The first book in James Dashner's best-selling dystopian series, (known in English as The Maze Runner ), was released in 2009 and has since been translated into over 40 languages. The story centers on Thomas, who wakes up in "The Glade" with no memory of his past, surrounded by an ever-changing maze from which he and a group of other boys must escape. Key Insights and Themes The Maze Runner: Themes | SparkNotes