If you haven't read "The Long Walk" by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King) I highly recommend it. I'm not quite through but what a twisted psychological novel. Has anyone else here read it?
Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :
My brother-in-law was actually just talking about that story over Thanksgiving, and recommending it to me. That makes two recommendations, so I guess I have to read it now.
Posted by Magic Beans (Member # 2183) on :
I read it. In a way, it was great: full of those little King touches his fans love him for. All of King's stories are simply torture chambers for his characters so we can see how they react to each other and to events, and in this he has no equal.
In another way, it was the stupidest story ever, because the entire premise of it is just unbelievable. He admits he's terrible at sf.
"Apt Pupil" is probably the most chilling, psychologically astute, and believable story he's ever written.
[This message has been edited by Magic Beans (edited December 01, 2004).]
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
Strangely, I did not find the premise unbelievable. A stretch, maybe, but not unbelievable and not so much of a stretch that I was unwilling to suspend disbelief. People are pretty savage, when it comes right down to it. We've got a long history of watching people kill one another for amusement. Death and torture are often like games to us. But the reality of the situation wasn't really the point, which was probably another reason I could suspend disbelief. Some of my favorite stories have premises that are something of a stretch but since the premise is not the entire point of the story (merely a backdrop for observation about the human condition) I managed to enjoy the story thouroughly.
Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :
Nearly all of my favorite stories have premises that are a stretch. Just my personal taste, I suppose. Give me a super-crazy premise and "real" people reacting to it, and that's a pretty good start as far as I'm concerned.
"Apt Pupil" was a great story, by the way. Did you ever see the movie? They completely ruined it.
Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
i just finished reading it myself the other day... definitely interesting... horrible how it ends, but then, that's King.
i don't fully comprehend the setting/premise. he drops hints throughout the book, but nothing substantial, i make it all the way to the end of the novel and find myself wondering when this is supposed to take place? i hate that. i like answers.
Posted by xarius (Member # 2168) on :
I read a lot of King's books/stories. I think The Long Walk and The Running Man (horrible movie but neat story) complement each other. Both have the same reality/game show gone too far setting, but I liked characters much more than the events, particularly in Long Walk. I really didn't care that much about how the story ended.