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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
FIRST READ 2020
I actually had to force myself to finish this. Probably my least favorite King novel. I was hoping for at least a gripping thrill ride, but considering the predictable plot, the flat characters, and the dated dialogue I couldn't even fully get into it.
2025 RE-READ
There are two reasons I re-read this:
1. There is a new movie adaptation coming up
2. I've heard from quite a few people that this book is underrated and great, so I started second-guessing my original reaction
Well......... nothing has changed. I still don't like this. Thankfully it's a short one, but man, what do people see in this? There isn't a single character I like (mostly because they're flat, but also because most of them are annoying). The story never engaged me, and the writing style is not it. Having read a lot more King since 2020 it's honestly surprising to me someone would put this as one of his best works next to some of the amazing novels he has written. The only thing The Running Man has going for it is the extreme circumstances (it's a great premise), and good pacing.
I actually had to force myself to finish this. Probably my least favorite King novel. I was hoping for at least a gripping thrill ride, but considering the predictable plot, the flat characters, and the dated dialogue I couldn't even fully get into it.
2025 RE-READ
There are two reasons I re-read this:
1. There is a new movie adaptation coming up
2. I've heard from quite a few people that this book is underrated and great, so I started second-guessing my original reaction
Well......... nothing has changed. I still don't like this. Thankfully it's a short one, but man, what do people see in this? There isn't a single character I like (mostly because they're flat, but also because most of them are annoying). The story never engaged me, and the writing style is not it. Having read a lot more King since 2020 it's honestly surprising to me someone would put this as one of his best works next to some of the amazing novels he has written. The only thing The Running Man has going for it is the extreme circumstances (it's a great premise), and good pacing.
What an entertaining book, I was hooked the entire time. The twists were perfectly timed, and hard to predict. Although the ending was a bit unsatisfying