I've been reading James Smythe's blog on the Guardian. He is re-reading all of the books Stephen King has ever written. It's introduced me to some of King's books that I have never even heard of, including this one.I picked it up on a whim at the library. King wrote it under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. I didn't know he'd even written books under a pseudonym.
This book definitely feels like the evil older brother of the Hunger Games. A dystopian novel set in 2025 America, where TV games shows are more like a Quentin Tarantino movie than Family Fortunes. A desperate man turns to the government run Game Station, in a final attempt to save his sick daughter. Ben Richards ends up on the show the Running Man. Declared an enemy of the state, Richards is on the run. Hunters are sent to kill him after 12 hours. If he survives 30 he receives one billion 'new dollars'. The longest anyone has survived is eight days and five hours.
The book is fast paced. Each chapter is a countdown to what you know is the end of the game. Saying that, I still struggled to get through it. I didn't find Richard's character very sympathetic. Which made it a difficult to care what happens to him. The ending also has scary similarities to 9/11. Scary because it was written in 1982.
Although not one of my favourite King novels, I prefer is horror stuff, I would like to give the Long Road a try. Also written under King's pseudonym.
My rating - 3/5
What are your favourite Stephen King books? I've only read a few. This one, the Shining and It.
Next on my list is the Lies of Locke Lamora. I've been meaning to read this for such a long time. I'm hoping I can squeeze it in before my book swap book arrives.
Love Jen x
Source:
http://www.sunnysweetpea.com/2013/03/the-running-man.html