(no subject)
So, at the minute I'm reading The Long Walk, by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman. It's about a future world where every year, boys under eighteen sign up to do the Walk. They all line up and start walking. If they drop below 4mph, they get a warning. If they walk for an hour without getting another, they lose it. Their fourth warning is a shot through the head.
One thing's bugging me; do you know how fast 4mph is? 3mph is a brisk walk. Fifteen minute miles sound reasonable, but that's more of a jog than a walk. It just doesn't work.
Another thing that's bugging me is, why have none of these boys trained? There are ultra-marathons today which are reasonably similar to the first few days of this event, and people generally have a much easier time - they wear proper clothing, get used to the food, and, you know, get some training in.
It's possible that that last thing will be explained by the end, but the first just bugs me.
I've been trying to analyse what makes Stephen King's work so enjoyable to read. Although he has a recognisable style, he doesn't seem to repeat himself, or become irritating like other writers do. I don't think I'll ever really figure out, but it's quite fun trying.
One thing's bugging me; do you know how fast 4mph is? 3mph is a brisk walk. Fifteen minute miles sound reasonable, but that's more of a jog than a walk. It just doesn't work.
Another thing that's bugging me is, why have none of these boys trained? There are ultra-marathons today which are reasonably similar to the first few days of this event, and people generally have a much easier time - they wear proper clothing, get used to the food, and, you know, get some training in.
It's possible that that last thing will be explained by the end, but the first just bugs me.
I've been trying to analyse what makes Stephen King's work so enjoyable to read. Although he has a recognisable style, he doesn't seem to repeat himself, or become irritating like other writers do. I don't think I'll ever really figure out, but it's quite fun trying.