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)

reeeeeally good story

I watched the show and really liked the storyline. so I had no choice but to read the book. The story keeps you engaged. this was my first King book and most definitely am a fan now. I am ready to move on to another King story. I enjoyed every page of this book. A must read.

I read it years ago and it was just exciting again

so excited about the new ending it was amazing I think that it should be more

Damn

I always shunned Mr Kings work thinking simply he sucks but after the Stand I would say that I was wrong. Sorry Steve.

Masterpiece

It was a great book, like a movie.

Best rendition of the stand, would read more.

Amazing story

I can’t belong that it has taken me this long to get into Steven king. This book is an amazing entry point to his works. Would highly recommend.

It's long but really says something

I have to say I already loved the 90's miniseries and pretty much loathe the negativity of the CBS miniseries remake. Well after hearing the book I can say neither of those adaptations were entirely on the ball but the original captured the spirit much better. Back to this, its an uncut novel which was updated somewhere in the 90's from the original cut in the 70's. That means there will be areas which you may feel would be better cut such as lengthy looks into the character's and their histories.

The oral reader did a fine job and was easy to follow so I wasn't feeling lost at any time during the story. Definitely worth the Audible credit and honestly I'll probably listen to it again. I did find myself thinking a lot about how King described the characters were "charging their batteries" and how he linked it to various practices with tribesman and religions going back centuries. Have I ever felt like that? Would I want to take the chance? Would it open up a larger world like it seems to? It's just one part of this large book which resonates with me.

Hopefully you enjoy it, just be warned it is 'uncut' for a reason. A shorter version really may be your preference as its more concise and doesn't meander about with this and that.

What a fantastic reader!

The actor who read this truly marathon piece was masterful! Every character could be identified vocally. I could see them in my minds eye. Excellent work! Time for a raise, sir!

Great Listen

Lover it, very easy to listened to...made me want to watch both television versions. Enjoyed the narrator.

This is the second or third time through this one.

The Stand is a classic Steven King novel and this is I believe the longest of all? Look, if you are paying by the word, you will not feel cheated. It is a typical good vs evil storyline, with lots of rich characters.

Enthralling Experience

I loved the expanded version of the book. The detail and depth of story was so engaging and nail-biting!