So we’ve come to the end of The Standalong (by the way Trish…totally brilliant idea!). If you missed it, here’s my post on my thoughts for the first half of The Stand. I also rewrote three songs for the occasion: Throat On Fire, I’m Still Stand-ing, and Dark Man.
Even though parts of the story were kind of cheesy, The Stand was a pretty compelling read. I didn’t think I’d end up liking King as much as I did. Now I know why he’s such a popular author. And because I finished the book early than planned, I watched the whole movie (actually, it was a made-for-tv mini-series, but movie is easier to type). All 15 episodes on youtube. Holy crap was it ever bad. In an “I can’t stop watching” sort of way. So here are my final thoughts on the book (THIS MEANS SPOILERS AHEAD!), with a few movie moments thrown in:
After a strong showing in the first half, Nick seemed to fade into the background in the second half (even though he was considered one of the leaders of the Boulder Free Zone). Maybe King was preparing us for the big kaboom that did away with Nick? Which was pretty much the low point for me in the book. Well, that and Larry, Gene, and Ralph in Las Vegas.
And speaking of kabooms, what is with the killing off of people by bomb?? All my favorites survive Captain Trips only to get blown up in the end? Or, in the case of Glen, shot. Boo.
I loved Glen’s exit, though. He was one of my favorite characters, especially for his mouthiness at the end. He was one of the few good things in the movie, too, although he was older than I imagined.
Why did Mother Abagail make them WALK all the way to freakin’ Las Vegas? Did anyone figure that out? Because it made NO sense to me, other than to up the page count and give Stu a chance to break his leg. Okay, so in the movie Ralph makes a point about empty bodies, empty minds, implying that Flagg couldn’t track them that way. But he still knew they were coming, so really…why did they have to walk???
Stu. *sigh* I loved Stu.
Except what was up with that goodbye kiss that Stu laid on Dayna? Like he had to prove that he was such a manly man that he could un-lesbian Dayna? Wasn’t too fond of Stu in that scene. And yes, later it’s made clear that she’s bisexual, but I’m pretty sure Stu just saw her as a lesbian challenge.
Oh, and Stu had a Jim Morrison sighting?? What was up with that story?
Harold and Nadine. Holy shit! What a couple! Their stories were what made me finish the book much quicker than originally planned. I just had to keep reading to see what Harold was going to do. And to see just how much Nadine was going to lose her shit (and boy howdy, did she ever lose her shit). There are also some hilarious scenes in the movie with the two of them (they are both over-the-top bat-shit crazy in the movie). Remember when Harold is building the bomb and Nadine interrupts? In the movie she turns off the radio and Harold says “Don’t screw with my disco, Nadine” and then he tells her to “make like a library and book.”
The Kid. Pure genius, in a totally fucked up sort of way. Too bad he didn’t make it into the movie. Although the movie might’ve ended up with an X rating.
Dear Boulder Free Zone Committee: That whole spy bizness didn’t work out so well, did it? I’d say maybe you should rethink that plan, except wait…most of you are dead.
Every time a Slim Jim made an appearance I wanted to gag. Just gross.
Did anyone else end up kind of liking Lloyd, even though he was on the wrong team? Except he does turn into Mr. Obvious with his final line: “Oh shit we’re all fucked!”
Thank god for Tom Cullen. M-O-O-N, that spells hero. (And I can’t believe I just did that, since I was sick of the whole M-O-O-N thing by the end of the book.) Also, Tom is one of the better characters in the movie.
Also, Kojak. He was one of the better actors in the movie, too.
Did Joe just drop off the face of the earth?
Larry. Just as I was starting to like him, he had to freakin’ die?!? Figures.
Dear Frannie: You travelled all the way from Maine to Boulder, only to want to go BACK? What’s up with that?
Dear Stu: You should consider leaving Fran for Lucy. She’s much more likable. If you don’t believe me, go watch the movie. I mean really…how could you fall for Molly Ringwald??? She’s a whiny, clingy twit with no common sense (for god’s sake, during the entire motorcycle journey across the US, she looked like she was dressed to have tea with queen).
Dear Dark Man: DO NOT come back in a sequel. Just don’t.
And a final note on the movie. Towards the end, when the Dark Man started freaking out and losing control, his face would morph into a scary monster face. Like we needed to be reminded that he was a bad guy. Please, give us some credit. The man was obviously whacked. There was no need for bad special effects.
I did not get the whole walking to Vegas thing and I was so bummed with Nick got killed. I loved him and Tom and Kojak. I read the original version, so I didn’t have the kid or a kiss with Stu and Dayna (weird). I did start feeling bad for Lloyd at the end. It was sad that he had this twisted displaced loyalty to the Dark Man.
Melissa´s last [type] ..Reading the States: New Hampshire
I thought the TV version was stinky, and that is probably why I didn’t read the book. It seems like something that you all loved though, so that is making me stand up and take notice. I love that all of you had such a great experience with this one. I need to get it. Maybe in audio, though I am sure it would be insanely long!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Game of Secrets by Dawn Tripp — 272 pgs
What’s with the disgust with slim jims? I feel like I’m missing some sort of inside joke. Hmm…. maybe I don’t want to know?
I haven’t read the book, but I watched the movie many years ago in college. I vaguely remember the basics of the plot and the ending.
Alyce´s last [type] ..Between a Rock and a Hard Place & The Scottish Prisoner – Mini Reviews
I actually did like Lloyd by the end. It was weird, because he has a word transformation from basically a follower, to a leader, yet, still unable to break away from his foillower role.
Glenn is my favorite character. Love him.
I always throught the walk was supposed to be a spiritual cleansing. Like the journey before the battle. It’s doesn’t serve much purpose in the end though.
I have to pull out my copy, because I always thought Dayna initiated the kiss. I totally could be wrong.
I hated the depiction of Flagg in the movie. Flagg is a central character in other King books, and his movie portrayal simply goes against his character in many ways. The weird face changing thing was totally bogus.
King always says his decision to kill Nick saved the book. I hated the explosion as well, but I do agree that Nick’s story was pretty much done when they reached Boulder.
Loved reading your thoughts.
Bob´s last [type] ..Audiobook Review: The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
I was the most disappointed that Nick faded so quickly in the background (Um, I ALMOST typed ‘bathroom’…what sort of typo is that??) He was SUCH an integral part and then it was all, seeya. ‘Cept for poor Tom. Ohh, Tom.
christina´s last [type] ..The ABC’s of The Stand
Oh, Stu. That whole weird bit about Danya (“So she hates men?” “No, she changed her mind, she’s bisexual”) was so eye-roll worthy. It’s fascinating to compare King’s portrayal of LGB folks in his earlier work to now. Stuff like the horribly long detailed rape scene of the Trashcan man? ugh Compared to a regular lesbian in Mile 81, a short story.
Cass´s last [type] ..What makes a “gay novel?”
Ha! Wonderful wrap-up Jill. I agree with you on all points (except those of the movie because I haven’t seen it) but I’m really upset about the whole Larry/Glen/Nick thing. Really upset. Wish I could unread it just to have them all back. For half a day I also thought that Stu was gone and I about went over the edge. Really–make us spend a thousand pages with these folks (or in my case 40 hours) and then off them? Not cool. Totally forgot about Dayna being a lesbian.
Trish´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon 67 – Book Buzz
Yep to most of everything you said here. Except I have yet to watch the movie. And the slim jims didn’t bother me. And neither did the walk. It was a spiritual requirement – wasn’t it even explained like that? by Glenn, I’m sure.
TERRIFIC post. Fun readalong!! Your song parodies are awesome, as always. And now I’m thinking I’ll have to watch the movie.
Care´s last [type] ..Pie and the City and the City and Pi
And because I hate Frannie, I couldn’t agree with you more on her now wanting to go back to Maine. I couldn’t believe the nonsense of her. She was just a drag. Ugh!
And seriously YEAH, STU, WTH?? I mean, seriously, that’s something I would have expected from Harold or even Larry in the early days, but I thought Stu was supposed to just make sense all the time and that was super bizarre!
The TV movie was horrendous. I can’t wait to see what Affleck puts together!
Natalie ~ the Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..The Standalong, Final Post (The Stand, by Stephen King) with TV Movie Review
A readalong you were able to finish. Figures I didn’t do it. King is awesome!!!!
Great wrap-up! I’m glad you enjoyed it–I did too. I sort of want to watch the mini-series in a drinking game kind of way. I’m not sure I could do it sober. I pulled up the IMDB.com page and thought it looked like the most mis-cast production ever. Molly Ringwald as Frannie?? Blech. Even Gary Sinese seemed all wrong, and I love Gary Sinese. LOL-I bet Kojak *was* good though!
I think they had to walk because those were the rules. As far as I understood it, Mother Abagail was just relaying the message, not making up the rules, and those were the rules. I think it also upped the suspense just a little bit too; forcing the characters to put one foot in front of the other and walk themselves straight into the fire made them more vulnerable but also helped steel them for battle. A car would have provided speed, protection, and a great ramming vehicle, but in the end, when you have to make a stand, the stand has to come from within, and no amount of Chevy is going to protect you from Flagg.
Dreamybee´s last [type] ..All The Weirdness I Encountered While Reading The Stand