Customer Reviews

The Runner (The Tillerman Series #4)

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

 

 

This novel (a prequel to Homecoming) may be one of the very best revelations of why it is that so many gifted young people simply cannot see beyond their (mostly imagined) limitations and end up so badly. Although the central character, Bullet, is not very sympathetic at the beginning of the novel, painfully he changes and engages the reader. Yet, in spite of his gained insights and his talents and opportunities, they are not enough to save him.

A stunner of a book, especially for adolescents. I simply cannot imagine why this book has not been reviewed (and enthusiastically) before now; it is well written to a fault, economical in style, true and poignant. I have taught it to many young people, none of whom have failed to be moved by it. One of Voigt's absolute best. You will not regret buying and reading it, and my bet is that you will then try to turn other people on to it. Never trust anyone who says, "Trust me", but trust me on this.

I read many Cynthia Voigt books years ago, but never came across The Runner. I happened on it during a book shortage while I was traveling recently. This book starts off a bit slow and heavy-handed. Initially I thought, I wonder if this is how all Cynthia Voigt's books are, but I was just too young to realize it before? But before too long I actually cared where she was planning to take the story, and by about halfway through I was hooked. Bullet is a fascinating character, as is his relationship with his mother. The social/political aspects of the story do come across as a bit much early on, but are easier to take as the story progresses. For me, this did not add much to the story, but I can see that it could be compelling, interesting, and valuable for young teens, especially those growing up in the early 21st century. I'm glad I found this book and I look forward to reading it again with my own kids in 8-10 years. It has also made me interested in going to back to read my old favorites by Ms. Voigt. I highly recommend it.

I have read 6 of the 7 books in the Tillerman series. Books 1 and 2 (Homecoming and Dicey's Song) were GREAT!!! I could not put them down. I re-read them. So uplifting, spiritual, cooperative. The rest of the books fell flat and Runner (#4 of 7) flat-lined completely.

I FORCED myself to read the book TWICE to see why it got so many 5 stars. It was even WORSE the 2nd time around.

Bullet aka Samuel Tillerman is a angry psychopath who enjoys hurting animals. Sure, he grew up in a dysfunctional family but he wasn't raped, pimped out, or beaten as children in worse famiies have been and even it he were, THERE IS NO EXCUSE for his taking his violence and anger on animals or by fighting with people.

He kills birds out of rage. P. 171, Bullet shoots crows for the hell of it because he is angry at his father who wants to leave him the farm. P 172 - he shoots at a rabbit he has no intention of eating - just killing in anger and sport and misses.

It is bad enough he calls his long gone sister's dog "OD" for old dog and NOT in an affectionate way. This psycho actually dumped this poor 12 year lonely dog who only wanted a little attention off a dock into the water (Page 21) KNOWING the poor dog was TERRIFIED of water. His sister, Liza, rescued this dog among a bunch of puppies that had been tossed alive into the lake by uncaring owners. The dog was so frightened, it SANK to the bottom and could not move until this creep Bullet waded in and picked it up.

Worse, much later, "Bullet" SHOOTS the dog "accidentally". Heaven forbid he bother with taking it to the veterinarian - nope - he sits next to it watching it SUFFER until it dies and then buries it. If he didn't have the money, he could have WORKED IT OFF cleaning the vet's dog pens or getting odd jobs around town like he had done many times. There was NO EXCUSE to let that poor dog suffer even if it meant shooting it again to put it out of its pain.

WORSE YET, his grandmother told him to quit lying to himself about "accidentally" shooting the dog (Page 182) and that Tillermans always destroy the "weak" "People like us, Innocent, weak things come into our hands and we do such a bad job by them. We destroy them." "It wasn't like that, it was an accident" he says. Don't pretend, boy. Because if you are you are lying to yourself." She says.

Granny must have thought her son Bullet was weak for getting killed in Vietnam because she REFUSED to have the Army ship his body home (Page 308). Hopefully, the Army buried Samuel Tillerman next to a fire hydrant so dogs could permanently do their business on his grave.

KARMA wins out. Samuel "Bullet" Tillerman is shot and killed by a bullet in Vietnam.

KARMA won a 2nd time because "Bullet" dies leaving no children - sparing the world from his psycho genes.

This was the 4th book in the Tillerman series and it took you back in time from the previous books and gave a little history of the family that was helpful in understanding the grandmother and what had happened to her and her family in the past.

This book (and all the books in this series) are poignant and interesting and really lovely stories. I recommend reading them!

While the Tillerman children do not feature in this novel of the series (with the exception of a brief mention of Dicey's and James' births) "The Runner" is crucial in establishing more about the Tillerman family's history. Here, we learn about 17-year-old Samuel "Bullet" Tillerman, the youngest of Abigail's three children and the only one left at home. His older brother John went off to college several years prior and simply never returned; his older sister Liza soon followed, running off with her boyfriend Frank. Now Bullet is the sole target of his father John's anger and emotional abuse, and he exists in a perpetual state of fury. His only outlet is his passion for running.

Meanwhile, the war in Vietnam is in full gear. It's all Bullet's classmates can talk about, and part of his own passage to adulthood centers upon his feelings toward the war and all it stands for.

And while Bullet hates any comparison to the father he detests, he has apparently inherited John's prejudice toward blacks. Although Bullet doesn't actively act in any negative way toward his black classmates, neither does he accept or befriend any.

Then one day, a young black man enters his life via the school track team, and forces Bullet to re-examine everything he has previously thought and believed.

Once again, Voigt has crafted a powerful, though-provoking novel that readers are sure to remember.

I read (and loved) the entire Tillerman Series Novels when I was in junior high. This year, I decided to read them again, and I'm so glad I did. I feel like I have a completely new appreciation for the books as an adult. Cynthia Voigt does an incredible job of truly letting the reader in to the emotions of the characters. It's also very unique how each book in the series doesn't necessarily go in order of time. She takes you into the lives of characters who are related to the Tillerman children, and then you see how their lives intertwine. She is building a much bigger story, with a unique look inside many different characters. These books are truly fantastic literature. I highly recommend them to junior high students and adults alike.

"The Runner" once again keeps you riveted to each page until the end! A continuing story of the

amazing Tillerman family, it stands alone as a wonderful story, or is even better when it's read in continuation of the seven book Tillerman saga. It reminds us all of when we were young, how important it is to be yourself at all costs, and to fight for all you are worth to be who you are.

I am 67 years old, and have recently discovered the writings of Cynthia Voight. I know these books are listed 'for young people' but they transcend all ages! It would be a shame if only children read these incredible books, The Runner included! Gail James

This book goes back in time to tell the story of the Tillerman kids' uncle "Bullet", who was later killed in VietNam. I loved it!

The entire Tillerman Series is unforgettable. In THE RUNNER, the reader learns about the horrific conditions the Tillermans' mother (Liza) grew up in, and what happened to her brother, Bullet. What shapes a person - prejudice, abuse, love or lack of - is an overall theme. Cynthia Voigt doesn't waste a word - each one builds on the next developing the characters, connecting the reader to the point that you are lost in the book. Doesn't matter how old you are, it's a great read.