Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - The Running Man

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The Running Man by Stephen King

13 reviews

sighclopss's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Quick read 3.5⭐

This concept again plays on (as many of Kings works do) the age old "humans are the real monsters" trope. In a totalitarian future, society is kept in check with entertainment of human suffering (not much of a difference from what the 2020's of our current lives have to offer.) I think there's lots of good concepts in this one, and considering it was written over 40 years ago it can be eerie what elements have been prophesied in a way.

In terms of writing, it's not as waffle-ly as some of King's other works, this one definitely made a good go at an "action" genre, while still having the in-depth complex character thought that I enjoy about King's books.

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angelroomba's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

3.75

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readingiscool96'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? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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voxlunae's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

2.75

I've nearly read all of King's books, and I committed this year to finishing the ones I haven't gotten to yet. The problem is, the ones I haven't gotten to are pretty much all of the ones that are supposed bad to middling, including the Bachmann books and some of the bad '80s years. The Running Man wasn't terrible, but it's a rough hang, to be sure. The premise is interesting, and the world-building is effective, but it paints a picture of such a dreary and dismal world, where pretty much everyone is deplorable and vile. The casual racism, sexism, classism, fatphobia, murder, etc. just make this a really unpleasant journey, despite the propulsive plot and the messaging at its core.

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timmeh's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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ro_lux's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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hayleycurtis's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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.

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