MovieChat Forums > The Stand (1994) Discussion > The Book

The Book

posted 8 years ago by gary_overman
8 replies | jump to latest

Just curious: how many of you have read the book? How many times?

Was it the version taking place in 1980, 1985, or 1990?

Right now, I am reading the version taking place in 1980 once more. I have read all of them numerous times, the 1990 version 20+ times, and at least 10 or more times for each of the others.

I think the only version I have not read or even seen are the comic books.

I have even read the script by Rospo Pallenberg.

This classifies me as a first-class fan of this story!!

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

The only version I've read is the 1990 one uncut and twice. Its quite a fleet yet I feel satisfied everytime I finish.

If you are just going to read one version, the one set in 1990 is the one I'd suggest. There are things that don't make a lot of sense in the other two editions that are better explaind in the C&U version.

[–] elmadman_99 8 years ago

Hi Gary,

You raised a good point, like the poster before me, I too have read the novel twice. In 1997 and 2016. It was the 1990 version, as I came late to the party and I think it was the only version readily available in the UK at the time.

I have to say that I enjoyed it both times that I read it, I admire the length, scope and depth that the novel has, also I have to say that it contains some excellent writing - even by Stephen King;s standards: which are good indeed.

And yet, it is not my favourite King novel - I would probably have to say Salem's Lot for that. Now that I have started down this track I would like so say exactly WHY I think that - I would say because the miniseries of SL struck terror into my heart as a kid, and because I come from a small town, in my mind I transposed the happens in the small town American setting to my own - which probably added to my fear.

Obviously I got over it later, but it left an impression, and let's face it, it was one that I liked.

I have seen the miniseries of Salem's Lot and read / listened to the book on numerous occasions.

Top 5 King novels (in no order at all) -

1. Salem's Lot
2. It
3. Christine
4. The Dead Zone
5. The Body (From Different Seasons)

I also have a special place in my heart for the collected work 'The Bachman Books.'

And now, to get back 'On-Topic':

I understand that you are a truly dedicated fan of 'The Stand' and your posting above proves the point well - I wonder if you would like to share your thoughts as to WHY that is the case. The IMDb board is here for discussion purposes, so I say let's discuss.

By 'Gary_Overman':

This classifies me as a first-class fan of this story!!

Yes, Gary, go to the head of the class... you most certainly are a first class fan!

I wonder what Stephen King would think... would he:

a) Buy you a beer and encourage you read more of his work?
b) Not be likely to care one way or another? or alternatively:
c) Live in fear that you would kidnap him and cut off body parts?

An interesting conundrum... that last bit sounds familiar from somewhere... can't imagine why!

Cheers for now.

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

I understand that you are a truly dedicated fan of 'The Stand' and your posting above proves the point well - I wonder if you would like to share your thoughts as to WHY that is the case. The IMDb board is here for discussion purposes, so I say let's discuss.

Hello there Mr E.

The primary reason that I liked The Stand was because it was similar to a story that actually started back when I was in Jr High in the early 1960's. The story that inspired it was When Worlds Collide/After Worlds Collide. For brevity, it will be called WWC/AWC, written in the early 1930's.

Here is a review of WWC/AWC I did for amazon. You might note the date. If memory serves, this was before I had read The Stand, as I got the DVD before I read it, and I didn't get a DVD player until later.

By Gary Overman on February 19, 2002
Format: Paperback
This is a true science-fiction classic. The reason is simple: it is plausible. I first read this story almost forty years ago when I was in junior high school, and in the intervening years, it has lost none of its' fascination for me. I especially was taken by the sequel. The basic story is this: an astronomer discovers two planets from outside the solar system that are on a collision course with earth. One of them is a gas giant the size of Uranus, the other is a planet similar to earth, which will be destroyed. The other planet will assume the approximate orbit that the earth had. The scientists of earth build space vehicles in an attempt to save the human race. When I heard it was back in print, I orderd a copy and was very happy to find that the sequel was included. After Worlds Collide deals with the adventures of the people who land on the new planet.Some of the criticisms of these books are somewhat understandable. For example, the dialogue is sometimes--to be charitable--unrealistic. And the absence of diversity will offend some. There were only whites and Asians mentioned, and the "Asiatics" were, for the most part,the villains. Ignoring these relatively minor flaws however, still leaves a story that fascinates.One disappointment in the Bison reprints is that they do not have the maps of the new planet in it, but I am still glad it is back in print.If your local bookstore does not have it, order it. I doubt that you will be disappointed.

I read WWC/AWC when I was in Jr. high in the early 1960's and I was hooked on post apocalyptic (PA)stories.

Over here many years ago, there was a series of TV ads (adverts to our cousins across the pond) that featured a CEO saying that he liked a product so much that he bought the company. I like PA stories so much that I wrote my own. The story that started in the early '60's became The Pale Horse.

In short, PA is a genre that I am very fond of. The Stand is a shining example warts and all of this genre.

[–] elmadman_99 8 years ago

Thanks Gary, that is well said indeed.

Cheers for now.

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

Thanks Gary, that is well said indeed.

Cheers for now.

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.

Just curious, but have you read or even heard of WWC/AWC before this? If you haven't, I highly recommend them. They are quite readable and they are not over-long.

[–] gary_overman 7 years ago

What parts of the novel did anyone here enjoy the most? Mine was the journeys of the various characters to their final destinations (Boulder or Las Vegas) and the establishment of the Free Zone.

[–] Lenny64 7 years ago

Ive read the 1990 version twice,,,Ive seen the mini series loads of times......too many to count but still love it.
As for my favourite part I'd have to say it was the journeys made from Boulder to Vegas.....especially Tom and Nicks story.