“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.”—BoingBoingFrom the author of The Postmortal, a fantasy saga unlike any you’ve read before, weaving elements of folk tales and video … 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.
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What’s the strangest book you ever enjoyed?
This book was entertaining and imaginative. The writer created a storyline that allowed him to world-build as the story went along, instead of trying to pack all of the relevant information into a few paragraphs at the beginning. I like this style, as I feel it allows the writer to be more creative and throw in truly unexpected twists, as Mr. Magary does. I wouldn’t list this as one of my favorite books of the year, because I had a hard time relating to Ben, but it is definitely well-written and worthy of a read from anyone who enjoys epic (but condensed) fantasy.
I loved every page of this funny, fantastic, over the top adventure. Quite imaginative, giving me no clue as to how things would turn out. The last few chapters were the clincher. A really great story. Recommended.
What a ride! Fantasy with a touch of nightmare. This page turner was compelling, with a satisfying twist at the end. I couldn’t put it down!
An amazing story from start to finish. Very very clever. Firmly fantasy and yet somehow not. Writing incredibly engaging as it shifts from third to second person expertly and back again.
I didn’t like this book for about the first thirty pages. I’m so glad I stuck with it, though. It’s really a thoughtful and entertaining read. Not my usual fare, but I’ll definitely seek out more of Magary’s work.
This book will really make you think. The story is an indication of how hard we all are on ourselves. Grabs you from page 1!
I had no idea where this book was going. When we arrived, I wasn’t sure how we got there. A fun read. I may not be able to eat creab again 🙂
the time line is too convoluted hard to follow.
pointless
It was a nightmare of a book. It reminded me of when I read ALICE IN WONDERLAND as a child. Chaos with no continuity!
I could not get interested in this book. I tried. I only have never finished about 4 books in my life but this is an other one.
Long way to go for nothing.
The Hike is Cormac McCarthy’s Alice in Wonderland — gritty and terrifying but with deliriously surreal twists and turns. There’s not a chapter that doesn’t shock and surprise, and underneath it all is the levity and wit I’ve come to expect of Drew Magary’s writing.
The Hike is so much fun, has so much pure velocity, that I didn’t realize until it was too late — what I thought was a drumbeat of excitement was actually the novel’s secret, powerful heart. Magary’s new book is a metaphysical thrill ride that will stay with me.
I don’t often manage to read books in a single sitting. I did that with this one.
Weird, funny, heartstring-plucking, horrifying, this one pretty much covers the majority of the bases, and with a twist at the end that I feel I should have pieced together. However, I was so wrapped up in what was going on, it didn’t occur to me until it was revealed.
Thought provoking and entertaining. I expected this to be lighter, but it turned out to be much more of a puzzle. Some of it was laugh out loud funny and some of it was heartbreakingly relatable to real life. It’s fast moving and fun. Highly recommended. Expect more of an Alice In Wonderland type story, with whimsical, dream-like craziness.