I admit to having read The Long Walk by Stephen King several times. I used to do so in a rather surreptitios manner, after all how do you explain to people "what the story is about".
For those of you who haven't read it, it was originally published in 1979 under King's psuedomym Richard Bachman. It's a dystopic story about 100 boys age 14-18 who volunteer to participate in the National Sport, a walk that begins at the Maine/Canada border, and ends when only one boy is left walking. Each Walker must maintain a speed of at least four miles per hour; if he drops below that for 30 seconds, he receives a verbal warning (which can be erased by walking for one hour without being warned). If a Walker with three warnings slows down again, he is shot dead. The winner earns fame, fortune, and anything they want for life.
In many ways it's very much like The Hunger Games (only it was never marketed for a YA audience, even though the MC is 16 and all the major characters are 18 or under.)
Have you read/Would you read The Long Walk. How do you think it compares to The Hunger Games? Why do you think this type of book appeals to people of all ages?
Yes, I did look up how to spell surreptitious and still got it wrong!
ReplyDeleteWow! I haven't heard of that book. It sounds really interesting! I'm going to look it up after I finish the Hunger Games! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either. I guess it wasn't marked as YA because the premise is so grim.
ReplyDeletebtw, I saw your query for Zombie Rabbits on the kidlit blog. Best of luck in the contest!! I loved it :)
I've only read THE SHINING, but I'm searching for my next King. I was thinking about looking into his Richard Bachman books (since I just read that article about author pseudonyms and not really for any other reason) Since I LOVED Hunger Games and I thought THE SHINING was brilliant, should I read this next?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Hunger Games! Count down to Mockingjay bay-bay! I have a copy on reserve at a local bookstore, and a friend who's going to Wal-mart at midnight to get us a copy.
ReplyDeleteLike a fool, I ordered mine through Amazon so I would be able to add it to my "free shipping" list with another book I wanted to buy. (I'm so cheap/poor). I know I'll be just itching to walk over to B&N at midnight and pick one up, but the trouble is, it comes out on Tuesday. Realistically I won't be able to start reading it until Friday night anyway. I mean I could read it at work like I do everything else, but I won't want to stop reading. Then when someone interupts me with business, I'll tell them off and get fired. Then talk about being poor. No I'm just going to wait until Friday and read through the night.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I thought the first one was just going to be a lunch time read too, but I was 20 mins late coming back! I know in my heart that Wednesday at work next week will be difficult for me, because I fully intend to stay up and read it 'til the bitter end. I hate Suzanne Collins. I think she did that on purpose!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either yet, which is embarrassing since I've read a great deal of Mr. King.
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