Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - The Stand

Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

The Stand by Stephen King

69 reviews

readwithbells's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

I can’t stand The Stand.

I honestly have to say this is my least favorite reading experience I’ve probably ever had - this book is glacially slow to the point of inertia, the characters are all stereotypes but the women especially are portrayed as walking wombs and nothing more. I didn’t feel like any of these people were real people. The structure is nonexistent (the initial incident ends on PAGE 436) and this is touted as dark Christian religious commentary but it’s not commentary. There is no actual commentary on religion, it’s just Christian fiction (which is fine but don’t say you’re commenting on something when you’re not). This book has dire need of an editor to stand up to King and I think some of the pacing issues would have been solved had I not read the Zac Schneider extended edition of this book. The climax of this book, the big ending to kill the big bad, was one of the most anti-climactic things I have ever experienced. All that build up and for nothing.

Beyond the actual structure of the story however, the language itself is pretty derogatory (and not just from the “bad guys”).

All in all, I think this was a lazy book from King. I could talk about all the things I don’t like about it for hours on end but what it boils down to is (1) his female characters are underwritten and stereotyped and are no more than birthing plot devices (2) the actual structure of the story is pretty pathetic and spends too much time on things I didn’t care about without including any actual stakes and (3) the story has no real substance or tangibility beyond evil will always exist but so will good and it doesn’t actually COMMENT on anything, rather just letting us experience the world.

It felt like the prequel to The Road at some points (which makes it lean toward speculative fiction more than fantasy which is not to my taste) but I think a good editor could have taken this book far. I can respect the work that was put into it and that other people really love it but boy oh boy it is not for me.

Content Warnings

mzzort's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

lineyrose's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

halestorm802's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

lichenreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

The n-word (hard r) was repeatedly used (three different characters by the time I quit). Additionally, King has a gross way of talking about women's bodies. The misogyny and racism, combined with how lauded King is, made me incredibly peeved. I had to put the book down because I was becoming quite irritable.

Content Warnings

ripxw's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Content Warnings

a_robin_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

---------------------------------------------

Information:

Listened to the audiobook from Storytel

Buddy read with Dutch book club

---------------------------------------------

Review:

Very good book
Enjoyed the audiobook a lot

---------------------------------------------
Review previously placed on my blog:

I'm currently reading The stand by Stephen King. I'm listening to the audiobook for a buddy read with the Dutch book club I'm in.

It's okay so far. A lot of setting up. I do think the concept is interesting so far, so hope it will become more thrilling. I also hope I will connect with the characters soon.

It became more thrilling indeed! The characters were also good and I could connect with them. I think the story was very cool and very well set up. I loved the good and evil sides concept. I even think it wasn't too long. It was a bit slow sometimes, but those parts did a lot for character building or worldbuilding. I also think the villain in this is one of the best villains ever. I gave it 4 stars, because it wasn't perfect, but a good book nevertheless.

---------------------------------------------

Content Warnings