In the year 2025, a rather chilling scenario unfolds. The best men don't strive for the presidency; instead, they are engaged in a desperate race for their very lives.

The Running Man is a captivating story that is set in a dystopian United States of 2025. Ben Richards, in a heart-wrenching attempt to secure the necessary funds to cover his ailing daughter's exorbitant health costs, finds himself participating in a truly terrifying game show known as The Running Man. In this残酷的 game, the contestant is given the freedom to run anywhere, but they are pursued by a pack of "Hunters" who are hell-bent on killing them within a specific time frame.

The Running Man marks the first Bachman novel that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I must say that I could clearly perceive a distinct difference in comparison to King's typical writing style. It had a more abrupt, more unpolished feel. It's difficult to precisely put my finger on it...but I am eagerly looking forward to delving into more Bachman books. In terms of the book itself, it offered a fun and speedy read. Well, as much fun as can be expected in a dystopian universe where one is being hunted to their death for mere entertainment purposes.

I was completely caught off guard by the last 60 pages or so of the book. There were some truly nice twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I really had no idea how it was going to conclude, but I thoroughly relished the ending. Although the main character wasn't particularly likable, I still found myself rooting for him.

All in all, it's a solid book that I would highly recommend.

I have read my very favorite book by the great Stephen King... "The Running Man" is a perfect thriller from his early works, which captivated my attention even on the second reading and brought me the same intense emotions!

In the near future, the AllTV has completely brainwashed the population, putting people in a state of ignorance and submission. Ben Richards is one of the few remaining who read books and do not succumb to media manipulation... However, he is very poor and his daughter is sick and in need of medicine, so he decides to apply to participate in one of the TV shows with attractive cash prizes. After they give him various tests, the TV assigns him to the most expensive but also deadly reality show - precisely "The Running Man". If he manages to survive for one month while special hunters pursue him with the intention of killing him, he will win one billion dollars. This is a show with a huge rating and accordingly, the ordinary people are skillfully manipulated by the AllTV so that they hate Ben insanely and whoever provides information about him will receive money. The pursuit becomes quite terrifying and Ben is in constant danger...

Besides being a horribly tense thriller, "The Running Man" is also a vivid anti-utopian piece... Unlike "The Long Walk", in this book the main hero fully realizes the evil reality and what he has gotten himself into, but gathers the courage to oppose the system.

"He was a dinosaur in this era. And without being big or scary, he was still an anachronism - a relic from another time, another world. It was no wonder that something dangerous, something menacing, was hidden within him... The great storm clouds often form around the most inconspicuous particles."

I absolutely adored this book. It truly took me aback. I vividly recall watching that dreadful 80's movie adaptation, and let me tell you, the book is worlds apart from it (thank goodness!).

It revolves around a guy who has a huge chip on his shoulder and decides to take on a brutally oppressive government organization. All the odds are most definitely stacked against him. The only thing he has going for him is his incredibly clever mind.

I haven't revisited this book in a few years, but there's one particular incident that has remained etched in my memory: a completely random and selfless act of kindness from a rather strange stranger. I sincerely hope that doesn't count as a spoiler - I truly don't think it does. You can think of it as something you might catch a glimpse of in the teaser trailer of an upcoming movie. These acts of kindness always have a profound impact on me. I can't even watch those "Restore Your Faith in Humanity" YouTube videos without getting emotional and tearing up.

It's probably not a book that every single person will enjoy to the same extent that I did. However, if the premise sounds remotely interesting to you... What are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a try!

Read this early King novel that was released under the name Bachman years ago. It is truly a captivating piece of work. The story unfolds in a unique and engaging way, drawing the reader in from the very beginning.

Not only is the novel great, but I also really liked the film adaptation with Arnold. The filmmakers did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life on the big screen. Arnold's performance added an extra layer of authenticity and excitement to the movie.

Overall, both the novel and the film adaptation are well worth experiencing. Whether you're a fan of King's work or just looking for a good story, this is one that you won't want to miss.

...si legge col fiatone...

Well, every now and then one has to allow oneself some "American thing" as a mental relaxation. After all, from this book a film ("The Running Man") was made, starring the muscular Schwarzenegger. Published under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman, in "The Running Man" we imagine a future 2025 (for us now close!!!) in which the reign of vices and perversions of all kinds has become the norm. The society is a prisoner of the Tri-tivù where 24 hours a day, chilling reality shows are broadcast in which the desperate lend themselves to being fodder. The protagonist, Ben Richards, is one of them and participates, for economic necessity, in the program "The Running Man" where he will be the prey of merciless hunters. If, initially, he decides to sacrifice himself to save his family, soon his role becomes that of the hero who rebels against a society that has exceeded the limits of civilization.

Read in a day and a half. Pant..pant…

It's a thrilling story that takes the reader on a wild ride through a dystopian future. The vivid descriptions of the society and the events that unfold make it easy to picture the scenes in one's mind. The character of Ben Richards is well-developed, and his transformation from a desperate man to a hero is both believable and inspiring. Overall, "The Running Man" is a great read for anyone who enjoys science fiction and adventure stories.

This is the first book that I have read by the author Stephen King. Honestly, it is a masterpiece and he is an extremely excellent writer. His style in narration and detailed description in the story is a creation by all standards.

Since the beginning of my reading of the story, I have been in a state of continuous reading without boredom and I find pleasure in every turn of the book from page one hundred to zero and the wonderful ending of this wonderful story.

The writing date of the story dates back to before 1996 and it tells about the escape program (escape, survival and perseverance until the end) which talks about the present in the story which is 2025. It is true that there are many things that actually exist in our present (2018), such as such programs. But in my opinion, the charm of the story lies in the author's creation in narrating such a story and the amount of details that make you say that it is a great thing to write such a story in 1996 and it also makes you say that it is the wisdom of the author to produce such a story.

If this story is made into a movie, it will be a beautiful action and social movie, especially as it shows us aspects of humanity in the near future and what may happen with all such programs and ideas currently in the field of education and development, and the danger of such programs and ideas.

The end of the story is very suitable for the story, despite the fact that it is not accepted by some, but in my opinion, this end is suitable and fair for the story.

Para mí, una obra imprescindible del genial Stephen King es "The Running Man". Es uno de esos libros que te mantienen enganchado desde el principio hasta el final.

Lo mejor sin duda ha sido la manera en la que King construye el escenario en el que se desarrolla esta distopía. Se refleja perfectamente una división de clases brutal. En los barrios bajos, a los pobres los mata el hambre, la enfermedad y la contaminación. La descripción de sus calles es completamente apocalíptica. Mientras que los ricos nadan en la opulencia y se pueden permitir verdaderos aparatos para defenderse de la contaminación. Me ha parecido muy fuerte que esta novela fue publicada en 1982 y hasta ahora ha previsto con bastante acierto muchos de los peligros que la contaminación iba a causar en el siglo 21. Por ejemplo, pone que ya en el año 2012 muchos japoneses tendrían que usar mascarilla para salir a la calle. A todo esto, hay que sumarle un gobierno que controla a todo el pueblo mediante la ignorancia, la manipulación informativa y calma la mente ociosa de las masas con programas extremadamente violentos y con gore real. Todo esto me parece tan extrapolable. Creo que es posiblemente la distopía más realista que he leído en este aspecto.

Por el lado de los personajes, por supuesto, creo que el que mejor hecho está es Richards, el protagonista. No solo tiene una historia bastante triste y profunda que te ayuda a empatizar con él, también tiene una personalidad con muchos matices y un descenso progresivo hacia la oscuridad, hacia la locura y hacia el lado más miserable del ser humano, conforme se va desarrollando todo este juego macabro. También me han gustado bastante Bradley y Elton. Son dos estudiantes con afán revolucionario que ayudan a Richards en su huida sin conocerlo realmente de nada y poniendo en riesgo sus propias vidas.

El desarrollo de la novela, en general es bastante trepidante y desde el principio te engancha. No es de las novelas más sangrientas ni con más acción de este autor, pero sabe mantener perfectamente la tensión de la huida casi todo el tiempo. Ahora vamos con el motivo por el cual le voy a dar 4,5 estrellas y no 5. Aunque el final me ha parecido bastante grandioso y arriesgado, creo que todo el rodeo que da para llegar hasta ahí es demasiado largo y bien analizado creo que no muy convincente. Es la pega que le pongo a esta novela.

Creo que del estilo de este hombre hay poco que no se haya dicho ya. Solo decir que es Stephen King en su más pura esencia, utilizando un lenguaje bastante vulgar y soez en general, es capaz de crear una prosa de gran belleza y esteticidad.

The incredible mind of Stephen King is on full display in this nearly forty-year-old prescient classic.

It's truly remarkable how King was able to envision the future of our times with such astonishing accuracy.

I listened to this for the second time a year later and was once again blown away by the depth and brilliance of his story.

The first time I read it, I gave it four stars, but now, after a second listen, I firmly believe it is five-star worthy.

It's a testament to the enduring power of King's writing that his work can still captivate and inspire readers decades after its initial publication.

This classic is a must-read for any fan of science fiction or horror, and a shining example of King's status as one of the greatest writers of our time.

10 of 10 stars.

It’s a story that has been told and retold quite a bit since its release. However, I still found myself thoroughly enjoying this highly action-packed thriller.

There is a brief chapter dedicated to Richards and his family, which provides a reason for him to enter this televised contest. The rules are then clearly explained, and then suddenly, BOOM! The story hits the gas pedal and never slows down.

The book is short, with concise chapters that keep the reader engaged and turning the pages. The plot rapidly moves to different locations, introducing new characters along the way. And the ending? It was absolutely bananas! B A N A N A S.

I’m currently trying my best to finish reading King’s early works, and I realized I missed some of his Bachman books. This one was a great choice to pick up, and I can understand why King used a pen name to publish it. He has the ability to write in any genre, but this particular book was definitely a departure from what he was known for back in the day.

Up next on my reading list is Roadwork! I’m excited to see what that has in store.

FIRST READ 2020

I truly had to exert great effort to complete this particular work. In fact, it might just be my least favored novel by King. I had been anticipating at least an exciting and captivating journey, but unfortunately, given the highly predictable plot, the rather one-dimensional characters, and the somewhat outdated dialogue, I simply couldn't immerse myself fully in it. It was a struggle to get through each page, and I found myself constantly looking forward to the end.

2025 RE-READ

There are two main reasons that led me to re-read this book. Firstly, there is a new movie adaptation on the horizon, which piqued my curiosity. Secondly, I had heard from numerous people that this book is actually underrated and truly great. As a result, I began to doubt my initial reaction. However, after re-reading, well......... nothing has changed. I still have a strong aversion to this book. Thankfully, it is a relatively short one, but seriously, what do people see in it? There isn't a single character that I can say I like. Mostly, it's because they lack depth and are rather flat, but also because a significant number of them are quite annoying. The story failed to engage me from start to finish, and the writing style simply didn't do it for me. Having read a considerably larger number of King's works since 2020, it is truly astonishing to me that someone would consider this as one of his best works, especially when compared to some of the truly amazing novels he has penned. The only redeeming qualities of The Running Man are the extreme circumstances, which make for a great premise, and the relatively good pacing. But overall, it still falls far short of my expectations.

The initial part of the book is the best. It is intense. All the time, I felt that sense of anxiety knowing what was going to happen. I was on the verge of spoiling it for myself and reading the end, xd. Fortunately, I didn't do it, hahaha. After about 40% or so, the pace started to slow down and the end was predictable. It didn't bother me because it was what I wanted to happen anyway, although it still lacked a bit for me.

The story follows Ben Richards, a father and husband from the poor part of this world divided into only two classes. Ben has no job and his wife supports them through prostitution. The problem is that their eighteen-month-old daughter is sick and they don't have the money to treat her and make her well. That's when Ben decides to participate in one of the many contests that are broadcast on television. But be careful, in this world, the contests are of the type where you can win money but also a guaranteed visit to the hospital or the morgue. Ben will do everything possible to win as much as he can, but in a world where power is in the hands of television, his purpose will be difficult.

One thing that I missed a lot in this book, compared to other King books, was the change of narrator. The whole book was narrated by Richard and although he wasn't a completely bad character, he did have a couple of unpleasant comments towards women and at one point he said that a guy had a bitter attitude. But the thing is that it got a bit monotonous only reading from his point of view. I would have loved to see what was happening with the other participants or even with the leaders of the contests. For the same reason, I also missed more development of the secondary characters. They just passed by on Ben's path and nothing more. Bradley was one of the characters that I would have liked to know more about. And that's generally it.

The Running Man marks the completion of my exploration of the four early Bachman Books. What a wonderful way to conclude this literary journey. We've all witnessed the movie, or perhaps just those of us older Goodreads enthusiasts. Schwarzenegger employs his wit and brawn to endure the deadly game show that is The Running Man. Once again, the movie served as the deterrent that prevented me from reading the book, and once again, I erred by not doing so. Hint: They significantly altered the story.

Some elements from the book managed to make their way into the movie. A touch of Ben Richards' persona, with his dry humor and an underlying sense of danger; The Network and a version of Free-Vee (a great term, by the way); and finally, a plot that is nearly constantly in motion within a dystopian future. However, aside from these, the book is vastly different. King's original version has much more to offer as beneath the frantic running lies a thoughtful story. It's about a man willing to risk his life for his family because there is nothing else left. Along the way, he exposes the divide between the haves and the have-nots in this future world where a game show and Free-Vee are tools exploited by the rich and a totalitarian government. While reading, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this novel elicited an emotional response. Not in an overpowering manner. It remains more of an action-packed adventure than a book centered on emotions, but the emotion is undeniably present.

Released in 1982, this might be the closest King has come to penning a pure Science-Fiction tale. King described himself in 1971, when he wrote The Running Man, as "a young man who was angry, energetic, and infatuated with the art and the craft of writing". In The Bachman Books, he reveals that the book was written within a span of 72 hours and published with virtually no alterations. What?!... Is it safe to say, “He was in the zone”? I'm quite certain it took me 71 hours to write my last review. :) One final interesting detail: At one point, Ben Richards passes through Derry, Maine! I could hardly believe my eyes. This is Stephen King's famous, yet entirely fictional town that features in books like IT and Insomnia. That seems like a huge clue regarding the Bachman identity, but it's also incredibly cool to see it in print.