Customer Reviews

The Most Dangerous Game - Richard Connell's Original Masterpiece

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a short novel, but don't let the small size discourage you - there's a big story inside. Two friends, both big game hunters, are boating in the dark off the coast of a remote, mysterious island - an island whose reputation goes before it. Gems of wisdom leap off the first few pages - regarding the feelings of the Big Game Animal under the gun, splendidly composed.

A legend about a dangerous island; a shot in the dark; an accidental fall overboard; fate hands the "hunter" another hunt he is barely prepared for, against an adversary and an idea he can barely believe exists.

I sought it again as I had read it long ago as a child and remembered it as one of the best little short novels I had read, due to it's unique and imaginative story line. Reading it again was better than the first time, and I recommend it as an adventure thriller.

As a die-hard fan of Lord of the Flies, Battle Royale, 1984, Animal Farm, The Beach, and other such dystopian/social experiment genre books--I whole-heartedly recommend this flick. If you enjoy a book that is entertaining yet makes you think, this one is for you.

Don't let the length reduce your expectations (it's extremely short); you'd be missing out big time. This book can be read in about 30 minutes, but is perfect for hours of discussion with others or even a high school/college class. In fact, from a teacher's perspective, it's perfect. It is not long enough to lose student interest, but enriching nonetheless intellectually. It would not be difficult reading for high school (especially Social Studies), but would still be great for college as a supplimental text.

For the casual reader, it is a classic worth having on the shelf.

Simply put, the story line is about a highly accomplished hunter who has become bored of all other worldy game. Thus, he decides to reignite his passion for hunting "dangerous game" by going for the animal that is the most thrilling of all: humans. Telling you anything more would just be a spoiler.

This book is great. It's very short, but such an amazing idea. It's funny how many movies were based on what you see on these pages.

Wow! Was the first word out of my mouth as soon as I finished this book. Excelsior!

`The Most Dangerous Game' is one of those short stories that have garnered a lot of respect and attention, even by many who have never read it. Almost everyone knows the story or concept of this novel since it has been adapted for the screen many times and has spawned plenty of variations and `inspired' films and novels. I have heard many things about this story yet I have not had the opportunity to read it until this morning. It's much shorter than I had anticipated, it only took me thirty minutes to read through the whole thing, but it does pack quite a gut punch as some have already mentioned.

The short story follows renowned hunter Sanger Rainsford who is on his way with a friend to hunt jaguar in the deep jungle. They are aboard a yacht and have another day or two before they reach their destination. During the night, while the rest of the passengers are asleep, Rainsford finds himself falling overboard and washing ashore a `cursed' island. It's ashore this island that Rainsford meets Count Zaroff. He's invited inside and given a change of clothes and invited to dinner where he is informed of the peculiar happenings upon this island.

Many know what happens next. The Count explains that his whole life is hunting; that he's hunted every big game, small game, any game animal out there and has found that he was getting board with the hunt. Since his life is hunting, his very being, he needed to find a way to make the hunt interesting, exciting once again. That's when he decided to stock his island with humans. Humans are the most dangerous game because they can think and reason and thus they prove to be the most challenging hunt. Rainsford of course is appalled and wants to leave the island but he soon finds out that the only way off is to outwit the hunter.

The story questions the humanity in the idea of `Sport Hunting'. Whether human or mere animal the story questions the morals behind such a sport. When listening to the Count explain his ideas, his feelings (which take up a large portion of the book) we get a glimpse into his inhumanity and sadistic traits.

The story also brings into question societies need to be entertained. Throughout the years so-called civilization has called morals into question in order to remain content with life. From the gladiatorial fights to the damaging aftereffects of boxing today, man has no problem with endangering one another for pure entertainment. Why not hunt one another? What's the difference?

I'm a little put off that the book was so short (merely 42 pages) because it fails to capitalize on the impact this story could have had. Instead of spending time to delve into the aftereffects of such an ordeal the novel just ends, leaving the reader to ascertain for himself what Rainsford learnt from the episode. In keeping the story so short it also pulls in on the suspense. The whole first and second half build up to this `hunt' where Rainsford is pitted against Zaroff, but it is so quickly dealt with that the reader barely has enough time to register any real fear or dread before the final page is turned.

Like I mentioned, this `short' story still packs a punch, it just could have really packed a wallop had it been expanded to novel length, or even just novella. Still, if you have yet to read this do yourself a favor and check it out; in the least it will get you thinking.

So many things to like about this story:

1. All action.
2. Terrific suspense.
3. Connell doesn't spell everything out for you; he makes neat leaps, letting the reader fill in the blanks.
4. Great sci-fi / almost "Twilight Zone" kind of concept.
5. Brevity.
6. Brevity.
7. Restraint.
8. A lesson in how to keep a story moving.

A tale from the day when stories were stories, little pretense. Definitely worth the 20 minutes it takes to read.

This story was required reading in my 10 grade English class in '64, & I never forgot it. Recently I ordered it from Amazon & found it just as fascinating now as I did then.

One of my favorite books as a kid is still just as captivating when I read it 30 years later. The definition of 'page turner'. Premise of book has also been reused many times in other books, movies, etc. Classic!

Short and sweet, Richard Connell's masterpiece reads as well as it did when it was written 86 years ago. A model in lean prose that sticks to the story without unnecessary embellishment, "The Most Dangerous Game" manages to expose weighty issues of war, ecology, and especially human nature that remain relevant today. Yet there is no preaching here - simply a well-told tale that will be enjoyed by grade school students as easily as adults. And if the brevity leaves you wanting, this little gem set the foundation for decades of authors and screenwriters who've picked up on the basic man-hunter theme. At half the price of a movie, "The Most Dangerous Game" is worth a detour back to one of the key building blocks of modern pop fiction.

I remember reading this back in grade school. There's just that little something about it that makes it a true classic short story. Given 4 stars for the 3 or so errors that I discovered while in my quick read through of this version. Regardless, it's still good these some odd years later.