As such, it’s a seminal work in post-apocalyptic literature.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t erase those flaws, including anotherStephen King conclusion that left readers wanting more.
After such an epic build-up, the problem is that it’s just sort of anticlimactic.
No final fight for the heroes to engage in.
The villain, at least in the 1990 “Complete and Uncut” edition, survives.
The symbolism isn’t subtle.
But as an ending to an epic tale, it’s something of a letdown.
And the aforementioned uncut edition actively makes it worse, ultimately rendering their sacrifice pointless.
The Stand is undoubtedly one of Stephen King’s masterworks.
While rebuilding in the aftermath of the plague was shown in Boulder, that was just a start.
The real rebuilding could only happen once Randall Flagg was vanquished and his evil influence purged from the earth.
That’s still an incredibly long book, no matter how you slice it.
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
It feels especially cruel, which is why it’s such a rich vein of emotion to mine.
Regardless of the ending, or the characters who got short shrift,The Standis still a masterpiece.
