Reading the Chunksters discussion

With much sadness I am posting the link for the last week. I know many people are already finished and I just wanted to give them a place to record notes before they forget.

****************SPOILER*****************

Do not read ANYTHING under this thread unless you have completed the book!!!

I finished a couple hours ago and wow! I'm looking forward to discussing this more as people finish. I also have some questions about the last few pages and what people took them to mean.

I have about 30 pages left! I'm going to finish it after I clean up a little bit.

I will go ahead and say that when I had read that "They never saw Stu Redman again" I was so angry because I thought that he was the one that died! I know that that was part of an earlier section, but I just wanted to add that in there.

Will discuss more when I finish soon!

We were tricked!!!! I think week 16 I made a wish that Tom would come across Stu but I didn't think it would EVER happen!

Finished! Here are some of my comments:

- I'm still really bummed that Larry died. I had guessed Glen would die and I was pretty indifferent to Ralph, but I really liked Larry. But, like I mentioned, I'm glad that Stu was the one that lived, since he had Frannie (even if Larry had Lucy).

- Tom was one of my favorites characters for so many reasons. He really represents innocence and the goodness that is so hard to find in some people.

- I didn't expect Stu and Fran to go back to Maine really. But when the population climb was pointed out, the fact that they were reintroducing guns and police and the like, I can see why they would want to leave.

- When Stu asked Fran if people can really change and she said she didn't know, I think that's a big fat no. I think that King pointed out that human's are creatures of habit, and given the chance they'll go right back to the way that things were, even if it might not be the best route to take.

- I can say that I expected it to end with Flagg making a reappearance. There's always going to be evil in the world.

Even though it took me FOREVER to read this, I really liked it! I know a lot of people that hated it, because of the length, but I think that the length was necessary.

Thank you for giving me motivation to finish this!

@ Andrea: You're right, we were totally tricked. I was SO. SURE. that Stu was going to die, I finished that chapter in tears. Mother Abigail had said that one (at least) would die, so I took that to mean one, and the three would live.

but then, it turned out to be the opposite. Everyone was right--I did like Larry by the end, but I don't have the same love for him that some others do. He did grow up, but he didn't capture my heart like some others (Stu, mother Abigail, Nick, Tom) did.

It's funny--in the end, Trashcan Man saved the free zone. I feel justified in my statement earlier that destructive forces aren't necessarily all bad. For some reason, that was all Trash was capable of, and he can't be blamed (or commended, really) for his actions.

I was so proud of Glen for standing up to the Dark Man. he basically stood up to him and gave him the finger. LOL. Way to go Baldy. I was so sad to see him die, but so impressed with how he did it.

Same could be said for Ralph and Larry, who died with love for their people, for humanity in their hearts.

Interesting in the end that God (or whoever) demanded a sacrifice. Several in this case, with Mother Abby and then Larry, Ralph, and Glen. I'd even add Nick, especially with how he "appeared" to Tom later.

Back to Stu's story--I was so glad that Kojak stayed with him, and I seriously love that dog--he's so smart and saved Stu's life.

And I did NOT expect Tom to arrive. I loved their journey back to the Free Zone. I loved the friendship they developed and how Nick helped them on their way (I was so happy to "see" him again).

I was a little surprised that Fran and Stu left. Not because they were uncomfortable with the way society was developing, but because they would be leaving behind their extended family--Lucy, Tom, probably Kojak....

All I can think of to say now, but I'm sure more will come to me later. LOL, I'm also sure we'll continue talking about this as the weeks pass. :)

Congrats everyone for finishing!! It looks like you all really had a blast reading this!

I finished the book last night. I am SO GLAD I read this book. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more Stephen King.

My thoughts -

Tom and Kojak are the heroes of the book. Definitely.

I was also surprised that Stu and Fran left, but I guess it was inevitable that someone did.

I'm not sure why, but I was a little put out by the way King handled the illness and recovery of Peter. I guess it just seemed a little to easy for me.

I really wish that we could know what eventually happened to Lucy, Tom, Kojak, and others. And why didn't Kojak go with Fran and Stu. I sort of seemed like he became Stu's dog in the end.

After King's comments about Dayna never being seen again, when in fact she was seen by Tom and many other Las Vegas inhabitants, I wasn't surprised to find that he was being vague, and leading us astray as to who lived and died of the four that went to Vegas. It seems that he likes to throw up red herrings.

I really agree, Loretta. I loved the fact that Trash was the person that ended up bringing about the downfall of Las Vegas and the Dark Man's society. I really liked that he was a destructive force, but not necessarily bad or evil. Just destructive.

All in all, a great read. I can't wait to see what we come up with next.

Finished it.. and still within time limit. :)

My thoughts about the ending are very much the same as they have always been.

The story could have ended with the superblast and Las Vegas being obliterated.

Instead we get a glimpse of life in Boulder afterwards, where life indeed takes obvious turns. People, even when essentially good inside, will always strive for power and some sort of system they can depend upon.

I think that when you come to be a society again, some people will always extract themselves from that and seek some other 'adventure'. Fran did point out she missed Maine and I wasn't surprised she wanted to go back there. I don't think that they would have to come back. More and more people will follow their example and there will be more than one city formed of a small number of people.

A few things weren't as thought through though. Some talked of going to Southern America, but I'm guessing that's where the radiation went. Wouldn't they have to take care of that. And Fran mentioned growing things yourself, even medicine, but what I remember of the disaster in Tchjernobyl, is that anything soil-grown has a risk of being infected with radiation.
I live in Belgium, which is a fair distance (2000 km) from that site and we had to watch out eating crops and cows couldn't graze in danger of infecting their milk. (That wouldn't be much of a problem in the novel, since there are no cows to begin with, not as far as we seem to know. Las Vegas and Boulder are less than 1000km apart (seen from a bird's perspective) so I suspect them to have some sort of trouble. The wind can't keep blowing in the same direction. They have been spared to the instant horrifying effects but in reality they have to take it in consideration.

So far the scientific explanation. It's a novel and writers are free to do as they please.

Another thing that popped into my mind. Children being born is good, but won't they get in trouble with there being no cows, so no large quantity of milk available. I suspect the supplies to wear down, even the powdered milk. I hope they have some means of dealing with that problem.
So many things we seem to be accustomed to, that we don't even know what to do when it's not there anymore.

Back to the novel. I thought the chapter of Stu's recovery and journey back to Boulder was too long. I loved the fact that he survived and that it was Tom who managed it, but reading a couple of pages of how they went on and had to seek shelter again, and on again and shelter again began to get a little boring, especially after the events in Las Vegas.
And then, when he arrives in Boulder, we get such a short summary of baby Peter and Lucy and the twins.

The chapter of Flagg in the end wasn't necessary. It was completely obvious that he didn't die, as he vanished before the bomb exploded.
He should have remained a mystery. If you read more of King, you're bound to see him again. (A little tip for those who want to, read Eyes of the Dragon).

@ Loretta: I think Mother Abigail mentioned that one wouldn't make it. We all assumed that meant someone would die, but it just meant that one wouldn't make it to Las Vegas, not necessarily die. At least, that what I remember.

Well that's it. I hope everyone enjoyed the ride as much as I did.
It was a pleasure talking this book through with all of you and I can't wait to do it again!

Nath - You are so right about what Mother Abigail said, and the fact that I made the assumption about what it meant. Good point, though, now that you mention it, I can see that is what she meant.

As for the children, I didn't feel that cow's milk was necessary. I just figured that they would nurse the way that people used to.

Now that I think of it, I did hate the way that he skipped over Lucy's birth and how short the bit about Peter was.

And I did think that there were portions of their journey back to Boulder that could have been completely cut out.

Lyn, of course they can nurse, but can they forever? :)
I guess I'm a bit too modern already, lol.

I agree that there were parts I wouls have liked to have seen more of and others tht could have been cut shorter. Like Nath, the last chapter about Flagg seemed to damper the ending for me. It was obvious that he survivied, because he's flagg. That extra chapter was just weird to me and it seemed like it was just tacked on.

I greatly enjoyed reading this book with all of you and thank you again for helping me to read outside of my comfort zone! I had a great time getting to know all of you a little better and I look forward to spending more time together and enjoying great conversations in 2011.

I agree with you Andrea!. This was fun and I'm planning of doing this again (LOTR).

A wonderful chance of sharing the love for books with people who are as passionate about it as I am. I think that my environment would scratch their heads, if I would delve so deep in my readings to them. :)

I understand what you mean Nath! I have people in my family and friends that are readers, but not like me.

This site has been awesome for me, because I have only ONE other friend that reads like I do, and the genres that we read are quite different. I love that I have been able to connect with people and I look forward to reading the LOTR trilogy :]

Awwwww! Well, I'm so happy you found our group and that you are having a good time! :)

This, as I've said before is my all-time favorite book! It broke my heard to see Larry, Glen, Ralph and Stu set out to make their stand against Flagg and to do what they could do to make a life possible for their "families" and friends back in the Free Zone. Every one of them, including Fran and Lucy knew it wouldn't have a happy ending, but they went anyway. They knew what they needed to do, and they did it with their heads held high. I love these characters and I was so thrilled to go back again!

Kathy, it was great reading the book with you because you and others that had read it before really helped us see someof the things we might have missed have we read it alone.

I wa always afraid to say too much......I was biting my tongue so often. Plus I couldn't slow down....sorry. :)

I had the same fear. I wanted to say so much, but had to restrain myself often. :)

I'm so glad though, that many ended up liking it. Maybe not all what King writes will have that effect, but The Stand is truly one of his masterpieces.

It's definitely my all-time favorite! I like everything he's written (some to different degrees), but this is just outstanding!

Ok, I'll stop gushing now. lol

You guys were great! I felt like I was only pointed in the right direction when I had missed something.

And I personally feel that Larry was vindicated! lol. I know he wasn't the most loved character in the beginning, but knowing how he would grow up and that he would be one of the ones making their stand at the end, I know alot of people would come around to him. :)

Nath's - I agree about the nursing forever. My niece nursed her daughter for 4 years though, because she was allergic to both cow's milk and soy milk. Eventually she was able to drink Rice milk.

Kathy - Larry was vindicated, wasn't he. I have to say, in retrospect, making Larry start out the way that he did, and then end up being one of the best guys made him even more endearing in a way. It just makes you feel good to see someone grow up like that.

I liked larry through the book. I just felt at times he was immature and acted his age. I guess he was a product of the environment he was living in before.

For me, he was the average guy....and he wasn't perfect. It gives me hope that even under the hardest circustances, we can all grow up and do what needs to be done. Larry finally made his mother proud, I'm sure!

I could wish for no more for my boys, that's for sure. I would say he definitely did his mother proud.

The picture on my computer desktop is of Larry, Glenn and Ralph approaching Flagg's men on the road. They are holding hands and know what they are in for. A very proud moment!

Sometimes I feel like we didn't get to know Ralph well enough. We knew him in the Free Zone, but I wish we'd spent a little time with him in his former life.

Loretta wrote: "Sometimes I feel like we didn't get to know Ralph well enough. We knew him in the Free Zone, but I wish we'd spent a little time with him in his former life."

That would've been nice, Loretta. He was a good man! :)

He was. I really grew to love his character. So a huge part of me wishes that he'd gotten at least a 10 page chapter or something, where it was his life before the plague, or his life just after it has hit. I feel sort of the same about Glen. We did meet him fairly early on, but those were still "Stu's" chapters, if you know what I mean. But his character just hit all the right spots for me--intelligent, well-meaning, with quirkiness that isn't forced.

To be completely honest, I think in a post-plague world, I totally woulda had a crush on Glen (even if in the "real" world I might consider him too old for me).

There, I said it.

lol. That's alright, Loretta. For me it would've been Larry.....faults and all! But then again, there is definitely something to be said about Stu and his downhome charm. lol

LOL, that's true too, Stu definitely has his appeals, and I'm sure I'd like him. But personality-wise, I'd probably be the most compatible with Glen.

What a silly conversation I'm having. LOL.

lol. I know, but it's fun.

LOL, I'll admit that I develop little crushes on fictional characters at least once a year. (Sometimes books, sometimes TV, never movies.)

The characters just become so real!

Yes, I think thta's why it happens for books and TV but not movies--I only spend 2 hours with a movie character, but for books I can spend 20 or 50 depending on the length, and for TV series, it gets into the hundreds.

haha.. when I was younger I had a huge crush on Angel from the TV-series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I was actually thinking of Spike myself. :-D

Though, in that case, it's both when I was younger and, uh, still currently.

Spike was definitely my favorite! I've always had a thing for the "bad boy."

The snarky attitude, the complete badassery, the heart of gold underneath it all... *swoon*

I'm so glad right now that not many men have been frequenting our Stand discussions, LOL.

lol. So true!

You all crack me up! Not that I have never had a crush on a fictional character. There are many, but I'll never tell, lol

Loretta.. Now I totally dig Spike! He's the bad ass with a heart of gold. :)

But the Angel crush dates from my teenage years. The mystic eyes, his painful past.. I only wanted to comfort him. :P

But I would love to be able to meet some fictional characters, some in a more decent way than others! lol

Umm helllo RNAGER and MORELLI? I'd take em'both!

Nath wrote: "Finished it.. and still within time limit. :)

My thoughts about the ending are very much the same as they have always been.

The story could have ended with the superblast and Las Vegas being ob..."

Agreed, the trip back to Boulder felt like King was trying to stuff more words into an already over-stuffed book. We're done, already! But it was nice to see Stu and Tom further bonding. The explanation about Peter was ok to me, although I'm no doctor. I would have liked to learn more about Lucy's baby, though.

Going back to Maine also makes sense. They have plenty of room to spread out, why not? And going to other parts of the world would be interesting, although King doesn't really mention interacting with other survivors.

A good read, all in all. I'm glad I did it. :)