I’m on a Bachman kick of late. Read The Long Walk a few weeks ago, and now The Running Man. The only Bachman book I had ever read previously, and this was years ago, was Thinner. Absolutely loved it. For years I’ve been saying I need to read the rest of the so-called “Bachman books” but for some reason I just never did.
Sexxy Review: This book was a surprise for me. Having seen and enjoyed the movie—years ago—I was expecting something similar. The book and movie are worlds apart. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the book. I did. Just in a different way than I enjoyed the movie. Though the novel had inflections of King, it was not a typical King novel. I honestly kept thinking I was listening to a Philip K. Dick novel. It was like a Richard K(ing) Dick novel. So, very cool.
Three of the biggest disparities (there’s a 4th but it’s a spoiler), are:
1. The contestants aren’t necessarily criminals. They’re everyday shlubs who interviewed to be on the show.
2. They aren’t confined to a closed set/course. The “Runners” are out in the real world, no boundaries. They can go anywhere. Even fly to different states.
3. The “Hunters” are mentioned but not featured or fleshed out, save one, the lead Hunter, Evan McCone. And he isn’t featured or fleshed out much. Shows up towards the end. The police are the main antagonist. And the network.
Character disparities:
1. Killian, played wonderfully by the late Richard Dawson in the movie, was a black man in the novel. And he wasn’t the emcee of the show. He was more of a producer. Personality-wise, both movie and novel character are in synch.
2. Ben Richards, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie, did not resemble, in either physique or personality to novel Richards. Novel Richards (NR) pyshique is lean, disheveled and worn to movie Richards (MR) clean-cut, bulky buff muscley frame.
NR is a nobody, unemployed, disheveled, and desperate, but smart.
MR is a cop, respected until he goes against the killing of innocent citizens.
NR is married (his wife is a prostitute) and has a daughter—who is sick w/influenza or some lung disease. Which is why he goes on the show. He wants to win the money to pay for doctors & treatment for her.
MR is single and childless and goes on the show b/c he was a prisoner and that’s how they treat criminals.
Novel Richards persona differs greatly from movie Richards. NR is a self-centered asshole with anger issues. He has moments of empathy, very light empathy. He puts others at risk, is rude and dickish. Not a very likable person.
MR has morals, and believes in doing the right thing and sacrificing himself for others.
3. Amber Mendez, played by Maria Conchita Alonso in the movie resembled novel Mendez personality, somewhat. In the movie her character is in almost the whole thing. Novel Amber is only in the last 20-30% of the book. She’s more of a convenience character.
Sub-characters are way off so I’m not even gonna get into it. The novel had some interesting and likable supporting characters. But only 1 or 2 were really given any depth. The rest were mentions or had shallow bios. In fact there is a serious lack of character development that is very un-King.
Audio review: The narrator, Kevin Kenerly, was awesome! I thought his reading, inflections, energy, and style were all perfect. Really brought the story and characters to life. I’m gonna look up more audiobooks by him.
Overall: Once I was able to purge the movie from my mind, I really enjoyed the novel. As I said already, it’s not a typical King novel. Which I keep saying even though I know it’s a Bachman-style novel. I think reading The Long Walk before Running Man helped me adjust to that. I liked the dystopian sci-fi aspect, and murderous game shows. Would’ve loved more in-depth character development and def more on the Hunters.
Final word: Out of the 4 original Bachman books, I still have Rage, and Roadwork left to read. Looking forward to them.
My rating for The Running Man: *📚📚📚📚
*trying a new rating system
