The Runner is the fourth book in Voigt's Tillerman Cycle. This installment goes back several decades to focus on Bullet, the long-dead uncle of the children in Homecoming and Dicey's Song. The book itself stands on its own with no problems; certain incidents and themes that are mentioned in the first two Tillerman books are explored in more detail, but one does not have to have read those books to understand this one.Bullet Tillerman is intent on sliding through highschool and escaping with as little attachment to others as possible. He is a cross-country runner, and a very good one; running is frequently his only escape from his oppressive home life. His father rules with an iron fist, and Bullet can't help but feel angry that his mother will not stick up for herself, and has allowed her husband to drive away both of Bullet's older siblings. So he runs, and he works hard crabbing and clamming, and he avoids speaking in class or attaching himself too strongly to any one group of students. When his highschool is integrated, at first Bullet observes the tension between the white and black students with little interest. He himself believes that there are fundamental differences between white people and black people, and that it's a bad idea to mix; in fact, when his track coach asks him to train a black man named Tamer Shipp in cross-country running, Bullet initially not only refuses, but quits the team. Gradually, however, he develops a grudging respect for Tamer, and the experience of coaching him is just one of many small things that come to change Bullet's worldview.One of the things that's really impressive about this book is that while Bullet is a frustrating character, he feels immensely real and the reader can't help but like him. Voigt also never goes for the easy answer -- for example, there is never a heartwarming moment where Bullet and Tamer suddenly see each other as friends and unlearn all their prejudices. Instead, Voigt demonstrates the way that a person's worldview changes through seemingly minute incidents and occurances, and also the ways in which a shift in worldview is not always enough to save someone. This is an excellent, complicated book, and I was left thoroughly impressed.
WOW. By the time I picked up this fourth book in the Tillerman Cycle, I was fully expecting for the raw beauty of Cynthia Voigt's story to blow me away as it did in the first three books, and I was not let down to any extent. The plot is fully and richly developed, as is always the case for Cynthia Voigt books. By the end of the pages I was once again stunned by the internal resonance and the sheer awesome power of word that the author is able to wield. The Runner blew my mind once again, giving me physical chills as I turned the final pages and reached the conclusion of the story. In my mind, it is very much in the argument for best book in the entire Tillerman cycle. The ways that the text hinted at the future coming of Dicey were nothing short of brilliant; in fact, nothing about this book was anything short of brilliant. The Runner gets my vote as one of the greatest books I have ever read, even though it might be my third-favorite book in the Tillerman Cycle! The Runner is an incredibly moving odyssey. I would urge everyone not to miss out on it.
What do You think about The Runner (2005)?
Another sad story in this series. It lays some back story for the previous books. It is set during the turbulent time of the Vietnam war and civil rights movement, both of which influence circumstances.This story was about motivations for actions. In this story we are all in boxes. Boxes produced by our fears, desires, needs, rules and laws laid down by others and perhaps most importantly our own perceptions. Bullet the main character first tries to escape all boxes, but realizes he can't. Instead he decides life is about finding the box that fits best.
—Peter
I have very fond memories of this book from my teens. It holds first times in many things in my life. It was the first book i ever cried for while reading. It was also the first book given to me as a present by a stranger. I remember it clearly because my English teacher gave it to me the summer i left my old school as a goodbye gift from her and the school librarian because i used to help her read to middle school kids during my lunch break. This title simply holds many beautiful memories for me. Back then i related to the runner because he was me and i was him when everything made me angry and all i wanted was to run away at times.
—Sania
I actually wrote a proper review on it for school, but I want to write this differentlyFirst of all, so far non of the tillerman books ever dissapointed me. All very touching, and this too made me cry.I am really upset that Bullet dies -this is not a spoiler cuz its obvious if u read diceys song- and that was the part I cried, afterall I was inlove with him (yes! Inlove with a book character!) And he had mentally grown so much. I hate young souls to be wasted in wars, so this year for isearch (a reseach project we do everyyear for school) I'm gonna do the vietnam war. So I can learn more, and I can do the best to teach my fellow students since I live in turkey and we don't do american history. War is horrible.This book is one of the three books that I've read that has crosscountry in it. I'm so inspired. The other books were catalyst by laurie halse anderson and cut by patricia mccormick. Excited! Got my running shoes ready!!!!!Anyways, I like it cuz it also reflects the problems of the times such as black discrimination and drafting.The reappearence of dicey, abigail and liza tillerman was gr8, plus this way I learned more about the tillerman family which is now my family!
—Selin
