The Stand (original 1978; edition 2012)

I really didn't need to read the expanded edition. This is supposed to be King's "best" work, but I was very, very disappointed. The scenario was absolutely fascinating, but the plot was terrible. The important characters are killed off for no reason, and the eventual resolution is a deux ex machina rather than the result of any actions on behalf of the characters who have been doing battle against evil. ( )

Um yeah, this pretty much rocked. It's actually my first PA type story, and I was creeped out and intrigued in all the right ways. Classic King, a must read for any fan... I'm stumped as to what else I can say about it.

It was good? ( )

His masterpiece! ( )

My first Stephen King book, and it was just a great read. Highly recommended. ( )

Next to The Shining, the Stand is probably Stephen King's most-read novel, and let me tell you, this one is a doozy. At 1100+ pages for the uncut version, it's next to impossible to provide a comprehensive plot summary, but the basic story involves a flu virus that wipes out 99% of the American population. Only a few survivors are left in the deserted country, and slowly, they begin to band together. But at the heart of the apocalypse are two opposing forces: Mother Abagail, a 108-year-old black woman from Nebraska, and Randall Flagg, the "dark man" who haunts the dreams of the plague survivors. As the survivors are drawn towards either Mother Abagail or Randall Flagg, a great confrontation between good and evil begins to coalesce, bringing a small group of men into the desert to face the growing forces of Randall Flagg.

This is a really hard book to classify - on the one hand, it's full of apocalyptic horror, and Randall Flagg is one of the best-developed villains in any of Stephen King's works. On the other hand, the ultimate confrontation between good and evil, as well as the epic journey the characters must take, suggests elements of fantasy. And on the OTHER hand (yes, that's three hands now...), this is just a really well-told story that goes beyond known genres.

The story is told from multiple viewpoints - so many, in fact, that it's impossible to keep track of them all - but Stephen King does a fantastic job of developing the characters so that each one seems three-dimensional and unique. And because of these multiple points of view, the reader gets a nearly omniscient view of the entire story.

Because Stephen King uses such vivid and specific details, he is able to create an image of post-apocalyptic America that seems almost like a photograph. Setting is not usually particularly important to me, but in this case, he takes what could have been a slow, plodding story and injects it with a dazzling sense of realism. And since the story takes place in Maine, New York City, Nebraska, Colorado, Las Vegas, and everywhere in between, this attention to detail is particularly striking, and even more important.

If this story has any drawbacks, it would have to be the story's length. Even in paperback, this is a hefty, hefty book that requires a great deal of energy and stamina that some readers just aren't willing to invest. But even at 1100+ pages, the story never feels slow, plodding, or boring. In fact, I'd even go so far as to call this a FAST read...it certainly kept me turning the pages late at night.

Language & sex - present, and at levels that might be offensive to some readers. Violence is high, but not overpowering - the focus is on the characters and the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Recommended for someone looking for apocalyptic horror, dark fantasy, or a well-told story with some supernatural/fantastical elements.

Readalikes: Any of Stephen King's other books would be worth looking into if you enjoyed the writing style of The Stand, but especially his Dark Tower series, beginning with The Gunslinger, which follows the Gunslinger on a lonely and epic journey through the desert. The series makes reference to The Stand as well, so it's an interesting tie-in for readers who want to know more about that universe.

Other Stephen King recommendations: It, which has the same large scope and similarly well-developed characters, and 11/22/63, which goes beyond genre classifications and is, instead, an extraordinarily well-told story.

The Passage by Justin Cronin describes a post-apocalyptic America, and how a group of survivors band together in an ultimate fight of good vs. evil. ( )