• The Running Man

  • By: Stephen King
  • Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
  • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,130 ratings)

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The Running Man  By  cover art

The Running Man

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
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Publisher's summary

A desperate man attempts to win a reality TV game where the only objective is to stay alive in this number-one national best seller from Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman.

It was the ultimate death game in a nightmare future America. The year is 2025 and reality TV has grown to the point where people are willing to wager their lives for a chance at a billion-dollar jackpot. Ben Richards is desperate - he needs money to treat his daughter's illness. His last chance is entering a game show called The Running Man where the goal is to avoid capture by Hunters who are employed to kill him. Surviving this month-long chase is another issue when everyone else on the planet is watching - and willing to turn him in for the reward.

With an introduction by Stephen King on "The Importance of Being Bachman".

©1982 Richard Bachman (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Featured Article: The definitive guide to the very best Stephen King adaptations


If you’re a Stephen King fanatic, or are interested in learning about the movies and shows made from his books, this round-up will provide you with a comprehensive list of the very best Stephen King screen adaptations. Watch the adaptation and then listen to the audiobook, or vice versa—this choice is yours. Either way, you can see how the adaptation stacks up against the source material and experience these legendary frights over and over again.

What listeners say about The Running Man

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

don't listen to intro

skip the intro to avoid a teaser. that was a bummer to hear how it ends before even starting

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, different than the movie

Classic King, written in the predictable Bachman style. Refreshingly different than the Schwarzenegger film. At times hard to hear in the car.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow. Just, wow.

The character and the story is so much more fleshed out this audiobook that in the movie. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Mobee, but it cannot hold a candle to this well written. The narrator does a fantastic job come too. And that? Wow.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

**AUTHOR'S FOREWORD SPOILS THE ENDING**

Enjoyed the story thoroughly other than the fact that the 4 minutes into King's foreword he flat out tells you the ending. Took 100% of the thrill out of it for me. No matter what trouble Richards gets into I knew how it would end. Incredibly disappointing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

They gave away the ending in the first 5 min.

I didn’t like how they give away the ending in the opening with the Stephen king interview about the book but, over all it was enticing and a fun ride.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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short and sweet

I loved the premise and finished it very quickly. I enjoyed the narrator as well.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Worth your time.

They could never make a movie of this. To raw for today's sensitivities. BUT, I could wish...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Holy smokes!

this is my third book from Bachman! I'm glad king invented such a horrific alter ego! the writing pertinear crushes me with the weight of choices, events, and nature of every story!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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performance

Voice actor played the part of Richard so well. loved it. really captured the ruthlessness of his journey.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Do not listen to the Intro if it’s your first time .

The book and performance are excellent and enjoyable, particularly if you are a Steven King fan . HOWEVER do not listen to the author’s forward to the book IF you have never read or listened to the book before , the intro will give away the ending . I would recommend saving it until after you have finished .

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