The Long Walk (Ezzy's Book Read Reviews)
Continuing on from my last review, I referenced the fact that Stephen King released a few of his works under the alias Richard Bachman. One of the stand-out books based off his pseudonym has to be The Long Walk. Although released back in the year of 1985, King claims to have written it during his time attending the University of Maine. It is easy to see how influential it was in more modern-day mainstream classics such as The Hunger Games and Battle Royale as well as many others, I’m sure.
The Synopsis:
Set in an alternate dystopian reality where WWII was perceived to have been won by Germany, it centres around an annual event held in New England, USA. The premise is very simple. One hundred teenage boys are selected to walk a long stretch of road until only one of them is left standing. A minimum speed of four miles per hour must be maintained (with each participant monitored electronically) or else they get forfeited with a verbal warning. If three warnings are received within one hour, they are shot dead. Although it must be said that each warning is revoked after exactly one hour until all are removed or a time when another one is issued. That essentially formulates the crux of the general backstory.
From there, the story focuses on about dozen of the boys, the main protagonist being David Garraty, and their version of events that transpire going forward. The declared winner will be able to “have anything he wants for the rest of his life.” A tense battle of wits, determination and fierce mental fortitude ensue as each member of the race is slowly picked off one by one. Who will be left standing at the end to collect the ultimate prize in a world of hate, repression and totalitarianism?
The Review:
First off, I would not place this book within King’s repertoire of “horror” novels per se. It fits more into the category of a psychological thriller than an out-and-out scarefest. From the outset, the story begins at the start of the race so any character building takes place as the plot unfolds. This book was featured within a poll of top 100 books for teenage audiences. However, I must admit even for myself, it made for an uncomfortable. The claustrophobic environment the boys are hurled into as well as being confronted with the possibility of their own mortality, gives this a bitter-sweet edge to it.
You discover much more about each of the boy’s personal lives and how they actually came about entering this morbid competition in the first place. The writing is tight and direct, with a minimal amount of exposition used. This gave the read an urgency to it that, in my view, was a key element in making it such a gripping piece of literature. The boys also managed to form unique relationships between themselves along the perilous trek. Some of which were supportive and empathetic, in contrast to others which were downright evil, leading to horrendous consequences.
Also touched upon with just the right amount of textual detail were the deadly, external factors overshadowing their tight nit group. Such as the army soldiers who would be following them every step of the way. Tracking their progress, monitoring if the harsh competition rules were being explicitly adhered to and always at the ready to dish out the deadly punishments. The strong military presence set against the youthful innocence of the adolescent’s fighting for their lives, was disturbing to say the least.
One character in particular I found deplorable, yet intriguing all at once, was “The Major”. He was the overseer of the event and the one to bestow the prize upon the eventual winner. His wit and charm were devilishly insane. Giving both encouragement and hope to the participants in the most jovial and good-natured way possible. Almost as if he were on their side and rooting for them all to gain victory and fame. But the chilling truth was anything but. His intermittent appearances added to an already gruelling tale and married together with a mind-blowing twist ending, provided for an experience unlike any other I’ve come across.
The Wrap:
The Long Walk is an underappreciated work of art from the creative mind of Stephen King. Although yet to be adapted into a film of it’s own right, it has indirectly spawned a number of movies loosely based on this intense and exhausting premise. The horrors of a dictatorship, having no sense of purpose and control and being left to the ravages of a world gone mad, are images that will haunt you way after you've turned the final page.
I first read this quiet masterpiece a number of years ago and have returned to it many times over. And every time I do, it never fails to hit me with the same impactful and jarring brutality of the dire situation they're faced with. One more class notch under the belt of the genius that is Stephen King and one I would highly urge you to check out and lose yourself in.
A classic that set the bar and still stands tall to this every day.
Ezzy's Verdict: (8/10)
