Customer Reviews

The Runner

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Cynthia Voigt is one of the best writers we have today; the only reason she hasn't won Pulitzers and National Book Awards is that she writes for young adults, and most critics can't imagine any writer for that audience producing anything of literary merit. "The Runner" is the book I'd show anybody who ever put down young adult novels. By Cynthia Voigt's own estimation, "The Runner" is her best novel. She's right. I first read the novel five years ago; since then, I've taught it almost thirty times in that period of time, and it just keeps getting better. Every semester, some student points out some corner of the novel I'd missed. "The Runner" tackles serious subjects in a serious way: racism, war, growing up, friendship, principles, parental conflicts. Each and every one of these issues is dealt with thoroughly and seamlessly in the life of Bullet Tillerman, Dicey's uncle. My students love the rebellious Bullet; they are aghast when they realize he's a racist. They read with absolute fascination to find out what happens next. The novel's cast of characters are unique and original: Bullet's father and mother, his best friend Patrice, and his teammate Tamer are unforgettable. This is a novel that I think will come to be remembered as the best novel ever written for young adults, but even more, one of the finest novels of the last 50 years.

Why are the best books written for kids or young adults? This is an incredible book about running, racism, war, the '60's and integrity. Is Bullet a loner, a racist, an athlete or a hero? To me he's just someone being true to himself. Also, Voigt made me dig through Housman's poetry for great lines. A very moving book that should be picked up as an adult.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this book was that Voigt certainly has an unusual style. Voigt does have a knack of creating strong, addictive plots, and of course providing the unique, unforgettable characters to see the plot through. But till now, Voigt's most complex and unique character lies in "The Runner" -- Samuel / Bullet Tillerman. Reading about him sends you into a whirl. Bullet is a strong-willed, stubborn and hot-headed youth. He lives by his own rules , and that includes his domineering father, his prejudices towards the 'coloured' community,his love for cross-country running, and even his opinions towards the draft (This story was set at the time of the Vietnam Civil War). Having a mind of his own, Bullet finds himself really different, in his opinions and his thinking , and in the way he behaves. It's really simple, Bullet lives his life the way he wants to , and nobody can stop him. Nobody can make that change. Voigt's bold descriptions flesh out the characters in this book perfectly, especially Bullet. Voigt also tells this tale in a wildly original way. She sets her opinions down in this book, and argues about them at the same time. She pretty much covers up all the aspects of the issues she tackles in this book, which include family ties, teenage rebellion, racism, politics and war. In a way, she's arguing with the readers, challenging them to think, to look at matters in a different light. Voigt really understands young adults, I'll give her that much. This book has a tangy and refreshing aftertaste, and it is a must-read for all young adults and all parents who really want to understand their kids. "The Runner" is wonderfully entertaining, making education through this book outrageously fun. Trust me, Voigt only produces books of the finest quality.

I first read The Runner when I was twelve. I've re-read the book once or twice a year ever since, and it gets better with each reading.

Voigt does nothing to soften the harsh facts of 1960s society, and some facets might seem shocking especially to a younger reader. However, watching Bullet confront his own racial prejudice and slowly realize how little sense it makes (he later concludes "You are what you are, and that's what counts") made me think of the smaller and more subtle ways in which prejudice might affect my own thoughts, even without my realizing it.

My mother read this book along with me, and I think it's a very good book for parents and older children to read and discuss together.

This book is extremely powerful. Cynthia Voigt interlaced and weaves many ideas about everything - racism, friendship, who you are, who you can be, being different, judging people, pushing your limits, values, ...

It tells us the story about a young man named Samuel, who calls himself Bullet. He's strong willed, stubborn, and incredibly strong in his character. He lives by his own rules, which include not answering to his domineering father, his mother, or mixing with the "coloreds" at his school. He won't let no one run him - and he's willing to break all rules but his own.

This is the kind of book that stays with you, it's got some very powerful messages. I couldn't sleep at night, because I kept thinking about questions this book raised in me. When a book does that to you, in my opinion, it means that it's a very good book.

One of my favorite books. A must, must, must read.

At first I had a bit of trouble getting into the book. I had read Dicey's song and loved it so I wanted to read the rest of the Tillerman series. At one point I thought of giving up since it seemed like Bullet veiws of life were too angery and I couldn't relate, at other times I also questioned my interest in the story being told. I however kept going and I really liked the second half. It was nice how Bullet had to go through and rediscover himself! He had to ask himself is this really what I believe? In this way I believe Bullet matured and came to a better understanding about life and his values. I also enjoyed him going past the prejustice to find the person(Tamer). Read the book if you want to know what I am talking about!

This is one of the best books I've ever read. The author has a finely honed skill at putting the reader into a character's life in such a way that we not only feel the pressures exerted on that character, but grasp, from the inside, why a character is particularly challenging, and makes sometimes horrifying choices. Not only are the characters amazing in their richness, detail and believability, but we learn from them about being human and young. The prose is elegant as well. I feel as though I've been to these marshes and woods of the Chesapeake.

The Runner is a interesting book that tactifully deals with issues such as Vietnam and racism. It is moving at times and one cannot help liking with Bullet, the main character, despite the fact that he is somewhat bigoted and ruthless. The ending of the novel is simple and superb, with powerful emotion that makes it joy to read.

By writing in a refreshing yet simple manner Voigt has managed to sustain one's interest thorughout the book, however the plot does seem very predictable and stale at times.

Overall, this is an enjoyable, occassionally involving read, however there are better books available on similar subjects.

When asked which of her books she would write if she had the choice to only have written one, Cynthia Voigt replied, "The Runner." Would that have been a good choice? Hmmm.

The book is a little underrated here, I think, and I believe that this is because it is aimed at a young audience - oftentimes, we youths are not quite capable of catching and subsequently comprehending the more complex, subtle messages that Voigt sends in her books; this one in particular. For example, quite a few reviewers here seem to misinterpret the protagonist, Bullet. Yes, he is a rebellious, angry loner; yes, he holds racist sentiments throughout much of the book. However, there is much more to Bullet than that plain and simple "angry, unsociable guy" thing. Part of his struggle in the book is learning to overcome his racism upon realizing that one of his dearest friends is, in fact, part black and not simply "tanned" as he used to assume. The changes that occur in Bullet's character are subtle throughout the course of his story are subtle, but they're certainly there. The shift in his perspective of the people around him is both rewarding and moving, as he digs up truths about himself and about those close to him - some of them for the better, some of them for the worse, but all things that we outselves might come to note about the people surrounding us as we go through our lives - not evil at all for the most part, but terribly mistaken and blind about many things.

Bullet has a negative view on people in general, yes, but Voigt does well in not even trying to make him likable at the start of the book: he is arrogant, cocky, rude, and something of a know-it-all. Rather than trying to paint these as strengths, we see quite clearly that Bullet is, in fact, a flawed and very human young man, despite the pedestal of grudging admiration and fear others place him upon.

Anyway, the book isn't solely about Bullet and his people problems. It deals with social issues as well, such as the aforementioned racism (and with a grittily unique perspective that sets "The Runner" apart from other books dealing with this issue), the Vietnam War, and how teenagers during that time period dealt with such issues - some strongly, but often in a more ambiguous manner typical of how everyday people address such issues. It depicts very normal people as they go about making choices in their lives - often, however, with chilling effect that few others in the book are able to note.

I suppose I can't articulate exactly what I mean very well. This is one of those books where you either "get it", or you don't and possibly never will. This is definitely not a book for everyone, and due to Bullet's odd way of thinking, it isn't an easy read. However, it can be highly rewarding for those of you who enjoyed such works of Voigt's as "A Solitary Blue" and "Seventeen Against the Dealer", as well as "Come A Stranger".

The one negative thing I do have to say about this book is that on a few small occasions, Voigt's writing gives the impression of an author who is just a little too "in love with" her own character. Generally she does an excellent job of making Bullet seem very human though most others place him up on the aforementioned pedestal, but every now and then, the writing gets just a tad...pompous? Not sure if that's the right word, but it's the closest I can get to what I mean. Other books of hers, such as "Homecoming", and "A Solitary Blue" don't notably suffer from this bit. Hence, I'm a little hesitant over agreeing with Voigt that this is indeed the one work she ought to have written if she could only have written one.

Regardless, "The Runner" is a profoundly thoughtful piece of writing, and if you're looking for a rather quiet read that will have you thinking long after you've put it down, this is a great book whose merits far outweigh its vices.

This is a wonderful book. Voigt skillfully balances themes of family tension, race relations, love and loss and death, separation and reconciliation in the story of Bullet's life. I highly recommend it, with or without the other Tillerman books.