The Stand is a work of fiction, as its subject matter makes perfectly clear. Many of the events occur in real places—such as Ogunquit, Maine; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Boulder, Colorado—and with these places I have taken the liberty of changing them to whatever degree best suited the course of my fiction. I hope that those readers who live in these and the other real places that are mentioned in this novel wil not be too upset by my “monstrous impertinence, ” to quote Dorothy Sayers, who indulged freely in the same sort of thing.
Other places, such as Arnette, Texas, and Shoyo, Arkansas, are as fictional as the plot itself.
Special thanks are due to Russel Dorr (P.A.) and Dr. Richard Herman, both of the Bridgton Family Medical Center, who answered my questions about the nature of the flu, and its peculiar way of mutating every two years or so, and to Susan Artz Manning of Castine, who proofed the original manuscript.
Most thanks of al to Bil Thompson and Betty Prashker, who made this book happen in the best way.
A PREFACE IN TWO PARTS
PART 1: TO BE READ BEFORE PURCHASE
There are a couple of things you need to know about this version of The Stand right away, even before you leave the bookstore. For that reason I hope I’ve caught you early—hopeful y standing there by the K section of new fiction, with your other purchases tucked under your arm and the book open in front of you. In other words, I hope I’ve caught you while your wal et is stil safely in your pocket. Ready? Okay; thanks. I promise to be brief.
