Spoiler: Possibly not the best to read “The Stand” at the current moment if you know the premise.

The plot centres on a pandemic of a weaponized strain of influenza that kills almost the entire world population. The few survivors, united in groups, establish a new social system and engage in confrontation with each other.

So if you have not read it and think it might stress you out, please don’t read it right now… however disclaimer is that just the beginning is about a pandemic and the rest is about rebuilding society and the struggle of light vs dark.

This book might be my favourite King book, only rivalled by IT. The characters go on such a journey and it is something that people think about often – the whole end of the world thing. I think what makes this book actually scarier than something like the apocalypse, is that the people are alone in a big city, and things are quiet. Like with Larry Underwood in New York City and how he and Rita have to leave before midsummer sets in and people start to… you know… grossness. If you want to experience terror, then read the part when Larry has to go through the Lincoln tunnel leaving NYC. Man.

I think it is amazing the whole “light vs dark” aspect of the book as when you meet Randall Flag, the charming antagonist, the way his set-up runs flawlessly in Las Vegas (where else) must be incredibly attractive, he has the lights on and food. Whereas in the Boulder-free Zone, it takes them a lot longer to get the lights back on. It is a tough read in places, especially if you get attached to some characters (mistake with my man, Mr King), but overall the story is uplifting towards the end.

As a novel, I rate this one seriously highly, but again, don’t read it if you think it will make you bleak.

The new miniseries is coming out in December and I can’t wait!

So, let me lay this out for you, I love Stephen King, like… I remember first reading his book Cujo when I was like 12 and was obsessed with his style of writing and the genuine terror he delivers. Since then I have read:

• The Stand (3 times)
• Salem’s Lot
• IT (about 4 times)
• Under the Dome
• The Shining
• Mr Mercedes (Granted, not a horror title)
• 11.22.63 (another non-horror)
• The Mist

So let’s just say that fan… might be an understatement, more Mr King book reviews to follow.

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