72 pages • 2 hours read
Stephen KingThe Stand
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1978A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Stand by Stephen King is a post-apocalyptic science fiction and horror fantasy novel in which a man-made plague decimates over 99% of the U.S. population, leaving survivors to form new societies. One group, led by an elderly prophet named Abagail, represents good, while the other, led by the malevolent Randall Flagg, symbolizes evil. The ensuing confrontation explores themes of morality and societal rebuilding.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Stephen King's The Stand is widely praised for its complex characters, gripping narrative, and expansive scope. Reviewers highlight the novel's exploration of good vs. evil as compelling and thought-provoking. Criticisms include its length, with some finding the pacing uneven. Overall, it stands as a monumental achievement in the post-apocalyptic genre.
Who Should Read The Stand?
Fans of sprawling, epic tales with a mix of supernatural elements and human drama will enjoy The Stand by Stephen King. Readers captivated by the moral complexities in works like The Road by Cormac McCarthy or the character depth in World War Z by Max Brooks will find this intricate narrative appealing.