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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Classic end of the world, good versus evil ala The Stand. Loved the vivid description of the nuclear war. Adored every single thing about Swan and her people coming together and building a community. So many excellent characters! Was disheartened to see the bad guys playing out exactly as I imagine they would in reality. Why do people suck so much? But then, when the actual war started, I lost interest. And the ending? I hated it. Truly hated. Not that the rest of the book was necessarily “believable”, but I could totally run with it. But the end just becomes ridiculously stupid. Such a bummer. I actually need someone to discuss this with because I was so disappointed. But still absolutely 100% worth a read, because the rest of it is absolutely brilliant.
Very similar to Steven King's "The Stand" in that it is a dystopian novel about the end of civilization, although this time due to nuclear holocaust instead of a killer flu. Personally the supernatural and magical content in both books was off-putting to me. I would prefer a realistic, scientifically based story, more like "The Dogstars". This is a long book, but reads pretty fast. Good character development, with some references to technology, etc. outdated in today's world.
Maybe 3 and a half stars....I know many of my friends loved this book, but I didn't. It was just okay for me. I just wasn't impressed. I don't want to compare it to anything else, but I found myself thinking over and over again of "The Stand"....I thought it might get really scary there for a bit, but it didn't :-( oh well, off to find another book to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finished reading [b:The Stand|149267|The Stand|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1213131305l/149267._SX50_.jpg|1742269] about two days before I started this, which could have been unfair to this book because I knew there was going to be some comparisons going on in my mind. But I decided to let it go and just listen to this book without directly comparing them. And yes, there is an apocalypse that happens in both stories that kills the majority of the people on Earth and the story is about the survivors and the battle between good and evil with some mysterious/mystical bad guy and a force of good. So yes, there are definitely themes that are common to both stories. But as it turned out, I ended up loving both books and I thought the narrator was perfect for this book. I think in some ways, this book touched me a bit more than The Stand, partly because I just became so attached to Swan, Sister, and Josh. And Mule and Killer--omg, I loved them! The ending had tears flowing down my cheeks. It was beautiful and full of hope but without being cheesy. What more can you ask for?
I cannot say enough about this book. I first read it in 1989. I have since gone through numerous copies. I read it every July - right around the time of that "grim summer"..and each time I uncover something new, or look at a scene differently.
Josh and Swan, Sister and Paul, Leona Skelton - they're all like family to me. Which speaks volumes for McCammon's ability to build characters who make the reader not only feel, but empathize and relate to.
This post-apocalyptic nightmare is hell on earth. It's scary, exhilarating, horrifying, and redeeming. It sucks you in and and doesn't allow you to turn away.
The book is close to 1000 pages long, but it won't feel like it. You certainly will not be disappointed.
This is an excellent, book - one that's a keeper for the bookshelf and a great re-read.
Josh and Swan, Sister and Paul, Leona Skelton - they're all like family to me. Which speaks volumes for McCammon's ability to build characters who make the reader not only feel, but empathize and relate to.
This post-apocalyptic nightmare is hell on earth. It's scary, exhilarating, horrifying, and redeeming. It sucks you in and and doesn't allow you to turn away.
The book is close to 1000 pages long, but it won't feel like it. You certainly will not be disappointed.
This is an excellent, book - one that's a keeper for the bookshelf and a great re-read.
This started out as a 4 star for me but it seemed too long and I felt like it dragged in parts. The more I felt I was slogging through, the fewer stars I felt it deserved.
I deliberately didn't read any blurbs or plot summaries of this book, as I wanted a fresh approach to the suspense. I did enjoy it but I admit to skimming in the middle, which is something I don't typically do. If I get to the point of skimming I will usually set a book aside in favour of something more enjoyable; life is short and there's no point in spending it reading something you don't like.
The action lingers on the horrific aspects of post-nuclear life and the gory, uncomfortable, scary parts - then magic gets thrown in. It's clearly a book of its time in that it's meant to be upsetting and full of terror. That's how adults were feeling back then. The end was a bit predictable but how it was achieved was still quite interesting. This is a true "I liked it"
The action lingers on the horrific aspects of post-nuclear life and the gory, uncomfortable, scary parts - then magic gets thrown in. It's clearly a book of its time in that it's meant to be upsetting and full of terror. That's how adults were feeling back then. The end was a bit predictable but how it was achieved was still quite interesting. This is a true "I liked it"
Incredible.
McCammon’s writing really places you in the pages with the characters. What a fantastic work of art. Closely examines the good side of bad, the bad side of good, and the meaning of hope in a hell scape.
10/10 would absolutely recommend.
McCammon’s writing really places you in the pages with the characters. What a fantastic work of art. Closely examines the good side of bad, the bad side of good, and the meaning of hope in a hell scape.
10/10 would absolutely recommend.
My favorite book of all time. Recently read The Stand and I in no way think McCammon took anything from it...this story was original, compelling, and a page turner (to keep that up for almost 900 pages is impressive!).