt as though I really know them. I have read this several times and will read it many more times. Definitely my favorite out of all the King novels I have read. Not for the faint of heart, but a really good, well-developed story line.
Helpful Score: 1
I've read both the original 800 page version, and the extended 1200 page version. Well worth it if you take a major liking to some key characters.
By now the tale's been told, but 20 years ago it was The Best Thing Ever.
By now the tale's been told, but 20 years ago it was The Best Thing Ever.
Helpful Score: 1
I proclaim this novel Stephen King's best work. It is a classic tale of the struggle between good and evil. The character development amazed me--by the end of the novel you are good friends with most of the characters. Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
Imagine that a plague is sweeping through America. Now imagine that as a survivor, you may have been better of dead.
Helpful Score: 1
King was writing way over his head when he wrote this book. He will probably never write a better one. This is the kind of book that stays in your memory for years.
Helpful Score: 1
Totally exciting...never expect Steven Kings movies to reflect the books because they can't compare! This is a very thick book that will take some through the fall and into the winter with it hard to put it down...sleep? Who needs it!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Stephen King's ultimate tale of good vs evil published in its complete uncut version.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my all-time favorites! A page-turner full of suspense, despair, futile agony, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil!
Helpful Score: 1
The story line was good. But for me, it took me to read almost half the book before it started making sense and getting put together. Seemed like it took me forever to read, though it is a long book. I found myself skimming pages halfway through. Reminder, not to tackle these books that go on and on.
Helpful Score: 1
My second all time favorite Stephen King book behind It.
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of those truly exceptional books that I recommend to everyone no matter what kind of reading they normally prefer.
I don't want to go into too much detail as that would spoil the experiance. Just know that this is not a "horror" book it is more of an epic post apocalyptic story. If you have never read King you should read this one book. If you are not a fan of horror you might have overlooked King since that is what he is best known for. He is a exceptional writer, one that shouldn't be missed. Once in awhile he puts out a book that may be freightening but is not horror. Those are his best works. This is the best of the best.
The story takes place after a very nasty virus created by the government gets loose. This virus kills most of the people in America (maybe the world too?) But not everyone. For some unknown reason there are people who don't die. You start following several of them from across the country as they try to make sense of what happened and start learning to live in a world that is mostly deserted. The book made me think about how interconnected we all are as a society and how helpless we would be without each other. We all play a part in the big picture.
This a huge book so it will take a bit of time. It is worth it. There is danger, mystery, some scary things, humor,good, evil, survival, renewal and throughout it all Stephen King's amazing talent for creating a world that we all can relate to.
I don't want to go into too much detail as that would spoil the experiance. Just know that this is not a "horror" book it is more of an epic post apocalyptic story. If you have never read King you should read this one book. If you are not a fan of horror you might have overlooked King since that is what he is best known for. He is a exceptional writer, one that shouldn't be missed. Once in awhile he puts out a book that may be freightening but is not horror. Those are his best works. This is the best of the best.
The story takes place after a very nasty virus created by the government gets loose. This virus kills most of the people in America (maybe the world too?) But not everyone. For some unknown reason there are people who don't die. You start following several of them from across the country as they try to make sense of what happened and start learning to live in a world that is mostly deserted. The book made me think about how interconnected we all are as a society and how helpless we would be without each other. We all play a part in the big picture.
This a huge book so it will take a bit of time. It is worth it. There is danger, mystery, some scary things, humor,good, evil, survival, renewal and throughout it all Stephen King's amazing talent for creating a world that we all can relate to.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not much of a Stephen King fan, but I love this book
King at his best!
THIS WAS AN AMAZING BOOK TO READ. I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN. IT MAY BE A LOT OF PAGES TO READ BUT ITS DEFINITELY WORTH IT.
This is, in my opinion, Stephen King's best work.
There is some sexual content in this book and also some violence. Overall though "The Stand" is no more and actually may be less scary that King's usual work.
"The Stand" is a must read for every lover of books. If you are a Stephen King fan and have not read this one - read it now! If you are not a King fan - read it now!
There is some sexual content in this book and also some violence. Overall though "The Stand" is no more and actually may be less scary that King's usual work.
"The Stand" is a must read for every lover of books. If you are a Stephen King fan and have not read this one - read it now! If you are not a King fan - read it now!
The Stand is my favorite Stephen King book and my all time favorite book. I have read it at least 15 times over the years since it was first published and it still captivates me each time. I do not know many people that have not read this book, but if you are out there you must read it at least once (or maybe twice, lol)
Five stars for me!!!!
Five stars for me!!!!
My favorite of Stephen King's books, by far. Not light, easy-to-read fare, but well worth the time it may take you to get through this book. It tells the story of an America wiped out by a genetically engineered super-virus, leaving only a small percentage of the population alive. King quickly focuses in on a small number of those left alive, who come from diverse backgrounds, but band together to form a new society. He tells the story of their fight to learn how to survive in this new world and also their fight against evil forces which are still at work.
Simply incredible.
Simply incredible.
kings best seller about the end of time scared me to death first time i read it
Sorry, this isn't my favorite King novel. I just didn't get it. Maybe that's because I read it in my early 20's, it's just too big for me to attempt a reread.
This is my favorite book by Stephen King! His characterizations are great and I can really see this kind of situation happening--the super flu, I mean--here!
This is a good story about dark wonders and horrors, against good and evil
An epic post-apocaliptic tale. Lots of fun.
Probably my favorite epic novel.
This is my favorite book of all time. I rarely reread any books but this one I have read several times.
This is the absolute BEST book/movie ever written! I own three different copies of this book and I have the movie on Laserdisc, DVD and VHS! Reading this, you can almost imagine the events taking place now. Truly a timeless masterpiece.
I have read this book over seven times and could read it 700 more. The characters are awesome, the storyline chilling, but real. The best book I have ever read.
Awesome book. Never wanted to put it down. Amazing how King can look ahead at years to come and possibilities.
The best King book you'll ever read. I read this book once a year and never tire of it.
This is my all-time favorite book, and one that I have read probably 15 or 16 times. Every time I read it I spot something new and interesting. King's characters really come alive and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. He keeps you wanting to read more with every turn of the page. I suggest this book to everyone I know!
I really enjoyed this book. It\'s one of Stephen King\'s best, in my opinion. An epic saga of people left alive after a plauge wipes out the vast majority of the population. Definitely worth reading.
I laughed, I cried, I learned to spell moon. This book was great, much better than the mini-series. M-O-O-N, that spells a must read.
As a long-time Stephen King fan, I was SUPER excited to read this book. However, I had a hard time getting into the story line for the first half of the book. The bit-and-pieces of the story started to come together about half way through the book and then I could hardly put it down. Overall, definitly worth the read. :)
By far one of my favorite books. Stephen King was in his prime when he wrote this. Yes, it's long and yes it's complex, but such a classic story of good v. evil written in such a way that you are kept guessing even as the pieces begin to fall together. The merging of several story lines as you read the book keeps you moving through it very quickly.
I am not a usually a fan of horror novels or authors, but this book is one of the best books I have EVER read. It sits on my "save" shelf with a select few others that have really meant something to me. Definitely in my Top 10 all-time reads, and the one book I try to press on friends...
I believe this to be an excellent book. There is a mistake in it regarding candy bar and I asked him about it on the air in a radio interview and he said it was a very funny story that came out of it. Paydays don't have chocolate and the Payday candy company sent a truck load to his house and dropped them off. But it is also reminiscent of the bible tho Stephen probably wouldn't think so. It is the ultimate battle of good and evil and good always triumphs. A great book.
The best Stephen King ever. Even if you don't like the way he does horror, you may be able to appreciate the story in this one. It's basically a survival story. What would you do if there were a handful of you left to begin society over again, knowing how flawed it was recently? I was so sad when it ended and felt as if all the characters were my friends.
1980 edition - I believe this was the 1st edition that came out. Cover is different, and is somewhat worn.
One of the best books I've ever read, in this genre. Even though its very long, i liked it so much, that i have read it twice.
this is my favorite Stephan King book. this does not say if it is the original or the version put out later when the made for TV movie was made. the former is the better book. It is scary,particularly in today's world and will leave you with a different feeling about crows that took years for me to get over...LOL
I first read this book in Jr. High over 20 years ago during a winter break. It took 17 days of intense reading to finish it but I've been hooked on King ever since! I read it again in my twenties and enjoyed it even more the second time around. I highly recommend this book. Don't be put off by the length, it's excellent!
My absolute favorite Stephen King...
June 16, 1985. That is when the horror began - the evil that started in a laboratory and took over America.
Those who died quickly were the lucky ones. For the scattered survivors, wandering through a country turned into a gigantic graveyard, life has become a nightmare struggle. They escaped death, but now something even more terrifying is waiting to claim them - the most fiendish force ver to seek all humanity as slaves and victims. A strange, faceles, clairvoyant figure that is reaching for their very souls...
June 16, 1985. That is when the horror began - the evil that started in a laboratory and took over America.
Those who died quickly were the lucky ones. For the scattered survivors, wandering through a country turned into a gigantic graveyard, life has become a nightmare struggle. They escaped death, but now something even more terrifying is waiting to claim them - the most fiendish force ver to seek all humanity as slaves and victims. A strange, faceles, clairvoyant figure that is reaching for their very souls...
This is one of my all time favorite books! It's easy to imagine something like this happening. The characters are very well written and you get drawn into their story, and what happens to them, very quickly. It's scary to imagine some super flu or other disaster wiping almost everyone from the face of the earth.
If anyone watched the mini-series and liked it, this book is MUCH better as books always are. I highly recommend it!
If anyone watched the mini-series and liked it, this book is MUCH better as books always are. I highly recommend it!
My favorite Stephen King novel, and quite possibly his best work. I have read this several times and I am sure I will read it many more times in the future. A must-read in my opinion.
A killer plauge moves form coast to coast as the population seeks safety. Then agreater evil arises to threaten the survivors. Now this group of men and women must battle and make a STAND
I have a love/hate relationship with this novel. If I could go back in time to 1994 and keep myself from watching the miniseries until I had read the novel, it might be more love than hate. As it stands, there's no way around the fact that I can't imagine my own world within the story, and I will always see Stu as Gary Sinese (and he clearly isn't meant to be). Most importantly, Randall Flagg cannot be menacing to me because of Jamie Sheridan, who was not frightening in the least.
It shouldn't detract from the story for me, but it does. The characters and situations in the novel that weren't included in the movie kept me hanging on, and able to put some of my own vision into it. However, I found myself dissatisfied at the end. Flagg is "reborn" once again, and citizens of the free zone move on to start the process all over again. I feel as if it has rendered the last 400 pages pointless.
It shouldn't detract from the story for me, but it does. The characters and situations in the novel that weren't included in the movie kept me hanging on, and able to put some of my own vision into it. However, I found myself dissatisfied at the end. Flagg is "reborn" once again, and citizens of the free zone move on to start the process all over again. I feel as if it has rendered the last 400 pages pointless.
My all time favorite King .... good vs evil
Wonderful book, good condition.
another favorite. really engrossing.
A great but disturbing story from a great writer
The dust jacket has a different picture - one of 2 beings fighting. One has a sword, the other, hideous being, has a sickle.
1978 edition
1978 edition
