The Running Man

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced action, one of Bachman's best
Review: I've read online reviews of Richard Bachman/Stephen King's novel The Running Man, and some of them claim that this book lacks a certain something that relegates it to being the worst of the Bachman Books. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would think that. As far as I'm concerned, The Running Man is not only one of Bachman/King's best books, it's one of the best straight-up action novels I've had the pleasure to read.

When you think about it, there are a ton of action movies out there, but not very many action novels. Sure, you have a plethora of low-grade action series, such as Mack Bolan, Remo Williams, etc, but there aren't very many stand-alone, pure action novels. The Running Man is one, though, and from beginning to end it's a thrill a minute.

I grew up in the '80s, and of course loved the Schwarzenegger film, loosely based on this book. Matter of fact, I still do. But the movie just doesn't compare; whereas it's goofy, WWF-type fun, the novel is dark, brutal, and brimming with mean-spirited, hardcore action. Ben Richards, the scrawny, underfed, cynical protagonist of the novel, is a far cry from Schwarzenegger's he-man. This is one of the best features of the novel, witnessing the "pre-tubercular" Richards (per King's description, in his "The Importance of Being Bachman" foreword) take on the forces sent against him.

According to King, the novel was written over a 72-hour period, and the published version supposedly isn't much different than that first draft. This speed of writing is reflected in the novel: it chugs along like a No Doze-popping trucker. Whereas most King novels are bogged down by excessive description and detail (something King is normally criticized for by the literary critics), The Running Man is a trim, fat-free exercise in the concept of "less is more." A grander scheme (and theme) is hinted at in the subtext of the book, but like all good novels, it isn't beaten over your head; the story itself is the star, and after reading it you'll reflect on the little details ingrained within.

Since this is a Richard Bachman novel, expect his trademark, downer ending. However, the ride there is exciting and excellent, and this is one of the few Bachman/King books I would consider re-reading in the future. The novel begs for a more faithful film adaptation; the modicum of description, the streamlined action and characters, and the black humor dripping from the dialog all make the book read like a well-done, action-packed screenplay.

It's never been considered a part of the subgenre, but I think The Running Man is an early example of what has become known as cyberpunk. Though it doesn't feature the trademarks normally associated with the genre, such as computers and hackers, the atmosphere in which the novel takes place - a grim, technology-ravaged, depressing world in which a large wall separates the rich from the poor, and the media reigns supreme - could come straight out of William Gibson, or even the film "Blade Runner."

Simply put, The Running Man comes highly recommended, whether you're an action fan, a King aficionado, or even if you're looking for an introduction to the world of Stephen King/Richard Bachman.

Rating:
Summary: THRILLING, FAST-PACED AND HIGHLY ENJOYABLE READING
Review: If you have ever wanted to read a book purely for the sake of enjoyment, then "The Running Man" is definately for you. Written by King in his early days, this work displays all of the author's talents outside of those involving horror to create a story that is impossible to put down, and prone to numerous re-readings, especially because of its size (just over 200 pp). Just to warn you, this book has NOTHING to do with the motion picture that starred good 'ol Arnold quite a few years back. If the movie did have anything to do with this book,...well, let's just say that it would have been much, much better. The story revolves around one of King's simplest but best literaty characters, Ben Richards, who exists in a futuristic world of disease, capitalism and the all-important "free-vee" that has brainwashed the planet and caused massive seperation in the classes. In order to save his wife and young daughter from a terrible fate, Richards enters the free-vee's most popular game-show, The Running Man, where he voluntarily becomes the most wanted man on earth in order to survive 30 days and receive his billion dollar prize. ANYBODY is capable of turing him in, and trust me, this element alone adds to the story in such a way that causes the pace becomes frantic and the excitement to reach a fever-pitch numerous times throughout the story. Whether or not you a King fan, this book is a DEFINATE MUST-READ. If you want to read a book for yourself and just for kicks, than look no further. Read "The Running Man!"

Rating:
Summary: Short, sweet, and full of protein.
Review: WARNING: The following review contains spoilers!

Stephen King, in the '80s, was at the peak of his writing skill. Fresh out of University but scared that the public wouldn't appriciate his work, he wrote the classics It, Thinner, The Stand, among others, under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. But ever since he gained status as a 'literary genius' - and changed his pen-name back to his native - he's been fumbling a bit, especially with his most recent works which have been total crap. But there's still his classics to contend with, one being The Running Man, which has been overlooked time and time again despite the fact having been turned into a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Then again, the movie was garbage, so that's your knackered.

The novel takes place in the year 2027, in a Dystopian society where big business is everywhere, the air smells like a chain smoker 24/7, and television has become the leading medium. 'Free-Vees' are in every home, as eager audiences tune in every night to their favourite game show, of which there are many, produced by the evil Games Corporation. One such program is The Running Man, the most popular show for the company to date. Why you ask? The answer is simple: The contestants are middle-class citizens, who have been deemed 'deliquants' by the Games Commission after taking part in several apptitude tests. Once chosen, the contestant is let loose on the world, with one catch: They must survive 30 days without being killed by the Games Commission 'Hunters,' or complete strangers from off the street, who are paid exorbitant amounts of money to do so. If the contestant survives, they win a billion dollars. The record of survival in the six years the show has been on the air has been 8 days.

The new contestant on the show, Benjamin Richards, is a hard-case: A man who's been fired from almost every position he's ever held because of his firery attitude. His daughter is dying of peunomia, and signs up to be in one of the Games. His tests are some of the highest the Commission has ever seen, so they sign him up for The Running Man. He doesn't care - he has nothing to lose.

Along the way, Richards meets up with some strange personas, who may or may not be trying to help him win like he thinks... Some of them are: the producer of the show, the slimy Dan Killan; a woman he ends up taking hostage, Amelia Williams; and the Chief Hunter, Evan McCoy. So, he runs, and dodges, and runs some more, starting at the Games Building in Los Angeles, until the final confrontation at an airport in Newark, where Richards tries to escape from McCoy and his troupe, and must decide whether or not to sacrifice himself, or see if he can beat the survival record by just a few more minutes.

The Running Man is a great read, and a relatively short one too. King blends elements of social commentary, science-fiction, and action, all leading up to a shockingly violent set-piece, and quite an affecting and unexpected ending (A little hint: One of the main characters has his/her guts dragging behind him/her, literally! And one of the characters flies a jumbo jet into a building!). The novel seemed like a cross between George Orwell's 1984, the television show Fear Factor, and Oliver Stone's movie Natural Born Killers. If that's your sort of match-up, then The Running Man might just be your most overlooked novel of the decade.

Rating:
Summary: God, my fave Stephen King Book
Review: I don't think it's written in Stephen's normal style, which actually appeals to me because it can get old sometimes. It's a very short, sweet, and to-the-point action thriller, instead of his usually mystery horror type novels. I haven't seen the movie, mainly because I didn't knwo there was one until about ten minutes ago, but I don't think a movie could ever do the book justice. The two twists at the ending kept me reading and had me in suspense until the last page. I'm just dissapointed that it wasn't longer. He could have fit a lot more story in and it still would have been fantastic.

A great read, I recommend that any avid reader pick this up. Fantastic writing and a good, solid plot make this a must have.

Rating:
Summary: Eerily prophetic action novel
Review: The Running Man is a quick and exciting read - nonstop action will keep you turning the pages. In 2025, reality television dominates the airwaves, putting health and even lives at stake. King's vision in 1982 is uncomfortably close to the current state of entertainment media. It's more unsettling to read today than back in the early eighties.

For a Stephen King novel, The Running Man is unusually concise and not too gory. He describes only what's necessary to sketch out a bleak future. Unfortunately, this is also why his characters suffer a bit. The hero has but one motivation (to stay alive) and his feelings aren't really discussed. However, as a plot-driven story, it's understandable that character development takes a back seat.

The Running Man is designed to thrill and chill! Recommended for any fan of science fiction and action movies!

Rating:
Summary: THRILLING, FAST-PACED AND HIGHLY ENJOYABLE READING
Review: If you have ever wanted to read a book purely for the sake of enjoyment, then "The Running Man" is definately for you. Written by King in his early days, this work displays all of the author's talents outside of those involving horror to create a story that is impossible to put down, and prone to numerous re-readings, especially because of its size (just over 200 pp). Just to warn you, this book has NOTHING to do with the motion picture that starred good 'ol Arnold quite a few years back. If the movie did have anything to do with this book,...well, let's just say that it would have been much, much better. The story revolves around one of King's simplest but best literaty characters, Ben Richards, who exists in a futuristic world of disease, capitalism and the all-important "free-vee" that has brainwashed the planet and caused massive seperation in the classes. In order to save his wife and young daughter from a terrible fate, Richards enters the free-vee's most popular game-show, The Running Man, where he voluntarily becomes the most wanted man on earth in order to survive 30 days and receive his billion dollar prize. ANYBODY is capable of turing him in, and trust me, this element alone adds to the story in such a way that causes the pace becomes frantic and the excitement to reach a fever-pitch numerous times throughout the story. Whether or not you a King fan, this book is a DEFINATE MUST-READ. If you want to read a book for yourself and just for kicks, than look no further. Read "The Running Man!"

Rating:
Summary: The Hero Crashes a Plane into a Building and Dies at the End
Review: Hope I didn't ruin anything for you. The author didnt seem to think that was an important detail since he included it in the introduction. And I'm sure you don't mind me saving you the trouble of having to read all the way through the book to get to the end.

I mean, the ending doesnt matter does it?

Rating:
Summary: An action novel with a suprising amount of social commentary
Review: Let me preface this reveiw by urging anyone who has seen the movie to not judge the book by it. This book, although not 1984, is far more profund than anything with Arnold Schwarzenegger in it.

Ben Richards, the lead character in The Running Man, is accurately described by one character as an anachronism- he beleives in fidelity and virtue in a bleak dystopian world obsessed with 3D Perverto Mags and watching their fellow man killed on the "Free-Vee". However, he is poor and his daughter is ill...the paltry unemployment check must be used for food and he does not wish to see his wife reverting to prostituion. He turns to the Games, barbaric exploits of human suffering to appease the masses, and is chosen for the most prestigious, dangerous, and rewarding game- The Running Man.

In The Running Man the one doing the running must elude the Hunters for 30 days, using the whole world as his arena. However, the running man must send two videotapes per day back to the Network- enabling the Hunters to pinpoint his location. Nonetheless, Richards is resourceful and skilled at dissapearing into the bowels of large cities- he has nothing to lose except his life, and knows that the money he makes will reach his wife regardless of whether he lives or dies.

I couldn't put this book down, but upon finishing it, (incidentally the ending hits a perfect note for a dystopian novel) I realized there was more to the book than "met the eye", if you pardon the cliche. Stephen King (although this book was writen under the psuedonym of Richard Bachman) includes enough social commentary -be it concerning class division, pollution or the television's ability to put blinders on one's eyes- to entice someone looking for more than just an exilarating action novel.

Highly reccomended, but avoid the movie like the plague.

Rating:
Summary: You can run but you can't hide.
Review: It is the year 2025, TV is truly the opiate of the people, and society is divided sharply between the haves and the have-nots. Ben Richards' family is in the latter group. He's been unfairly blacklisted and his wife has had to resort to hooking to pay the bills. Meanwhile, his baby daughter lies ill with the flu - perfectly treatable if only they could afford it. Desperate and at the end of his rope, Richards opts to participate in a game show called "The Running Man." He is to become the quarry in a deadly hunt that will last no more than thirty days. For each day he successfully evades his pursuers, his family earns a large sum of money.

No one has ever lasted more than eight days.

The games network, of course, hardly plays fair. The rules require Ben to periodically mail in videos, thereby running the risk of giving his location away. And rewards are given for any information leading to his apprehension, so Richards is also playing against a bored and bloodthirsty public -- in other words, everyone. The ongoing hunt is very suspenseful, but it's when Richards finally confronts his true nemesis that things get really interesting.

As I was reading I couldn't help thinking that this story was ready-made for film. It moves along at a rapid pace, especially once the game is underway. It's not simplistic, but neither is it complicated enough that it should require much tampering. (I've not yet seen the movie, but from what I have heard they somehow dropped the ball. Too bad.)

The concept of reality TV probably seemed outrageous or at least far-fetched in 1982, when The Running Man first appeared. Now it seems disturbingly prescient. Though the book belongs in the science fiction genre, it is more frightening than many of his horror stories. One warning about this edition: the story is prefaced by an introduction lifted from the earlier Bachman Books publication, and for some reason King gives away the ending in it. Maybe it's an editing oversight. In any case, save it until you've read the book. It will allow you a more powerful reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: Run to the store and get this!
Review: This is an interesting short novel set in the not too distant future. Richards is unemployed, poor and has a dieing daughter who he cannot afford drugs for. The only solution for someone in his predicament is to go on television and participate in a game show. Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and that type of thing are not the rating blockbusters in this era. People with weak a heart run on a treadmill which increases in speed whenever they get a question wrong. If they survive to the end they win money. This is just one example of what to tune into in the future.

Richards is not the most pleasant of men and is not too nice to his interviewers, doctors and everyone along the way. There is a special game show for people like him. In it he can potentially make one million new dollars if he wins. If however like all contestants before him he does not win, then he will die. He must outrun and avoid hunters intent on killing him for a number of days. The public can win money by ringing the station and turning in his whereabouts so there is nowhere to run. He can kill those after him but no civilians. He also must constantly mail in tapes of himself talking to the camera every day so even though he is told the postal marks are not shown to the hunters he knows this is untrue and must keep on the move.

I saw the movie of this book when I was a little kid so saw no point in reading it until now. Surprisingly, well I guess it shouldn't really be a surprise, the book really is nothing like the Schwarzenegger action movie. It is a pretty good read and a must for fans of action thrillers.