Regarding The Stand..

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Dec 4, 2013
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Hi all, I have a question about The Stand. Should I read the original version, or complete uncut version? From what I have researched it seems the original is the better read. It's one of the few SK I haven't read and I've heard so many good things about it so I'd like to do it right.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Hi all, I have a question about The Stand. Should I read the original version, or complete uncut version? From what I have researched it seems the original is the better read. It's one of the few SK I haven't read and I've heard so many good things about it so I'd like to do it right.

And I prefer the original :) Though the added scenes were interesting, in some cases they muddied up the main narrative (for me-others might disagree, of course). This book is in my all time, every book, top 5, so please understand that I'm not dissing on the author or story at all. It's just that sometimes less is more :)
 

91rewoT

Backwards Sister Member
Oct 20, 2009
3,039
2,743
Southern Wisconsin
I read both - many, many years in between - and though I really enjoyed them both and was happy to read everything that King originally intended to put in the book, I guess I agree with skiimom2, in that less is more. Also, I kind of like things to be the same and not be elaborated on or changed. For this reason, I also prefer the original Gunslinger over the revised edition.
 

91rewoT

Backwards Sister Member
Oct 20, 2009
3,039
2,743
Southern Wisconsin
....that being said, now that I think about it, if the complete uncut version had been the original version, I would be sold on that one being the best...so go ahead and read the uncut one...unless you want to read the original, then read the complete version on a reread....oh, man, I am no help whatsoever!!!
:dunno:
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Hi all, I have a question about The Stand. Should I read the original version, or complete uncut version? From what I have researched it seems the original is the better read. It's one of the few SK I haven't read and I've heard so many good things about it so I'd like to do it right.

I own a copy (that I picked up for free in Mexico at one of those all inclusive places where they had a book exchange) but the last time I read The Stand was many many years ago. I'll have to go see which copy I ended up with. If I read it when it first came out then I suppose I must have read the original one. It was really good
 

Hall Monitor

All bars serve the Beam.
Nov 7, 2013
187
1,013
New Jersey
I think there are things to be appreciated in both versions that make them worth reading, but if you read the uncut version first, it might take away from the experience of reading the original. I would read the original first and then the uncut later. This was you can get both experiences in the way you would have if you had read them when they came out.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
definitely the full uncut version! as ive only read the uncut one i cant imagine what could be cut from it as it all seems vital to the book!
I just looked at the copy I picked up in Mexico and it is the revised and uncut version so I look forward to entering that world once again. Something to read next, perhaps, once I am finished Under the Dome.
 

Agent (X)

Member
Dec 15, 2013
7
34
24
I will start by stating that I prefer the unabridged edition in comparison to the abridged edition.

However, whether or not you ought to read the unabridged or abridged version would fundamentally vary on the experience you're oriented towards in the tale. I do not wish to spoil any potential story elements, although it can be noted that the unabridged version of The Stand is the text in which Stephen King finalized for the general populous in mind; it was upon Doubleday's (the company publishing the book at the time) request that he remove material as to lessen the overall cost, since the 1,000+ pages would consequently up production fee and compare relatively poorly to his other works strictly in terms of finance.

Thus, to clarify any potential misconceptions, the unabridged version was not published merely as a text whereupon the additional content was only mediocre; King killed his darlings with the abridged version (which, currently, is not even being manufactured anymore, as to my knowledge) and decided to revive them due to profound amounts of request that he expand upon the already staggering tale. As such, there are ultimately extra scenes and exposition, which I loved because the already well-developed novel simply seemed to benefit even further from the new brandished content. To speak in greedy terms, it allowed me to be encapsulated within the world for far longer, and to me that is but a positive.