Stephen King has truly become my absolute favorite author. Although I had read some of his most well-known books years ago, it wasn't until relatively recently that I dedicated myself to catching up. And let me tell you, it's been a tough job considering how incredibly prolific this man is.

You see, his work isn't just a book published in a time when there wasn't the huge television boom we have had in recent years, where that kind of programming became fashionable. Yes, he may have some natural inspiration from Orwell, but his plots are so original. When you consider the time of publication, his work is truly ahead of its time.

This book is set in a dystopian environment, with the poor, the rich, and the media controlling the minds of the masses. They dumb down the people through various types of reality shows, some more intense than others, but all serving as a smoke screen to manipulate the masses, making them stupid and ignorant of the truth of life.

Our protagonist, Richards, is an intelligent but extremely poor man. His daughter is dying of the flu, so he decides to enter one of those reality shows. His profile leads him to the toughest, crudest, and most violent program, where the longer he lasts, the more money he can earn.

This is one of the best dystopias I have read in many, many years. It keeps us completely, utterly glued to our seats, biting our nails in anticipation.

This book is raw, cruel, and powerful. It is an absolute masterpiece in narration, prose, intrigue, and pure entertainment value. Needless to say, it has an extraordinary pace, with reflections that go beyond its time and an apotheotic ending.

Once again, a huge, thunderous applause for the master of intrigue and terror in contemporary literature. You are truly a great man, Mr. King.

The first time I've read this as a stand-alone piece, and it's completely different from the film. In this dystopian nightmare world, Ben Richards is compelled to take part in The Running Man to save the lives of his family. However, the Games have no inkling of just how difficult Richards will be to kill. It's a dark, thrilling, and definitely a hardcore dystopian future shock classic! It earns a strong Four Star read for another relentless Bachman jam, with a score of 8 out of 12.

This story takes the reader on a wild ride through a world gone wrong, where survival is the ultimate goal and the odds are stacked against the protagonist. The tension builds with every page, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters are well-developed, and Richards in particular is a complex and fascinating figure.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of dystopian literature. It offers a unique and engaging take on a familiar theme, and it's sure to leave a lasting impression.

2017 read

Audiobook – Narrated by Kevin Kenerly – The narration was truly excellent.

This was my very first experience with a Kevin Kenerly audiobook, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What made it even better was the absence of any background music, which allowed me to fully focus on the story and the narrator's voice.

***

Ebook:

This is my second time reading this novel, and just like the first time, the protagonist Ben Richards left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. While I can understand the reasons behind his anger and bitterness, I simply couldn't bring myself to feel any sympathy for him.

“You’ll have to make allowances for Mr. Richards,” Killian said, smiling. “He seems afflicted with an extreme case of the rudes.”

And that really sums it up quite well.

***

CONNECTIONS:

Derry - The Voight Airfield Jetport is situated in Derry.

Derry first made its appearance in the 1981 short story titled The Bird and The Album. This was actually an excerpt from the then unpublished novel IT.

Co-op City (Dark Tower 3 - The Wastelands)

It's interesting to see the connections between these different elements in the story. The location of Derry and its various appearances in King's works add depth and a sense of continuity to the overall narrative.

The mention of Co-op City in The Dark Tower series also provides a link to another part of King's fictional universe.

These connections make the reading experience even more engaging and enjoyable, as it allows readers to explore and discover the hidden relationships between different stories and characters.

Overall, both the audiobook and the ebook offer unique perspectives on this novel, and I look forward to further exploring Stephen King's works and the connections within them.

I know that many people have complex emotions regarding King's work under the pseudonym Bachman. However, I have truly relished each one that I have read up until now. This particular one, I enjoyed to an even greater extent on my second reading. In fact, it ascended from a four-star rating to a five-star one. The rawness that King presents when writing as Bachman truly appeals to me and captivates my attention every single time. The Running Man really struck a chord with me this time around. It suddenly appears as a highly plausible future, considering the state of our world today. I can envision this scenario unfolding with great ease, and that is a rather terrifying thought. On my initial reading of it, I wasn't overly fond of the ending. But this time, I wholeheartedly believed it was perfect and couldn't conceive of it ending in any other way. This is precisely why I reread King's books. I discover something distinct every time I revisit one, and I cherish that aspect so very much.