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A review by colin_s
The Stand by Stephen King
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Quote:
“The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there...and still on your feet.”
Setting:
Set in the year 1990 in a fictional United States a super flu gripes the nation and likely the world. The world is left with few left alive and only shadows of the dead in vehicles left on the road remind of the world as it was before.
Plot:
At the start of the novel there is a mistake that leads to a super flu (Captain Tripp as it become referred to) quick envelops the United States leaving very few alive. Our story follows several of those with an immunity to it and what they choice to do with what is left.
Writing:
Once again it's traditional Stephen King and you find yourself just not wanting to put it down, which is a shocker as it's a very heavy, very long book. Despite it's large size it doesn't feel like there is much fluff, even in the extended edition. The dialogue is as strong in this as in any of his other books I've read.
Characters:
The characters in this book are without a doubt the shining achievement of it. Each is well fleshed out and you get to see the life they lead before the super flu and how it changed them when society crumbled to dust.
Pros:
Stellar characters
Compelling story
Cons:
Very Long
An overuse of a racism slur
Recommendation:
This book is an easy recommendation from me, even with its large size. I managed to finish it in about 16 days. This breaks down to almost 75 pages per day, however I was reading it much slower at first and much more voraciously at the end. The book has a bit of a slow burn, hooking you in and making you want to see more, to know more. I personally will have to knock it a few points as the over user of a slur did start to grate on me, but luckily it's used more so in the first half and not the later.
“The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there...and still on your feet.”
Setting:
Set in the year 1990 in a fictional United States a super flu gripes the nation and likely the world. The world is left with few left alive and only shadows of the dead in vehicles left on the road remind of the world as it was before.
Plot:
At the start of the novel there is a mistake that leads to a super flu (Captain Tripp as it become referred to) quick envelops the United States leaving very few alive. Our story follows several of those with an immunity to it and what they choice to do with what is left.
Writing:
Once again it's traditional Stephen King and you find yourself just not wanting to put it down, which is a shocker as it's a very heavy, very long book. Despite it's large size it doesn't feel like there is much fluff, even in the extended edition. The dialogue is as strong in this as in any of his other books I've read.
Characters:
The characters in this book are without a doubt the shining achievement of it. Each is well fleshed out and you get to see the life they lead before the super flu and how it changed them when society crumbled to dust.
Pros:
Stellar characters
Compelling story
Cons:
Very Long
An overuse of a racism slur
Recommendation:
This book is an easy recommendation from me, even with its large size. I managed to finish it in about 16 days. This breaks down to almost 75 pages per day, however I was reading it much slower at first and much more voraciously at the end. The book has a bit of a slow burn, hooking you in and making you want to see more, to know more. I personally will have to knock it a few points as the over user of a slur did start to grate on me, but luckily it's used more so in the first half and not the later.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism