The walk goes on and on.....can you stand the pace?
Written: Oct 20 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tense, edge of the seat stuff, great characters
Cons: Ending left me flat
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| cymsteve's Full Review: Long Walk Books |
I actually read this story way back in 1987 when it was included in Stephen King's "The Bachman Books". I recently picked up a copy of the paperback and had forgotten what a great read it was.
King, writing as Richard Bachman, conjures up the crazy idea of an annual event where 100 boys start walking. Sounds easy so far doesn't it, but if you fall under the magic speed of 4 miles per hour you get a warning. Get 3 warnings and you're shot dead! The last one to stay walking is the winner.
The main character is Ray Garraty who you get to know very well as the book develops. There are many other interesting walkers too - Barkowitch, Stebbins, Olson, McVries, Baker and more - and you get to understand why they have entered the walk, what makes them tick and learn about their backgrounds.
As you journey with the boys along the route, you find yourself getting pulled in deeper and deeper as more and more boys 'buy a ticket' and get shot. As the number of walkers reduce, the plot intensifies and you find yourself turning over the pages quicker and quicker to find out what's going to happen next. Some of King's books I find hard to get into, but this one was an instant hit.
This really is a test of both physical and mental endurance, and pushes each individual to their absolute limit. The boys have to face death with every step they take but the fear of losing just keeps them walking.....
Gradually the suspense builds and you're asking yourself "Who's next?", "How will he pick up a ticket?", "How will the others react?" As the last few boys are killed you have to keep pace with the walkers to find out who wins......I won't spoil the ending, but it is quite ingenious.
For me this was quite a quick read. Although it is 370 pages I found I couldn't put it down and quickly finished it. The characters are quite cleverly developed by King, the plot builds and builds and you almost feel as if you're walking along with the boys. The only drawback for me was that I felt like I wanted the book to go on for longer - it left me a little flat, but that's just a small point after being kept on the edge of my seat for hours.
Great job King (or should I say Bachman.....)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cymsteve
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Member: Steve Speirs
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 6 members
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