Reading Group Discussion: The Long Walk (Tuesday, July 30th)

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Doc Creed

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I felt like there was a parallel between The Long Walk and The Running Man in their criticism or satirical treatment of spectator culture. The people watching on the sidelines of the walk, and the people betting on the runners.
Excellent point. I did think of this in the midst of reading but completely forgot about it. I'm glad you brought it up and connected it to The Running Man. Surely, King was making a commentary on this in both novels.
 

Doc Creed

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I haven't read the book recently so maybe i won't give the best answer but i thought it was never determined. And was he falling further into exhaustion at that point to where he could be hallucinating? As i don't remember how late in the book that happens
Yes, he was hallucinating a lot and that was why I didn't have the assurance that it was really them. I wonder if King states it conclusively, outside of Garraty's perceptions. I'll look for it later to be sure.
 

Doc Creed

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I took the ending that he was done, through his mind or death. Because he was so exhausted after days of walking (5 days?) due to how he could run at the end despite wanting to collapse seconds before
Yeah, that is problematic. He is definitely exhausted and wanting to collapse and running seems out of the question. However, I don't think it is impossible. But, yes, unlikely. Again, I think this go round I just wanted him to survive.
 

GNTLGNT

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I agree but maybe i misunderstood, I thought GNT was hinting that he did not like the ending. Because yes, sometimes you want a definite ending but i find it fun to not fully know what he is seeing in the end and leaving it up to the imagination. although sometimes that can be annoying
...nope, no complaints here....just that it always leaves me wondering....
 

Doc Creed

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Before we disperse, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate Doc Creed’s effort to put this all together and come up with such great discussion topics. I chose to read the Walk when I did because of the double-feature, and I’m so glad! Thanks again, Doc.
My pleasure. Thanks for jumping into the discussion.
 

kingricefan

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Jul 11, 2006
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Chapters 14 and 15 Summary
They reach Augusta and the crowds eclipse everything they've encountered before. Here, there's confetti so deep walking is more difficult. Streamers rain down on them and there's a constant scream so loud that the walkers scream back, despite the fact that it's costing them valuable breath and that they can't be heard above the crowd. Then a walker named Milligan falls, scraping his nose on the pavement and is shot, ending the walkers' reactions.
'Milligan' indeed is shot and dies in chapter 14 but then reappears in chapter 17 only to die once more later on (as Ray is the last walker by the end).
 

osnafrank

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Why this march ?
Why promise everything he want`s for the "winner" ?
I think the Major and everyone in charge just wants to eradicate a new,young opposition.

And they already know, that they havn`to pay the winner.
The "Winner" ....he isn`t dead(physically) but dead inside.

The March, the pain, the loss and the survivor guilt.
All this will drive you insane.
 

Tery

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This is one of the bleakest tales Uncle Stevie has ever spun. By the time I was done, I felt like I'd done the Walk. Mentally, anyway. I don't know what kind of society we thought we'd have back when this was written but The Long Walk and The Running Man are signposts we ought to give some attention. Reality TV has many detrimental effects but I think the worst is seeing those on TV as fictional characters.
 

do1you9love?

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This is one of the bleakest tales Uncle Stevie has ever spun. By the time I was done, I felt like I'd done the Walk. Mentally, anyway. I don't know what kind of society we thought we'd have back when this was written but The Long Walk and The Running Man are signposts we ought to give some attention. Reality TV has many detrimental effects but I think the worst is seeing those on TV as fictional characters.
Agreed.