The Running Man by Stephen King - Starting September 19th 2022

[Dannii]

In the year 2025, the best men don't run for president, they run for their lives...

Ben Richards is out of work and out of luck. His eighteen-month-old daughter is sick, and neither Ben nor his wife can afford to take her to a doctor. For a man from the poor side of town with no cash and no hope, there's only one thing to do: become a contestant on one of the Network's Games, shows where you can win more money than you've ever dreamed of - or die trying. Now Ben's going prime-time on the Network's highest-rated viewer participation show. And he's about to become a prey for the masses...

[[deleted user]]

I started this one a little early...

[[deleted user]]

25% End of Minus 079 and counting... (view spoiler)[ Ahh Richards!!! I really hope he wins, then goes back and kills those damn gamers. How can they just hunt people? I liked that he at least got an advance so he could send it to Sheila and have Cathy get medicine and hopefully see a doctor. I wonder if we will get to find out what happens to the other 2 characters. I like that Richards is resourceful. I would be paranoid the whole time. Dead within minutes... And I am a little confused on the Minus # and counting things... at first I thought it was days but that didn't make sense. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

49% End of Minus 056 and counting... (view spoiler)[ Aww I love Bradley and Stacy, I'm glad they helped Richards, he needs all the help he can get. I'm glad he blew up the YMCA, I'm not glad those cops also died but they were there to kill him regardless. I think his paranoia is what saved him that time. I would be so scared to be in the trunk of the car and just waiting to be found! I like the whole priest character, and he plays it so well. It's sad what happened to his brother Todd, being run over by a truck that he was unloading, some people just don't pay attention, Todd was in the wrong place at the wrong time. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I hope you're enjoying 😊 I'll be starting soon

[[deleted user]]

Dannii wrote: "I hope you're enjoying 😊 I'll be starting soon"

Pretty good so far... I'm like halfways through it but i am also into Hung Up... I can't keep myself together lol...

[[deleted user]]

When i started college I wrote a report about Stephen King and how he got to writing... it was pretty nice to learn things about him and how he came to be who he is now... So Pretty much I like all the books he writes and I'm able to get my hands on...

[Dannii]

Oooh i bet that was an interesting topic to essay on. I've read his On Writing and found it fascinating!

[[deleted user]]

I took a break from this book and trying to finish Hung Up and it's hilarious about 82% into it they mention Stephen King novels lol... what are the odds!!! umm Pretty good I guess lol

[Aaron]

I’m also starting soon. I know The Running Man movie was loosely based on this concept so I’m interested to see where this goes. I expect it’ll have a very similar feel to the long walk so I’ve chosen a Percy Jackson book to read along side this to keep my spirits up.

[Aaron]

Dannii wrote: "Oooh i bet that was an interesting topic to essay on. I've read his On Writing and found it fascinating!"

I guess that’s the next book I’m reading then. I’ve always been curious about Stephen King’s mindset when writing these kinds of books.

[[deleted user]]

80% End of Minus 027 and Counting... (view spoiler)[ It is getting way too close!! I want Richards to win, and I think Amelia is finally seeing the truth that Richards is not really the bad guy the media is painting him to be. I don't like McCone, sounds like he enjoys killing the players. I hope Bradley gets away. I feel bad for Eliton, his mom was really not thinking when she called the cops. That was quick thinking with the tapes and the "bomb" (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Aaron wrote: "I’m also starting soon. I know The Running Man movie was loosely based on this concept so I’m interested to see where this goes. I expect it’ll have a very similar feel to the long walk so I’ve cho..."

I loved the Long Walk back in 2016 when i read it lol... I should re-read it to refresh. I remember there was a shock effect to it.

[[deleted user]]

91% End of Minus 014 and Counting... (view spoiler)[ No!! Killian has to be lying!!! how is it possible??? I'm so sad!! What is Richards going to do now? Take the job and then kill them all??? I would do that! Sheila and Cathy cannot be dead and if they are it's all the damn Games fault? How would they die? they should've had that money from Richards! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Finished... Minus 000 and COUNTING... As far as endings go... meh! and Yeay!! (view spoiler)[ I hope Amelia made it lol. I cannot believe Richards did that, he did promise Killian he would kill him! I'm glad he blew up the building and he was dying so as his final act he took all the people that put him in that hunt down. I just feel so bad his wife and daughter didn't make it. seems like no one wins in that game. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Cinthia wrote: "25% End of Minus 079 and counting... [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I’m also a little confused with the minus numbers. Hopefully that gets cleared up at some point. I do quite like Richards. I also like how much back story of the process we got. I thought we’d basically be thrown straight into the game. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

33%
(view spoiler)[ I don’t think I’d bother trying to get a gun at this point. I’d be paranoid at any occasion that required me to give ID or see a person for too long. I can see how someone would slowly loose their mind in seclusion for 30 days whilst also being paranoid since everyone is out to kill you. I wonder if this is what the Tv show ‘Hunted’ is based off. It’s pretty similar minus the dying part. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'm a little late but hoping to start this one tomorrow :)

[Dannii]

Cinthia wrote: "25% End of Minus 079 and counting... [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I thought it was referring to minutes at first and thought only 100 minutes would pass over the whole course of the novel and we would never get to see the games begin. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Up to the end of 75 and counting - (view spoiler)[The Running Man is such an intense reality TV show concept. It reminds me of The Long Walk a little, but with adult contestants. Both provide insights to the American society they are set in.

Richards is an easy perspective to root for, as he has his baby daughter to fight for and his insights show how prejudice the gamers are towards him and how uncaring they appear for his poverty and struggles. I'm glad his advance came early and allowed for some medicine to reach his family. The rigorous screenings were interesting, but I'm eager to see the gameshow begin now, along with all the tension it will bring to the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Aaron wrote: "33%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'd constantly be fearful that my every move was being tracked! I'd definitely not last very long in the gameshow. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Cinthia wrote: "49% End of Minus 056 and counting... [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[This is already proving that no one can truly win against 'the man'. Desperation has made Richards turn towards this game but the stakes are seeming already too high to compete against. I'm also feeling very claustrophobic whilst reading this, especially when he was trapped inside the pipe and then the trunk. I agree that I was glad he found other individuals to help him. He is only hours into the game and it already feels like a lonely one. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Cinthia wrote: "80% End of Minus 027 and Counting... [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The media's portrayal of Richards is one of the hardest parts of this, for me. It feels very similar to how they twist the truth concerning some individuals and news stories in the real world. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Cinthia wrote: "Finished... Minus 000 and COUNTING... As far as endings go... meh! and Yeay!! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[In the best possible way, this was such a frustrating conclusion! I had so many questions and I don't agree with all the decisions that Richards made, but I also feel like he was given few alternatives. You are right that no one wins in this game! (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Sorry I fell really behind with this one. I have some free time tomorrow so I’m hoping to get through this since I was enjoying it. Just had a really hectic couple weeks. The 3 stars seems to suggest that either not much happens or what does happen from here on in is disappointing. I’m interested to see where this goes.

[Dannii]

No worries, Aaron 😊 Lots happens but I felt disconnected from it and don't know why. I hope you enjoy it more than i did.