The Running Man Book 13 > Likes and Comments

Discuss the Running Man here. Please mark all spoilers for those reading along.

I enjoyed this more the third time around. As long as I didn't try to picture the old movie with Arnold - which was a mistake as soon as he was cast as the main character. The book, however, was a fast and entertaining read.

This book is an example that Stephen King is capable of using many different styles: in this case, the book is very dystopian. King imagines an economically devastated US where Ben Richards has to turn to the ultimate gamble in order to save his daughter. The game he enrolls is insane, and the idea of being able to win it is simply utopian. The book keeps you there with a fast-paced reading until you reach an unexpected end, and end that will turn the story up-side down. This is the description of a world where the dominance of reality TV is used to socially control people.
If one will, this can be considered Stephen King's 1984. The book was a success, and Stephen King proved that he did not need to be Stephen King to have success since he wrote this under the nom de plume of Richard Bachman.

Daniele wrote: "This book is an example that Stephen King is capable of using many different styles: in this case, the book is very dystopian. King imagines an economically devastated US where Ben Richards has to ..."

If I'm not mistaken he originally wrote this book under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. I think I read that it was close enough to looking like a King creation that it outed his true identity.

Joan wrote: "Daniele wrote: "This book is an example that Stephen King is capable of using many different styles: in this case, the book is very dystopian. King imagines an economically devastated US where Ben ..."

Joan, correct. He wrote it as Richard Bachman.

Joan wrote: "I think I read that it was close enough to looking like a King creation that it outed his true identity."

It was Thinner that was so King-like, Bachman was busted.

Michael wrote: "Joan wrote: "I think I read that it was close enough to looking like a King creation that it outed his true identity."

It was Thinner that was so King-like, Bachman was busted."

LOL! Thanks. I knew there was one of those Bachman books that gave him away.

Joan wrote: "Michael wrote: "Joan wrote: "I think I read that it was close enough to looking like a King creation that it outed his true identity."

It was Thinner that was so King-like, Bachman was busted."

L..."

Exactly. Then Richard Bachman died, and SK revealed that he wrote five books under this pseudonym:
Rage
Road Work
Thinner
The Long Walk
The Running Man

Daniele wrote..."

Fortunately, Steve Brown didn't meet the same fate for exposing Richard Bachman as (view spoiler)[Frederick Clawson met for exposing George Stark in The Dark Half (hide spoiler)]. Although, King may have had some thoughts.