The Long Walk

It's an interesting book and it speaks to our baser nature which makes us morbidly fascinated with death and accidents. also puts me in mind of how we veiw war and the military without shock although it's almost a parallel to this idea. Not exactly because these boys were after a prize and not fighting for the ideals of their country or for freedom but anyway... couldn't help but wonder why some of the contestants didn't train for the walk. The competition involved in simple games and athletics have men and women training for years to be prepared and they only get a trophy, they only lose the game...not their lives! Along those same lines...we read about people who take drugs or steriods to tip the games in their favor yet none of these boys had taken speed,cocaine,steroids,or even caffeine to beat the odds? Only a few of them pack real food? What about taking otc medication even to stop diarrea or alleviate some of the pain? You see what I'm saying?😊 Maybe Stephen King left these story lines out on purpose but it seems to me it would've been more realistic.

Simply one of his most underrated books. Such great characters, great story telling and an awesome ending. I read it in my teens and it continues to be a favorite today. I just reread it and fell in love all over again.

brutal, yet amazing, right up to the end. don't listen to this book if you care about happy endings. don't read any Richard Bachman books if you care about happy endings.