Scan barcode
robarnold's review against another edition
3.0
This had been on my to-read list for years but I kept putting it off due to its size and time commitment. Well a few months ago I finally got round to it and although I enjoyed it I was left a little disappointed. As with all King books the world was expertly drawn and the characters were relatable but given the praise and length of the book I was expecting a lot more from the plot. In retrospect I wonder if this is a case of a story being ground-breaking upon its release but over the decades of other books/films/series taking inspiration from it and telling very similar stories it becoming standard and straightforward. I’m glad I read it but won’t be rushing to recommend it to anyone. My favourite King book still remains 22/11/63.
the1germ's review against another edition
2.0
Sadly found this a bit disappointing. I'm a big fan of Stephen King, but his writing is not without its flaws, and all of those flaws are on prominent display here. Extremely bloated, some questionable ideas about women, and the ending was underwhelming to say the least. There's plenty of good in here, but there wasn't enough of it to make a book this long feel like anything less than a chore.
The entire book is building up to this moment of the title -- THE STAND -- ramping up the anticipation, and it just kind of... fizzles. The Stand didn't really add up to a whole lot, did it? I found this disappointing in the same way that I found the end of Game of Thrones disappointing. When a majority of the story consists of building hype for winter is coming, or I will take what is mine, or the stand, the moment everyone's been waiting for better not disappoint. It did, and when that happens, it overshadows all the good you'd done before because we'll never approach the story again without feeling that disappointment of knowing none of this really goes anywhere.
I couldn't help but compare it to Robert McCammon's Swan Song the entire time, a similar post-apocalyptic epic. Ultimately, I think McCammon wrote a much more satisfying story out of the same idea, and I found myself wishing I were rereading that instead of The Stand through most of my time reading the novel.
I know this one is beloved by fellow King fans, and I wish I could have loved it too.
The entire book is building up to this moment of the title -- THE STAND -- ramping up the anticipation, and it just kind of... fizzles. The Stand didn't really add up to a whole lot, did it? I found this disappointing in the same way that I found the end of Game of Thrones disappointing. When a majority of the story consists of building hype for winter is coming, or I will take what is mine, or the stand, the moment everyone's been waiting for better not disappoint. It did, and when that happens, it overshadows all the good you'd done before because we'll never approach the story again without feeling that disappointment of knowing none of this really goes anywhere.
I couldn't help but compare it to Robert McCammon's Swan Song the entire time, a similar post-apocalyptic epic. Ultimately, I think McCammon wrote a much more satisfying story out of the same idea, and I found myself wishing I were rereading that instead of The Stand through most of my time reading the novel.
I know this one is beloved by fellow King fans, and I wish I could have loved it too.
dnemec's review against another edition
5.0
First, a confession: I have been a Stephen King fan for nearly 30 years, and this was my first reading of The Stand. I have no idea what took me so long, or why I waited. At least I can say it won't be my last reading. What an incredible book! You would think that it would start to lag, being that it is over 800 pages, but it never did. A wonderful, well-developed story. It is definitely one of my favorites.
Only regret, besides waiting so long, is why did I pick the winter during a particularly virulent flu season to take this on?!
Only regret, besides waiting so long, is why did I pick the winter during a particularly virulent flu season to take this on?!
realhumanbean4u's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
tiredcat's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to most of this book on my IPod because I really feel that King's work comes alive when you hear it. However, I got 3/4 of the book completed and I needed to see how it ended so I read the last part of it. I was surprised at how much I loved most of the characters. They will stay with me for awhile.
I feel like I should write a huge essay about the importance of this book and and what it says about humans, religion, life, and death. But I don't have that in me right now. All I will say is that this is a great book Mr. King. Thank you for sharing the story with me.
I feel like I should write a huge essay about the importance of this book and and what it says about humans, religion, life, and death. But I don't have that in me right now. All I will say is that this is a great book Mr. King. Thank you for sharing the story with me.
nicoleckenyon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? Yes
5.0
jrc2011's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is the last Stephen King book that I read and thought "That was a really FANTASTIC book!" It is ridiculously long with a huge number of overlapping plots and subplots - plenty of material for a movie as well as spin-offs - very engaging. I remember reading it to the exclusion of my studies in college... in a way I haven't been able to read a Stephen King book since (they all seem recycled now, somehow).
holl3640's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0