Should I read Stand, or Stand uncut?

[debungsmere]

I am a big DT fan, and have read several other King books. I have for some reason not read the Stand and am wanting to. With the release of the uncut book, I am confused on which version I should read?

Thanks for your opinions!

[ELazansky]

I would definitely read the Uncut version

[Erin]

The Uncut. That was the book King wanted to publish before he had to cut it down, so that's the way I feel it should be read.

I have read both versions though and some things are pretty different between the two. For example, if I'm remembering correctly (I've only read the original once, as compared to reading the Uncut version many times):

Ending spoilers:

Spoiler:

Flagg dies in the end of the original while he just disappears in the end of the Uncut version. Right?

[haunted.lunchbox]

Uncut! If I were to read the cut and really liked it I would wonder what I had missed out on and probably have to read the cut anyways.

[debungsmere]

Thanks for the opinions. I could see myself feeling very much like lunchbox said. Thanks!

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

I read the original, and couldn't put it down.
Then when the uncut was released, I also couldn't put it down.
Read them both!

[lordmerchant]

read the uncut, I dont know how anybody could read a cut version, knowing that there exists an uncut edition.

[Dagavidiab]

The Uncut. That was the book King wanted to publish before he had to cut it down, so that's the way I feel it should be read.

I have read both versions though and some things are pretty different between the two. For example, if I'm remembering correctly (I've only read the original once, as compared to reading the Uncut version many times):

Ending spoilers:

Spoiler:

Flagg dies in the end of the original while he just disappears in the end of the Uncut version. Right?

End of the Uncut version

If i remember right, in the Uncut version Flagg dies, but just to revive in other place (i believe that he had no memory or something like that). That book needs a re-read!!

Ah, read the uncut version!!

[lordmerchant]

@ Erin- read the uncut recently, the ending i recall is below

"I read the uncut recently, iirc flagg does not die, he awakens on an island many miles away with little memory of who and what he is, but has natives there to exploit"]

[Jean]

uncut

[flaggwalkstheline]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

[maerlyns_rainbow]

Uncut! It's my favorite book of all time. I've read it 3 times (once a year since I bought it. And I plan to read it once a year from now on!)

[haunted.lunchbox]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

Which is shocking! I seriously find King a brave author for writing some of the stuff he wrote about.

[Merlin1958]

read the uncut, I dont know how anybody could read a cut version, knowing that there exists an uncut edition.

Especially with Sai King. DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LadyHitchhiker]

Uncut. You'll learn a lot more about the characters that way.

[Jean]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

Which is shocking! I seriously find King a brave author for writing some of the stuff he wrote about.

Reading only selected American authors, I often wonder how puritanic American literature is, on the average, if this is shocking...

[blavigne]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

Which is shocking! I seriously find King a brave author for writing some of the stuff he wrote about.

Reading only selected American authors, I often wonder how puritanic American literature is, on the average, if this is shocking...

I guess that depends on what you read and where you look for it and what your definition of shocking is. I am not sure if the word is used in the context of being offended and in a state of disbelief or if it is meaning that state of wow, I did not expect that at all.

I also am not sure about your question Jean. Are you asking about "American literature" in a purely academic sense? If so, I don't know how to answer your question. However, if you are wondering only about what gets published then you just have to locate a source depending on how shocked you want to be and which way you want to get there.

Personally, I though most of The Kid and Trashcan Man's storyline was raw for sure but that is to be expected of Stephen King. I think the word I would use for my reaction is surprised but not in a good way..........

[alinda]

thunderstruck ?

[haunted.lunchbox]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

Which is shocking! I seriously find King a brave author for writing some of the stuff he wrote about.

Reading only selected American authors, I often wonder how puritanic American literature is, on the average, if this is shocking...

I guess that depends on what you read and where you look for it and what your definition of shocking is. I am not sure if the word is used in the context of being offended and in a state of disbelief or if it is meaning that state of wow, I did not expect that at all.

I also am not sure about your question Jean. Are you asking about "American literature" in a purely academic sense? If so, I don't know how to answer your question. However, if you are wondering only about what gets published then you just have to locate a source depending on how shocked you want to be and which way you want to get there.

Personally, I though most of The Kid and Trashcan Man's storyline was raw for sure but that is to be expected of Stephen King. I think the word I would use for my reaction is surprised but not in a good way..........

Hoping my spoiler works, if not I'll try to fix.

Spoiler:

It was shocking to me because I guess you could call the US a little homophobic in their literature. There aren't many gay experiences written about in mainstream books, so to have SK write about these very vulgar scenes is shocking not because it's about sex, but because it was gay sex. I've read many books that have sex scenes, and rape scenes (like with VC Andrews) but I have very rarely read any homosexual lit in mainstream books here. I wasn't angry that it was put in, but it shocked me what he wrote about.

[blavigne]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

Which is shocking! I seriously find King a brave author for writing some of the stuff he wrote about.

Reading only selected American authors, I often wonder how puritanic American literature is, on the average, if this is shocking...

I guess that depends on what you read and where you look for it and what your definition of shocking is. I am not sure if the word is used in the context of being offended and in a state of disbelief or if it is meaning that state of wow, I did not expect that at all.

I also am not sure about your question Jean. Are you asking about "American literature" in a purely academic sense? If so, I don't know how to answer your question. However, if you are wondering only about what gets published then you just have to locate a source depending on how shocked you want to be and which way you want to get there.

Personally, I though most of The Kid and Trashcan Man's storyline was raw for sure but that is to be expected of Stephen King. I think the word I would use for my reaction is surprised but not in a good way..........

Hoping my spoiler works, if not I'll try to fix.

Spoiler:

It was shocking to me because I guess you could call the US a little homophobic in their literature. There aren't many gay experiences written about in mainstream books, so to have SK write about these very vulgar scenes is shocking not because it's about sex, but because it was gay sex. I've read many books that have sex scenes, and rape scenes (like with VC Andrews) but I have very rarely read any homosexual lit in mainstream books here. I wasn't angry that it was put in, but it shocked me what he wrote about.

I totally agree!! And I think Alinda hit it right on the head with Thunderstruck!!

[pathoftheturtle]

uncut version

it includes the adventures of trashcan man and The Kid!

Which is shocking! I seriously find King a brave author for writing some of the stuff he wrote about.

Reading only selected American authors, I often wonder how puritanic American literature is, on the average, if this is shocking...

I guess that depends on what you read and where you look for it and what your definition of shocking is. ...

True, but still, insofar as it's possible to speak generally, regarding America's mainstream, the answer is "Very." At heart, we're not really that far from our Puritan foundation.

[mikeC]

I would read the cut version then if you liked it you will be happy there is more to read!

[Merlin1958]

I would read the cut version then if you liked it you will be happy there is more to read!

Why would you not want to read the entire story the author intended?

[pathoftheturtle]

I would read the cut version then if you liked it you will be happy there is more to read!

Why would you not want to read the entire story the author intended?

That seems like an okay question to me, but I'm not sure why someone would not want to read both versions, anyway.

I kind of like mike's suggestion, but here's another question: even reading the cut version of The Stand, who would not like it?

[Merlin1958]

I would read the cut version then if you liked it you will be happy there is more to read!

Why would you not want to read the entire story the author intended?

That seems like an okay question to me, but I'm not sure why someone would not want to read both versions, anyway.

I kind of like mike's suggestion, but here's another question: even reading the cut version of The Stand, who would not like it?

No I agree, you'd no doubt enjoy either version, but to me it's like reading the novel then reading the 'Cliff" notes. However, to each his own.