Reviews

The Stand by Stephen King

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desolation73's review against another edition

5.0

As a huge Stephen King fan Id always been scared of tackling this book, even though I read IT as a youngster and thoroughly enjoyed it but this book sounded more of a challenge. I tried to take on this book at the start of our own pandemic but I was pretty depressed and worried about things as they were without trying to deal with another fictional pandemic.

Anyway its done now and what a book! I was lucky enough to have almost a whole week with this book on a holiday in Cornwall which gave me some time with it without the normal distractions.
Such a long book was going to be boring wasnt it ? I was wrong it thoroughly absorbed me.

I havent read every Stephen King book but this must join favourites of mine and maybe yours such as Pet Semetary, Misery, Salem's Lot, The Shining, IT , The Green Mile as some of his best work.

Oh and our legendary horror writer tips his hat to another legend and and musical hero of mine as theres at least 5 or 6 references to Bob Dylan in this work.

A great book. Oh and I read the uncut over 1300 pages longest book I've ever read.

nataliamar's review against another edition

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5.0

Não tinha dado nota para esse livro! Meu favorito do King, é perfeito.

kvnrly's review against another edition

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5.0

Stephen King's best book probably. At least top 5.

joshkiba13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

Sheeeeesh. 1,153 pages, 78 chapters, and roughly 40 hours spent reading this behemoth of a novel. I think the most accurate description of King as a writer (of novels at least) is slow burn. I have yet to read a book by him that is action-packed, and that's totally fine. He is able to set a fuse burning, a proverbial time-bomb ticking that figuratively (or literally 👀) goes off with a bang---eventually.

People often say that King is a great character writer, and that rings true here. I don't know that I've read a book with so many main characters and perspectives, but I was never really confused. Larry, Frannie, Lloyd, Stu, Tom, Nick, Harold, Nadine, etc. were all so distinct and unique from each other, it was relatively simple to follow their stories and intentions, and to become invested in their doings.

I loooooved the premise and rising action of the story. Spoiler-free: A new superflu ravages society and kills nearly everyone in its path. Some people mysteriously survive without symptoms, and despite being separated by hundreds or thousands of miles, these characters all begin to have the same dreams and nightmares, pulling them to one place or the other. It was so intriguing and satisfying to watch them begin to move and meet.

King builds a lot of dramatic irony for the readers, since we know the doings of certain characters that other characters do not. At one time I had to put the book down and take a break because I was so anxious.

I'll say that the third act became a little dry and anti-climactic in a way, but not overall disappointing. Just maybe not what I expected. And the dark man wasn't quite as scary or powerful as he was built up to be in the rising action, but I am looking forward to seeing more of him in other King books :)

A pretty amazing story with great characters. M-O-O-N, that spells a pretty great book but not his best by any means.

Content Warnings