Fans of Stephen King`s acclaimed post-apocalyptic dark fantasy epic, “The Stand,” will be interested in the recently launched companion anthology, “The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King`s The Stand.” Released on August 19th, this hardcover collection of short stories is currently available at a discounted price. Notably, the anthology is officially authorized by Stephen King, featuring an introduction penned by the master of horror himself.
This substantial 800-page anthology was meticulously edited by Bram Stoker Award-winning horror authors Christopher Golden and Brian Keene.
“The Stand” is frequently hailed as one of King`s finest literary achievements, with many dedicated readers considering this immense work to be his crowning masterpiece. As a sprawling post-apocalyptic narrative, “The Stand” features such a vast array of characters and interwoven storylines that it could easily have been developed into a multi-volume series. This extensive scope likely served as the inspiration for the creation of this very anthology.
“The End of the World As We Know It” is presented as an indispensable complement to the beloved classic novel. It comprises short stories from numerous contemporary authors specializing in the horror, thriller, and dark fantasy genres. These narratives either unfold within the established timeline of “The Stand” or explore events occurring after the novel`s conclusion.
Comprising 34 stories, the anthology is divided into four distinct parts, each bearing an engaging subtitle. These titles serve as delightful “Easter eggs” for avid Stephen King enthusiasts—and perhaps fans of the heavy metal band Disturbed. For instance, Part 1, “Down with the Sickness,” is a direct nod to the band`s hit song. The subsequent three parts draw their names from King`s own works: Part 2 references his novel “The Long Walk,” Part 3 is inspired by a concluding line from “The Stand” itself, and Part 4 features a dialogue excerpt from “The Gunslinger,” the initial volume in King`s renowned “Dark Tower” saga. This inclusion is particularly apt, given that “The Stand” and “The Dark Tower” series share a pivotal character.
- Part 1: Down with the Sickness
- Part 2: The Long Walk
- Part 3: Life was such a Wheel
- Part 4: Other Worlds than These
The complete roster of contributors is provided below. Notable authors who have penned stories for this collection include S. A. Cosby, Richard Chizmar, Caroline Kepnes, Catriona Ward, Josh Malerman, Ronald Malfi, Paul Tremblay, and Gabino Iglesias.
Full List of Contributors:
- Stephen King – Introduction
- Christopher Golden – Foreword, Editor
- Brian Keene – Afterword, Editor
- Wayne Brady & Maurice Broaddus
- Poppy Z. Brite
- Somer Canon
- C. Robert Cargill
- Nat Cassidy
- V. Castro
- Richard Chizmar
- S. A. Cosby
- Tananarive Due & Steven Barnes
- Meg Gardiner
- Gabino Iglesias
- Jonathan Janz
- Alma Katsu
- Caroline Kepnes
- Michael Koryta
- Sarah Langan
- Joe R. Lansdale
- Tim Lebbon
- Josh Malerman
- Ronald Malfi
- Usman T. Malik
- Premee Mohamed
- Cynthia Pelayo
- Hailey Piper
- David J. Schow
- Alex Segura
- Bryan Smith
- Paul Tremblay
- Catherynne M. Valente
- Bev Vincent
- Catriona Ward
- Chuck Wendig
- Wrath James White
- Rio Youers
It is highly probable that many of these contributing authors were profoundly influenced by Stephen King`s novels during their formative years, perhaps even inspiring their own writing careers. The willingness of so many established fiction writers to craft new narratives within the universe of “The Stand” powerfully underscores the enduring influence of the novel, even almost five decades after its initial release.
Editions of Stephen King`s “The Stand”
Spanning 800 pages, “New Tales of Stephen King`s The Stand” is comparable in length to the initial 1978 hardcover release of the original novel. At that time, King was obliged to cut approximately 400 pages from his manuscript, primarily due to prohibitive printing expenses. However, in 1990, Scribner released “The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition,” featuring the entirety of King`s unabridged text. Presently, this definitive hardcover edition of “The Stand” extends to 1,152 pages.
It is strongly advised to read “The Complete and Uncut Edition” before delving into the new anthology. Various formats and editions of the original novel are available:
The Stand by Stephen King:
- Hardcover — $55 | Temporarily out of stock
- Trade Paperback — $13.86 (
$22) - Trade Paperback (International) — $24
- Mass Market Paperback — $9 (
$12) | August 26 - Mass Market (TV series Tie-in) — $8 (
$11) - Kindle — $10
- Audible Audiobook
- Deluxe Special Edition — $357.82 (
$400)
For readers who prefer physical books, the hardcover edition is generally recommended for a novel of this substantial length. Regrettably, the significant discount previously offered on the $55 hardcover via Amazon is no longer available. For several months, “The Stand” was priced at approximately $25 in hardcover, but its price has since reverted to full retail, and it is currently out of stock, likely due to the surge in popularity following the anthology`s release.
The trade paperback edition, a sizable 1,200 pages, stands as a strong second choice. While its pages may not offer the same expansive layout as the hardcover, it remains considerably more comfortable to read than the smaller mass market paperback versions. Furthermore, this paperback edition is currently available for just $13.86 (originally $22).
A new mass market paperback edition, featuring excellent cover art, is slated for release on August 26th at a price of $9 (down from $12). However, potential readers should be aware that this 1,328-page version utilizes a very small typeface. The most economical mass market paperback edition features promotional artwork from the 2020 miniseries. Similar to many film and TV tie-in editions, its cover design is generally considered unappealing and includes a prominent CBS All Access (now Paramount+) advertisement at the top. Regrettably, even the Kindle and highly regarded audiobook versions are saddled with this same cover.
For dedicated enthusiasts of “The Stand” seeking a premium collector`s item, the exquisite—albeit costly—new Deluxe Special Edition is worth considering.
The Stand: Deluxe Special Edition – Gift Edition
This impressive edition of “The Stand” became available on Amazon concurrently with the new anthology on August 19th. Printed on substantial, premium-quality paper, this 1,300-page hardcover is likely to be one of the heaviest books in any collection. Its pages measure 7 x 10 inches, making it approximately half an inch taller and wider than the standard hardcover. It boasts a sophisticated binding and a foil-stamped cover adorned with entirely new dust jacket artwork. The dust jacket is further protected by a plastic cover, akin to a library volume. Artist Glenn Chadbourne contributed original illustrations, along with fresh endpapers and a black-and-white limitation page.
The Deluxe Special Edition comes with a custom-designed slipcase, perfect for protection and display. This rigid slipcase features a leather-like texture and prominently displays the author`s name and title on its front.
“The Stand: Deluxe Special Edition” belongs to Cemetery Dance`s exclusive series of meticulously crafted, limited-edition printings of King`s iconic novels. Cemetery Dance, a horror publisher established almost four decades ago, was founded by Richard Chizmar—the same author who collaborated with Stephen King on the “Gwendy Trilogy” and is a contributor to “The End of the World As We Know It” anthology.
The development of “The Stand: Deluxe Special Edition” has been a lengthy process. Cemetery Dance initially unveiled three distinct versions of this edition in 2019: the Lettered Edition (limited to 52 copies), the Limited Edition (1,250 copies), and the Gift Edition (originally 3,000 copies, later increased to 4,000 copies). Purchasers of the Gift Edition have only recently begun to receive their pre-ordered copies. While the initial price for the Gift Edition was $150 in 2019, various factors over six years have led to changes.
It is worth noting that copies have recently been acquired on platforms like eBay for around $225. This information could be valuable for those considering purchasing the edition from Amazon for $357.82 (originally $400). While the Amazon listing is official and fulfilled by Amazon, it might be possible to locate copies at a lower price elsewhere, at least for the time being. It`s a common trend for collectible editions of King`s works to appreciate in value over time.
Consistent with other limited editions of King`s works published by Cemetery Dance, “The Stand: Deluxe Special Edition” will not undergo further printings.
Adaptations of Stephen King`s “The Stand”
In June, Paramount Pictures revealed plans for a new film adaptation of “The Stand,” with Doug Liman set to direct. Liman, a seasoned industry professional, brings decades of experience from directing action films such as “The Bourne Identity,” “Edge of Tomorrow,” and “American Made.” This adaptation is still in its very early stages, with no script yet developed. It will be intriguing to observe Paramount`s strategy for tackling “The Stand,” especially given the novel`s immense length.
“The Stand” has previously been adapted for television on two occasions: first by ABC in 1994, and more recently by Paramount in 2020. The 1994 version consisted of four extensive episodes, totaling just over six hours. In contrast, the 2020 Paramount miniseries was divided into nine episodes, accumulating a total runtime of 8.5 hours. Despite these considerable durations, both miniseries adaptations often felt like fragmented portions of the comprehensive narrative, underscoring the formidable challenge of successfully condensing it into a feature film. One can only hope the forthcoming film adaptation of “The Stand” surpasses the critical reception of “The Dark Tower” movie.
TV Miniseries on Blu-ray
For those interested in viewing the television miniseries adaptations, a Blu-ray combo pack featuring both versions is available on Amazon for $35 (reduced from $45). Alternatively, Walmart offers an exclusive Steelbook Edition of the 1994 miniseries for $20.
- The Stand: The Definitive 2-Series Collection (Blu-ray) — $35 (
$45) - The Stand: 1994 Miniseries – Steelbook Edition (Blu-ray) — $20 | Walmart Exclusive
- The Stand: 1994 Miniseries (Blu-ray) — $8.75 (
$12) - The Stand: 2020 Miniseries (Blu-ray) — $24 (
$40)