Richard Bachman Poster Set: The Long Walk, The Running Man & Roadwork

For readers who like their fiction bleak, breathless and unflinching, this set gathers three of Richard Bachman's most punishing tales. Written by Stephen King under his now-famous pseudonym, these early novels strip life back to its rawest mechanics: keep moving, keep running, keep fighting, or lose everything. Together they make a striking wall display for any horror or dystopian fiction collection.

Why these three belong together

Each of these novels asks what happens when ordinary men are pushed past endurance by forces bigger than themselves, whether that force is a government death march, a televised bloodsport or a bulldozer outside the front door. Bachman's voice is lean, relentless and quietly furious, and these three books capture that fury at its sharpest. As a set, they trace a throughline of survival, corruption and the terrible cost of defiance.

The Long Walk (1979)

One hundred teenage boys set out on a walk with only one rule: stop and you die. As the road stretches on without end, alliances form and crumble, and the will to survive is tested mile after gruelling mile. It is one of the bleakest and most compelling entries in the Bachman catalogue.

The Running Man (1982)

In a grim near-future America, the poor compete in televised games where losing means death. Ben Richards signs up to run for his life on the country's most-watched show, chased by hunters and cameras alike, in a story that feels ever more prescient with time.

Roadwork (1981)

When a highway extension threatens to demolish his home and workplace, Barton Dawes refuses to move on. His quiet protest curdles into something far darker, building towards a devastating final act. It is Bachman's most personal and psychologically raw novel.

Styling your Bachman wall

This trio suits a study, reading nook or anywhere you want a little grit on the wall. For a stark, cinematic feel, try black or white frames, or leave them unframed for a rawer, more minimalist look that suits Bachman's tone. The set is available in Blurby, Minimalist, Modern, Modern Minimalist, Square and Watercolour styles, so you can match the mood of your room, whether that is bold and graphic or softer and more painterly. Hang them in a straight line in reading order for a narrative sweep, or cluster them for a tighter, more intense display.