Audiobook Review: The Stand by Stephen King

The Stand by Stephen King
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Length: 47 hrs and 52 mins


Date Read: May 2013

Genre: Horror, Post-Apocolyptic

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.
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.(

Audio Rating: 5.00

First Thought When Finished: This is a ReRead for me but the first time on Audio! I loved it even more if that makes sense 🙂 Still DISLIKE Frannie to the nth degree though 🙂

Story Thoughts: OMG! This is exactly the kind of story that keeps me up at night! A Plague–it is possible!People with natural immunities? TOTALLY going to happen. How those people act, carry forward, recreate society, and react to each other is where the real story lies. How does one rise from the ashes of the world that they knew and thrive in the world that now is? The journey is amazingly complicated and in this case wonderfully told. Stephen takes it a step further adding an almost paranormal aspect to the story involving dreams and a bigger presence guiding both sides. I was enthralled from the beginning to the end even though this is my 5th reread of the story. Each time I pick up on something new! This was the first time I have listened to it on audio and wow that just added an extra layer of perception. This is just one of those stories that you have to experience for yourself.

Character Thoughts: Just going to say it: There were people on both sides that I loved and people on both sides that I couldn’t tolerate. It seems strange to say that I loved a few people in Flagg’s crew but I truly did. I can also say that I truly wished bad things on Frannie or at least for someone to find some gags to shut her whining up. I think the most fascinating thing about the bulk of the characters is that no matter what side, they weren’t all that different from each other. They each were full of good and bad. I do think Stephen King was a little rough on the women but overall this was a fantastic character study of society and the people in it!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Grover Gardner / Running Time 47 hrs and 52 mins

Grover did a fantastic job with what had to be a huge undertaking! He made the whole 48 hours enjoyable. He had a 1000 different tones and voices. Each character was unique and that is saying a lot for a story that has over 20 of them. I really recommend The Stand on Audio if you have the time and are willing to make the commitment. It was a wonderful production.

Final Thoughts: This is a wonderful story that will make you think!

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Felicia S

Blogger at Geeky Bloggers Book Blog

Felicia is just your average gal from Texas that loves Audiobooks and Libraries with a passion! She can wine them, dine them, and love them forever. Her eclectic reading tastes include: Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers, Swoon-Worthy Romance of all kinds, Zombies, Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and the occasional YA read.

During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.

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