The Stand

The Stand is the fourth and longest novel by bestselling author Stephen King, who has written over 60 books to date, including such well-known titles as Carrie (1974), The Shining (1977), Pet Sematary (1983), Misery (1987), and The Green Mile (1996). It falls into the categories of post-apocalyptic science fiction and horror fantasy.

When originally published in 1978, The Stand was approximately 800 pages long. This edition represented a compromise on King’s part because his publisher forced him to cut 400 pages from his original manuscript. He later published an unabridged version of the novel in May 1990 containing 1,200 pages. Aside from its length, the book is notable for introducing the character of Randall Flagg, who was to become a recurring villain in many of King’s later works. The Stand was adapted as a 1994 television mini-series. A new televised 10-episode version of the novel is currently in production with an anticipated airdate during the fourth quarter of 2020.

The story spans the time period of June 1990 through January 1991. King tells it using limited third-person narration from over a dozen different points of view. The book’s setting covers most of the continental United States with special emphasis on rural Nebraska, Boulder, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada.