Uncut version vs. original version

[Ophelia]

Hi, all. I ordered The Stand via amazon.com and realized that what I have is the "for the first time complete and uncut" version and not the original version.

Was this a mistake? Is it a waste of time to read the whole uncut version? Are there unnecessary parts? Do the extra parts make it better?

I plan on reading the version that I have, but I'm just curious.

[Moderator]

The version published in 1978 is no longer in print so you would have to buy a used copy to get that one. Depending upon how you define it, the "original" version, i.e. not the one Doubleday edited when it put out the 1978 edition, is the complete and uncut version published in 1990.

[bluespider]

Well if you read A preface in two parts at the beginning,i think it explains pretty well why it was cut in the first place.
i think it s always better to read something the way it was born and the way the author intended it.
considering that the reason for cutting it was purely " at the behest of the accounting department " i would say the edition you have, is what Sai King meant to publish.
said so, i read the cut edition when it first came out and it could surely work the way it was cut, well, he did a great job.
but IMO the uncut one is more complete, it helps to define better the characters, while you are looking at their actions and reactions.
just to add more spice to the stew, i would say

[Ophelia]

Thanks, you two! I will gladly read the one I have.

[LauraJo]

What are the main omissions from the original version?? I'm just curious...i've only read the uncut version and dont know what I'd cut!

[JohnDalglish]

What are the main omissions from the original version?? I'm just curious...i've only read the uncut version and dont know what I'd cut!

Hi,

From memory, the entire episode with The Kid is missing. and also much of Frannie's discourse with her mother.

Long days and pleasant nights

[aeroplane]

The Nick Andros story (from the early chapters) is also shortened, as well.

A lot of stuff is trimmed a little but the chapters with The Kid and Fran are the most noticeable.

[teejay17]

I've never read the shortened version, but the Uncut is kick-ass.

[Adrian]

I have the uncut version, yeah.
Its much better.

[hesterloli]

Careful this has a spoiler. Read at your own Risk.
:down:
One of the major differences between the original version and the uncut version is that in the original version Randal Flagg dies. In the uncut version he escapes. Actually this bothers me. I did not like the way the original version ended. It was a cop out and was a let down for such a long story. But then to hear that Flagg now survives really come on! I think King needs to take that Deau ex machina that he discusses in Misery to heart.

[amcbride]

Careful this has a spoiler. Read at your own Risk.
:down:
One of the major differences between the original version and the uncut version is that in the original version Randal Flagg dies. In the uncut version he escapes. Actually this bothers me. I did not like the way the original version ended. It was a cop out and was a let down for such a long story. But then to hear that Flagg now survives really come on! I think King needs to take that Deau ex machina that he discusses in Misery to heart.


I have read only the uncut version, but I liked the ending where Flagg seems to dissappear

Flagg has traveled throughout many worlds and times and has bred his evil wherever he goes, and he always able to "escape" or fade away when he has to, I think this is what makes Flagg my favorite King villian. Have you read "The Eyes of the Dragon"? that book really explains Flagg's abilities and I think it will justify the ending of The Stand a little better, I know it does for me.

[Pucker]

I've been perusing a bunch of these threads concerning the resolution (or lack thereof) in The Stand and i am amazed at the number of frustrated references to Deus ex Machina in this story.

Did I miss something?

Was not the entire saga and everything in it precisely and to the exclusion of all other things about "The Hand of God" and how people respond to it (or don't)?

Complaining the Deus ex Machina in The Stand seems to me about along the same line as opining that the ocean is pretty wonderful, except for all the water.

[GNTLGNT]

Uh-huh, and air is pretty good except for all those pesky oxygen molecules...and now my vote-always go for the heavier book-means more deep and weighty thoughts are included.:grinning:

[SanDimas1988]

I'm re-reading the uncut version now. I haven't read this version in years. About two years ago however I read the edited version. Right now I'm on page 551, Chapter 47 of the uncut version. I don't remember this chapter in the edited version. Fran and company are stopped whist driving and a shootout ensues. Is my memory poor and this wasn't in the edited version, or was this whole chapter omitted?

[muskrat]

I'm re-reading the uncut version now. I haven't read this version in years. About two years ago however I read the edited version. Right now I'm on page 551, Chapter 47 of the uncut version. I don't remember this chapter in the edited version. Fran and company are stopped whist driving and a shootout ensues. Is my memory poor and this wasn't in the edited version, or was this whole chapter omitted?

Yeah, the shootout (one of my favorite scenes) was cut from the edited version. I read the complete version first and then years later found an original copy of the NAL paperback at a yard sale and bought it because I liked the cool, blue skyline cover. Then, out of morbid curiosity, I read it. Shocking how all my favorite scenes were the ones that got axed.

[king family fan]

I have read both and I think I like the uncut version better.Tells me Harold was eating Milky Ways. LOL

[Checkman]

What I find interesting is that in the 1978 version The Kid was turned into a dirty old man. Also there are differences in some of the dialoge . In some cases names are changed in the 90 version. Don't know why. I looked for the 1978 edition for several years and finally found one a couple of years ago in a local used bookstore. Very difficult to find the 1978 version anymore. I have a feeling fans and collectors have hoarded them.

[popsqueak]

I found the CUT EDITED version of The Stand in a 2nd hand bookshop today, I grabbed it as it's hard to find I have been told. I am reading the Uncut version right now though

[Checkman]

I found the CUT EDITED version of The Stand in a 2nd hand bookshop today, I grabbed it as it's hard to find I have been told. I am reading the Uncut version right now though

Good call. It is hard to find. I suspect the copies have been hoarded by collectors and King fans. I paid $3.00 USD for the used copy that I found in a second hand bookstore. The edition I have was sold in 1988 and the original price was $4.95 USD. SO I paid alot for a used copy, but sometimes those are the things you do if you really want the item. That was two years ago and I have yet to come across another copy of the 1978 edition since.

[DebA913]

The copy of The Stand that I have is the 1978 version. I got it at a sale from a middle school that closed for $1.00. I had a copy of the uncut version once but I made the mistake of loaning out some of my books and never got them back:sad: :mad::grr: I also lost 4 other Stephen King books in that "incident" so needless to say, I no longer loan my Stephen King books to anyone. NO ONE:glare:!!!

[frisbee]

I didn't realize the cut version was so hard to find as I have had mine since around the time it came out. My 20 year-old daughter and I are both avid readers and are reading books together this summer. We just finished The Stand. It was interesting because I read the uncut version and she read the original version so I was able to kind of compare the two. Personally, I like the uncut version better because it keeps me in the story longer - but I am a SK nut. I think she appreciated reading the original version more.

[cullen fan]

I've only read the uncut version I enjoyed so much that I'm going to reead the uncut version nothing wrong with reading a book the way the writer intended.

[Sundrop]

IMO, the original is the uncut version......
You can't have an edited version without the longer, original version to cut in the first place.

[JohnDalglish]

IMO, the original is the uncut version......
You can't have an edited version without the longer, original version to cut in the first place.

Hi,

I see what you mean and that's true.

But the original PUBLISHED version had the edits that the publlisher insisted on for purely financial reasons.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Sundrop]

Hi,

I see what you mean and that's true.

But the original PUBLISHED version had the edits that the publlisher insisted on for purely financial reasons.

Long days and pleasant nights

Right you are, John. (that didn't taste too awful coming from my mouth) LOL

I do see what y'all mean.

[Checkman]

Shocking how all my favorite scenes were the ones that got axed.

I couldn't agree more. The chapter detailing what happens to some of the other survivors who don't make it more than a few days after the pandemic ends. The chapter with the firefight and the chapter showing the last couple days of modern civilization before the total collapse. That chapter is very Old Testament. I'm speculating here, but I wonder if those chapters were edited because they were considered to be too disturbing in a book with an already very disturbing storyline?

[since75]

I usually read The Stand at least once a year, and had the original 1978 edition until the new one came out, I remember being so excited when I got it until I realized that not only was more story added, but details which I had almost committed to memory had been changed (for no reason I could see) and it made me 'angry'! geesh, was that a run-on sentence or what? Anyway, what with candy bars being changed Payday from MilkyWay, dates being bumped up 15 years or so, car years and makes being changed, music acts changed and performers changed.. Madonna?Madonna?? Why? o why? was my favorite book of all time being changed like that, I wailed. Since I know nothing about the publishing process, it probably had something to do with making it 'fresh' for new readers. I understand that, but it was still upsetting. Yes, I am a spoiled wienie constant reader, but gosh darnit I just loved the original 1978 version so much.

[Atik]

When I first bought my copy of The Stand many years ago.I discovered that it was the uncut edition.I was mad.I read a lot of classical literature before I got into modern fiction.Well anyways in classic literature abridged versions take out of the enjoyment of the book.(some of the time at least to me anyways).So I told myself I would get the original version if I didn't like it.It turned out I didn't like it.I loved it.Though I think though if you already read the original you may not like at as much.
CHeers

[violetgoblin]

I adore the uncut version! The Kid part was awesome (please, please put it in the new movie...who could play The Kid? Any ideas???) and also the part about the 2nd death that occured after the first wave of folks were wiped out...so...chilling. Like how the devout Catholic killed himself by running to death after his family all died from Caption Trip.

[days be strange]

I read the uncut version.It was a beast of a book and well worth it.