Original Version vs. The Complete & Uncut Version

[fonzberry]

I was wondering what people thought about the Original Version of the Stand vs. the Complete & Uncut version?


I read the C&U Version a few years back, but honestly, I thought it was a bit too long winded. I am planning a re-read, and wondering if I should look for the original version, or stick with the C&U version.

What are your thoughts on the two versions?

Thanks!

-fz

[Moderator]

It might be interesting for you to read the 1978 edited version just so that you could compare and decide for yourself whether the parts that were restored should have been left out.

[fushingfeef]

The original is the one I first fell in love with, but when the expanded edition came out, that became the definitive edition to me from that point on. I'd agree with Ms. Mod on this one--give the original a try. Now more than ever, stories of post-apocalyptic America are as popular as ever. SK was ahead of his time on this one.

[Bryan James]

I recently finished the current 1439 page C&U paperback by Anchor.

It was not less by being more.

[AchtungBaby]

I have both versions. Complete and uncut, please!

[doowopgirl]

The 1978 version was my first read of The Stand, obviously and I loved the uncut version even more. To me the way SK explained it in the foreward summed it up perfectly and I didn't find it long winded, but hey that'd just me. Like Ms. Mod said it might be good for you to find an edited version and decide for yourself. I find Amazon very good for finding books that might not turn up anywhere else. Let me know how you get on.

[GNTLGNT]

...I am in the "more was better" camp...

[carrie's younger brother]

I read The Stand when it was first published in paperback in 1980 and then once again before the complete and uncut version was released. Just last night I decided to read the complete and uncut version and purchased it for my Kindle. I plan to start it within the next day or so. I'm not as fast a reader as I once was, but I will come back with my opinion once I am done. To be honest, I don't think i remember the original version well enough to know what is "new." I am very excited to reread this amazing book though.

[Jojo87]

I read the original one three years ago and liked it very much. But now when I read the uncut version I like it much more.
And I am almost in the end, only few pages left I've read a lot these last days because it's sooo good.

[JellybeanJay]

The complete version is the only one I have read so can't really give you a comparison :smile2:

[SharonC]

I bought the edited first version, and loved it but when the uncut version was published, I just found so much more to love. Certain characters were given more depth and others who were only mentioned in the first actually made an appearance. I guess what I'm trying to say here is the newer version had more meat in it.

[blunthead]

If memory serves it wasn't sK's idea to cut the original, and so the uncut version is what he had originally wished published. This means the uncut version is Stephen King's version, it is what the author himself calls The Stand. I haven't read the cut version, which I imagine is a great read, but I also imagine if I were to I'd miss the original, but that's just me.

[91rewoT]

First read the original 30ish years ago, then a few rereads before the uncut version was published. Love the uncut version, but think you should read the original, just because! M-o-o-n spells read-it!!

[do1you9love?]

I am one of the folks who read the original first and loved it. Then I found the uncut edition - which as mentioned above, was not the version SK intended. I loved that one even more because so many backstories are fleshed out.

My thoughts are, if you started with the uncut version and go to the original it will be the same feeling as watching a movie of a book you loved and realizing that important characters have mysteriously disappeared. I agree with others that you should read both, but I suspect that you will find yourself thinking, "But what about...?"

[ArthurMacArthur]

I'm reading the big one, and nary a word shouldn't be there..

[carrie's younger brother]

I read The Stand when it was first published in paperback in 1980 and then once again before the complete and uncut version was released. Just last night I decided to read the complete and uncut version and purchased it for my Kindle. I plan to start it within the next day or so. I'm not as fast a reader as I once was, but I will come back with my opinion once I am done. To be honest, I don't think i remember the original version well enough to know what is "new." I am very excited to reread this amazing book though.

I've been rereading The Stand since June 1, when I posted the above. As of today, I am ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH! Well, 51% through on my Kindle. What is wrong with me? I always tear through SK books, but I just can't seem to get into this reread of The Stand for some reason. My first reading was back when it was first published in paperback, so that would be 1980. I may have reread it once since then, but I cannot remember. On this reread though, there are parts where I love it and can't stop reading, but then I'll get to to other parts and I want to fall asleep (and I do!). Especially Frannie's diary. Boring.

I think part of the problem is that I keep seeing the characters as they are in the movie; and I do not like the movie at all (can't take a lot of the actors). I wish I could erase that memory and start fresh. Oh well. I am committed to finishing the book, so I'll check back sometime in December :biggrin2: 'cause at this rate, that's about when I'll be done.

[they all float down here]

I am in the "more was better" to i really love the uncut book

[Raggedy Man]

I have read both versions and if I had to choose one version I would choose the uncut version. Recently a friend of mine finished the uncut version and asked me about the differences which I could easily explain to her. A great book and the additional detail really completes the work in my opinion

[Skeletal_Dragon]

You know, funny thing. I was thinking about getting The Stand and found it at a resale shop just today. The one I got is the Complete and Uncut edition paperback by Signet. Is it really that good? I might just start reading it today for some fun.

[kimdriscoll]

I'm approaching about 75% finished, and I LOVE this book...Of course I have my favorite characters...Nick Andros being one of them...(and who couldn't adore Tom Cullen)...SK does an amazing job of drawing the reader in with worry and anticipation about the future...I cannot seem to read fast enough...

[weave9]

I read the original and then a couple of years latter the uncut came out and I read it. I started rereading the original a while ago and changed my mind to reread the uncut. Personally, I think if a person has never read it, they should go with the original first and then the uncut. On rereads, I sticked with the uncut, mainly because as I read the original, I kept missing all the parts that were added in on the uncut. It felt like I was reading a book that was missing pages.

[Tim D.]

Definitely the uncut version. When I first read The Stand in the 1980's I thought it was spectacular. It wasn't until I read the uncut version and saw all the things that were missing that I learned how great it truly was. I can't go back to the original version now. It feels like those folks at Reader's Digest have taken their scalpels to it.

[smooth operator]

When it comes to SK's work, especially The Stand, I always want more.

[Todash]

I've read only the unabridged one, but I recently obtained the original and will be reading that as well. From what I've seen thus far (I did a comparison of a few scenes), the 1990 version is more graceful, elegant, and enjoyable to read.