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| Review Summary |
100 young boys (under 18) walk for as long as they can. The Walk starts in Maine, and usually ends somewhere around Maryland. The twist is that if they walk under 4 MPH and are warned 3 times, or try to go into the crowd, they are shot on sight by patrolling soldiers. The last man alive wins the grand prize, which is whatever he wants for the rest of his life.
The main character, Ray Garraty, is the hometown favorite, and the story mostly deals with his mental state, the alliances he makes with other Walkers, and their changing opinions about the world and society as they witness their fellow contestants get shot one by one.
Steve Sitter, Resident Scholar
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Ray Garraty, a 16 year old from Maine, becomes disillusioned with his life, and despite the protestations of his mother and girlfriend, registers for "The Long Walk", in which 100 young men simply have to walk, at over 4 miles per hour. Those falling below speed or stopping, due to fatigue, insanity or a desire to die are summarily shot after 3 warnings. There can only be one winner, who can claim the grand prize.
Along the way Garraty inevitably makes some friends, and their discussions involve life, death, sex, and the nature of society. As the number of walkers is reduced, one by one, the reader is drawn into the minds of the main protagonists, and the game show quotes heading each chapter make one wonder if "The Long Walk" could soon become reality. Let's hope not!
robert harvey, Resident Scholar
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In the near future, 100 teenage boys are chosen to participate in the ultimate competition- 99 will die and the last boy standing is the winner. The competition is simply a walk, and the rules are clear: no stopping, no sitting, no walking under 4 miles per hour. After 3 warnings, the participant is shot dead by one of the soldiers patrolling the walk. The main character in the book is named Garraty. He makes a few friends and most of the book is dedicated to their musings on life, death, sex, and of course, the Long Walk itself. Some boys are shot dead after suffering severe leg cramps, but as the book progresses more die because they have gone insane or simply want die and get it over with. Garraty is the last man standing, and at the end of the race, he sees a shadowy figure who, upon touching Garraty's shoulder, gives him the strength to run.
Sarah, Resident Scholar
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You must walk at 4 miles per hour or more. You must not stop. If you stop, you will be killed.
The Long Walk.
As the miles go by you beginning to feel the pain of the young boys walking to escape their direction-less lives. Some have entered this futuristic endurance race to win. Some have entered to die. And some have just entered to watch the pain and suffering of others. A fantastic sweeping novel of such depth and insight to a possible future society that it takes your breath away. You will remember The Long Walk, because you will have been entered into it as soon as you start reading. Superb.
Dominic banks, Resident Scholar
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In the near future game shows like Survivor and Boot Camp will have given ways to newer... More lethal games.. This is about one of those games. The Long Walk.
This is a test of endurance a walk across the state of Maine, if you stop walking or fall behind a pace of 3mph you will be shot dead in your tracks, but if you can endure the pain and stop for nothing a fortune is yours for the taking.
But can anyone survive... The Long Walk?
Ken Carper, Resident Scholar
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| Detailed literary breakdown of The Long Walk |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 28%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 22%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Repressive society story
Yes
Repressive because:
- has game where people are hunted
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- a teen
Eccentric:
Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- explicit references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- descript of kissing
- descript of touching personal anatomy
How much dialogue?
- mostly dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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