Roadwork December 6, 1973 Part 1 Review: Hitchhiker, Anger, and a Long Drive
Book: Roadwork
Author: Richard Bachman (Stephen King)
ISBN: 978-1-101-13813-7
Bart is doing his usual high-speed turnpike ritual when he picks up a young hitchhiker headed for Las Vegas. Their talk jumps from small practical things to sharp personal attacks. They argue about maps, money, smoking, speed, and the energy crisis.
Bart rants about being trained like a dog by society, and his anger keeps spilling out. She pushes back and refuses to play along with his mood. Still, both of them are lonely enough to keep talking. By the time they near the city, the hostility starts to soften. She admits she is scared to hitch at night, and asks to go home with him.
I like how messy this section feels. The dialogue is awkward but alive. Bart is rude and unstable, but he is also trying, in his own broken way, to protect her. She is sharp, tired, and hard to fool. The chapter captures winter road loneliness really well.
Key Topics
- Turnpike drift
- Class and trust
- Energy crisis anger
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