Love it, love it, love it

If you could sum up The Stand in three words, what would they be?

What a story

What other book might you compare The Stand to and why?

It stands alone, with over 100 books in my library to date this is by far the best written book and narrated I have had the pleasure of listening. There are some great non-fiction but this is the best.

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

The best reader by far, he has a pleasing voice, a great ability to adapt his voice to the scenes and makes you feel as addicted to his narration as the written word. He seems to give the emotion, the tension and the horror that perfect weight. No reader could feel that emotion so perfectly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, addictive, so very descriptive and so wonderfully interwoven I think I would scream if I never heard it. The story is brilliant. I have heard that Mr king does not think this his best, it may not be but to me it is. I feel a strong emotion at his descriptive abilities one of awe, one of jealousy at such power and one of pleasure to be guided by an incredible writer and ably assisted by a suburb narration. I feel the evil in Harold, the confusion in Nadine, the fear in Fanny expertly expressed by Grover Gardner. The story does anger me for some events I find shocking but then that's the greatest ability of a writer to bring out not theirs but your own emotion.

Any additional comments?

This should be in every audible member's library. It's long but it's as Tom might say 'M O O N and that spells incredible'

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Good story, but not as epic as expected

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I would. The novel has a good premise and deep characters. It is definitely worth a read just to witness their struggles in the wake of a world-destroying plague. Every character has their flaws and it is interesting to see the choices they make in the face of the battle between good and evil.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Perhaps a more climactic ending. The ending to the book did come together quite seamlessly, however it just felt that there was a lot of buildup to something that didn't really deliver as expected. The epicness expected just wasn't there. Flagg is an interesting villain, but not the big bad boogeyman he could have been. At times his demeanor is more comical than fearsome. Whilst I understand this underlines his more psychotic moments, I felt it took a little of the menace away from him.

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

Gardner's performance is done very well. I have no criticisms besides the fact that he isn't as talented as other narrators I've heard when it comes to giving life to a massive cast of characters. But he did well enough.

Did The Stand inspire you to do anything?

Not really.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Great book well read

Where does The Stand rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a great story which I first read in high school. The reader is really great and adds a lot to the story.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Long but awesome

What did you love best about The Stand?

The overall story. And how King has made it fit within today's religious ideology.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stu Redman, the good guy and hero - one of them anyway.

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

Great animation and acted out voices of the different characters. Really enjoyed listening to his narration of the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end, when the dog stayed to help stu.

Any additional comments?

Great story, I saw the movie years ago and wanted to listen to the book. I think the book is much better, although I now want to watch the movie again after listening to it. I understand that a new remake of the book is coming out in 2013 as a new movie. Should be interesting.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Post Pandemic Epic

Flawed people, trying to survive in a world where flu is wiping out cities, drawn into a battle of good versus evil. The magnus opus of a born storyteller, this unabridged version is as relevant now as when it was first published. Superb narration brings the many characters to life and the hours fly fast. I've read the book several times. Now I'll be able to listen many more times. Use that credit on this one. M O O N that spells brilliant... once you've heard/read it you'll understand.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Stand By Me

Y'all, let me tell you 'bout "The Stand" by Stephen King. This book is a true masterpiece of horror fiction, a magnum opus that will leave you breathless from beginning to end. I first read this when I was about 13 or 14 I guess (must have been before 1986, because we were still living in "the old house" an me lying on the couch in the living room, reading it, but I digress).

The characters in this book are some of the most fully realized and complex that I have ever encountered in my long career as a constant reader. From Stu Redman to Frannie Goldsmith, each one of them is so finely drawn that they practically leap off the page and into your heart.

And the story itself? Well, let me just say that Stephen King has outdone himself here. "The Stand" is a tour de force of apocalyptic horror, a tale of good versus evil that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

But what really sets this book apart, in my humble opinion, is the sense of dread that permeates every page. King is a master of atmosphere, and the world he creates in "The Stand" is one that is at once terrifying and all too believable.

So if you're looking for a book that will keep you up at night, that will make you question everything you thought you knew about the world around you, then look no further than "The Stand." This is Stephen King at his very best, and it doesn't get much better than that.

an epic tome!

I have read this book many many times over the last 25 yrs. It remains an epic masterpiece!

Great story great narrator

Scary, gory at times but gripping story which does a good job in touching on human behaviour laced with fantasy and American style superstition

The best off Stephen King

I don't know how many times I've read this book and probably will listen even more now that I have it on audio. My favorite King book.

the master at work

This is one of the best novels I have ever read and listened to. What a journey these characters are taken on. Dark, funny, gripping.