Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Running Man

I was conflicted with this book. The way that King describes women is challenging. Is the author projecting his world onto the reader or is he attempting to submerse us into the mind of someone who sees women from Richards’ perspective? Maybe both is the answer. I just wish the women characters were more hashed out, I guess. Someone to sympathize and not pity.

Moving on past my mini rant, the story immediately places the reader into the lowest of low classes - introducing Richards - a solid character rooted in his own beliefs and only wanting to help his family. King takes you on a whirlwind of a chase, leaving the reader flipping through the short chapters begging to see what happens next. The futuristic scene gives us a glimpse into the harrowing potential forecast of what may come to our society. And it all ends spectacularly. I would recommend this book for the plot alone.

Content Warnings

brothertubber's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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_mack_jack_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

if it weren’t for the racism, homophobia, and misogyny this book would get 5 stars

Content Warnings

charlottereadsthings's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

The Running Man starts off by setting up a world of imbalance. The rich are thriving, while the poorest in society are forced to take part in dangerous TV shows in order to pay for medical treatment of loved ones. The protagonist, Richard, takes this route to try and save his sick daughter and ends up the lead on a TV show called The Running Man, where the task is simple: outrun the hunters, or be killed.

I really liked how the world was built up and seeing the clesr divide between those at the top and bottom of society, including the interactions Richard had with the people working at the studio. I didn't find Richard to be a particularly likeable character, nor was I rooting for him, but it made sense that he would be inappropriate and quite hardy when some of the things he said/things he did given the cards life had handed him.

I thought the first half of this book was really strong but it hit a point where it felt like it had hit a wall, and there were some discoveries that never really went anywhere and seemed more like attempted filler to bide time given the nature of the show's format.

Content Warnings

zoebill96's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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