English (The Running Man) / Italiano

While I am thoroughly enjoying the captivating sci-fi/dystopia of highly acclaimed TV series like "Black Mirror" or "The Handmaid's Tale", the novel "The Running Man" unexpectedly lands in my lap. The interesting fact is that this novel served as the inspiration for the 1987 movie of the same name. And it just so happens that I am one of the select few who adored that movie. Therefore, without hesitation, I immediately purchase the novel. Stephen King penned it during his "Bachman" phase, and perhaps it could be considered a minor novel. However, that doesn't matter to me. I bought it... and thank goodness!

The concept of reality shows is taken to an extreme in this novel. In the future that King presents us with, actual life live transmutes into death live. There are sadistic TV prize contests, such as "Treadmill to Bucks", where the unfortunate individuals (often those with cardiac disease) must answer a series of questions while running on a rotating cylinder. But the pièce de résistance of the live TV prize contests is "The Running Man", a brutal manhunt that essentially pits you against everyone and everything in the world. One has to hide constantly. Prestigious hotels, decadent motels, or even sewers - one place is as good as the next. The crucial thing is that you can never stop in the same place for more than one day. Otherwise, you're doomed.

The ending is simply hellish - direct, essential, and minimal. It presents a hellish future indeed.

Vote: 8

Mentre mi entusiasmo per la fantastcienza/distopia di acclamate serie TV quali "Black Mirror" o "The Handmaid's Tale", mi ritrovo per le mani "L'uomo in fuga", che scopro aver ispirato il film "L'implacabile". Il fatto è che io sono probabilmente uno dei pochi fan di questo film del 1987. Quindi compro immediatamente il libro. Stephen King lo ha scritto in fase "Bachman", forse si tratta di un libro minore. Non importa, lo compro. E meno male: minore il caspito!!

L'idea dei reality show viene esasperata, e la vita in diretta del nostro presente diventa morte in diretta nel futuro che ci presenta King. Futuro in cui vi sono sadiche trasmissioni TV a premi, come "Il macinadollari", dove i malcapitati (tendenzialmente cardiopatici) devono rispondere a delle domande mentre corrono su di un cilindro rotante. Ma la vera punta di diamante dei concorsi a premi in diretta TV è "L'uomo in fuga", una caccia ai concorrenti che praticamente ti mette contro tutti, contro il mondo intero. Bisogna nascondersi. Alberghi, motel decadenti, fogne. Un posto vale l'altro, l'importante è non fermarsi mai nello stesso luogo per più di qualche giorno. Altrimenti sei fottuto.

Gran bel finale, diretto, essenziale, minimale. Gran bel futuro.

Voto: 8

With the disturbing rumours of real Hunger Games-like scenarios being played out in Siberia, I find the implications sickeningly scary. It makes one wonder about the lengths to which some entities might go.

Beware of governments that might make it compulsory to watch dystopian TV. This could potentially desensitize the public and further erode our sense of reality.

The Running Man, set in a dystopian future, presents a world where the poor are regarded as more of a nuisance than actual human beings. The protagonist, Ben Richards, realizes this harsh reality as he watches his daughter, Cathy, deteriorate day by day and approach the brink of death. Desperate to pay for Cathy's medical bills, he enlists in a true reality-style game show where the only goal is to stay alive.

The BBC report from 6/12/2017 further adds to the intrigue and speculation. As we continue to consume such stories, it is important to remain vigilant and question the messages they convey.

In 2025, a terrifying scenario unfolds. The best men no longer aspire to run for president; instead, they are forced to run for their lives.

Imagine a world like that of "The Hunger Games," but on an even grander scale. This adventure-packed story, though less than 300 pages, is truly epic.

From the very first page, I was completely captivated and rooted for Ben. The super fast-paced dystopian setting kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. And that ending! It had me screaming with a mix of excitement and satisfaction.

Without a doubt, this book will go down as one of my all-time favorite SK books. I can't recommend it highly enough. Five stars all the way!

It's a thrilling ride that will leave you breathless and longing for more.

I read this Bachman Book years ago when it was released in a compilation edition called The Bachman Books (along with Rage, The Long Walk and Roadwork). I have never seen the movie version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger made in the 80s. But after finding a copy of this book with a movie tie-in cover, I've arranged to borrow a DVD of The Running Man. Before watching the movie, I decided to re-read the short book. I'm glad I did.

The Running Man is basically the story of a man, Ben Richards, desperate to bring in some serious money for his family. His daughter is sick, and they live in squalor. The working class is kept poor and downtrodden in one area of the city, while others live in relative comfort. But, in return for competing in dangerous games that will be televised, they can bring in some cash. Unfortunately, many of the contestants die. Ben decides the best way to help his wife and sick daughter is to go through the screening process and join a game. He competes as The Running Man, chased across the country by law enforcement, mercenaries and the general public. He is required to send in daily videos and will be paid for each day he survives. A lot of money is promised if he can last 30 days. But nobody has ever lasted that long. The record is 8 days and 5 hours. Killer Capitalism.

This book came out in the 80s, but it's set in 2024. I couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance to modern reality television. People aren't paid to run from law enforcement with extra money paid for each person they kill while running, but there have been people injured and killed during publicity stunts for views on YouTube and while filming shows or stunts for reality television. One game in the book has infirm, ill or crippled people competing for money by running on a treadmill. They are asked trivia questions. If they answer wrong, it costs them money and the treadmill speed is increased. They are paid by the minute, with the game often killing contestants. Nobody died, but lots of people tuned in to Biggest Loser for years, watching overweight, ill people endure exercise and starvation to lose weight. Contestants later talked about peeing blood from dehydration, collapsing after hours of forced exercise and being ill afterwards all in an effort to win the $250,000 prize, pretty close to Treadmills To Bucks. It's not that far a jump to think the trend could jump up a few notches to more dangerous games, all for money and a magical chance for a better life.

I had forgotten a lot of this story over the years. I was still basically a kid when I read it. I read it Before. Before marriage, before kids, before a lot of things. Re-reading it at 50 years old brought a new perspective. Great action story, but also a cautionary tale. We can't allow ourselves to become so engrossed in cheap, violent entertainment that we lose sight of other more important issues, such as unsafe work environments, unfair treatment of the working class, and the growing belief that some lives are worth more than others. Killer capitalism isn't that big a jump from where we are today.

I enjoyed re-visiting this book! It's a great action story with a bit of moralizing added in the mix. I'm going to re-read more of the Bachman books this year. They are shorter than the novels the author published as Stephen King, and have a different vibe to them. Less horror, more darkness.

Now that I have read the book and have the story fresh in my mind, I'm going to watch the 80's movie. I wonder how badly they butchered the story? My husband says the movie has very little resemblance to the book. Not surprised.

As I have already said on other occasions, I am reading all of Stephen King's books in chronological order. And I'll say right away (without too many roundabout words) that this is one of my favorites.

Set in 2025 (but the book was written under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman in 1982... King was 35 years old at the time), with humanity perennially and obligatorily glued to 3D television to watch the only program broadcast: a series of deadly games where the various contestants win increasing amounts of money (to be destined for their families) depending on how long they manage to stay alive! I avoid telling you how the book ends to not spoil the ending for you... anyway, it's spectacular and absolutely unexpected!

Well, but I'll tell you one thing: considering that the book was written in 1982, King had already predicted the arrival of reality shows, pain TV, and scoops at any cost. In conclusion, I repeat that this is one of the best books of King that I have read so far... despite the presence of some plot holes or absurd and paradoxical situations. One in particular: the protagonist of the book who trips over his own intestine. [https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]

I make no attempt to hide the fact that I have an aversion to Stephen King's writing style. Each and every time, irrespective of the main character's background, they invariably throw out a slur or two and sexualize women. This aspect truly grates on me.

Nevertheless, in most cases, the story itself has been sufficient to keep me engaged and reading despite the writing style. However, "The Running Man" failed to have that effect on me. It did contain some astute critiques of rigged media and capitalism, which were interesting.

Nonetheless, overall, the book was underwhelming and had a slow pace. It didn't manage to grip me as tightly as some of King's other works. I found myself struggling to stay interested at times, and I was left with a sense of disappointment by the end.

A fast-paced Dickensian, Sci-Fi dystopia thriller awaits the reader.

However, it may be argued that the pacing is perhaps a touch too frenetic.

This rapid tempo leaves little room for in-depth character development.

The characters remain somewhat one-dimensional, lacking the complexity and depth that would truly engage the audience.

Moreover, the story fails to create an appreciable ambiance.

The dystopian world is not vividly realized, and the reader struggles to fully immerse themselves in the setting.

Despite its exciting premise, the lack of character development and ambiance somewhat detract from the overall reading experience.

Nonetheless, for those who enjoy a quick and thrilling read, this Sci-Fi dystopia thriller may still hold some appeal.

It offers a fast-paced adventure that will keep the pages turning, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights it could have with more developed characters and a more immersive atmosphere.

Can a father burdened with authority issues, a fierce loathing for the world, and limited inner fortitude truly be a guiding light for the general populace who wish him dead? This is a question that lingers throughout Steven King's "The Running Man." Published in 1982, the book is set in the not-too-distant future of 2025. The world is in an economic shambles, and most people live in poverty. Our protagonist, Ben Richards, desperate for money to treat his sick daughter, enrolls in a violent government-run game show. Little does he know he'll be on the Running Man segment, hunted by a hitman. The longer he survives, the more money he earns. But no one has ever survived this program.

Ben has a harrowing experience in Co-op City. Every day before midnight, he must film himself and send the tapes to the TV studio, which then manipulates the footage to make him seem like a threat. Once on the run, he disguises himself as a visually impaired priest and befriends a member of the upper class, using her as a hostage to change his image. King uses this dystopian setting to explore themes like pollution, socialization, misinformation, and more. Each character Ben meets serves as a means to delve into these ideas.
Like many of King's morally bankrupt characters, "The Running Man" doesn't have a clear outlier. However, King does an excellent job of portraying the TV network in a sleazy light, making you渴望 justice for them. The book is enjoyable and full of tension, with each chapter having a countdown. Give it a try, but be careful not to read it while eating spaghetti. The soundtrack includes songs like "The Grudge" by TOOL and "Black Smoke Rising" by Greta Van Fleet. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Dear Mr. Stephen King,

If by some chance or miracle you come across this review one day, please be sure to break your contract with "Arab Scientific Publishers".

The reading process of your original works is like adding more precious moments to your own life. However, the translation of your books by them is truly a waste of the only life you will ever have.

Mr. Stephen King, your works are highly regarded and loved by countless readers around the world. But the translation done by this publisher fails to capture the essence and charm of your writing. It is a great disappointment to all your fans. We hope that you will take this matter seriously and make the right decision to ensure that your works are presented to the readers in the best possible way.

One of the authors who made me most excited to include within the #retopiaspirits of the account @victorianspirits was the famous Stephen King. He is one of the most popular living writers, and I have only read "Carrie" by him over 10 years ago. I have several of his titles on my list of pending books. Among those of a futuristic nature, I have to be honest, if it were up to me, I would have read "The Long Walk", which is one of the ones I most want to read by the American author. But since it was "The Running Man" that had been gathering dust on my shelves for a long time, it was the one I read. Because in the end, one of the reasons I do challenges is to get rid of pending things.

In 2025. The United States of America has become a country where the class difference is abysmal. To divert attention from the atrocious environmental problems and keep the population calm, the totalitarian American government has turned mass culture into a means to control the lower strata, making all the entertainment they can access be reality TV shows in which the participants risk their lives for money. The highest reward is given in "The Running Man", where a citizen is pursued by the whole country until he is hunted down and executed. The longer he lasts, the higher the reward his family will receive. That's why an unemployed man, Benjamin Richards, decides to participate in this program, as his daughter is very ill and needs medicine. Mercilessly pursued, Richards will try to endure as much as possible in order to get the maximum possible prize.

I'm going to be honest: of what we've had in 2023, "The Running Man" has been the worst reading I've done. It has a total score of 1.3 stars. I'm sorry, but it's a reading that I might as well have done or not. And it makes me angry, because I'm the first to recognize that it has very good and very interesting things. To begin with, its starting point catches my attention a lot. It reminds me a lot of one of my favorite dystopian trilogies, "The Hunger Games". And the futuristic setting is simply powerful and anguishing. It shows that the American author draws from some of the most well-known and relevant dystopian novels, such as "1984" by Orwell and "Brave New World" by Huxley. Reading it gives the impression that King (like many other authors) does not pretend to hide the debt to these readings, simply to give his personal touch to what these authors said in their writings, aporting his own vision of the future and his personal way of narrating. Perhaps having read this book so close to the 2025 in which it is set, King's futuristic proposal has not impacted me as much as if I had read it in the 90s - early 2000s, although I recognize how well done it is. There are certain things that I recognize are happening nowadays, such as the use of the media and social media culture to control the masses, and the increase in diseases due to pollution and environmental problems. Strokes that do not surprise a modern reader because they are so recognizable and close to him, but that do manage to anguish him. That is, perhaps the most, apart from this reading, is the way in which the one who represents the class differences and the anguish and the moral and human void of the lower strata, dominated in every sense by a totalitarian government that controls even those who consume for entertainment. Some have become empty machines who enjoy seeing the suffering of other citizens and who are content with what they have without questioning anything. Others are aware of the inequalities and the control that oppresses them, but they limit themselves to trying to survive because what else can they do? And others try, fruitlessly, to change things, a very difficult task. Once again, I have to repeat myself and say that this is something that very well represents the majority of the current Western world population, immersed in a world of easy and canned entertainment and control of the press and media.

It is in this desolate context that the figure of the main character stands out, the one on whom all the action falls, Benjamin Richards. Richards belongs to the second class that I mentioned above, that of those who limit themselves to subsisting in a world completely hostile to them. He is not a hero, he only fights to get money for his wife and daughter. The love for his family is really the only thing that redeems him and that manages to humanize him in the eyes of the reader. He is a pariah in every sense of the word, since he has no other roots than his family and nothing really matters or interests him. He does not have a pleasant personality, but quite the opposite. In fact, for better or for worse, he is a 100% product of the society in which he was born, a man with great intelligence that circumstances have prevented him from polishing or using to prosper in life. That's why Richards is an uncomfortable figure even within his world, full of cunning and hatred in equal parts. Hence he becomes fodder for the "The Running Man" contest, precisely designed to get rid of those conflictive elements for the firmly implanted social equilibrium. Benjamin Richards is a man who normally would not be liked by more than one and more than two while reading. But the reasons that lead him to participate and the thousand and one problems to which he is subjected while his participation in the hunt lasts, convert him, in a strange and curious way, into a hero, achieving the sympathy of the reader and his complicity. Even though the way he gets out of the quagmire is not especially kind.

Stephen King's prose is dynamic and direct, something that goes very well with the type of book we have in our hands. And despite everything, his pen allows moments in which he delves into the psyche of his protagonist and his past, and others more lyrical, which create a strong contrast with the agility of the plot. And at the same time, they fit very well with the unadorned setting of the dystopian future that he proposes to us. Certainly, King is an author who is very enjoyable to read, who 90% of the time usually gets straight to the point and who knows how to handle the times very well in a plot in which I think this is very important, since the key is in the way his creator maintains the balance between pause and action, between the moments of greatest calm in the persecution compared to others in which adrenaline, frenzy, blood, violence, persecutions and fire take the lead. On the other hand, the chapters are quite short, which greatly speeds up the reading. At a narrative level, I have to say that what I liked the most is that the chapters are not numbered in a conventional way, but as a countdown. This resource not only seemed very original to me, it also manages, in some way, to inject tension into the reader, who, without realizing it, reads with more and more interest, waiting for whatever happens when the counter reaches zero.

And here is where I must begin to put the things that have made this novel not end up pleasing me. Above I say that 90% of the time he usually gets to the point. The first big problem I had with "The Running Man" I found on the first pages of the book. It is that in the first chapters, the one who describes to us in great detail, the numerous tests of all kinds that Richards must pass to be able to become a contestant in the game. This part, to be honest, I had quite a bit of. I think the author insisted too much on some descriptions that really did not contribute anything to the plot, simply to show us how intelligent his protagonist was and the way in which reality TV has become a firmly controlled weapon by the government for its purposes, the way in which nothing is left to chance in order to entertain and control the masses, I'm not going to say that all this does not have a very interesting point and that it is not related to the essence of the argument. But I think that if he had taken out some pages, nothing would have happened either. In fact, I would have personally appreciated it.

Once past this hurdle, for quite a few pages, I felt that the novel, finally, was starting to take off. The first notes of Richards' persecution began to catch my attention a lot, and I enjoyed how he got out of the entanglements and managed to escape and go unnoticed. And what also caught my attention a lot was when the issue of air pollution was brought up and how it was skewing the lives of the lower classes. If there is one thing that characterizes the dystopian novel, it is that it tells us what we are becoming, it shows us the future that if we do not improve things, we can deny to those who come after us. It is a genre that has a strong critical load that is mixed, not infrequently, with a good plot.

However, I must say that this did not last long. Soon for me the novel became a terribly arrhythmic narration, in which moments when I was very excited, reading, alternated with other moments when I was extremely bored. And for me that has been the main problem of "The Running Man". I have managed to enter that dystopian world, but never into the plot of the book itself. There was a moment when in the end everything seemed very repetitive to me, there was a lot of action and spectacular movements on the part of the protagonist, but few of these elements seemed to me to be full of real interest. It gave me the impression that the whole work ended up becoming a battery of persecutions and spectacular escapes on the part of the protagonist, all very mechanical. I understand that Richards is interested in moving forward at any cost and is only focused on that. But I don't understand why he parks the environmental issue aside at a certain moment, when it was presented to us as essential at the context level of the society that this work presents to us. It leaves me with the feeling that the novel is just an excuse to present us with a very interesting character, explosions, kidnappings and spectacular escapes. By losing that focus, for me the whole story loses its soul and remains just an entertainment and action product, the kind of leisure that the work itself criticizes. And another thing that bothered me a lot while reading was the way in which Richards was very lucky with the people he met along his bloody path. For me that took away a lot of credibility from what I was reading, it made everything seem very surreal to me. I was left with the feeling that all the secondary characters appeared as if by magic, helped the protagonist without a really firm intention, and then disappeared as easily as they had appeared. And that's it. Their contribution to the story never really became clear to me.

By the way, there is a movie more or less based on this novel, which in English has the original name of the novel "The Running Man" and in Spain was known as "Perseguido". And when I say "more or less based" I say it because apart from the setting and the original concept, the plot of the two proposals differs quite a bit. I'm not going to focus on details, just tell you that the main actor who plays Richards is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. A choice that could not be further from the stringy and physically conventional character that King describes in the pages of his book. I mean, the only thing the actor and the character have in common is that they are both male and human, that's what I'm telling you.

To finish, I can only say that "The Running Man" has not been a work for me. It reads quickly and the world that Stephen King proposes is very well done and very interesting. But I have never really connected with this story at any moment, nor has it aported anything to me, even its own ending has left a bitter taste in my mouth in the sense that it seemed completely empty to me. Spectacular, yes (like so many other things in this novel), and insufficient. And once again I can't help but compare this work with "The Hunger Games". Just like Benjamin Richards, Katniss Everdeen is a normal person of low class, with a complex character and past. Both protagonists are thrown into entertaining the upper classes of the societies in which they live in a deadly game of which they are aware that they will not survive. But in "The Hunger Games" one feels that everything that Katniss had to go through, or everything that she was forced to do had some meaning, served some purpose. The end of "The Running Man" is much crueler (yes, although you may not believe it). But one is left with the feeling that the whole journey of its protagonist has served no purpose, things will stay the same. It's a feeling that may seem like the end of "1984". But it's not like that. Because Orwell's story is even simpler in terms of argument than King's, but it did not have such a focus on entertainment and movement as "The Running Man" does. "1984" is a masterpiece of the dystopian genre because what it really seeks is to prevent, hence its ending works so well. In fact, while reading King's novel, I can't help but think that if I had not reread Orwell just last month, I would have enjoyed the reading I had in my hands more. Or at least, I would not have noticed its flaws so much. Really, comparisons are sometimes hateful.

That said, although the experience with this book has not been good, I still have a lot of desire to continue reading more works by Stephen King.

I have really loved this story. The protagonist, Ben Richards, is the perfect fit for the society reflected through a contest. It's a novel with the chapters told backwards, which builds up the nerves. It's an adventure for the protagonist where he risks his life. The way Mr. King narrates the story makes you clearly see both sides and catches you, makes you want to keep reading. It's a very rich novel in ingenious expressions and full of action. That's for sure. If you are looking for terror in this novel, you won't find it, but it doesn't need it. It's very, very recommendable.

The unique structure of having the chapters in reverse order adds an extra layer of excitement and mystery. As you read, you are constantly trying to piece together the events and understand how everything led to the current situation. Ben Richards' character is well-developed, and you can't help but root for him as he faces numerous challenges and obstacles. The descriptions in the novel are vivid, allowing you to picture the scenes and the characters in your mind. It's a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Yeeeeeeah, I really don't know. To be honest, this isn't his best work by any means.

I found myself being bored for most of the time while reading it. It seems like a lot of things just happened to work out for the protagonist purely out of luck. Or perhaps it's because of the much-used plot device "deus ex machina", which is kind of ironic because King himself talks about that in his book "Misery".

Surprisingly, I actually liked the ending. Usually, he isn't very good at endings, but this one was decent, which is a pleasant surprise lol. And I'll always have a deep admiration for his unique writing style. It's what keeps me coming back to his books, even when the story itself might not be perfect.

Overall, while this particular work has its flaws, I still have a lot of respect for King as an author and look forward to seeing what else he has in store for us in the future.