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.

[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 'cause at this rate, that's about when I'll be done.

[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.