Review: The Running Man

The Running Man

Michael Gerard Bauer

There is always something worse. That is what Joseph Davidson’s neighbor Tom Leyton tells him. Joseph, however, can not see anything worse than the reoccurring nightmare he has about the Running Man, a creature in town that always seems to be running.

Joseph only meets his reclusive neighbor at the request of Tom’s sister, Caroline. Rumors spread like wildfire about Tom across the town. Some people say that he fought in the Vietnam War, and that is why he is never seen. Others still say that he used to be a teacher, and he had inappropriate contact with a young boy. Caroline only fuels Joseph’s fear more by reassuring him that she will always be there when he comes over to draw Tom’s portrait for school. Even through his fears, Joseph becomes closer to Tom Leyton and a shaky friendship is formed over a box full of silkworms.

Bauer’s writing in The Running Man gives a breath of fresh air in a genre clouded with the same topics. I especially like the author’s use of poetry in this short novel. Bauer included pieces from both Douglas Stewart and John Milton. The author leaves the readers at the end of the book with this important message: miracles do happen.