The Stand

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 47 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.

And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides - or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail - and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.

In 1978, Stephen King published The Stand, the novel that is now considered to be one of his finest works. But as it was first published, The Stand was incomplete, since more than 150,000 words had been cut from the original manuscript.

Now Stephen King's apocalyptic vision of a world blasted by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil has been restored to its entirety. The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition includes material previously deleted, along with new material that King added as he reworked the manuscript for a new generation. It gives us new characters and endows familiar ones with new depths. It has a new beginning and a new ending. What emerges is a gripping work with the scope and moral complexity of a true epic.

For hundreds of thousands of fans who heard The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King's gift. And those who are listening to The Stand for the first time will discover a triumphant and eerily plausible work of the imagination that takes on the issues that will determine our survival.

Cover artwork ©2020 CBS Interactive Inc.

©1978 Stephen King (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

"A master storyteller." (Los Angeles Times)

"[The Stand] has everything. Adventure. Romance. Prophecy. Allegory. Satire. Fantasy. Realism. Apocalypse. Great!" (The New York Times Book Review)

"As brilliant a dark dream as has ever been dreamed in this century." (Palm Beach Post)

Should have left it in the original time frame

What did you love best about The Stand?

I loved the story, the in depth character development and unexpected twists.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

At very first listen I thought he was a stodgy announcer type but as I listened he did a wonderful job of helping to develop and delineate the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

When the worst happens where will you stand?

Any additional comments?

I was hugely disappointed with the effort to change the time frame from the original release. In fact, I didn't know that it had been changed until after I had begun the book. I stopped listening and went back to the description to figure out what was going on. It seemed to me to be a half hearted effort and too often the vernacular and pop culture references just didn't ring true. It's like watching a movie and all of the sudden you see the mic boom. I'm not a stickler for detail and am more than willing to suspend reality for the experience so it's not like I was looking for inconsistencies. I wish they would have just added the parts of the story that had been left out of the original and left everything else the same. I would think an author like Stephen King would warrant closer attention to detail. It was like constantly running across typos.

GET IT !!

Even though I'm only half way through this book Its already earned 5 stars. I'm amazed at kings masterful writing ability in this book. I've read many of his books but so far I think this one displays the craft he is capable of best and Grover brings all the characters to life amazingly well. I'm sure the rest of this book will be something to savor. I NEVER imagined I would like stephen king.

Outstanding!

I am probably one of the few voracious readers around who has never read a Stephen King book. A friend recommended I try The Stand and I'm so glad I did.
This is one of the best books I have ever heard. The character development is amazing. I truly felt like I came to know each and every character. As a reader, the most important part of the book for me is coming to know the characters and growing to care about their motivations, their lives, and what becomes of them. I don't necessarily need to like a character to feel invested.
Stephen King beautifully captures the complexity and depth of connection (good or bad) and relationships. This book is about many different things, but it is ultimately about people and the best and worst parts of all of us.
The narration is excellent.
I highly recommend it.

I'm Scareeeeeeed!

Being a person who scares easily I stay away from paranormal, gore, devil, zombies & grotesque topics. I have always associated Stephen King as the Scare King and have never been interested in his books because of this. Over the years I have heard many say “The Stand” set the bar for the PA genre. This being my favorite genre The Stand has always had a special place on my wish list. However, I would quickly pass it up each time because of fear. Then one night a couple book buddies informed me this was one of King’s earlier novels and it really wasn’t that scary and they thought I could “handle it” So, I went for it!

The story is about a super flu created by the US Army as a weapon of war. Something goes terribly wrong and the flu wipes out most of mankind. The survivors form in two groups becoming the classic tale of good vs. evil.

I did get scared! I couldn’t read the book after dark and I had to mute the volume when they talked about what happened to some of the bodies after the plague. I thought the character building was spot on and there was such a variety. I found Trashcan man one of the more interesting ones. He was a simple minded arsonist who couldn’t help himself but to always do the wrong thing. Larry was my favorite.

This is the longest book I was ever listened to at 40+ hours. The first part of the story was about the plague and was a little slow but after this it really picked up and pumped at high speed until the very end. The narrator is one of the best I have ever experienced. He had so many different voices which really kept you tuned in.

After I finished the book I went on You Tube and watched the 1994 TV miniseries they did which did not do this book justice. Had I not read the book I would have found the miniseries hard to follow because so much of the story was missing from it. I did read an article Ben Affleck is going to be producing a movie on this book in the future. If I hear it is stays close to the book I am going to put on my big girl panties and go see it.

I think this book is well worth a read/listen - It has a very intriguing storyline. I was fascinated with the way Stephen King’s mind works….. It’s baffling yet entertaining; he keeps you at the edge of your seat and is NEVER predictable.

opt for The abridged version if given the choice.

many of the chapters and much of the dialogue are completely worthless to the story. I'm not sure why King included them but you can absolutely enjoy the book without 25% of the nonsense

Wonderful story!

I’ve listened to this book at least 4 times over the years! Narration is top notch and of course This is one of Kings best imo. Well worth a credit!

Became a SK fan with this

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The Stand is so much more than post apocalyptic fiction. The book captures the pretense and shallowness inherent in American life, and then proceeds to systematically dismantle and burn it down to the ground, while reviving the timeless and ever-present innocence and beauty. I envision SK having so much fun while writing it. He personalized the good and bad idiosyncrasies of American life and exercised the omnipotent prerogatives of the Author to generate a masterpiece of creative destruction.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I especially like the deaf-mute Nick and his retarded companion Tom. The inherent goodness of Nick, his struggles with witnessing the destruction of the world in silence, and the innocence of Tom was quite touching and amusing at times.

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

As a character, Gardner played Larry exceptionally well. Although, I can't find fault with any of the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Here is the end

Any additional comments?

This is only my second Stephen King book. After I listened to 11/22/63, I started to look for other SK books, and reviews claimed "The Stand" was his best. I didn't believe 11/22/63 could be surpassed in the emotion it generated and the sublime love it carried through out. Halfway through "The Stand", I stand corrected. It is really his best work. I listen driving to and back from work, and certain portions of the book are dazzling in their brilliance and wit. The narrator has a great role to play as well in making this book a success.

Still the Best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Everyone should read/listen to Stephen King's "The Stand," especially apocalyptic fiction fans, although King describes it as a religious, good vs. evil novel.

What did you like best about this story?

Descriptive novels are the best--it makes you feel like you are one of the characters.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but he did an excellent performance.

If you could rename The Stand, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename it knowing the content and King's description of the theme.

Any additional comments?

I've always had a problem with King's endings, except for "11-22-63,"

Fantastic Narration

I read this book when it was first published and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book now some 40 years later. The narrator was excellent. He really made the story come alive.

I waited for it for years, and LOVED it!

This was the first Steven King novel I ever read. After reading many, many others, it still has been my favorite book of his. I kept patiently waiting for it to come out in audible format. As soon as I saw that Audible had it, I immediately downloaded it to mu iPod. The unabridged version is fabulous! I didn't want it to end! I wish King would write a sequel to it for sure!

Grover Gardner is the perfect reader for this story. Download this book as one of your Audible credits. You won't be disappointed!