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The Long Walk

Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Release Date: 1999-04-01
Publisher:Signet
Author Stephen King
Number of pages:384
ISBN:0451196716
Language:Unknown: English; Original Language: English; Published: English;
Contributor Richard Bachman
Weight:0.4 pounds
Dimensions:4.17 inches x 6.69 inches x 1.02 inches
[Width x Length x Height]

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Product description

 

On the first day of May, one hundred teenage boys meet for an event known throughout the country as "The Long Walk." If you break the rules, you get three warnings. If you exceed your limit, what happens is absolutely terrifying.

Features

  • ISBN13: 9780451196712
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

    • Customer reviews


    « wow »
    this is hands down my favorite book by the king, next to the stand of course. amazing.
    Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-09-04
    « Stephen King is one of my favorite authors. »
    I love to read any book by Stephen King, and this book was no exception. The book arrived quickly and as promised.
    Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-08-21
    « Walk the line »
    In some weird dystopian future 100 teenage boys volunteer to walk a death march across America in search of the "Ultimate Prize" for the sole survivor - you see, if you can't walk anymore, you're shot. Thus begins an epic 200+ mile walk in which the endurance of the human body and spirit is pushed to its limits.

    King does a good job of keeping the story moving despite not much variation in what's happening over nearly 300 pages: they walk, someone falls, is shot, they walk, someone falls, is shot, etc, repeat. The cast of characters is built up and then brought down. We slowly see the characters start to crack up psychologically and then physically, then turn on one another. It's fascinating for a while.

    King also doesn't give much away about the world this takes place in - it's recogisable except there is talk of a "Change", of "Squads", and the mysterious "Major" who runs the annual (!) Long Walk. The Walk is spectator sport at its bloodiest.
    We are also kept guessing as to the reward for the winner - a prize is mentioned but walkers talk about how they just shoot the winner instead. The ending is masterfully written to keep the reader guessing as to what really happened.

    But even if this is one of King's shortest (by his standards), I still think the book was overlong. It's an interesting story that gets a bit long in the tooth due to the slow depletion of the 100 boys and could've been as effective at half the length.

    Despite the feeling that it dragged a bit for me, I was definitely impressed with the way King portrayed psychological disintegration so well, as well as the subtletly in which he kept the boys' motives for taking part in the race somewhat ambiguous ("volunteer" is a term used loosely as you find out - or is it? Are they all mad or not?). One of King's most interesting works and better than some of his more well known books, a definite book to check out if you're a fan or would like to read King without the supernatural horror he's famous for.
    Rating: (3 out of 5) @ 2010-07-29
    « Great, strange book »
    This is sort of science fiction, but not really. It is really psycho-horror. Its about an alternate socialist or communist or fascist america, where people march to their deaths in a contest. Very strange book, the horror is they are all young boys and they walk until they can't then they are shot or whatever. They walk to death, in a race of endurance. But there is not SF reason for this, or supernatural reason. Just a political one.

    The characters are all generally good. There are some things I had trouble getting over, such as the idea they didn't all start off terrified. I mean, if you know it is a march to the death, you should be terrified, they all start off too happy. Also, the whole point of the thing was somewhat shaky.

    This was one of his very first novels he wrote, I've heard his very first. So, from that angle, its quite good.
    Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-07-29
    « Good Buy »
    this book was received within the suggested time frame and in the condition advertised. I'm very pleased with my purchase. It was worth the price sent.
    Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-07-26
    Quantity:
    List Price: $7.99
    Our Price: $4.13 (Save $3.86)
    Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days


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