I consider The Stand to be my favorite King novel. While I can’t remember the number of times this Constant Reader has actually read it, I have officially tackled that epic beast in three different formats: the ebook I downloaded to my Kobo this year, the complete and uncut hardcover edition I bought in 1990, and the paperback from 1980. With my recent re-read behind me, I now realize something new about its dark influence: it shows up in my own work more than I ever suspected.

That ending alone—the scene depicted on the very last page of the extended version—has appeared in my prologue to We Are Van Helsing. And another twist on it kicks off my current WIP, featuring an evil Slavic demigod. One might say that Randall Flagg definitely lives on in my bad guys (and girls).

Happy anniversary to my favorite Stephen King book, first published 47 years ago on this day.

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