The Hike by Drew Magary is a fantastical journey that follows Ben, a businessman, who embarks on a hike in the Pocono Mountains that takes a bizarre turn. He encounters man-eating giants, demons, and a foul-mouthed crab as he navigates through a surreal world filled with challenges and mysteries. The story is a blend of fantasy, horror, and adventure, with a touch of humor and irony. As Ben tries to find his way back home, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of laughs, chills, and suspense, making it an entertaining and offbeat read.
The writing style of The Hike is described as unique, compelling, and at times, bizarre. The narrative is fast-paced, with short chapters that keep the story moving along swiftly. The author, Drew Magary, creates a world that is both terrifying and hilarious, with unexpected twists and turns that leave readers on the edge of their seats. The book offers a mix of fantasy elements, horror themes, and philosophical undertones, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include graphic violence, horror elements, and possible distressing themes regarding survival and existential dread.
From The Publisher:
"The Hike just works. It's like early, good Chuck Palahniuk. . . . Magary underhands a twist in at the end that hits you like a sharp jab at the bell. . . . It's just that good." -NPR.org
"A page-turner. . . . Inventive, funny. . . . Quietly profound and touching."-BoingBoing
From the author of The Postmortal, a fantasy saga unlike any you've read before, weaving elements of folk tales and video games into a riveting, unforgettable adventure of what a man will endure to return to his family
When Ben, a suburban family man, takes a business trip to rural Pennsylvania, he decides to spend the afternoon before his dinner meeting on a short hike. Once he sets out into the woods behind his hotel, he quickly comes to realize that the path he has chosen cannot be given up easily. With no choice but to move forward, Ben finds himself falling deeper and deeper into a world of man-eating giants, bizarre demons, and colossal insects.
On a quest of epic, life-or-death proportions, Ben finds help comes in some of the most unexpected forms, including a profane crustacean and a variety of magical objects, tools, and potions. Desperate to return to his family, Ben is determined to track down the "Producer," the creator of the world in which he is being held hostage and the only one who can free him from the path.
At once bitingly funny and emotionally absorbing, Magary's novel is a remarkably unique addition to the contemporary fantasy genre, one that draws as easily from the world of classic folk tales as it does from video games. In The Hike, Magary takes readers on a daring odyssey away from our day-to-day grind and transports them into an enthralling world propelled by heart, imagination, and survival.
Ratings (53)
Incredible (18) | |
Loved It (20) | |
Liked It (8) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (3) |
Reader Stats (166):
Read It (55) | |
Want To Read (90) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (20) |
1 comment(s)
What a wild ride this book was! It's an adventure story for adults that's fun, unpredictable, and mildly traumatic. My wife reccomended this and I just couldn't put it down.
What can you read after
The Hike?
About the Author:
Andrew Schuyler Magary is an American journalist, humor columnist, and novelist. He was a correspondent for GQ, has written three novels, and formerly was a long-time columnist for Deadspin.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
