Stephen King Fans discussion

Love the Stand! King's best book I think.

One of them anyway! ;)

yeah easily in my top 5 if not 3. Definitely his most ambitious.

I've not read it yet but definately aim to!

Is anyone watching the series "Life After People" on the history channel? It is totally what would happen in this book!

Check this out! Swine Flu!
http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqedito...

Thanks, Angie.:)

I'm excited to read this book with you all! I have yet to read this one and I've heard so many good things about it from so many people. I'm looking forward to it! :)

You are in for a treat. It is very rich and luxurious tale, filled with stout hearted everyday flawed but decent people standing up to supernatural evil.

Definitely... but make sure that you read the unabridged version!

I think people should read the unabridged too. I mean if it's published why even read the other one?

Good question. I can think of no acceptable reason.

If they own the original for some reason, I could see it, but otherwise... Nope! Read the real deal.

I read the original twice. I finished it right before they announced a release of the unabridged version. DOH!

So of course I had to read it again, in its full version...

I've read the 1st version & the Uncut Version....
The sad thing about The Stand is that it seems to me that the Magic felt from the 1st publishing & the ability to read it way before the Movie came out,and all the copycats out there that used some of his ideas, is lost on the newer readers coming up. IMO
Doesn't anyone else think so?

Okay, I feel silly asking this...but since I have an older copy of the book, I thought I'd ask: when did they announce the unabridged version? I want to make sure that's the one I'm reading!

The uncut edition was released in 1990. Anything before that is the abridged version.

Okay, thanks so much Becky! :) I have an abridged version then...I'll have to look for a newer one!

Anytime! The uncut edition is worth the length... You really get to know the characters and feel like they are family.

I'm glad we'll be reading The Stand. Ready to jump on it. I started reading it last year sometime, but stopped due to a heavy course load @ college that took up all my 'spare' time. I didn't get very far, but I remember what I read completely drew me in. I just love King.

I think one of the greatest things about The Stand is that it is among the books that add depth to the character of Flagg, adding depth to his role in The Dark Tower. Brrr! Everytime I look down a deserted, nightime highway I think I can hear the boot heels on the pavement. One time my three year old son was looking out the window of the car and said "Daddy, did you see the Walkin Dude?" As King's writing is still a bit over his reading level (lol) I was freaked!

I just finished the uncut edition, coming back to the story after reading the original back in college in the 80's - was so pleased to find it even better, if possible! One of his best, I agree, definately in my top 3. I'm really looking forward to the June read, and all the discussions.

My copy of 'The Stand' arrived yesterday- Oh My God- It's a mountain of a book,eh?! Started it sttaight away.... Loving it!!!!

I found a hardback at BN for $6.00!

Great find Angie :) happy reading to all...

The Long & Uncut version was actually the first King book I read. It's still in my top 5. So many characters.

First King book I read too. I told this story before but my sister used to read this book every summer til one summer she gave it to me because she had it practically memorized. It took some discipline for me not to read it for the group read but I got too many other books to read right now.

I`m still a little unclear on the whole unabridged/bridged versions! So are the copies of `The Stand`that you can get in book shops today considered unabridged?

Martin - you shouldn't run across copies of the original print (abridged) version in bookstores. They sell the unabridged updated one exclusively now. Most copies say it on the cover too that it's the uncut version.

I just started reading this book the other day . . . so far I'm loving it!! I'm trying to get a head start on this so I can participate in discussions . . classes start up in June so my time will be limited then. However, based on the rate I'm reading now, I foresee being finished before June arrives.

Nice quiz to go along with our group read:

helloquizzy.com/tests/the-end-of-the-...

My Result:

Humanity's Savior

81% Intuition and 41% Guts

You've acted in humanity's best interest time and again, even if the cost came as your life. You'll found civilization within a few short decades after the whole of society collapses, or at least plan so that the Dark Ages are minimized.

You've acted with prudence and wisdom in all things, and your name shall live on for generations upon generations.

Maybe you weren't 25 feet tall. Maybe you didn't seem t

Apparently, I am the next thing to gutless! LOL

37% Guts 56% Intuition
As it stands, you're making a pretty good living out there in the nuclear wasteland, and a deserved reputation to boot. Of the travelers out there willing to brave the bleak, crater-ridden landscape that is the post-Deluge world, not many have the know-how.
You must have picked up a few tips from A Canticle for Leibowitz or On the Beach before the bombs dropped. Maybe you just watched The Postman once and managed to like it. Either way, you've done your post-nuclear homework.
It doesn't take Mentats to realize that if it zombies or aliens or a plague had wiped clean humanity's slate rather than Brother Atom you would've been helpless. Moot point, though; ever since the bomb dropped, those fears have been put to rest.
For now.

My result:

70% Guts and 52% Intuition



You've survived the apocalypse. If someone asked you why, you'd tell them between shots of irradiated liquor that you're a man of action. If they press further, you'd press them into the dirt.
It isn't all luck that your Rambo tactics have kept you from choking on the mortal coil. Keeping on the move is a pretty viable strategy against unknown enemies of unknown origin as much as it is against other, more crazed survivors. Maybe your luck will run out someday. Maybe your brazen tactics just make you all the bigger target. Maybe death will come knocking at your door.
This is for certain: You aren't going down without a fight.

LOL! I loved this quiz :)

Defender of the Wastes - 48% Guts and 78% Intuition.
For you, the End of the World was something of an improvement. It's almost ironic, but your experiences and intuition are uniquely suited to living off of a once-mighty civilization. People flock to you in protection and servitude, and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Maybe you'll fade into legend. Maybe you'll fade into infamy. Either way, you have a pretty good feeling about this.

The Stand is going to have to be my Summer reading book, I may only get to read it once a week, but I will read it!! Evn if it does take me 3 months! I signed up to read the Stand for June so wish me luck. :)

Don't worry, our discussions never end!

Loved the quiz--great tie in for the book. Here are my results:
60% Sharpshooter
Barricade the doors, shoot the wounded and try not to splatter: You know exactly what to do when the dead crawl up from their graves, reanimated by some passing Russkie satellite.
You'd shoot your mom if a zombie nicked her, and not because you're bloodthirsty. Rather, years of George Romero flicks and books like World War Z have trained you to accept the new, zombified reality of it all. Nobody needs to tell you that she isn't your mom anymore; if anyone said this anyway, you'd scoff knowingly at the cliche.
Of course, your tactics wouldn't have worked in this World War III had you been up against aliens, bioterrorism or the almighty atom bomb. But they didn't have to. Luck of the draw kept you alive.
So the next time a scantily-clad damsel clings to your muscular leg, rev up your chainsaw, affix the shotgun to your arm and give thanks to the Necronomicon that your world suffered this particular fate.

Anna that was my result too...I especially like the "give thanks to the Necronomicon" part :)

I just ordered my copy of "The Stand" and I'm so excited to finally read it. And with this great group!

Leshawn wrote: "I just ordered my copy of "The Stand" and I'm so excited to finally read it. And with this great group!" You'll love it!

I just needed this little push to start it, but now that I have, all my other books are by the wayside. I'm loving it so far. It's taking me a little while because the font is so small (I have the paperback), but I'll get it done. Hopefully before June ends.

I can't wait to read this....and the best part for me...I'll be reading it on my Kindle!! It's finally available again.

What do you mean its finally available again? Isn't a big chunk of their marketing for the Kindle that a gajillion titles are available for purchase instantly whenever you want it?

It's digital, so it's not like they could be out of stock.

That makes me assume that they are withholding titles for no reason, and that makes me not want a Kindle. :(

I read the paper back the first time and I remember the font being small too. That sucks!

I have the paperback edition, and I also have it on audio... I started listening to the audio the other day, and I had to stop listening to the audio about 7 minutes later. When one hears "To skip the rest of the introductory material, press fast-forward until you hear a beep." and then one presses fast-forward, and one minute goes by, then two.. then three... then four... (Real world minutes, not FF minutes)... Then finally the book begins, and it sounds like Eeyore's reading it.

I just gave up at that point. I'll stick with the book.

Angie, that picture is terrific!!!

The audio version sounds awful! Thanks Kandice!

Have you heard it, Ange? Or are you talking about what I said about it?