This is certainly a page-turner. I found myself drawn into the story rather quickly and somehow, hoping that the faster I read, the faster the main character would walk, hoping he wouldn't get a warning from the guards. This is a tense novel - you begin reading with full knowledge that the contest can end only one way. If you're a fan of the cult movie, "Battle Royale," you'll enjoy this story a lot. And vice-versa.

My favorite Stephen King book. Great character development, eerie premise, plot is well set up and develops nicely.

4.5 stars out of 5

As morbid as it sounds concidering the nature of this book I have to say it one of my favorite King books. In fact I have read it more than once, it is one of my keepers. It kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. A great read by King, I recommend it to all King fans!

This was so good! Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman. I missed it somehow when it came out, but thanks to this book club I was finally able to read it! This is about the ultimate contest, where the losers die. This book really makes you think about life, and what's important.

Not the best King book Ive every read ,but it was the hardest to put down. I usually take a few weeks to read a king book this one i read in 48hrs I just kept wanting to know what happened next.... still a great read

Stephen King is my favorite author but can get too wordy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I think if the book was shorter it would be a lot better but I still enjoyed it. It's about a boy named Ray Garraty, participating with 99 others in the annual Long Walk. The boys have to walk 4 miles per hour, no less. If they do, they get a warning. They get a warning every minute or two and are allowed 3 ... then they "buy a ticket". When you realize what that means, the hairs on your neck will stand up on end as you wonder how and why these kids would get involved in this. It's no Boy Scout march.

As crazy as Stephen King can get, I can't help but get addicted to this book. I was a great and nerve racking book written by an amazing author. Full of suspence, drama, and a little bit of tears in some places. Everything a reader needs to keep them hungry for more.

My first real King read and I loved it. It's not what I would have thought a Steven King novel would be (I had thoughts of Carrie and Cujo in my head...) and I must say I'd be willing to read more of this style of King novel.

A truly disturbing premise - made more real(?) by King's expertise at getting inside a kid's head. Where's the need for made-up monsters when we've got humanity?

Haunting story of teenage boys that take a "walk" every May 1st---it's a walk to determine who gets to live and who will die, based on who gets the ticket!

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An excellent metaphor for human struggles, temptation, suffering, determination and character. The reader will easily relate to some one in the story and may see themselves in more than one light as they travel with the walkers. Although not 'classic King' this is a must read for any follower of his writings, as the alter ego Bachman illuminates a side of King that should be recognized.

I actually enjoyed this book, although it was quite sad. I wasn't sure where it was going, and the ending was so very sad, but it was a good book and held my attention!

one of my favorite short stories by King and one I always thought they should make into a movie... Id watch it!
It shows you the lengths and reasons people might go too if they really wanted to be rich or needed the money.
It really made me think. I usually like most of Kings books and when this was printed with his short storied under his bachman pseudonym it was my favorite in the whole book.

Another favorite from Stephen King, and another paperback on my shelf that's almost too ragged to read. The Long Walk (originally published under King's pseudonym, Richard Bachman) is one of those books that gets better the more times you read it. The premise is actually pretty flat -- In the not-too-distant future, a group of 100 teenage boys is selected each year to participate in The Long Walk. Basically, the participants in this reality show death march begin walking in Maine and continue south as a group until they can walk no longer. If they drop beneath a certain speed, they're shot. If they stop for any reason (no bathroom breaks here, folks), they're shot. Blisters and head colds are a matter of life and death in this especially brutal race.

That said, there's not much action in this book. The story focuses on the relationships and friendships that emerge among the walkers, and how these individuals change along the journey. As always, King draws characters that are memorable and very real. He parcels out information about them little by little, allowing the reader to get to know them alongside the other Long Walkers. It's hard not to get emotionally involved when they fall, one by one, along the side of the road.

The ending is typical King -- is it a happy one? Does the "winner" get his "prize?" I've read the book many times and I still can't make up my mind. But I challenge you to read it and draw your own conclusion.

Steven King has done it again! Kept me spellbound and reading in anticipation until the end. Excellent book a must read for King fans.

----My favorite Stephen King book----

Disturbing. I just imagine myself on the walk. What would I do. Could you imagine?

Quick reading. Not a long book.

I can never forget the story.

Stephen King! This is a book I have re-read several times.

I really enjoyed this book, some of Stephen King's books get a little to far out for me to follow. This story kept me interested from the beginning to the last page.

The version I have was printed in 1996 and has a different cover than the one shown. This one has a road with a fence and a skeletons head on it and is a dark blue color. The spine on this book has some lines from its previous owner but is still in more than good enough condition if you are just wanting a good book to read and pass along. If you're a collector you would want a different copy. Thanks!

Good book. Wonderful condition.

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