Wow, what a book! Definitely in my top 5 of Stephen King books. The original published version came out in 1978, but it was a much thinner version than the one Stephen had written - about 150,000 words thinner.
In the early 1990's Stephen was able to get his "Complete and Uncut" edition of 'The Stand' released. It was 500 pages more than the original publication, and it was the version that I happened to read first.
One day I was in the university bookstore looking for this one textbook that was supposed to be on reserve at the library but had somehow 'gone missing' when I stumbled upon the Complete and Uncut version of The Stand. I thought, "Awesome, I haven't gotten around to reading the first one so I'll just get this and read it instead."
The problem about this was I just couldn't put the bloody thing down - at all - and I was headed into my final exams and essays. I read it more than I studied. Fortunately for me I did fine on my exams and essays, the book allowed me to be more calm because it took my mind of everything but the story before me.
Anyway, about the story, - in a nutshell - it was awesome! The character development again was phenomenal. Stephen's ability to create believable characters facing unbelievable circumstances/situations is what makes him a great story teller, and what sells the reader on his story lines. I mean who ever has seen the hand of God? No one, yet when it appears in the story it is that much more believable because the characters we believe in, and have come to like, see it and are reacting to it.
Set in a post-apocalyptic America Stephen King weaves a classic tale of good vs evil where the apocalypse is not caused by a nuclear war but by a lab developed virus. The story is divided into 3 sections; the first section is really about the outbreak of the virus and the immediate aftermath, the second section deals with the gathering of forces (good and evil), while the last section is the final confrontation.
I know I have not gone into great detail about the story here, but there is a reason: I want you to read the book and discover it for yourself.
If you read only a few Stephen King books ever, then this one is a must for your list.
.jpg)
