This dystopian novel was written in 1982 by Stephen King under a pseudonym and imagines a 2025 in the United States with massive unemployment, air so polluted that those who can afford it wear nose filters, and a government run in part by The Games Federation, a government approved reality TV network that places the desperate and poor and hopeless into various deadly reality shows for the entertainment of the masses. Ben Richards, unemployed, his baby daughter gravely ill and needing medication, is chosen for a program called "The Running Man", which no contestant has ever survived. But Ben Richards is no ordinary contestant, and the book follows him through his Running Man journey. Some of the book is hopelessly dated but enough of it will sound familiar - and terrifying.

My son likes the Seb Spider!

This book had so many original concepts that I would give it five stars on a scale of five just for that The concepts range from what might happen after a first contact with another world to string theory to glimpses of Chinese culture. Those with a science or math background will absolutely love this book. No such background, like me? No problem - this books gives you a glimpse into the China of the Cultural Revolution and the suffering of its citizens during those turbulent years. I highly recommend this book, which is the first book of a trilogy.

Fun plot line and very enjoyable characters but the ending was predictable.

What a great look into the war between Isis and the countries they try to take over from the perspective of regular people. The addition of the true story of the Mosul Zoo adds dimension. Definitely a perspective I never thought of.

Loved it

Love

My son likes the Seb Spider!

As an adult I am sad to say I had never read this book before. I loved this book it is quit riveting a real page turner. I just had to know what happened next. For the time period it is set in the caricatures are very unique. They are all very interesting and have so much depth you almost feel as if you are with them. This book made me laugh, cry, and even gasp at some points because there were unexpected things.

Made you think about how we impact each other's lives.