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The Stand: Complete and Uncut Audiobook
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Plot Summary
This is how the world ends: with computer error in a Defense Department lab, and a million casual connections that make up the links in a deadly chain letter.
Here is the desolate landscape the next day: a new world with all its institutions destroyed, and 99 percent of the population dead. A world where a few terrified survivors take sides—or are taken. A world in which hope survives on the fragile shoulders of 108 year old Mother Abigail—and the greatest evil of the darkest nightmares is manifested in Randall Flagg, the dark man with inconceivable power and a deadly smile.
Originally published in 1978, The Stand is widely considered among Stephen King's greatest novels. However, it was incomplete—more than 150,000 words had been edited out of the original epic manuscript.
Now King's post apocalyptic tale of a land ravaged by disease and caught in a fundamental battle between good and evil is available in its entirety for the first time. The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition features more than 500 pages of previously deleted material, plus new material added by King as he reinvented his epic story for a new generation. New characters are introduced, and familiar characters are brought even more vividly to life. The beginning and ending are both new.
This new edition is King's gift to the countless fans who read or listened to the original version and wanted more. Those who are listening to The Stand for the first time will find an imaginative and haunting apocalyptic epic that tackles the issues that will determine the survival of mankind.
Stephen King is the author of more than fifty worldwide bestsellers. In 2003, he received the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives with his wife, novelist Tabitha King, in Bangor, Maine.
"This monumental work by Stephen King has many die-hard fans, maybe even we can all them a separate fandom group within the fans of Stephen King's readers. I prefer his other works, but appreciate the scope and scale of this post-apocalyptical saga. Unfortunatelly, the astonishingly huge number of characters, threads and places made it difficult for me to memorize all of them and follow when I was reading the paper version of this book years ago. In case of the audiobook, it's even more difficult. Narrator does a great job, but you need to have a truly wonderful memory (or know the story by heart) to really enjoy it. "
— Wojciech W. (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher 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 more than five hundred pages of 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 read The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King's gift. And those who are reading 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.
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Quotes
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“The extra 400 or so pages of subplots, character development, conversation, interior dialogue, spiritual soul-searching, blood, bone, and gristle make King’s best novel better still.”
— Publishers Weekly
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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A 1979 World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Novel
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An Oprah’s Book Club Selection of 20 Dystopian Novels Everyone Should Read
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New York Times Bestseller in Audio
The Stand Listener Reviews
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Jack, 4/10/2024
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Matthew M. , 1/2/2023
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Grady Holcombe, 7/1/2022
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sendie hutchinson, 4/24/2022
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" Decided to get this after watching the movie adaptation. Obviously....this was way better. LOVED the character history - Stephen King is incredibly talented in creating people/personalities. I will listen again at some time for sure. "
— Selina, 2/1/2022 -
" I am not a king fan, but this book is ok. Music references and humour reduces listener boredom of hearing about pandemic disease. As usual,King is “wordy “ . If you are not familiar with viruses and how they spread King provides a “lay person’s” background. It will keep you away from crowded places. Mask wearing is optional. The storyline is good (god) versus evil (devils). The good people are redeemed and will start the USA again in Maine or someplace in the western areas. The Stand is good beach reading with a warm Coors beer. "
— Dre, 5/9/2021 -
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Howard Brookshire, 10/3/2020
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Nicole Kurowsky, 11/23/2019
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Jason Adamo, 4/13/2019
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" Written as if you already new the characters. As if each one was someone you knew. Somehow you where related to each one of them. Steven has a way of pulling you into the ugly truth & beauty of the human soul. "
— sarah, 1/20/2019 -
" As one of the first books I ever read by Stephen King I have to say that it’s good and full of juicy side stories and tangents, but it’s missing a little something…Maybe the problem is me: I always want more. He really lets us make up our minds on this one, on the whole good vs evil thing. His story is an itty bitty piece of a much larger puzzle and I would have wanted more on the “world” scale. "
— Marie, 1/25/2018 -
" Hands down my favorite book of all time. Was fun to revisit this after 20 years in an audio version. The narrator does an excellent job. "
— JT, 11/25/2017 -
" THRILLING! This was not only my first audiobook on this site but my first Stephen King book. I was hooked immediately and have purchased several others just from the description. None of them have disappointed. With a 40 minute one way commute to work, the time flies by and I find myself sitting in the parking lot just to listen to one more track. I am HOOKED! "
— Vickie Watts, 8/18/2017 -
" Grover Gardner's reading of The Stand was the first audiobook I ever listened to! I was just taken away. With his narration I could see the characters in my mind. He is a joy to listen to. I have heard this book 4 times now! I hope to hear more from him in the future. "
— April, 6/24/2017 -
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Lisa Allison, 12/18/2015
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Gerald Eskilsen, 8/21/2014
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" It's showing its age by now - but what a grand and sweeping gesture on King's part. "
— Ron, 2/20/2014 -
" This still endures as my favourite Stephen King novel. "
— Lennie, 2/15/2014 -
" One of the best post-apocalyptic novels there is. Period. "
— Kim, 2/12/2014 -
" Stephen king ......one of the greatest writers of characters ever....fact "
— Sandra, 2/11/2014 -
" Best book I have ever read.... Twice. "
— Vicki, 2/1/2014 -
" I started the book off with the flu and finished it with a completely different flu. Amazing read! It had a dry spell for maybe 100 pages but overall, unputdownable! "
— Lisa, 1/28/2014 -
" Talk about an epic novel. I liked it but didn't really think it was as awesome as everyone else did. "
— Dave, 1/22/2014 -
" What a great book!! Very long but was like reading a trilogy in one book. Well worth the read. I'm a bit of a germ freak so I had a hard time reading it at first. Especially since I had a cold. Amazing book!! "
— Muschicktang, 1/20/2014 -
" This still ranks as the scariest book I have ever read. "
— Colleen, 1/17/2014 -
" One of my favorite books from this author. Even though it is a large book, it held my interest. Great read. "
— Vanessa, 1/14/2014 -
" Probably the book that made me a reader maaaaany years ago. "
— Peggy, 1/10/2014 -
" In my top ten of all times. "
— Sonia, 1/9/2014 -
" Cause it was Stephen King I couldn't give it the 5 - but I couldn't put this down! "
— Jem, 12/26/2013 -
" So the only reason I only gave it three stars instead of 4 is that it SCARED ME. It was a completely engaging read and kept me turning the pages...even though holy crap there are a lot of them. My first Stephen King book. "
— Leah, 12/12/2013 -
" Apocalyptic tale of man kinds near extinction at the hands of Captain Trips - a man made super virus. Survivors are hurled into a classic battle of Good vs Evil. A riveting story that won't let itself be put down. "
— James, 11/24/2013 -
" I still love this book so, so much. Yes, there is a magical negro (and really, can it be a Stephen King novel without one?) but it's still so, so good after all this time. "
— Vernieda, 11/22/2013 -
" Really long "
— Ryan, 11/6/2013 -
" In my humble opinion, Stephen King's best work. "
— Tammie, 10/2/2013 -
" Go read "The Passage" and "The Twelve." King is a pulp writer, at best. A heretic I might be, but I don't get what people see in him. I look at the time I spent reading this as time wasted. "
— Edward, 8/19/2013 -
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Teresa Bahr, 4/25/2013
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" First read in 1980 or early 80's and have re-read several times since. "
— Laura, 4/19/2013 -
" While incredibly long, this is a clear, exciting foray into the subject of biological horror for Stephen King. I managed to finish this in only a couple weeks. The main characters are kept to a minimum, while the threat of society caving in on itself remains high throughout. "
— Chris, 11/27/2012 -
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Patricia McLaughlin, 10/9/2012
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" I'm not good with writing reviews. There's not many a Stephen King book I can put back down after picking it up. This was no different. I've read it over and over at different points in life. Very drawing. "
— Scott, 7/22/2012 -
" As usual Stephen King writes a great book overall in his style; slow at first but then a powerhouse ending. I would say by far one of the best endings in a book i've read thus far. "
— Shaun, 6/27/2012 -
" Omigod, this is the best book I ever read...I read this when I was still in High School and it has stuck with me my whole life! "
— Gina, 6/2/2012 -
" I have read this book 7 or 8 times. I love it. It was my summer reader every year until school got too demanding. No more school and I have The Stand fever!!! :) "
— Arafel, 6/2/2012 -
" In it's original version this book made a huge impact on me as a teenager in the '80s. Rereading it now? It's long, Law's knows it's long! M-O-O-N spells disappointing. "
— Philip, 5/9/2012 -
" My fave all time King novel. "
— Chris, 2/17/2012
About Stephen King
Stephen King has written more than sixty books, many hitting the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. He has won the World Fantasy Award, several Bram Stoker Awards, and the O. Henry Award for his story “The Man in the Black Suit.” He is the 2003 recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and in 2007 he received the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. His epic works The Dark Tower and It are the basis for major motion pictures.
About Grover Gardner
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.