The Long Walk Art
Works / Bachman Novels

The Long Walk

The Long Walk Art

Released

1979

Available Format(s)

Paperback / Audio

Publisher

New American Library (NAL)

In the near future, where America has become a police state, one hundred boys are selected to enter an annual contest where the winner will be awarded whatever he wants for the rest of his life. The game is simple - maintain a steady walking pace of four miles per hour without stopping. Three warnings, and you're out - permanently.

From the Flap

THE PLACE

An ultra-conservative America of the not-too-distant future . . .

THE EVENT

The country's #1 sports contest, a grueling 450-mile marathon walk, where a single misstep could be the last . . .

THE COMPETITORS

The cream of the nation's youth, 100 red-blooded American boys out to make it to the top no matter who they trample on to get there . . .

THE PRIZE

A fortune in money, fame, and everything the heart desires for the one and only winner . . .

But in a flawless society there are no losers--because the New American Government knows how to bury its failures . . .

Inspiration

In the early '60s radio and TV stations throughout the country organized 50-mile hikes. Stephen says: "I had that in mind. I didn't have a car when I wrote that book. I was hitchhiking everywhere. I didn't finish my 50-mile hike, though. I fell out after 20 miles."

Characters

Hide List Show List
Name
Description
Randy
The robot on the shirt of a child
Sheila
The Major's dog
?, Carolyn
Girl who once dated Ray Garraty
?, Curley
Competitor of The Long Walk.
?, Gwendoline
Daughter of the king in Ray Garraty's story
?, Hattie
Aunt of Ray Garraty.
?, Janice (Jan)
Ray Garraty's 16-year-old girlfriend
?, Joe
Competitor of The Long Walk. Brother of Mike.
?, Mike
Competitor of The Long Walk. Brother of Joe.
?, Percy
Competitor of The Long Walk.
?, Priscilla
McVries' girlfriend
?, Ralph
Worked at a pajama factory with Peter McVries.
Aaron, Hank
Baseball player who hit 730 home runs (or so)
Aaronson, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Abraham, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Adderley, Cannonball
Musician mentioned in passing
Astaire, Fred
Dancer mentioned in passing
Baker, Arthur (Art)
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Baker, James
Competitor of The Long Walk
Barkovitch, Gary
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Bradbury, Ray
Writer mentioned in passing.
Bredes, Don
Writer mentioned in passing
Brubeck, Dave
Musician mentioned in passing
Carter, John
Fake name Henry Olson used to Barkovitch
Collins, Wilkie
Wrote "The Woman in White"
Cotter, Regie
Previous winner of The Long Walk from Maine.
D'Allessio, George (Freaky)
Ray Garraty went to his funeral after he was hit and killed by a car.
Davidson, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Dorgen, Amelia
Ran a modern dance school that Ray Garraty attended.
Elwell, Mr.
Neighbor of Ray Garraty as a child.
Elwell, Mrs.
Gave Garraty a drink of cold water when younger.
Ewing, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Fenter, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk
Fenum, Roger
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Field, Charlie
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Fielder, Georgie
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Fields, W.C.
Actor mentioned in passing
Foster, Stephen
Composer mentioned in passing
Gallant, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Garraty, Jeff
Brother of Ray who died of pneumonia at 6 years old
Garraty, Jim
Ray's father who was taken away by the squads when Ray was 5.
Garraty, Mrs.
Ray Garraty's mother
Garraty, Raymond Davis
Competitor of The Long Walk. Boyfriend of Jan.
Grange, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk
Gribble, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Harkness, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Harlan, ?
Worked in the dye shop where McVries worked
Hough, Bill
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Howard, Ron
Actor mentioned in passing
Jackson, Shirley
Writer mentioned in passing
Jensen, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Keats, John
Writer mentioned in passing
Kirkwood, James
Writer mentioned in passing
Klingerman, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Klipstein, Eddie
Friend of Ray Garraty
Knowles, John
Writer mentioned in passing
L'Antio, Dom
Gave free watermelon to competitors
Larson, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Major, The
The person in charge of the walk each year.
McVries, Katrina
Peter McVries 4-year-old sister
McVries, Peter
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Milligan, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Milligan, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Mitchum, Robert
Actor mentioned in passing
Monk, Thelonius
Musician mentioned in passing
Monroe, Marilyn
Actress mentioned in passing
Morgan, Frank
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Olson, Henry (Hank)
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Owens, Jimmy
Friend of Ray Garraty as a child.
Parker, Collie
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Paster, Bruce
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Patterson, Dr.
Ray Garraty's mothers friend
Pearson, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Petrie, Miss
One of Garraty's teachers
Poe, Edgar Allan
Author mentioned in passing
Popham, Davey
Friend of Arthur Baker
Quince, Harold
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Rank, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Roosevelt, Eleanor
Mentioned in passing
Salinger, J.D.
Writer mentioned in passing
Scramm, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Scramm, Cathy
Wife of competitor number 85
Sledge, Bobbi
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Stebbins, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Swinburn, ?
Writer mentioned in passing
Toland, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Travin, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Tressler, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Tubbins, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Wayne, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Wyman, Marty
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Yannick, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
Zuck, ?
Competitor of The Long Walk.
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