How did I not know this about The Stand?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I have a copy from 1978. It is my all time favourite book.

Why did I not know that it was released as an abridged version? I've just discovered that there are about 300 pages missing that are included in a version released in 1990.

I feel like I've stepped into an alternate reality - how did I not know this?

Is there anything else I'm missing, any secret books that SK wrote that I've somehow not come across?

I loved Firestarter. I read it on a wet holiday in Wales aged about 13, and read it again and again. And Thinner is excellent too, from that period.

I've just finished Mr Mercedes. It didn't grab me like some of the others but I found the bit with Brady and his brother nearly unreadable. Even a monster can be made sympathetic in the right hands, and I think that is what SK does so well.

My mum got me into Stephen King when I was a teenager! She loved spooking the endings though! Grr!
I loved the Stand. Loved IT too but refuse to watch the film! Thought the ending was weird, but I still enjoyed it!
The girl who loved Tom Gordon was wonderful! He paints an amazing picture in every story and I can picture the events unfolding perfectly. The boy in IT getting attacked by the bugs from the fridge was terrifying!

I love his short stories, so night shift, esp Quitters Inc, and from a Buick 8 are favourites of mine.

I also loved Rose Madder! What a woman! Had to put it down after the coat hook incident and gather myself for a few weeks!

Mum and I would argue who got to read the green mile instalments them first!

I haven't read any of the dark tower series though. Not sure why...

I did enjoy Cell, but felt the ending was a little meh.
Enjoyed Doctor sleep & Duma Key and most books he writes. They're like putting on a familiar coat :)
Keep meaning to buy the JFK book but this has inspired me to re-read what I have!
Mum told me she loved Bag Of Bones, but having tried 3-4 times, I can't get into it...

Spooking = spoiling!!

One of my favourite bookshelves

In fact you've inspired me to work my way through them again!
I have another shelf full too, but it's bastardised by some Karin Slaughter

This makes me want to read Firestarter again. It really is so good.

I love the farmer who picks Andy and Charlie up while they're hitchhiking and gets caught up in the whole mess. I like the ordinary common people doing the right thing, thing :o And the last few paragraphs are so simple and satisfying. "I've got something to tell...and something to show."

Ah, here it is. LOVE.

Hello my people

What has everyone thought of the Bill Hodges trilogy? I loved Mr Mercedes, enjoyed Finders Keepers but have to confess I was a leetle disappointed by End of Watch.

I love Firestarter too... Love how she never loses faith in her Daddy

I was introduced to someone at Uni by a bossy hall rep who noticed we both had a number of SK books on our shelves. Over 20 years later that other SK fan is still my best friend. We both really loved (and still love) The Dark Half. We saw him speak st the Royal Festival Hall back in the late 90s.

I'll have to give Duma Key another go. It didn't grab me the first time.

One of my favourite books by SK is one he wrote under the name Richard Bachman. There are 4 stories that make up the book, The Long Walk, The Running Man (not anything like the movie - it's fantastic!), Rage and Roadwork.

I also really like The Dark Half and Christine.

I have an entire bookcase of King's books - every single one of them. It's probably the thing 'd most want to rescue if the house caught fire!

My people! I love Stephen King.

I don't have much chance to read at the minute though as I have a non sleeping 10 month old.

Don't say that about End of Watch :( is it worth precious suitcase room?

Hushabye, I love that book too. Running man is so desperate and we edge ever closer to it.

Me too, I liked the Richard Bachman books. Wasn't there one that crossed over, the sequel was a Stephen King?

So happy that there are so many other King fans...I normally get funny looks from people if I say I like him. I've been reading him since I was a teenager and have every book he's ever written - even randomness like a serialised book he published online called The Plant. Glad I'm not alone :)

'The Long Walk' is superb - one of the most terrifying things I've ever read.

The Jaunt...

'It's longer than you think dad'

That has freaked me out since I read it donkeys years ago!

Just how long was it?

I absolutely love The Stand - it has to be my most read book.

Needful things I enjoyed as well, something about that book stayed with me. Also I agree with PP I used to read Pet Semetary a lot but since having a child I just can't imagine reading it again.

Oh my Lord MrJolly! I'd forgotten all about that story. "Longer than you think, Dad! Longer THAN YOU THINK!"

Speaking of his short stories have any of you read the Gingerbread Girl? I love that. I remember laughing out loud at one line even though the concept is terrifying. I really enjoy some of his non-supernatural stuff like that and the aforementioned A Good Marriage :)

All his books with kids are different after children, yes! I loved the Shining (still do) but I remember getting really upset the first time I read it post-DC. I was just like "get him out of there!"

One of Tabitha King's characters mentions Dick Hallorann and then casually says that he's dead. I cried.

The Long Walk was a hard read but worth it! Really a horrifying concept

Love his short stories, sometimes really in your face but at others just hints of what could be.

I find there is something different to like about each of his books, he doesnt stick to the same format, he takes the 'normal' and makes it abnormal, slightly scary with a hint of what might be to come, or truely terrifying and a 'normal' person into a monster or a hero/heroine to others or themselves they didnt know they could be.

Yay, the King board is still going!

I just read Mr Mercedes and loved it. I loved how the suspense came from how the Killer and the detective were manipulating one another rather than from trying to work out who done it.

I think one of the reasons his books work so well is as you say willow , he finds the monstrous and the heroic inside normal people. I always found the scariest part of IT was the complicit adults who turned a blind eye to what was going on, especially when Ben is being harassed by Henry Bower and the neighbour across the road just gets up and goes inside instead of helping. Shudders