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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Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
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The Running Man
Seller: The Happy Book Stack, Murfreesboro, TN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. Cover has cosmetic wear and pages have soe yellowing and small stains on the edges, but does not affect the use of the book. Book may have little to no writing and or underlining inside, and is in overall good condition. Cover may have some cosmetic wear. Seller Inventory # 5ALWH00007AR_ns
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The Running Man
Seller: City Lights Bookshop, London, ON, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Second printing. Light wear to edges. Rear has some light scattered damage. Binding tight, no reading crease. Tiny partial stamp to top of page block. Interior clean and unmarked. Pictures forthcoming, feel free to ask. Seller Inventory # ABE-1761943058645
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The Running Man
Seller: Used Book Company, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Collectible-Good. The Running Man by Richard Bachman. First edition; First print. Published by Signet in 1982. Copyright 1982. ISBN:0451115082. Mass Market Paperback book in English. 219p. Approx 7in x 4.25in. Shows moderate signs of wear and previous use; Slight discoloration; Moderate creasing to cover; Small tear to upper rear cover; Sound binding. A portion of your purchase benefits nonprofits! - Note: Our photos (with our logo) and our description represent the actual item(s) you will receive. May not include supplementary material (toys, access code, dvds, etc). Seller Inventory # 584UZG000PEB_ns
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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
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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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 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First edition, first printing of this novel which was the 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(s). Seller Inventory # 36663
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The Running Man
Seller: Toscana Books, AUSTIN, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Excellent Condition.Excels in customer satisfaction, prompt replies, and quality checks. Seller Inventory # Scanned0451115082