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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: 15 Poignant and Postapocalyptic Listens for Fans of The Last of Us


Naughty Dog's postapocalyptic video game The Last of Us is a masterclass in storytelling. Celebrated for its complex ruminations on grief, morality, and redemption, this unique take on dystopia has maintained a steady fanbase since 2013. That following is set to grow following the debut of HBO's television adaptation—a breakout hit that sacrifices none of the emotional stakes or brilliant character work of its source material.

What listeners say about The Stand

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Captivating despite its length

A thoroughly enjoyable read, engrossing to the end. The narrator did a great job of giving voice to the various characters and helping me to grow to love (or hate, or pity) each one. Worth listening to the unabridged version for sure.

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Brilliant Read

Steven King horrifies and humors all while creating characters you’re empathize with and others you’ll hate. You can not find this level of writing in most other fiction horror. Read this!!

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Don't pass this one!

My first King novel and it did not disappoint! The longest book I've listened to and it kept my interest the entire time! I had watched the mini series before reading and still kept my interest-details are characters developed so smartly and believably.
Also note about the narrator-Grover Gardner did an AMAZING job changing voices for different characters, read flawlessly and continuously and has a "smooth" reading voice that was so easy to listen to!

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2nd time is even better!

I read this in my early 20’s. Listened to it in my early 50’s post COVID. Strangely familiar. Well done Mr. King!

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Worth the days spent.

Fantastic book, you fall in love with the characters & become a part of this crazy world King brings to life…there are some interesting parallels considering our last few years…

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Great story that keeps you engaged.

I was thoroughly pleased that for the length of this book, I did not find myself bored or checking out. The narrator was great and did an excellent job enhancing the story. Worth the 40 plus hour investment.

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Great story, but hate the cussing in audio

47 hours long and never boring.
Too much cussing I am taking God's name in vain which is painful to listen to other than that it's a great book

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The Stand

Another great story from King. Very Long but a great story for constant readers!

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Another outstanding work

It is a story about people and their will and struggle to survive. Good and evil in a fight for what will be humanity.

The only other King works I’ve read/listened to are They Dark Tower series and didn’t know what to expect jumping into this massive tome. Glad I did.

The narrator did a great job differentiating between the characters and I only got confused a couple times.

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my favorite book

such a great story. narrator is excellent. my 5th time listening. will listen again.

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