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The Running Man

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The Running Man

Written by: Stephen King
Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
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About this listen

A desperate man attempts to win a reality TV game where the only objective is to stay alive in this number-one national best seller from Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman.

It was the ultimate death game in a nightmare future America. The year is 2025 and reality TV has grown to the point where people are willing to wager their lives for a chance at a billion-dollar jackpot. Ben Richards is desperate - he needs money to treat his daughter's illness. His last chance is entering a game show called The Running Man where the goal is to avoid capture by Hunters who are employed to kill him. Surviving this month-long chase is another issue when everyone else on the planet is watching - and willing to turn him in for the reward.

With an introduction by Stephen King on "The Importance of Being Bachman".

©1982 Richard Bachman (P)2010 Penguin Audio
Fantasy Horror Science Fiction Suspense Scary Fiction
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What listeners say about The Running Man

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Don’t listen to the forward

There is a forward by Stephen King about writing as Richard Bachman and it literally spoils the ending to the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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They ruin the Ending

During “the Importance of Bachman”/epilogue portion of the book they clearly ruin the very ending of the book. I would suggest skipping that section and going right to the story.

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A must read

The narrator is amazing in addition to the story. My only advice for people that don't remember the movie and haven't read the book is to skip the first chapter. It is only a pre word by King and contains spoilers

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The narrator did an amazing job conveying the emotions of the characters

the ending is a little disappointing but I guess it is a Richard Bachman story so never any happy endings

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don't listen to forward. spoils whole book

amazing book amazing reading wonderful story don't listen to the forward it will spoil the ending

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One of his best

As a kid I remember watching the running man film which is why I originally gave the book a read in my teens. I loved that movie but the book was far superior and truly different.

It holds a special place for me as the first book to ever make me paranoid while reading and also the first book that had me so engaged that I read it in two sittings.

Life has gotten very busy so I’m trying audible and this was my first book through this service, the audio was clean and the reader did a great job in capturing the mood and tone of the characters in this world.

Long and short this is well worth your time.

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STEPHEN KING SPOILS CLIMAX IN FOREWORD

Aside from that, no complaints. Super entertaining story and great voice performance. Just wish I didn’t know the ending before I started.

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Do NOT llsten to the first chapter

Would have been really cool if it didn't have a MAJOR spoiler in the intro.

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Twisted and fun

The bachman books are by far the most interesting. The drug and alcohol fueled whirlwind that is "bachman" Persona writes with freedom and insanity Is that more recent stephen king work lacks.

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great listen

I was quite surprised the movie has absolutely none of the book in it other than names , definitely enjoyed

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