Items related to The Running Man
Synopsis
In a novel set in the very near future, a man seeks to beat the odds and survive his participation in the nefarious TV game show called "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.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherSignet
- Publication date1982
- ISBN 10 0451151224
- ISBN 13 9780451151223
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages336
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Running Man
Stock Image
The Running Man
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_429407463
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_434084754
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Published by
Signet Books, New York, NY, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451151224
ISBN 13: 9780451151223
Used
Soft cover
Seller: Nealsbooks, Menominee, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages are clean and unmarked. Cover corners and edges are lightly rubbed. Binding is tight. 219pp. Seller Inventory # 064706
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # mon0003734180
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Running Man
Seller: For the Love of Used Books, Bristol, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 3 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Poor. "The Running Man" By Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman. Published in 1982 by New American Library. Signet Library AE 5122. First Edition, Third Printing "WELCOME TO AMERICA IN 2025 WHEN THE BEST MEN DON'T RUN FOR PRESIDENT, THEY RUN FOR THEIR LIVES--IN THE ULTIMATE DEATH GAME. Each night all Americans tune in to the nation's favorite TV game show--The Running Man. Each night they see if the contestant has evaded death at the hands of the Hunters just one more day. Thirty days of survival takes the prize--one billion dollars. The record is eight days. But now a new contestant, Ben Richards, has set out to beat the brutal odds, beat the rigged game, beat the entire savage system. He's betting his life that he can." Book is in Fair/Poor condition. There is a LOT of wear on the covers. Lots of creasing & rubbing. Tears at the top/bottom of the spine. Interior is in Fair condition. Pages have some creasing but are clean. Still in readable condition. Your purchase supports a small business. We want you to love your book so customer service is important to us! All orders come with a FREE bookmark! Shop my Abebooks store and save on shipping! Seller Inventory # ABE-1732417599956
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Seller: Kollectible & Rare Books, Bartlesville, OK, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Good clean copy. Edge wear. Tanning along fore edges. Rubbing and fading to covers. Seller Inventory # krb12298
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451151224
ISBN 13: 9780451151223
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Later Printing. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP102240305
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Running Man
Published by
New American Library, New York, 1982
ISBN 10: 0451151224
ISBN 13: 9780451151223
Used
mass market paperback
Seller: Matthew's Books, Chattanooga, TN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
mass market paperback. 16mo. 219pp. Signet AE5122. see pictures for synopsis. movie tie-in edition. #03768. Book VG-: reader's crease to spine, slight lean. toning, text clean, binding tight. Seller Inventory # 3702
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Seller: Ken's Book Haven, Coopersburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. 3rd printing. cover lightly rubbed / minor edgewear. text clean. binding good. Seller Inventory # KENSBOOK034112
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Running Man
Published by
Signet; Later Printing edition (May 1, 1982), 1982
ISBN 10: 0451151224
ISBN 13: 9780451151223
Used
Paperback
Seller: Tacoma Book Center, Tacoma, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dustjacket. Later Edition. ISBN 0451151224. Mass Market Paperback Second Printing from May 1982 as stated on the copyright page. Movie tie in with arnold Schwarzenegger photo cover. Near Fine Condition. Tight bright attractive copy with no markings to the book. No Signature. Seller Inventory # 211524
Quantity: 1 available