Summary
The Maze Runner is a 2009 dystopian novel by American author James Dashner, set in a postapocalyptic world ravaged by disease. The story centers on Thomas, a 16-year-old boy who finds himself within a vast maze with no recollection of his past, except for his name. The novel is a thrilling exploration of survival, memory, and the quest for freedom.
Upon arrival in the Glade, Thomas discovers a society of boys who have also lost their memories and are attempting to escape the ever-changing maze that surrounds them. Every month, a new boy arrives in the Glade, and supplies are sent up weekly. However, the dynamics change drastically with the arrival of Teresa, the first girl ever to come to the Glade, bearing a chilling message that hints at a deeper connection between her and Thomas, and suggests a terrifying purpose behind their entrapment.
The Gladers, led by Alby and his second-in-command, Newt, enforce strict rules to survive, while Runners, led by Minho, explore the maze, looking for a way out while evading deadly biomechanical creatures known as Grievers. Thomas's arrival sparks a series of events that encompass hope, betrayal, and revelations, leading to a daring escape attempt. His unique perspective and newly discovered abilities place him at the center of the Gladers' fight for survival and the key to unraveling the mysteries of the maze.
The Maze Runner received critical acclaim for its gripping plot and complex character development and won several awards, including the 2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). It went on to inspire a five-book series, plus prequels and spin-offs.
Themes
Survival in a hazardous environment
Memory and identity
Friendship and solidarity
Leadership and responsibility
The ethics of scientific experimentation
Bravery and sacrifice
Hope in the face of despair
Curiosity and the quest for knowledge
Setting
The Maze Runner is set in a postapocalyptic era, following a cataclysmic event that has devastated humanity, leaving survivors to grapple with a lethal disease known as the Flare. Amidst this chaos, an enigmatic and political organization identified as WICKED (World in Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department) harnesses the youngest generation, seemingly immune to the disease, as test subjects in an elaborate and sinister experiment.
The story's geographical epicenter is the Glade, a sizable open expanse surrounded by towering and impenetrable stone walls. The Glade serves as a communal habitat for a group of boys, who have been mysteriously deposited in this enclosure with their memories wiped, save for their names. These walls are gateways to the Maze, a vast and ever-changing labyrinth that lies beyond, filled with lethal traps and monstrous creatures known as Grievers.
While specific dates are not provided, the novel suggests a future not too distant from our current time, amplified by all-too-familiar fears of disease, environmental catastrophe, and the ethical quandaries surrounding scientific experimentation.
Characters
Thomas: The protagonist, Thomas arrives in the Glade with no memory other than his name and quickly becomes important in the quest to escape the Maze.
Teresa: The first and only girl to arrive in the Glade, Teresa shares a mysterious connection with Thomas.
Alby: The leader of the Gladers, who tries to maintain order within the group.
Newt: Second-in-command in the Glade, Newt is a friend to Thomas and a key figure in the group’s dynamics.
Minho: The Keeper of the Runners who is fierce, brave, and becomes a close ally to Thomas.
Chuck: A young Glader who befriends Thomas upon his arrival and acts like a younger brother to him.
Gally: A Glader who distrusts Thomas and becomes an antagonist within the story.
Ben: A Builder who is banished after going through the Changing and attacking Thomas.
Ava Paige: The Chancellor of WICKED, who oversees the experiments on the Gladers.
Grievers: Biomechanical creatures that patrol the Maze, posing a lethal threat to the Gladers.
Quick facts
James Dashner started writing The Maze Runner in December 2005 and took about four months to complete the manuscript.
Philip Straub created the cover art for the 2009 edition, adding a distinct visual identity to the novel.
The Maze Runner received critical acclaim, winning the ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults award in 2011.
The Maze Runner remained at #1 on The New York Times betseller list for 148 weeks.
Based on surveys of secondary school teachers, The Maze Runner is a popular educational tool, used in classrooms to encourage independent reading and an engagement with fiction.
A film adaptation was released in September 2014, directed by Wes Ball, with a notable cast including Dylan O'Brien as Thomas and Kaya Scodelario as Teresa.
Film adaptation
The Maze Runner was adapted into a major motion picture, released by 20th Century Fox in September 2014. Directed by Wes Ball, the film stars Dylan O’Brien as Thomas and features Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, and Patricia Clarkson. A sequel, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, was released in September 2015, and the final film in the series, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, was released in January 2018.
About the author
James Dashner (1972-) is an acclaimed American author of speculative fiction. His notable works include The Maze Runner series and The 13th Reality series. Born in Austell, Georgia, Dashner began crafting stories on his parents' typewriter at the age of 10. His writing career took off in 2003 with the publication of his first novel, A Door in the Woods, which is part of The Jimmy Fincher Saga. This was followed by several more books across different series, including The 13th Reality series, which began with The Journal of Curious Letters in 2008, winner of the Whitney Award for Best Youth Fiction in 2008. However, it was The Maze Runner series that catapulted Dashner into global fame. The debut novel was a #1 New York Times bestseller, won the ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults award, and was named Best Teen Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews. The series, which includes five novels plus prequels and spin-offs, achieved significant commercial success. It also led to the production of a film series by 20th Century Fox, grossing an estimated $949 million worldwide and ranking as the fourth-highest-grossing film series based on young adult books. In 2021, Dasher released the adult horror novel, The House of Tongues. He lives in Utah with his wife and has four children.
