The Stand book review

The first novel I read by Stephen King was ‘Salem’s Lot. I really loved that book—it spoke to me. Later, I read other Stephen King books, but I wasn’t as impressed. Fortunately, the author published The Stand in 1978. I had first read that book in the early 1980’s, and really liked it—that one spoke to me, too. And now, decades later, I decided to read The Stand one more time, while I still have the chance. Here are my updated thoughts for The Stand book review and banter.

Please rest assured that this review will not reveal the ending or any of the major plot twists, of which there were many! Instead, The Stand book review will focus on the major themes of this book, along with character analysis of some of the more interesting characters, of which there were many!

The Stand was first published in 1978. Later in 1990, the author issued an epic, unabridged version which contained hundreds of extra pages that were previously edited out. For this book review, I read the most recent, unabridged, epic version. This current novel was 1,153 pages long.

The Stand was broken up into chapters. In addition, those chapters were grouped into three stages or sections, or three action-packed books. Plus, there was an introduction.

In the introduction or prologue, the author quickly builds tension and prepares the reader for what is to come. This scene opens with a man fleeing the facility where he worked.

The alarms were ringing. Something bad had happened. So, he took off. He and his wife grabbed some essentials and quickly drove away. They were running for their lives.

As I read this introduction, I replayed Blue Oyster Cult’s song, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” in my mind. That was a perfect song, and you’ll hear it if you watch the 1990 movie. It was mind-blowing!

Even today when I watch that film clip (watch and listen a few paragraphs below), I get the chills! Because I know what’s coming.

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An innocent accident at a testing facility turns into a global pandemic. In the United States, most people became infected with this incurable virus, which was dubbed as ‘Captain Tripps’.

During this initial phase where the virus is rapidly spreading, we meet the ensemble cast of characters. There’s a budding music star, a nursing student, and a young man who is deaf and unable to communicate verbally, among many others. They were the ‘fortunate’ few who had an immunity to this new virus.

In addition, we meet some of the ‘bad’ guys, including a man who liked to start fires—he was called Trashcan Man. He was mentally ill and felt alienated from regular society. This character was so interesting, and created a lot of tension throughout this book. He was such a great, interesting character.

In addition, the author gave us eye-opening vignettes of people throughout the country who were infected with this fatal virus. Some of the vignettes were only a few sentences long, while others were a few paragraphs. Still others were multiple pages, and were grippingly suspenseful.

Each person in these vignettes had interesting and unique lives, just like we all do. In only a few sentences, the author was able to poetically show us their struggles and their end-of-life moments.

Those vignettes reminded me of the vignettes that Walt Whitman used to poetically paint a picture in Leaves of Grass. In both books, I was able to engage with the character and feel what they were experiencing.

In Book 1, many of the ensemble cast of characters were having bad, unsettling dreams of The Dark Man. And, sometimes they saw visions of this demonic creature. The Dark Man, also known as Randall Flagg, wants the survivors to join him and serve him.

In addition to having those nightmares about an evil force, many of the survivors were having dreams of visions of a good, benevolent force. Her name is Mother Abagail and she is a 108-year-old black woman.

In those dreams and visions, the surivors are urged to visit her small shack in a Nebraska field of corn.

After speaking with other survivors, they all learned that they were having the same dreams and visions about these two spiritual forces.

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During book 2, we continue to meet new survivors. Some are compelled to travel to Las Vegas to meet and survive with the powerful dark force named Randall Flagg. He promises to give them security and prosperity if they serve him.

However, other survivors feel compelled to travel to Nebraska and meet Mother Abagail. Despite being an old woman, she feels called by her god to build a peaceful, benevolent society in Boulder, Colorado.

And, along the way to their destinations, we meet more interesting characters that join in their missions.

Once in Boulder, the survivors set up a government with the guidance of Mother Abagail. For me, this part was very boring. However, I guess it did help us understand the survivors better, and maybe create more empathy for their plight.

Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, the only government is The Dark Man himself. He gives the orders, and there is no dissent, debate, or questions allowed.

If any survivor does dare to question Randall Flagg, he risks being crucified, literally, in the Las Vegas streets. As you might expect, this part was more action-packed and tense!

Don’t Fear the Reaper, the most appropriate song for this film adaptation of The Stand. I love this song, and loved it even more when it was included in this movie. It gives me the chills—so ominous, and it’s especially ominous because this could really happen.

In Book 3, both groups realize that they will have to take a stand. For the group in Boulder, Colorado, that means confronting The Dark Man and his loyal followers.

To ensure the survival of the group in Boulder, Mother Abagail tells her follows to take a stand. Unfortunately, to take a stand and confront Randall Flagg means some will lose their lives.

For me, Book 3, The Stand, was the most exciting section. All the good and evil elements and complex personalities come together. They all take a stand for their destinies.

The most compelling, exciting, and engaging sections of this novel were Books 1 and 3. I enjoyed getting to know the diverse cast of characters. In most cases, I was able to empathize with them, and intensely feel their struggles for understanding and survival.

Thanks to the author’s skill, I was able to not only empathize with the good guys, but I could also understand and empathize the bad guys. For instance, I could understand why the Trashcan Man did some of the horrendous things he did! I could even understand The Kid’s sneaky, villainous motivations (I didn’t mention him before).

Then, in Book 3, my empathy for the characters increased. The closer I got to the end of this book, the more I had to read. I couldn’t work, I couldn’t eat, I just had to read and find out what would happen next!

And as I noted before, I didn’t enjoy the second section or book as much. For me, the details of setting up the government took up too much space and time, and it was boring.

While the premise of this story sounds far-fetched, it could really happen. In fact, plagues have wiped out large chunks of humanity in the past.

Just like before, accidents at medical testing facilities have happened, similar to what was described in this novel. And, it could happen again on a much larger scale—that is what is so chilling and sobering about this crazily engaging novel.

From the very first pages of the prologue, I became engrossed in each character. I could empathize with almost every character because they were so interesting and engaging.

As I read, I had become so absorbed in the story that I felt like I was in a dream. Interestingly, that dreamlike feeling continued even after I stopped reading. It was weird, but also so delightful. I had become part of the story itself!

As I wrote at the beginning of this review, I wasn’t a real big fan of Stephen King and his books. Of course, I did love ‘Salem’s Lot, but his other books really didn’t connect with me.

However, as I read The Stand, I really connected with the characters and was drawn into the plot. And, I suspect that you will become just as engaged with this book as I was. You might feel like you’re in a dream as you read this novel, too! And, that’s a good thing!

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TAKEAWAYS:

This compelling novel is about a deadly pandemic. Most of the human race is wiped out. However, there are survivors who are immune to the virus.

The Stand is their story of how they rebuild society and, hopefully, continue the human race. Of course, it’s not easy, and their struggle is chaotic.

I won’t reveal who survives, or if they even succeed. Instead, you should read The Stand yourself, because something like that could really happen. And, that’s what’s so chilling!

Content and photos by Doug Martin and Our Book Banter!