54 pages 1 hour read

The Running Man

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1982

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Stephen King

The Running Man

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1982
Book Details
Pages

317

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Dystopian America • Future

Publication Year

1982

Publisher

Signet

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Running Man by Stephen King (written under the pen name Richard Bachman) follows Ben Richards in a dystopian future where he enters a deadly reality TV show to provide for his wife and sick daughter, risking his life as he is hunted by both professional and civilian pursuers while exposing societal corruption and media manipulation. The book includes themes of violence and child death.

Suspenseful

Dark

Gritty

Challenging

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Stephen King's The Running Man offers a gripping, dystopian narrative marked by relentless suspense and a fast-paced plot. Critics praise its imaginative storyline and timely commentary on societal issues. However, some find character development lacking and the writing style rough. Overall, it remains a compelling thriller that resonates with many readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Running Man?

A reader who would enjoy The Running Man by Stephen King is likely a fan of dystopian thrillers, high-stakes survival stories, and fast-paced narratives. Comparable to readers of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and Richard Bachman's Thinner, they appreciate tension, societal critique, and richly built, oppressive worlds.

Character List

Ben Richards

The protagonist, a 28-year-old man with a strong sense of pride and a disdain for authority, who enters The Running Man game to support his family, particularly his sick daughter.

A teenager from the inner city who assists Ben with resources and information, embodying the spirit of revolution and the pursuit of knowledge.

The executive producer of The Running Man, representing the self-interest and machinations of the Network, with a keen sense for entertainment and profit.

The formidable Chief Hunter whose presence looms as a threat throughout the story, known for his resourcefulness and ruthless pursuit within the contest.

Book Details
Pages

317

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Dystopian America • Future

Publication Year

1982

Publisher

Signet

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.