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.