On re-reading The Stand; How the epics changes, and how it changes us...

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

I am reading the amazing epic, The Stand, for my second time and have been deeply moved ( as I am sure many of us are) and impressed by the novel. The first time I read this book I was a teenager, and it helped guide me through my own 'dark and ominous tunnel', highschool. Yet upon re-reading I have found so many things that before went unoticed, unappreciated, and now as an adult following 'the gang' through their journeys, if you will, has affected me deeply. Given our current political and economic situation I think this book is a great lesson for all Americans, and people in general. The book has made me re-evaluate the trival things that seem so utterly important in life. It has caused me to see the world in a slightly differant, slightly darker, way, and I was wondering how this book has effected others? Any thoughts?

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Well, I consider it the greatest novel of the 20thC bar none.

And what you've said reinforces the fact that no other author benefits as much from a re-read as Sai King IMO.

And welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

Long days and pleasant nights

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

I certainly agree with you about The Stand's immeasurable value in the 20th century (and hopefully beyond)! I have remained in awe of King's unparalleled ability to so accurately capture in the written word the two most complicated of human emotions; love and hate, which are masterfully depicted in The Stand. Thanks for the response, and I look forward to chatting with you soon!

[Checkman]

As the years have gone by I've come to appreciate the character development. But I was seventeen the first time (1985) and I'm forty-one now. The book works on a different level now. Some novels dont' mature with the reader but this one has.

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

As the years have gone by I've come to appreciate the character development. But I was seventeen the first time (1985) and I'm forty-one now. The book works on a different level now. Some novels dont' mature with the reader but this one has.

I totally agree, what a truly amazing work that can continue to teach us things throughout the differant stages of life. A mark of a true masterpiece IMO.

[Checkman]

I like Stephen King, but I've always thought he does two things very effectively in his writing. One is character development or perhaps exposition is the word I'm looking for. One of the best (non creepy) parts of The Stand is when Mother Abigail is recalling when she performed at the Grange in the early 1900's. That is a beautifully written section. There are several sections in the novel that are like that.

It's one of the things that they captured so well in the movie versions of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile in my opinion.

The other thing he does is capture the sheer creepiness of the dark, empty hallway, the noise from the attic that may or may not be something and the feeling of terror that childhood fears can bring. Even if one is an adult sometimes the childhood fears can still have some bite.

In The Stand King is able to bring out all his heavy artillery. These are things that I have come to appreciate about his writing as I've gotten older.

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

I like Stephen King, but I've always thought he does two things very effectively in his writing. One is character development or perhaps exposition is the word I'm looking for. One of the best (non creepy) parts of The Stand is when Mother Abigail is recalling when she performed at the Grange in the early 1900's. That is a beautifully written section. There are several sections in the novel that are like that.
The other thing he does is capture the sheer creepiness of the dark, empty hallway, the noise from the attic that may or may not be something and the feeling of terror that childhood fears can bring. Even if one is an adult sometimes the childhood fears can still have some bite.

In The Stand King is able to bring out all his heavy artillery. These are things that I have come to appreciate about his writing as I've gotten older.


I totally agree, how masterfully he plays with our feelings of fear, love, pride. I still think Sai-King can capture the most difficult emotions to convey via word, love and hate, both of which he toys with in the scene at the Grange. An intresting parrelle is the nightmare she has later about the Grange performance, whoa, still get chills....Thanks for the thoughts Checkman, I like your style!

[michal]

The Stand was a special book for me. The many characters and their imperfectness echoed my own fears of not being Good enough, or Kind enough toward others. I was also fascinated by the idea of a Fresh Start for humanity with the inevitable conclusion, that very little changes because humans will remain human.

And of course you're right. This book has changed every time I read it, not because I discover new secrets within it, but because I discovered new ones within myself.

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

I couldn't agree with you more Michal, I love your point that the book does more than changes, it changes us...beautifully written might-I-Say, and I am looking forward to speaking with you more

[TheHardcase]

The first time I read this book I was a teenager, and it helped guide me through my own 'dark and ominous tunnel', highschool. Yet upon re-reading I have found so many things that before went unoticed, unappreciated, and now as an adult following 'the gang' through their journeys, if you will, has affected me deeply.

I think you've tapped into something fundamentally important with your comment above. IMO, The Stand is a transcendent masterpiece. A masterpiece, because of the incredible excellence in how SK crafted the tale and his penchant for detail without losing the flow of the story. Transcendent, because it truly is a story for all seasons, highlighting eternal truths, and challenges people wrestle with in their own lives.

I first read the book in the summer of 1992. I was 40 years old at the time, and was dealing with many of the common challenges people have to contend with at mid-life. What grabbed me right from the get-go was Larry Underwood's agonizing struggle with his character flaws as his integrity slowly, painfully emerged. I had my own version of this struggle going on at the time.

Since then, I've read the book another five times. During those excursion into SK's self-styled "dark tale of Christianity", the themes that jumped out at me were the resilience of the human spirit, the power of commitment, the price we pay when we truly confront evil in an uncompromising fashion, the transformational power of genuine faith.

It had to do with where I was in my own life when I re-read the book. The fact that the story is so rich with significant subtexts of this kind, and woven into to fabric of the tale in such a masterful way, speaks volumes about what an impactful story it is, and the genius of the author.

Truly, a book for all seasons, transcendent in the best definition of the word.


Given our current political and economic situation I think this book is a great lesson for all Americans, and people in general. The book has made me re-evaluate the trival things that seem so utterly important in life.

As it has for just about everyone who has taken the time to read it with insight and care. I can't think of a better definition of a masterpiece.

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

[QUOTE=TheHardcase;317529]
It had to do with where I was in my own life when I re-read the book. The fact that the story is so rich with significant subtexts of this kind, and woven into to fabric of the tale in such a masterful way, speaks volumes about what an impactful story it is, and the genius of the author.

Truly, a book for all seasons, transcendent in the best definition of the word.

QUOTE]
Beautifully articulated. King is so gifted in his ability to translate one ficticous characters struggles into an investigation into the human condition itself. I love your point about Larry's own struggle, and how they reflected your own. To me, Kings work has often been a mirror in which I can evalute my growth, my strength and most of all my weaknesses. Great point, and you speak true for that I say Thankee.

[Checkman]

I'm feeling philisophical. Here's a little something I posted on ''The Stand'' discussion group on the nature of evil and choices. Which I think is probably the main theme or is it thesis(?) of the novel.

Perhaps evil can't die. Perhaps it can't because , like air and water, it's a necessary part of our exsistence. That whole Yin & Yang thing. Evil is a rather banal thing as well. In my career filed I come into contact with people who haved done "bad" things.

I've joked around with a murderer, gotten a cup of coffee for a career criminal (an accomplished con artist) shook hands with a three-time loser/bank robber who was going to be extradited back to California to serve the rest of his life in prison and comforted a pedophile. I've shook the hand of a death row inmate (three victims to his name) and in the same prison stood alone amongst thirty some convicts with my badge hanging around my neck. I have to admit that last experiece was not very comfortable. Actually I was a little scared, but don't tell my fellow officers. :o

So what is evil? Well often the people who perpetrate evil acts are not very interesting. Many of them are rather dull (not stupid) and perhaps lacking in insight. Often they are people who failed to control themselves whne the moment arrived. Of course there are those who are just "wrong" as well. Who here (I assume) finds the idea of having sex with a thirteen year old girl or boy to be attractive?

Those folks are wrong. There is no rehabilitation for them because when they were made something was left out. The same with the death row inmate that I met. The guy writes poetry and he's pretty good, but he killed one of his victims with a sock full of flashlight batteries. That is not an impulsive action. That's a stone cold killer.

Now as a cop I interact with those folks in a different setting. I'm coming form a position of strength and authority. Even out in the street I have a couple guns, a Taser, pepper spray, a baton, handcuffs and a radio to call for more officers. Big difference from what their victims experienced. I actually find many of the so called "evil" people to be rather boring and tiresome. Boo hoo what about me. Many of them are very self-centered.

SK did a good job of showing how evil is a choice and both simultaneously complicated and simple in The Stand. It is terrifying, tedious, repulsive, and attractive. Comes down to choices.

[Ranger_Strider]

This is something real, I'd love to get more info from the inside of this simple idea: that evil is merely the low swing of the amplitude of existence. That you cannot attain any higher purpose without support from the low end. That evil is the basement that upholds good.
I'm feeling philisophical. Here's a little something I posted on ''The Stand'' discussion group on the nature of evil and choices. Which I think is probably the main theme or is it thesis(?) of the novel.

Perhaps evil can't die. Perhaps it can't because , like air and water, it's a necessary part of our exsistence. That whole Yin & Yang thing. Evil is a rather banal thing as well. In my career filed I come into contact with people who haved done "bad" things.

I've joked around with a murderer, gotten a cup of coffee for a career criminal (an accomplished con artist) shook hands with a three-time loser/bank robber who was going to be extradited back to California to serve the rest of his life in prison and comforted a pedophile. I've shook the hand of a death row inmate (three victims to his name) and in the same prison stood alone amongst thirty some convicts with my badge hanging around my neck. I have to admit that last experiece was not very comfortable. Actually I was a little scared, but don't tell my fellow officers. :o

So what is evil? Well often the people who perpetrate evil acts are not very interesting. Many of them are rather dull (not stupid) and perhaps lacking in insight. Often they are people who failed to control themselves whne the moment arrived. Of course there are those who are just "wrong" as well. Who here (I assume) finds the idea of having sex with a thirteen year old girl or boy to be attractive?

Those folks are wrong. There is no rehabilitation for them because when they were made something was left out. The same with the death row inmate that I met. The guy writes poetry and he's pretty good, but he killed one of his victims with a sock full of flashlight batteries. That is not an impulsive action. That's a stone cold killer.

Now as a cop I interact with those folks in a different setting. I'm coming form a position of strength and authority. Even out in the street I have a couple guns, a Taser, pepper spray, a baton, handcuffs and a radio to call for more officers. Big difference from what their victims experienced. I actually find many of the so called "evil" people to be rather boring and tiresome. Boo hoo what about me. Many of them are very self-centered.

SK did a good job of showing how evil is a choice and both simultaneously complicated and simple in The Stand. It is terrifying, tedious, repulsive, and attractive. Comes down to choices.

[Checkman]

Thank you Ranger Strider. That post took some effort. I've got a college degree (history) but I'm not a "Deep" thinker. I tend to like talking about movies, firearms and discussing such topics as whether Fran and Stu should have stayed in Boulder instead of cutting out on their own at the end of The Stand. When you start to get into more abstract topics I have to break a sweat. But I do have some real-world experience with those folks who take the darker route. I find that I don't hate them or look down on them. They are people who made their choices. I'm just one of the folks who has to deal with them - as imperfect as that might be somebody has to do it. But they do provide contrast. A few of them have made me think about myself and there have been a couple times in the past few years when I've made a better choice because of them. So there you go.