The Green Mile
Published: 28, March 1996 – 29, August 1996
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Contemporary, Drama, Fiction, Ghost, Literature, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychic, Rural, Small Town, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
The Green Mile Summary
The Review
Stephen King's serial novel The Green Mile was published in 1996. It relates the narrative of Paul Edgecombe, a death row supervisor who meets John Coffey, an exceptional convict with unexplainable healing and empathy powers. Before being reissued as a single book, the serial novel was initially published in six volumes. The novel exemplifies magical realism.
I feel this is one of Stephen King's greatest novels; it is among my top few favorite books of all time (the ones you can't put on a list of top fives or tens since they transcend beyond any list,) and I don't care what anyone thinks whether I award it a trillion points or recommend it to everyone.
I had the idea that I was reading about a man who may be "Jesus," but it was just my imagination; perhaps the author did it on purpose and is mocking the readers who missed the "Gift of God" link.
Perhaps I feel this way about the book because of the late great Michael Clarke Duncan's performance and the way the film tugged at my heartstrings, but it wasn't just him; almost everyone in this movie was excellent.
If you've watched the Oscar-winning film starring Tom Hanks, you already know what to anticipate from this book. That's not to suggest you shouldn't read it because you're afraid it'll be obsolete.
In fact, I would really recommend watching the movie before reading the book. The film virtually exactly recreates the text, with the exception of a few small omissions, and cites most of the dialogue verbatim.
I recommend watching the movie first because if you read the book, you'll find yourself picturing each of the characters as the actor who played them in the movie.
Each actor was perfect for the role as described in "The Green Mile," thus anyone who has problems putting words into a face and accent would benefit greatly from the film.
A word of caution, though: while 3/4s of the novel is virtually wonderfully translated to the cinema, the movie takes out many passages from later in the book and alters the finale significantly for the better.
Without a doubt, the book's concluding scenes are terrific, but they lack emotional power compared to the film.
This novel is a fascinating read since it is structured as a collection of virtually short stories that are linked by similar characters and themes.
It's now time to talk openly about the movie and the book. Yes, the characters in the film were complex, and the performers were excellent, making you want to read the book even more, but they pale in contrast to those formed by Stephen King in the novel.
It's almost as if you're reading a separate version of the story: virtually the same, yet different enough to be a whole other journey. However, both are excellent and complement each other nicely in many aspects.
If you've watched the movie, that's pretty much the outline of the novel, even if it's similar to what I described before in the first few paragraphs; however, the novel covers a great deal of the narrative behind the characters, such as What was Del's crime? What happened to Percy after he went insane and was removed?
The Green Mile is a difficult book to put down! You'll be fascinated from the first page, and you'll quickly discover the pages won't stop turning. You'll be left wondering where the time has gone since you won't be able to put the book down once you start reading.
This is by far the most character-driven story I've read in a long time. Paul comes out as an enlightened individual who has witnessed a miracle, but John comes across as a miracle himself.
Character growth drives this work, and it does so without veering off course. The Green Mile also has a stunning, yet thought-provoking, life epiphany.
If the characters aren't enough to make you want to read this novel, the reveal will. The book's delivery is equally as superb. Written in the first person, Stephen King does more than introduce us to Paul; he befriends us as he tells his narrative.
The Green Mile is a fascinating and entertaining book with a surprising and inspirational finale.
I bought the six mini books for my brother since he liked the movie as much as I did, and then I bought the complete bundle when the series was released as a single book.
Unfortunately, my brother is no longer interested in reading since he is too focused on his work, so I kept the six-book set for myself and hopefully for my nephew in the hopes that when and if he is interested in reading like me, I will be able to share these books with him.
I buy every copy of every book produced by every one of my favorite authors. I have everything from an Audiobook to hardcover to paperback.
This way, I feel like I'm assisting and supporting the authors in creating even more amazing stories for me and future generations without having to worry about money, and I hope that all of the readers may do the same.
Final Thoughts
Stephen King, in my opinion, is a genius with The Green Mile. This work, first released as a six-part serial in 1996, is his masterpiece.
The author's writing is clean, compelling, and insightful, as he tells the story of a group of inmates and their keepers on a death penalty block, the Green Mile, in depression era Mississippi; through the personal memories of Paul Edgecombe, in charge of overseeing the Mile.
Stephen King's enchanting storytelling brings to mind the full spectrum of possible emotional experiences, as we are told the intertwining stories of Paul, John Coffey, Brutal, Dean, Harry, Janice Edgecombe, Delacroix, Percy, Wild Bill Wharton, and Hal and Melinda Moores.
All of them are brought to life by Stephen King, who makes them credible and all too human—people interacting in a tough and unpleasant setting.
The Green Mile is a moving and melancholy narrative written by a gifted author. It isn't just his finest work; it's one of the best books out there.
Typically, readers identify Stephen King with horrors such as Christine, The Shining, The Dark Half, and a slew of others.
That said, I don't think this belongs in the horror genre; it's almost as if Hitchcock's psychological horror/thriller genre was put to paper.
Author's work is a fantastic example of creative storytelling, with flashbacks smoothly blending into the present and linking characters and storyline together. A fantastic read!
Synopsis
“Masterfully told and as suspenseful as it is haunting, The Green Mile is Stephen King’s classic #1 New York Times bestselling dramatic serial novel and inspiration for the Oscar-nominated film starring Tom Hanks.
Welcome to Cold Mountain Penitentiary, home to the Depression-worn men of E Block. Convicted killers all, each awaits his turn to walk “the Green Mile,” the lime-colored linoleum corridor leading to a final meeting with Old Sparky, Cold Mountain’s electric chair. Prison guard Paul Edgecombe has seen his share of oddities over the years working the Mile, but he’s never seen anything like John Coffey—a man with the body of a giant and the mind of a child, condemned for a crime terrifying in its violence and shocking in its depravity. And in this place of ultimate retribution, Edgecombe is about to discover the terrible, wondrous truth about John Coffey—a truth that will challenge his most cherished beliefs…”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Barry Pepper, Bonnie Hunt, Cold Mountain, David Morse, David Valdes, Death Row, Doug Hutchison, Electric Chair, Ever Read, Frank Darabont, Graham Greene, Harry Dean Stanton, James Cromwell, Jeffrey Demunn, John Coffey, King At His Best, Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Jeter, Mountain Penitentiary, Patricia Clarkson, Paul Edgecombe, Sam Rockwell, Shawshank Redemption, Tom Hanks
Rating: 100/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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