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Original poster

How did I not know this about The Stand?

174 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 11/06/2016 22:35

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?

OP posts:

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CheerfulYank · 22/06/2016 05:28

Has anyone read Owen King's work? I haven't yet. Or Joe's actually. I love some of Tabitha's! :)

Thefitfatty · 22/06/2016 07:06

I'm almost done Dr. Sleep and trying desperately not to read it while at work.

I was thinking last night, as I was worrying about Dan Torrences health, about how the ages of his main characters keep getting older as he does. His earlier books also had a bit more "romance" in them too, but his latest ones don't really have any at all.

YoGatoradeMeBitch · 22/06/2016 08:17

puffy I must admit part of my sex ed came from Herbert and Shaun Hutson. Hutson is gory and full of sex. As a teen I loved him!

I do agree Herbert's characters don't have the same depth to them as SK does. But he did something special with Fluke.

puffylovett · 22/06/2016 17:26

Blimey how could I forget Shaun Hutson! Wow what a blast from the past

Willow2016 · 22/06/2016 22:25

OMG Shaun Hutson. I remember reading 'Spawn' as a teen, creeped me out no end.

Willow2016 · 22/06/2016 22:35

Anyone else love Anne Rice books? The witches, vampires et all?
Like them all but especially loved 'Taltos' and 'Servant of the Bones' was a great story but also a horiffically sad tale.
Love the witches stories for their descriptions of New Orleans. made me wanna go there

God that was many moons ago!

Gowgirl · 22/06/2016 23:14

Anyone read riichard laymon as a teen
I swear those paperbacks fell apart after dooing the rounds of the whole year

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 22/06/2016 23:24

I used to read Richard Layman. I adore horror. But he was so gory and disgusting that I just gave up.

AllegraWho · 22/06/2016 23:53

I like some of Anne Rice's books, but she can be a bit hit and miss for me.

Want a bit of woo though? Two books I particularly remember reading when pregnant with DD. One was Tabitha King's Pearl, and the bit that for some reason really struck me was a character recognising Pearl because she, like her grandmother, has a different colour patch in one of her eyes.

DD has blue eyes with a brown patch in one of them.

Second one was , and that one spooked me right then aTaltosthene of the characters has (very unusual) first name that I intended to (and did) name DD.

AllegraWho · 22/06/2016 23:57

Sorry, my phone hates me tonight. Should read second one was Taltos, and that spooked me right then, because one of the characters has...etc.

WerewolvesNotSwearwolves · 23/06/2016 10:39

I have also been thinking quite a bit recently about how much Trump reminds me of Gregg Stilson. I haven't read any SK books in many years so wouldn't consider myself a fan, but it's funny how so many things from the books stayed with me.

scrogmog · 23/06/2016 17:27

Loving this thread. I read all his novels when i was young but had years where i read none. I recently read a few newer ones like dr sleep, under the dome, the jfk one and the boy working at the theme park one. Really enjoyed the jfk one and the tv series too. This thread has inspired me. I may re read every book he's written in order over the summer.

scrogmog · 23/06/2016 17:29

As for his son joe, not read any of his novels but i love locke and key so much i could kiss him!

Stokey · 27/06/2016 21:25

Interesting thread. I'm like a couple of others on here, read all the early stuff as a teen but haven't read anything since. My Dad had a Readers' Digest volume of Carrie, Salem's Lot and The Shining. I did revisit The Stand recently but much preferred the original cut version. Still one of the things he does so well is use music in his books. I can never hear Peaceful Easy Feeling with out thinking of The Stand. And Rocking Robin always reminds me of It.

So what's the best of his post 1990 oeuvre? The Kennedy one? Or should I jump into The Dark Tower?

scrogmog · 28/06/2016 08:48

I would say if your looking for horror/thriller type stuff like his older books go for the kennedy book. If you liked the fantasy and otherworld stuff from the older books (evil nemisis, pennywise etc. ) give dark towers a go. They were too fantasy based for me so i couldn't read em. But liked the kennedy one alot.

Thefitfatty · 28/06/2016 08:51

Mr. Mercedes is actually pretty good so far. So was Dr. Sleep. But I really liked the Kennedy one.

AllegraWho · 28/06/2016 10:42

Dark Tower is really worth a try. If you don't get on with them, then you don't.

Want proper scary horror? Duma Key and Lisey's Story. Enjoyed The Shining ? Then Dr Sleep. Prefer Cormoran Strike to Harry Potter? Mr Mercedes and Sequels. Not sure about any of it ? 11.22.63.

CalmItKermitt · 28/06/2016 15:52

I liked 11-22-63 but thought it was overly long. IMO he could have cut out half of the LHO stuff.

AllegraWho · 28/06/2016 15:55

I found the LHO stuff the best part

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/06/2016 17:11

Has anybody read, 'End of Watch' yet?

Ineedmorelemonpledge · 01/07/2016 07:59

Love the thread OP. I was a huge fan of the book.

So much so I have even been to Ogunquit beach.

My BF and I at the time (23 years ago) went on a driving holiday around New England. Went to so many places in Maine from his books. Absolutely loved it. I went to a bookstore in Portland and they were selling the signed unabridged hard back version there. In fact I'd say half the book store was dedicated to him.

Every time I'm in New York for work I think about the tunnel scene when I'm driving through it in a taxi.

I even splashed my hands in the fountains in Vegas singing "Cibola....bumpity bump"

DS is 11 and I'm quite excited about the fact that he can probably be introduced to a few of the tamer books. I read Carrie when I was his age, but I'm thinking maybe Tommyknockers?

I need to read it again just to check...

AllegraWho · 01/07/2016 12:03

DS is 11 and I'm quite excited about the fact that he can probably be introduced to a few of the tamer books. I read Carrie when I was his age, but I'm thinking maybe Tommyknockers?

You know your son best, but I really wouldn't (and this is from someone who grew up on much of the same horror that SK did, and suffered for it, lol).

I started my DD off on Eyes of the Dragon and Talisman.

Dead jealous of your Maine holiday - I'd really like to do that some day. And I genuinely LOLed at your Vegas antics. Hope you haven't blown anything up afterwards !

BTW, I agree with PPs that Trump is Stillson. Anyone else look at Farage speachifying and think "Walking Dude" ?

TheBriscoesLady · 04/07/2016 23:10

Misery! How has no one mentioned Misery?! Brilliant, gripping and also fabulous in the film version. Cathy Bates and James Caan were just so well cast.

Flipping well love SK.

Cary2012 · 06/08/2016 21:13

This thread got me thinking of my top five Stephen King reads: 1. The Stand, 2. Needful Things, 3.Salem's Lot, 4. Under The Dome, 5. Duma Key.

It was really hard to think of my faves, I absolutely worship this guy.

Also, The original Stand was edited heavily, and years later SK decided to issue the original in all it's brilliant glory.

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