The Maze Runner

Book Details

The Maze Runner (2009), by James Dashner, is an intense dystopian novel that bears the first installment of a trilogy, bestselling among young adult readers. The story occurs in a post-apocalyptic world where a teenager Thomas wakes up in an encampment called Glade, in a walled structure, with no memory other than his name. He is surrounded by other boys and he has had to learn they are in a deadly and always moving Maze full of very nasty creatures known as Grievers. As Thomas creates an understanding with Gladers such as Newt and Minho, he discovers hints about how they were held captive, as they fight to break free, whilst asking the question of their origins. The fast-paced narrative, stunning description of the world, and exploration of survival, character identity, and resistance fascinate the readers.

Under taxing social structure ruled by Alby, the harsh world at the Glade is shaken by the entry of Thomas and later coming of the first girl to the world of boys, Teresa. Much of the plot in The Fury moves forward with the intrigues of the Maze barring the way, as action and psychological thriller combine to make readers keep guessing. Its dystopian backdrop and young protagonists proved it can be seen as a similarity to *The Hunger Games* and it became a success during the YA boom of the late 2000s.

• Author: James Dashner, American YA author known for dystopian fiction.
• Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Drama.
• Word Count: ~84,000 (standalone novel).
• Global Sales: Over 6.5 million copies for the trilogy, with *The Maze Runner* leading sales.

Book Overview (U.S. hardcover edition):

The novel is already part of the first of a trilogy that will be concluded by *The Scorch Trials* and *The Death Cure* which have won such honors as the ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults award. Its film possibilities made it become a bigger film franchise

Adaptation Details

In 2014, *The Maze Runner* was produced into a fast-paced futuristic thriller, based on the novel of the same name by the director, Wes Ball. Staring Dylan OBrien, Kaya Scodelario and Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Thomas, Teresa and Newt respectively, the production brings to life the new worlds of the Glade and the Maze, complete with stark visuals, concrete walls the size of skyscrapers and frantic score by John Paesano. The practical sets and CGI build the claustrophobic terror of the Maze, filmed on-set in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The movie version streamlines the plot of the book so it can be adapted into cinematic effect, focusing more on actions rather than thoughts.

The film follows Thomas’s arrival in the Glade, his push to explore the Maze with runners like Minho (Ki Hong Lee), and the escalating danger as Grievers attack. It captures the novel’s suspense while adding visual spectacle, launching a trilogy that competed with *The Hunger Games* in the YA film market.

• Director: Wes Ball.
• Studio: 20th Century Fox.
• Release Date: September 19, 2014.
• Runtime: 113 minutes.

Key Cast:

Reception: It has earned over 65 million dollars worldwide on a 34 million dollar budget and got a 65 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. OBriends performance and the visuals of the Maze got acclaimed by the critics and the ending was also received poorly as rushed. Production It was shot in Louisiana, with practical Maze sets supplemented by CGI Grievers.

Comparisons

Spoiler Warning: Minor plot hints below.

The film version of the novel, released in 2014, does not match the level of complexity and detail offered by the book but altered the focus in order to appeal to a general audience and minimize narrative details to maximize the visual plot presentation.

Similarities:

• Core Plot : The plot of both stories is pushed by the arrival of Thomas into the Glade and the order of the Glade as well as the escape out of the maze.
• Character: There are constant traits in the character of Thomas (defiant), Newt (loyal) and Teresa (enigmatic).
• Themes: Remain strong issues of survival, mystery, and challenge to an authority unknown.

Differences:

• Book: More in-depth on what is going through Thomas head and Glader dynamics; more explanation to Maze mechanics; some connection about telepathy with Teresa.

• Motion picture: Removes telepathy, and cuts some subplots; focuses on action (e.g., Griever battles); seeks simplicity in end.
• The tone: Book is thoughtful and dark; the movie is shot toward action.

Why It Work:

The film is colorful and visually exciting, and the performance of O’Brien is diluted with the qualities of a lead, which should attract the audience of YA films. Purists might miss the psychological subtleties but the action-focused style of this adaptation feels the right approach to take on the big screen.

Trivia And Resources

Trivia:

• Most of the stunts were done by Dylan OBrien although he suffered a small injury during the Maze scenes.
• The success of this film gave rise to two more sequels, which have increased the deviation in the films and the books even more.
• Dashner credited Lord of the Flies and Ender s game as inspirations of the idea of the Glade.

Resources:

• Buy the book on Amazon.
• Stream the film on Disney+ or Hulu.