The Long Walk
The Long Walk by Stephen King (As Richard Bachman)
As much as I like a lot of Stephen King’s work, I do think I prefer him as Richard Bachman, He just feels more aggressive in his writing in this form. Darker. More evil. His lead characters have more asshole qualities about them that make them more interesting, and his stories have bleak endings which i’m not for in real life, but can love in fiction.
The Long Walk is about an annual competition in a dystopian America (I know) where one hundred boys walk for as long as possible at a minimum of four miles an hour until only one is left and can claim the prize… any prize. If they drop below the speed after three warnings, they’re killed. If they leave the road, they’re killed. If they try to run, they’re killed. Either you’re the sole survivor, or you die.
I really enjoyed the movie so was eager to give the book a read especially having loved The Running Man book as well. Everything I enjoyed about the film was in the book, along with some extra doses of darkness and a few nastier character traits that didn’t make it to the film.
It really is a dark story set in such a simple premise. You wonder how the story can keep going for so long when all they’re doing is walking, but it sucks you in. From the silly games and crude comments about the crowd, to the meaning of life conversations and theories about the Long Walk winners. From the sexual tension between Ray and Pete to the mum waiting for a glimpse of her son from the side of the road. One second you’re laughing at some childish taunt the tired Walkers are throwing at each other, the next they’re laying dead on the floor having been shot in the head after receiving their three warnings and getting their ‘ticket.’ it’s a cruel world.
I like this version of Garrarty too. He’s got a little more spitefulness in him under the pen of King/Bachman. Does a few things that a modern audience wouldn’t be okay with when he’s meant to be the lead character. I fully admit, I prefer this. I like characters that feel more flawed and human. Have impulses and wants and thoughts that too many modern interpretations and movies deny. At the end of the day he’s a young kid on a death march, he’s allowed to be a bit of a dick from time to time.
Plenty of the other walkers are great too. McVires is again wise beyond his years, but like Garrarty has a nastiness to him that isn’t represented in the film. You get the impression all these kids are broken. That they’re all the verge before they even start the Long Walk. Why else would they be there? Other than Scramm, he just done fucked up and should have lived a long happy life.
It’s a cruel nasty nihilistic book that I thoroughly enjoyed. A look into the pointlessness of death and war, while at the same time turning a mirror to those celebrating it. It’s a lot more subtle than the movie, and a lot less hopeful, but that works well alongside the presentation of the book.
Anyone who enjoyed the film should like the book despite a few changes (including the ending) and fans of dystopia should give it a go too. But if you’re a happy positive person who doesn’t want to read about how shit the world is, i’d stay away from this one because there isn’t much hope and joy within the pages.
