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The Stand  By  cover art

The Stand

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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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)

Featured Article: We All Quote Down Here—50+ of the Best Stephen King Quotes


It is King's versatility, his skills as a writer, and his ability to tap into our fears that makes Uncle Stevie so eminently quotable. Even though King writes mainly terrifying books, his works are also full of wisdom, heart, humor, and compassion. He can be scaring your pants off one minute, and really making you think about humankind the next. Here are the best quotes from the master of the macabre: Stephen King.

What listeners say about The Stand

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Surprised at High Ratings of This Book

Really enjoyed audio version of Pet Cemetery and saw The Stand on a list of best audiobooks. Decided to go with the long version after seeing more reviews, even given length. Hey, The Count of Monte Cristo was awesome.

Dumb resolution/ending of bad guy, in my opinion. Bad choice to burn a credit. Now questioning my choice of It, but would like another great Stephen King book. Thoughts?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

The narrator brings the caricatures to life in an amazing way if you like Steven king you’ll love this one not to scary but a classic Steven king style book

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of my favorites!

I read this in digital format a few years ago and wanted to listen to the audiobook performance this time. Well worth the credits. Written quite a long time ago, the story is still relevant today, delving into to what *could* happen if a superbug decimated the world’s population. The supernatural presence of Randall Flagg adds spice (and horror) to the tale. Well done!

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Great listen

I read this in hard copy while on a deployment and loved it. The Audible version didn’t disappoint. Well worth the credit.

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  • 11-12-23

DNF

Way, way, way too long. Love Mr. King’s writing and his dialogues but, wow, too many characters to keep straight.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely phenomenal

A must-read/listen. I was infatuated the entire story, moved to both tears and laughter while listening, and given much to think about. The narrator did a superb job.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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REAL

King writes his characters so vividly you become invested in their lives and in their deaths. He leaves you wanting to know what is next in their lives, What horrors Flag tries. What happens with the next generations. LOVE IT

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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  • LT
  • 11-09-23

Soooo long

Story was ok. I wish the cut version was available on audible. It was too long !

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A masterclass in storytelling.

Captivating, in the most plain terms possible. Stephen King knocks this one out of the park.

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    5 out of 5 stars

quite a thrilling story

this book kept me entertained all week! I definitely recommend it. I will probably re listen to this book within the next year or so, absolutely six stars.

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