The StandThe Stand
Score Classic
What it's about
A weaponized superflu escapes from a military lab and wipes out most of humanity in weeks. The survivors scattered across America begin having the same dreams: of a 108-year-old Black woman named Mother Abagail in Nebraska, and of a dark, smiling man named Randall Flagg in the West. As they gather on two sides, the remnants of humanity prepare for a final confrontation between good and evil.
Why it's worth reading
It's Stephen King's epic, and many fans' favorite of his books: a sprawling, gripping story of the end of the world and the ordinary people who rebuild it. Its characters feel like people you've known for years.
You'll love it if you liked
The Lord of the Rings
11/22/63
Swan SongGood to know
The uncut edition is about 1,150 pages. The early pandemic chapters are grim, and there's graphic violence throughout.
By the numbers
- Readers94 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller89 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #1 of the 86 horror books we rank
- #11 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #26 of the 762 classics we rank
- #101 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Epic, Gripping
More by Stephen King
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft11/22/63
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Quick answers
Is The Stand worth reading?
Yes. It's Stephen King's epic, and many fans' favorite of his books: a sprawling, gripping story of the end of the world and the ordinary people who rebuild it. It ranks #101 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 86.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Stand about?
A weaponized superflu escapes from a military lab and wipes out most of humanity in weeks. The survivors scattered across America begin having the same dreams: of a 108-year-old Black woman named Mother Abagail in Nebraska, and of a dark, smiling man named Randall Flagg in the West. As they gather on two sides, the remnants of humanity prepare for a final confrontation between good and evil.
How long does it take to read The Stand?
About 34 hours (1344 pages), or about 10 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Stand?
If you liked it, try The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, 11/22/63 by Stephen King or Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon.