The Stand or Bag of Bones

[mrchaos]

I am looking to start reading stephen king. I had read the gunslinger awhile ago, but found it too slow for my taste. I was going to continue reading the series, but I have been told that the ending is very anticlimactic and the tower was a dissapointment. So with that being said, I would like to read either the Stand or Bag of Bones.

Which one is the most exciting? I want a book with minimal slow parts so I can fly through it without setting it down.

Which one has a better story? (Which one has the more unexpecting twists or the best climax?)

Which one is scarier?

Thanks in advance for any help whatsoever.

[michal]

The Stand is way more epic, more complex and more thrilling, but it does take a while to pick up pace (well, did you see how LONG it is?) while bag of bones is a shorter tale and therefor gets moving pretty fast. If you're not worried about length though in my opinion there really is no place for comparison. Bag of Bones was a good story, but The Stand is unbelievable.

And my advice is: Read them both...

[Doc Wilson]

I agree with Michal, both are great, especially the Stand, but neither is likely to grab you from the first page. I didn't find the Stand slow at all but it is a huge sweeping epic.

I almost think one of his more focused "minor" novels would be a better choice if you are looking for non-stop action. Maybe Desperation or Cujo or even The Long Walk.

[GNTLGNT]

Gotta read The Stand! As for the DT series, you must just read for a pure mental adrenaline rush. Anti-climatic? There is such a thing as character and plot development. Not every page is going to slam the brains accelorator to the floorboard! Plus, don't take someone else's opinion-coz you know what they're like....

[frisbee]

Mrchaos - who told you the ending to DT was anticlimactic and a disappointment? I would disagree with that assessment completely. I liked Bag of Bones but I think The Stand is universally thought of as one of SKs truly great works. If you are looking for really scary you might want to consider IT as well.

[Spideyman]

Exactly with Michal said( AWMS). Many found the Gunslinger slow/ different than other SK books. But I strongly suggest you read on. Forget what you have heard about the ending and the tower. When it comes to the DT books, it is the journey not the ending that matters. You will become so attached to the characters. Make your own judgment of the series.

[Haunted]

If you want a classic story of the battle between good and evil with lots of wonderful, diverse characters The Stand is the one to read.

[mrchaos]

Thanks for the advice. I enjoy the other worldly concept the dark tower series brings to the table and I understand the story to get to the tower may be amazing. However, take the best story every created (LOST), Lost is amazing and the character development is perfect, but think about watching this whole series to find out that the ending is dissapointing or anticlimactic. Let's just hope that doesn't happen because there is only a handful of episodes left.

Okay back on the novel issue, I think I am going to read Bag of Bones first because it is shorter and I need to read a book for high school. I will probablly read the stand in the summer if I really enjoy Bag of Bones.

[SueC]

I have read both books but The Stand stands out in my memory more than Bag Of Bones. Both were very good but I can remember more of The Stand than Bag Of Bones, which tells me it's an excellent book. I recommend you read all of SK's books too!

[skyrow]

Well I TOTALLY disagree with the opinion that the The Dark Tower ended badly. In fact I think it was the perfect ending. I wish I could explain more but I do not want to ruin it for you, but trust about everyone on the board when we say "READ IT!"
As for the Stand and Bag of bones, I would say The Stand but it already looks like you've made up your mind.