‘First come the days of the plague. Then come the dreams.’
Imagine America devastated by a vast killer plague that moves from coast to coast. Imagine the countryside destroyed and great cities decimated as the entire population desperately and futilely seeks safety. Imagine then an even greater evil rising to threaten the survivors—and a last embattled group of men and women coming together to make a last stand against it.
Where to begin, what to write, how to convey all that this novel is – The Stand is truly a masterpiece, and like all masterpieces it should be experienced in full, so I urge you to read the complete and uncut edition. There was no strand to this story that was lacking; yes, I loved some strands more than others, but this book is interesting all the way through!
For a book of 1000+ pages, it’s brilliant that the majority of blurbs you’ll find describing it are short. I suspect it’s because no blurb could encompass all that this novel is. How do you explain how cleverly King described the spread of the ‘superflu’; how he connected each survivor’s story; how he built two believable camps (good and evil); how he pit them against each other; made you love certain characters and loathe others; how he made you fear the dreams, for the dreams mean the dark man is coming!
As I’ve come to expect with King, the over-descriptive detail was present throughout this novel, combined with the brilliant illustrations in the edition I read, this novel came alive, the visuals, I believed it, I lived it! I really like the way King chose to describe certain things, so simple, but you were easily able to visualise it:
“Then he went out and got standing-up falling-down drunk.”
Also, in true King style, he introduces far too many characters into this novel, but it works, because you always remember those you’re supposed to. You come to know who the major players are, on the side of good, and on the side of evil. So many great characters, so well developed, you could have conversations for days about the characters, how your opinion of them changes over the course of events, those who remain favourites all the way through, and those that are evil, but so fantastic in creating an enemy for you to hate. You’ll find some of the most memorable character in this novel. The only thing I don’t understand is why in almost every King book I’ve read, King has to kill off my favourite characters – King, we’re going to have to talk about this! But I must say, there were some spectacular deaths in this novel, like damn, if you’re going to die, that’s the statement way to go!
There were also some real tender moments in this novel, moments of love and loyalty. I haven’t gone into too much detail explaining the events that occur because prior to reading this novel I knew very little, except that this was one of King’s greatest works, and that it is a must read for anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic novels. Now, having read The Stand, I can tell you, this is my favourite King novel to date, and, indeed, a must read for fans of post-apocalyptic novels, especially if you love horror novels. Although, to be more accurate, you don’t read The Stand, you experience it, and it is an experience everyone should encounter.
“The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there . . . and still on your feet.”
This book is available to buy from: Amazon UK / Book Depository
Keeper of Pages 
Beth loves Stephen King. Like full on worships! I haven’t read much of his work, but this does sound like a great book!
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You should borrow some of Beth’s books! I’m enjoying my King journey so much! 😊
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Yes. Yes I do. 😂🙏🏻
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This sounds incredible and very eerie! I love the kind of detail he uses in the excerpts I’ve read like the line you shared here. And I love the idea of it being a book that you more experience than read. Brilliant review!
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Thank you 😊
Have you read his nonfiction ‘On Writing’ – I really want to read it, I image it’d give great insight into his storytelling.
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No, I haven’t but I’ve heard it’s completely amazing! I think it’s a little bit memoir-y too so should be really interesting.
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Great review 💕
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Thank you 💜
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I love how Stephen King does his characters. There were quite a few in this story but i never had trouble remembering who is who and did what ❤
Read it twice and loved it even more the second time around.
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A few people have said they loved it more the second time around, which excites me because this is definitely one I will reread! 😊
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I’ve never been able to finish this book, I was always way too scared! Great review! 💚
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Thank you 😊
Oh you should absolutely push through, it’ll be worth it. I read this as a group readalong and it was nice to have weekly discussions – maybe a buddy read will get you to the finish line 😉
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Great idea! 😊
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Wonderful review! I love King for all of the things you described. It’s hard to review a book of such magnitude so well done 🙂
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Thank you 😊 This is definitely a book I can see myself rereading the future, what a masterpiece!
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Great review! I wasn’t particularly fond of IT but your review makes me want to try The Stand.
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Thank you! This book is so different to IT. IT is a horror novel, whereas The Stand is post-apocalyptic with elements of horror, I enjoyed IT but this one is levels above!
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I’ve read King’s other post-apocalyptic novel, The Cell (or is it just Cell?) and wasn’t a huge fan of it. Maybe this one will be more interesting. Thanks for the new recommendation! 🙂
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I haven’t read that one yet, but I will at some point as I plan to read all his books. For many people, The Stand is a favourite, I say definitely give it a go.
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Thank you so much 😀
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Excellent review Janel. You’ve summed up this book perfectly and your love for it is wonderful! Now I REALLY want to see the illustrations in your edition. Please Instagram some if you haven’t already? 😁
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Thank you! 😊 I’ll tag you in the post where I shared a few!
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great review! I neeeaaarrrly started reading this a couple of nights ago but decided that I wasn’t going to do it aone so I am in the process of talking a colleague into a buddy read 😁 your review makes me excited for the book though!
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Thank you!! Yes, definitely buddy read this one, there’s so many discussion-worthy points throughout so you’ll be glad you’re not reading it alone and you’ve got someone to talk to, or vent to, as I did when King killed off my favs 😭😂
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This is like everybody’s favorite and I haven’t read it yet!!! It’s on my list though 😀
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It’s everybody’s fav for a very good reason, such a fantastic story, one definitely worth making time for 😊
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Loved this book
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It’s my favourite King to date!
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