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A review by slicheni
The Running Man by Stephen King, Richard Bachman
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Do not read the foreword of this book until you finish, it contains spoilers!!!
The Richard Bachman books seem to be King at his most unhinged. This book was completely insane and I ate up every second of it.
I was unfortunately spoiled by the foreword written by King, he completely gives away the ending of the book and ruins what should have been a tense and climactic ending. Despite that, this novel was filled with tension and excitement and I was intrigued to read the series of events that would lead to that final moment.
This book feels very Black Mirror-esque, full of dystopian, futuristic horrors. Made more fun for me when I learned that this book was set in 2025, I didn't know until I started reading which was pretty cool.
Some of the game shows listed in this book included great titles such as "How Hot Can You Take It" and "Treadmill to Bucks", (the latter in which contestants can only participate IF they have a heart condition, and have to run whilst answering questions to earn money, which I think is all that you need to know about the world they are living in).
I liked the problematic character of Ben Richards. Despite not being the best guy himself, he is thrust into a world where you have to root for him. I loved all the side characters he encountered whilst on the show too, they made great additions to the novel.
I do have to say that there is a lot of problematic language in the book, a lot of racism and sexism etc. is present which really doesn't age well. Putting that to the side though I just can't help but be addicted to the writing of Stephen King. I'm yet to meet a King book that hasn't left me intrigued and desperate for more.
The Richard Bachman books seem to be King at his most unhinged. This book was completely insane and I ate up every second of it.
I was unfortunately spoiled by the foreword written by King, he completely gives away the ending of the book and ruins what should have been a tense and climactic ending. Despite that, this novel was filled with tension and excitement and I was intrigued to read the series of events that would lead to that final moment.
This book feels very Black Mirror-esque, full of dystopian, futuristic horrors. Made more fun for me when I learned that this book was set in 2025, I didn't know until I started reading which was pretty cool.
Some of the game shows listed in this book included great titles such as "How Hot Can You Take It" and "Treadmill to Bucks", (the latter in which contestants can only participate IF they have a heart condition, and have to run whilst answering questions to earn money, which I think is all that you need to know about the world they are living in).
I liked the problematic character of Ben Richards. Despite not being the best guy himself, he is thrust into a world where you have to root for him. I loved all the side characters he encountered whilst on the show too, they made great additions to the novel.
I do have to say that there is a lot of problematic language in the book, a lot of racism and sexism etc. is present which really doesn't age well. Putting that to the side though I just can't help but be addicted to the writing of Stephen King. I'm yet to meet a King book that hasn't left me intrigued and desperate for more.