Stephen King’s biggest villains and most important stories have nothing to do with horror – exemplified by one particular book.

The author’s works have stood the test of time better than most, and much of that comes down to his versatility. None of his stories are the same, despite him revisiting certain themes and ideas time and time again. His openness to trying new genres and styles allows him to go even further and get more inventive with his stories, which is why none of his works ever feel repetitive. Stephen King’s non-horror books are great at subverting expectations, proving to readers that he’s capable of more than just making them scared. While each has its merits, The Stand is perhaps the archetypal example of an unusual King novel.

Stephen King's The Stand Is The Perfect Introduction To The Dystopian Genre

The Stand Serves As A Perfect Jumping-On Point

The Stand was only King’s second attempt at stepping outside the horror genre, following the controversial novel Rage just one year prior, and it’s already better than most authors could ever dream of. The story follows a group of survivors in the aftermath of a deadly pandemic that wiped out most of humanity, detailing their conflicts with each other and the factions they have divided into. It’s a fascinating examination of morality, purpose, and the omnipresence of evil that’s just as bleak as it is exciting.

For those looking to get into King’s non-horror works, The Stand is a perfect start. It’s a very accessible story; despite all the complex plots and ensemble characters, it’s never difficult to follow thanks to King’s entertaining style of writing. He makes everything seem incredibly large in scope and epic in scale, which immediately separates it from the other post-apocalyptic dystopias of its time. The Stand is well-known as a miniseries, but it doesn’t always get the credit it deserves as a piece of literature.

Why The Stand Is Such A Great Starting Point For Dystopian Readers

The Stand Has Everything That's Great About The Genre

The Stand is a perfect entry point for dystopian beginners thanks to its simplicity and very clear message. The world-building is rich and immense, but King never allows it to become confusing or uninteresting - the way he plots the story is incredibly purposeful, so that every scene has a clear meaning. The characters all have specific roles in the narrative, and their relationships are always engaging.

In many ways, it’s clear that King is working outside of his preferred genre. He avoids all of the typical tropes that are associated with dystopian literature, but this also allows him to intentionally avoid all the pitfalls and plot holes. It’s just as dark and gritty as fans of the genre would expect, but it lacks much of the convoluted exposition that’s associated with these kinds of stories. Instead, it’s extremely to-the-point and never gets lost behind the complexities of its message. This makes it perfect for those who are looking for something less typical in the dystopian genre.

Stephen King's Best Non-Horror Book Uses Elements Of The Horror Genre To Its Advantage

It's Still Very Clearly A Stephen King Novel

Interestingly, King never quite managed to escape his horror roots entirely with The Stand. There are still traces of his horror writing in this dystopian story (which is understandable, given the dark nature of the narrative), which gives it a comforting familiarity for existing King fans looking to broaden their horizons. His writing style is much the same, and the way that he allows plot points to run wild before reining them back in the final act is very similar to the rest of his works. It even features some of Stephen King’s own favorite characters, which says a lot about his pride surrounding the book.

While those less familiar with King’s work might find the horror aspects of The Stand somewhat jarring, they ultimately allow the author to give his own personal touch to the story that allows it to stand out among the crowd. It wouldn’t really be a Stephen King story without some kind of horror lurking underneath the surface of the story, and in this case, it truly enhances the story and its themes of inhumanity and evil.