There are plenty of pitfalls that drag epic, amibitous novels down; plots that don't hold up for a thousand plus pages, characters that grow tiresome, repetitive themes that feel like a broken record halfway through the book.

The Stand avoids all of these. The cast is large and varied enough to keep multiple plot threads going, but not too large to become confusing. And as many as there are, none are superfluous to the plot, all serve a purpose that is revealed before the finale. The plot is intense and ambitious, but divided into segments it is managable and sustainable. Daunting certainly at 1200+ pages, but always building towards the inevitable conclusion. The theme is as old as storytelling; the ultimate battle between good and evil, the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. But King manages to present these timeless themes with mythic, Biblical imagery melded with a down-to-earth humanity that makes them fresh and exciting.

This book is a chilling, thrilling home-run. At the end of the book (and at many places throughout) I felt as though I'd been completely wrung out. The amount of emotion the reader invests in this book is one of the greatest of any book I've read. Its exhausting and exhilirating at the same time. One for the ages, truly not to be missed.

This is my favorite Stephen King book, and one of my top 10 books of all time. My first copy literally fell apart from re-reading. If you read the original version, make sure you pick up a copy of the Uncut verison, which contains almost 200 extra pages and several storylines (such as that of The Kid) which were left out of the shorter, original publication.

A word of warning; I don't suggest reading this book when you're not feeling well. I got caught in a flu epidemic several years ago that landed me in the hospital on two occasions. I was bored and started to re-read, and ended up practically giving myself a full blown anxiety attack. *L*

"The Stand" is my favorite book of all time. I love books dealing with the end of the world, and this, in my opinion, is the best one. A "super-flu" kills 99% of the world's population, and the remaining one percent gravitate towards either Mother Abigail, an old woman, or Randall Flagg, basically the devil. The book is very much good vs. bad, with a definite religious tint to it overall. Admittedly, the book is longer than most (1200+ pages), but it is full of detailed characters who will stay with you long after you finish. This is one book you will want to read again.

The expanded edition worked a lot better than the abridged version years earlier. Or maybe I was just a little older and understood it better after a second reading

Excellent read. I'll never look at a row of telephone poles the same way again! One caution: I took it on vacation and it was so good I didn't want to put it down. Became a source of conflict on my vacation!

Great Book! I am not particularly a King fan, but this is one book I have read several time and really enjoy.

Don't you DARE not read this.

It's my favorite book of all time.

Complete, uncut original of this book..an exciting, thought-provoking account of life in the U.S. after most of its citizens have died in a terrible, quick spreading plague

Uncut edition with more material than original. I recently read this classic and it was great. I don't like horror but this book is famous for a reason.

This book is definitely in my top 10 books to read and re-read. I have a paper back copy and a hard back copy. The paperback copy is held together with rubber bands. I probalby re-read this book every other year. It is the only book(s) from my original Stephen King collection that I kept!
Awesome read and re-read!!!!!

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I have read this novel 5 times, the original twice and the uncut three times and am planning on reading it again. This is one of his finest works and my all time favorite book.

One of my favorites!

Okay, I really tried to like this book, have read it is supposed to be a "classic". NOT !! It was lousy and I finally gave up. Don't waste yout time.

This is an excellent read. Although it is long, it is well worth the time. Actually, if you are like me, you will devour it! I loved the way King developed the characters, and told the story from their own voice. It is a classic story of good vs evil as only Stephen King can tell it.

One of my faorite books of all time!

A great Stephen King novel. I think it was the first one I ever read. I really enjoyed it, and it kept me coming back for more.

I started reading and never finished it. I do not know what it is about.

I've read this book twice and it was GREAT both times!

I am amazed that a book this massive kept my attention and I enjoyed every bit of it!

The book has a different cover than the one shown but has the same ISBN number.

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