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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780451197962
ISBN number: 0451197968
Label: Signet
Manufacturer: Signet
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 336
Printing Date: August 01, 1999
Publishing house: Signet
Sale Popularity Level: 126417
Studio: Signet
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The runaway bestseller about the ultimate reality show
The year is 2025. The Running Man is America's favorite television game show. Ben Richards is the program's latest contestant-and the Hunters' latest target in a rigged game of death...
Amazon.com Review:
Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) crafted The Running Man early in his career, though after such mega-hits as Carrie and The Shining. A bit of a departure from the supernatural horror that is most frequently associated with his work, the novel describes a science fiction dystopia where market capitalism and television game shows have spiraled out of control, and the separation between the haves and the have-nots has been formalized with separate currencies. King establishes characters quickly, creating sympathy in the very first few pages for Ben Richards--whose 18-month-old baby girl is suffering from a horrible cough, perhaps pneumonia. Not able to afford medicine, Richards enters himself in the last-chance money-making scheme of the Free-Vee games. The games include Treadmill to Bucks, in which heart-attack prone contestants struggle to outlast a progressively demanding treadmill, or the accurately named Swim the Crocodiles. After a rigorous battery of physical and mental examinations, Richards is assigned 'Elevator Six'--the path of a chosen few--that leads to The Running Man game. In this game, the stakes and the prizes are raised. Sucess means a life of luxury. Failure means death. Unfortunately, few ever win the game; in fact, as the producer tells Richards, in six years no one has survived.
The Running Man is a short book, tightly written to be read and enjoyed quickly. The future world it depicts is vividly captured with a few essential details. The action is also fast paced and, though the novel differs from much of King's other work, the sardonic social commentary reveals a pleasing glimmer of King's characteristically twisted sense of humor. --Patrick O'Kelley
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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This was the very first Bachman book I've read by Mr. King. I was just expecting it to be another SK book that followed most of his guidelines, and I was wrong by a long shot. This book was a lot more gritty and cruel than a lot of his other books. King doesn't beat around the bush when he writes as Bachman, he gets straight to the point. It was fast paced with a lot there to keep you turning the pages. The only complaint I have is that in the introduction of being Richard Bachman, King gives away the ending to the book for some stupid reason. Other than that, it was a great read. Highly recommended, especially because this was the only SK book I ever read that made me crack up on the last page (In a good way).
Rated by buyers -
Wow, this was just a fun book to read. There isn't much depth here, which I usually look for in a book, but it was such interesting action...beginning to end...that I'll give it 5 stars even though it's not going to change your mind or your life or your philosophy. It was just fun.
Of course, the ending came as a total surprise to me and was really interesting given events that came long after the story was written. I was actually in shock as I read it happening.
Not much else to say - this book was incredibly fun from start to finish. Just not deep...
Rated by buyers 
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I haven't met a Bachman book so far that I haven't been a fan of. While this isn't my favorite from the pseudonym, it is still very enjoyable. This book was originally published in 1982, and like "the long walk" focuses on a futuristic America. (this time the year 2025).
It's always interesting to read books written over 20 years ago about a futuristic America in which we now live. (even though we're not quite to 2025 yet) Some of the small things you notice are that cigarette vending machines are present, the costs of items are more representative of what they were in the 80's, and the dialogue has obviously changed. Most would look at these as distractions, but I actually found them enjoyable. It made me appreciate that much more the story Stephen King wrote because it gave me better perspective on when he wrote it.
In King's novel every household is, by law, equipped with a "free-vee" whose programming is designed by "the network". The "games" that people watch exploit those participating for the entertainment of those who are watching. (sound familiar?) This was written long before reality television was mainstream. One of the games depicted by King is called Treadmill to Bucks. The contestants run on a treadmill and have to answer questions. If they answer incorrectly the treadmill speeds up. According to the author, "they only accept chronic heart, liver, or lung patients sometimes throwing in a crip for comic relief".
Like all of his books, especially of the Bachman variety, the story centers heavily on the people. In this case it is Ben Richards an unemployed father whose daughter has pneumonia and he can't afford medicine. His wife is prostituting herself just to be able to buy grey market medicine for the child and food for the family. (This is no Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film of the same name. They have very few if any similarities.)
Very enjoyable, and a quick read. Definitely recommended.
Rated by buyers -
not the best stephen king book i've read but still very cool book. a must read
Rated by buyers -
I could not put this book down. I had to know how it was going to end. Another well written book by Stephen King/Richard Bachman. It definitely has the Bachman feel to it. It is not a happily ever after ending but the main character gets his justice in the end!
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