Items related to The Running Man
Synopsis
Unabridged CDs, 7 CDs, 9 hours
Read by TBA
The year is 2025. The Running Man
Read by TBA
The year is 2025. The Running Man
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
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 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. Success 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
About the Author
Stephen King lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. He has written more than forty books and two hundred short stories. He has won the World Fantasy Award, several Bram Stoker awards, and the O. Henry Award for his story “The Man in the Black Suit,” and is the 2003 recipient of The National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
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Search results for The Running Man
Seller Image
Running Man
Published by
Signet, NY, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Mass market paperback
First Edition
Seller: Kenneth Mallory Bookseller ABAA, Decatur, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Mass market paperback. Condition: Good. First Edition. Mass market paperback. First Printing. Spine rolled from reading, pages tanned, wraps slightly darkened and rubbed, else a good, tightly bound example. Seller Inventory # 72873
Seller Image
The Running Man
Published by
New American Library / Times Mirror / Signet Book, New York, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Softcover
First Edition
Seller: Capitol Hill Books, ABAA, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. First Edition. New York: New American Library / Times Mirror / Signet Book, 1982. First Edition, First Printing Stated. 12mo; publisher's pictorial card wrappers; [4],219pp. Light wear and a bit of wrinkling to wrapper margins, faint crease and lean to spine, textblock a bit toned. Overall a Very Good copy, nicer than often encountered. Stephen King's pseudonymous sci-fi dystopia set in the year 2025 "when the best men don't run for president, they run for their lives" (front cover). The work was adapted into the 1987 film of the same title starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by Paul Michael Glaser. It was reprised into film in 2025 starring Glen Powell and directed by Edgar Wright. Seller Inventory # 48333
Seller Image
The Running Man (1st Edition, 1st Printing)
Published by
Signet, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Softcover/Paperback
First Edition
Seller: Weston's Book Haven, Weston-super-Mare, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Softcover/Paperback. Condition: Good. Good condition paperback. 1st Edition, 1st Printing. Rubbing to the edges of the cover and around the spine. Wrinkling toward the top and bottom of the spine. Pages toned with age. Initials written in pencil on the back page. EU ORDERS OVER EUR 150 REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO COVER IMPORT COSTS (GENERALLY 6-15% OF THE ORDER VALUE). WE WILL CONTACT YOU BEFORE ACCEPTING THE ORDER. ORDERS WILL BE REJECTED IF THE ADDITIONAL CHARGE IS NOT ACCEPTED. Seller Inventory # RUNMAN-090326-013
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Stock Image
The Running Man
Published by
Signet, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Mass Market Paperback
First Edition
Seller: The Book Bin, Salem, OR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Good. First Edition. The true first edition, written as Richard Bachman with no reference to Stephen King. Stated 'first printing, May, 1982' at copyright page, with full number line to 1. Signet AE1508, cover price $2.50. 219 pages. Wraps scuffed, scraped, creased, and edgeworn. Spine uncreased. Binding sound. 'May 11 1982' stamped to top of textblock. Faint dampstaining to inside back cover, in gutter and along top fore-edge, and also to the top fore-edge corner of some pages, from about page 180 to the end. Else clean; text unmarked. Seller Inventory # BBS-2023684
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The Running Man [1st Edition, 2nd Printing]
Published by
Signet, New York, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Seller: Peryton Books, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. A Near Fine copy of one of a scarce early Stephen King title writing as Richard Bachman. This is the Signet AE1508 copy with "First Printing, May 1982" and the number line reading "2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" on the copyright page. Light wear to the extremities (see photos) with a light crease to bottom front corner, small stain to lightly creased spine. Rear cover has a small indent (surface only). Internally in beautiful unmarked condition. Overall an very nice copy of this 43 year old paperback collectible. ROBUST SHIPPING. Copy B. Seller Inventory # 000372
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US$ 500.00
US$ 20.00 shipping
Ships from Canada to U.S.A.
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Quantity: 1 available
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The Running Man
Published by
Signet, New American Library of Canada, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Seller: The Great Catsby's Rare Books, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. A first edition second printing with "first printing May 1982" on copyright with number line descending to a 2. A scarce issue of the Stephen King novel in the original Signet wraps. It appears that this printing was produced solely for distribution in Canada, and so can possibly be considered a (first) Canadian edition. Book shows some wear to covers, usual creasing to spine, has a slant. Small mass market paperback, perfect bound, 220 pages in wraps. Satisfaction guaranteed. Additional photos always available on request. Shipped in a fitted, padded box. Seller Inventory # ABE-1681935879185
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US$ 600.00
US$ 14.00 shipping
Ships from Canada to U.S.A.
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Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Running Man [1st Edition, 2nd Printing]
Seller: Peryton Books, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. An outstanding copy of one of a scarce early Stephen King title writing as Richard Bachman. This is the Signet AE1508 copy with "First Printing, May 1982" and the number line reading "2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9" on the copyright page. Light wear to the extremities (see photos) with a light scuff to the fore-edge, number stamp to top edge. Internally in beautiful unmarked condition. Overall an outstanding copy of this 43 year old paperback collectible. ROBUST SHIPPING. Copy A. Seller Inventory # 000371
Buy Used
US$ 600.00
US$ 20.00 shipping
Ships from Canada to U.S.A.
Ships from Canada to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Running Man
Published by
Signet Books, New York, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451115082
ISBN 13: 9780451115089
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Signed
Seller: Scene of the Crime, ABAC, IOBA, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First edition, first printing of this novel. Basis for the 1987 movie "The Running Man" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. SIGNED by Jesse Ventura who played "Captain Freedom". Light edgewear. Reading crease to the spine. In very good condition. Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # 36663