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?

Dh just brought me a first edition, first print of the running man best present ever!

I heard Pennywise was going to be an actor I couldn't remember so I googled "actor with the eyebrows" and it did come up :o

I'd prefer Skarsgaard though, maybe it's been recast!

I got a copy of the uncut version of The Stand when it came out. It spoiled the story for me. I think the editing of the original version was a lot better as the story got a bit long in the tooth in the uncut version.

The Regulators/Desperation, have you read those?

My worst bit of the Dead Zone is when Johnny holds the scarf that belonged to the man who died in the quicksand I remember the letter the father wrote to Johnny after the fire too.

SK is often prescient in his books. Remember Cain Rose Up? And Rage?

I once read Mrs Todd's Shortcut to a boyfriend. He said it was boring. I knew he had to go

I love Mrs Todd's Shortcut!

DDad and I share our love of SK.
Dad only uses his mobile phone while on holiday and then I get texts saying things like THE SPARROWS ARE FLYING AGAIN and nothing else.
He says that if he ever goes into a care home, I've to check for a cat..

That is fab Catz! I wish I had someone in RL to talk to about books like that. DH will read stuff I give him (he is well behaved like that) but he just wouldn't do King, I know it isn't his thing. I am pinning my hopes on the DC, I am SO happy they are complete bookworms. They both read about six at a time too and leave them lying around all over the place, which drives me mad. DH says it is karma

catz I developed my love for SK through my stepdad. My mum is forever rolling her eyes at us when we get into one of our conversations

My eldest blames The Dark Tower series for the fact that she only got a B in her Maths GCSE!

MilkGoatee - Tak!
I like both. I can't remember how he came to write them both? (I know one was Bachman and one was King but that's all..)

Short story fans, an off topic question: has anyone read John Wyndham's story Survival, in the Seeds of Time collection? It's absolutely fucking chilling.

DM and DH despair when DDad and I talk SK. It's like we have our own language. We have a long standing agreement that each will believe the other if we say something weird has happened.
DDad is the same age as SK and is equally as cool IMO. They disagree on the Beatles v Stones argument though.

I am finding my Kindle v expensive. I have bought 67 books so far this year. DH is regretting buying it for me.

There are other ways to get books, but, er, they are not completely legal

I would recommend the Dark Tower series wholeheartedly to anyone who loves SK. I was so dubious about it as I don't like fantasy and don't like Westerns. But it was totally engrossing and I loved the way it made sense of so many other books of his. So to anyone not sure, give it a go (and don't be put off if The Gunslinger doesn't do it for you as the rest of the books are quite different).

Right, Constant Readers. Anybody wish to join me in a challenge? To re read every single SK book right from his very first book.

Anyone up for it?

Loving the cupboards, I might have to rejig my shelves so they're all together!

puffy, I would dearly love to but that's a challenge I am saving for my retirement

I would love to but I think my 10 month old will destroy any hope of that. I don't get enough sleep as it is and I'm not one who falls asleep easily while reading. .I always think "just one more page" or "just to the end of this chapter"

I've just started Dr. Sleep and want to get onto Joyland and Mr. Mercedes (my reading time has been shot the last 4 years between kids and my Masters). But I would love to read them all again. :) (Although you can't get Rage anymore).

As for kindle, my father just got the unlimited account. $9.99 (US) a month and you get to download about 90% of their books. I doubt the newest SK will be included, but I bet you a lot of his old ones are.

What about his books of short stories? I have just started Bazaar of Bad Dreams.

I'm 2 stories into bazaar of bad dreams. I am trying to read whenever I get a chance. I usually take it into the bath when DP is here. But he thinks ten minutes is long enough in the bath and comes to get me stating the kids want me to do bedtime or they want a hug or a story. So I end up reading the gruffalo instead...

I'm sincerely hoping to be done the other two in time to read Bazaar of Bad Dreams when I go to Sri Lanka at Christmas. short stories are great for holidays. :)

Thefitfatty, you can get Rage in the Bachman Books collection.

Ooh, only just saw this thread, I hope I'm not too late! Another Constant Reader here. My Dad lent me Pet Semetary when I was about 14 and I couldn't put it down - you know, getting dressed one handed with the book in front of your face sort of thing! I'm with you all on not liking that one so much now.

Agree with Pepe, definitely persist with The Dark Tower books. I'm just psyching myself up to read them again. Love those, along with The Talisman (the hairs go up on my arms just thinking about Wolf) and Insomnia and The Stand. Actually, and lots of others - but I'll be here for hours! Favourite 'short' story definitely The Long Walk.

What about favourite characters? Fairly predictably, I love Wolf, Eddie and Oy, Ralph, Lois and Old Dor, Stuttering Bill, and Stu, Larry and Glenn. There are more, I know, but I'm at work and can't picture my shelves properly

Also wanted to join this excellent thread!

I remember reading Salems Lot on holiday at 15 years old, and being so scared I had to share a bed with my younger sister!

I love Cujo, needful things, rose madder, and It. And others I can't think of right now...

I've never read the stand so am thinking about getting it on my kindle, although I do find kindles frustrating as you can't flip back as easily as an actual book, which is something i think I'd need to do a lot with SK's books.

Could someone recommend a good SK audio book to start with too? I've seen 11/22/63 mentioned a few times. Never listened to an audio book before

Oh and I read pet cemetery for the first time when dd was about 3 years old. Some parts were miserable, and I was very aware that I would have felt very different about it had i read it before I was a mum.