Author: Stephen King
Plot: The Stand is a revolutionary take on the apocalypse. Beginning with Charles Campion, a soldier who goes AWOL one night after an accident occurs at the military research base that he worked at. Seems that a new form of the flu virus, a certain Captain Trips virus, was being developed at the base. Sadly, Campion didn't escape his post fast enough, and managed to infect both his wife and young daughter with Captain Trips. Campion, somehow still alive but delirious, crashes into a gas station in rural Texas. There, he infects all but one of the people at the station. Long story short, the virus spreads all over the world. It also happens to have a 99.4% rate of death, so most of the world's population is wiped out in a period of a few weeks.
The survivors, the few of them that there are, eventually band together and form two opposing groups. One, led by Mother Abigail Freemantle, takes refuge in Boulder, Colorado. The other builds a utopia in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is led by the demonic Randle Flagg.
Eventually, the two groups have to confront each other, since Flagg's group is bent on destroying the Boulder Free Zone. So, the conflict that ensues threatens to either destroy what is left of humanity...or save what's left.
Memorable Characters: Nick Andros, the lovable and intelligent deaf-mute, Stu Redman, the quiet but strong leader of the Free Zone Committee, Tom Cullen, the lovable and special mildly-retarded sweetheart, Trashcan Man, the mentally unstable pyromaniac, and Kojak, the adorable and loyal dog.
Reflections: While not being King's usual scary story, it delves into the fears of modern Americans. By having the Army basically deny everything, and yet manage to take over everything, it shows that when a travesty like the apocalypse happens, you never know who you can trust. Also, by having the Captain Trips virus be derived from the common flu, it shows that really, anything can happen.
Scooby Snacks Awarded: 9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment