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Hey, Everybody! I read The Stand!

I! READ! THE! STAND!!!!!

This may not seem like such a big deal to anyone (with the exception of Delee), but I assure you it is. I've been wanting to read this book for years (20+ years. shhhhh...). I've been putting it off all this time because I let its epic length and teeny font size intimidate me too much. I saw it as a major undertaking. Also I had built it up as the GREATEST book I've never read, so it had a lot to live up to. Well, now I'm done. Did it live up to my massive expectations?

Laws, YES! Laws yes it did! M-O-O-N spells Yes and I loved this book!!!!

I read the loooooong version, but it never felt long-winded. I never skipped a word and didn't want to. In comparing my version to my friend's original, this one was MUCH grittier in terms of sex, violence, and generally unpleasant images. It was very gory (but when the Captain comes to town, it's not going to be pretty).

One of my reservations going into this book was that I'd have a hard time keeping all the characters straight. I think I should have had more faith in Stephen King (who I've now elevated to the level of writing genius after reading this book), and in myself as a reader. I had no trouble at all. Maybe this would have been an issue 15 years ago. That is another reason why I'm glad I read this one at this particular time in my life. Another reason: Kindle, my precccccioussssssss.... You allow me to read in any font size I so desire. I can highlight if the mood strikes me. I only highlighted two lines: "In the early hours of the morning, ** lay in her bed. She was trying to pray". But I don't think I really had to. I'm pretty sure I'll never forget them ;)

Of course there are bound to be casualties in a book of this length and subject matter. I am SO HAPPY and RELIEVED to be able to say that my very favorite character made it to the end, though I did have to sweat it out a bit. I lost some really good folks along the way, but they went down in a blaze of glory and I love them all the more for it. This book really hit me. I LOVED the characters I liked. I CRIED when a certain someone made it, and then cried again after that. At the time I was listening to the audio (I went back and forth between the audio & the written, about 40/60, respectively). I just busted out CRYING in the middle of my kitchen and my 16-month-old-son just kind of looked at me like I was nuts. Nate, one day you will understand! As for the audio, it was FANTASTIC. What an amazing narration. It really enhanced the whole Stand experience for me. The voices that the narrator gives to each character really capture the heart of each one, especially Glenn, Tom, and Dayna. He knocked Lloyd right out of the park.


This was great read. One of my life's best (thank you Steve, Grover, and especially Delee)! I don't think I need to hesitate to read the long ones after this, or any book for that matter. This was THE BOOK that I had been wanting to read forever. Well, I did it. And I LOVED it.

VICTORY!