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Summary: The Century's Haunting Story
Review: The Green Mile couldn't have been written in any other form. King didn't have an after-thought. The story is a complete one. Superbly created and written.
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Summary: A Look at The Green Mile
Review: This is the story of a man, now over a century old, reflecting on the events that changed his entire life. Paul Edgecombe, a middle-aged prison guard who works in E-Block of Cold Mountain Penitentiary, has seen them all when it comes to prisoners on death row. He's dealt with all sorts of people; psychos, mentally unstable, but none quite like John Coffey. Coffey, a man the size of a giant with a mind of a child, possesses supernatural powers that allows him to heal the sick and to see both the good and evil that each person's spirit possesses. It is through this character that Stephen King proves his point that no matter what appearance someone may have and no matter what everyone thinks, everyone still has some bit of good in them, and everyone is one of God's gifts to the world.Coffey is charged with the rape and murder of two young girls; he was found with the bloody bodies in his arms. After being in death row for some time, he begins to show his amazing skill. After complaining about a urinary infection, Paul Edgecombe was limping around E-Block when Coffey grabbed him, put his hands over him, and healed him completely. Edgecombe comes to the realization that Coffey did not indeed committ those crimes; for a man with this God given ability could not be a murderer. However, Coffey never complained once about his sitation and always remained on good behavior, even when the time came for his execution. He explained that he was glad to die there in the electric chair. He was glad to leave the world that was filled with hate and violence. This novel is a must read! It accomplishes its goals of persuading its readers to keep an optomistic attitude toward everyone with every chapter.
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Summary: the enticing tale of truth verse the government
Review: John Coffey is on death row for the murder of two girls. Paul Edgecombe, the head gaurd on Death Row, does some digging into Coffey's past because he can't believe that such a gentle natured man could do what he was accused of. Its a race between Edgecombe's fight to find out what really happened the night of the girls' murders and the date that Coffey is scheduled to be fried on "Sparky", the nickname at the prison Cold Mountain for the electric chair.
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Summary: An awesome-quick- read
Review: well...I do not know if I can delve as deep as some of the other reviewers here but this book is the only book that ever made me cry when I read it...some books have made me laugh out loud, this one made me cry.
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Summary: Excellent prison story....
Review: Stephen King's "The Green Mile" focuses on a man named John Coffey. He is a giant of a man that is convicted of murder, and sentenced to die in the electric chair at Cold Mountain Penitentairy's death row called the Green Mile. The Green Mile is run by Paul Edgecomb. John acts unlike any murderer that Paul has ever seen, and has supernatural powers that brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates. How can a man like that be guilty of such a horrible crime? That is the question that drives Paul to search for the truth behind what really happened. Once Paul finds the answers that he is looking for however, it forces him to make the hardest decision of his life. Most of the books that I have read by King have been from his older work. That is why I had my doubts about this book. However, after I finished reading "The Green Mile", I was blown away at how good it turned out to be. I am a huge fan of books that are written in a first person narative. King does an amazing job at making himself sound like a completely different person. The story of the Green Mile, is Paul Edgecomb's memoir of what happened. When the story is not focusing on the Mile, we also get to hear about Paul's current life in the nursing home that he is staying at. This part of the story is almost as entertaining. I was also very impressed at how King accurately portrayed the Depression era in this book. This is effectively illustrated by Paul and his crew forcing themselves to keep their jobs, despite everything that makes them want to quit. Another reason to read "The Green Mile" is to see King's excellent character development. Paul Edgecomb is my favorite. The fact that he has seen nothing but guilty men, and is able to put his prejudices aside to help John is very commendable. John Coffey is emotional, and amusing because of his simple mind and naive attitude. The dialogue King creates for Coffey is great. Percy Whitmore is a new guard that is transfered in due to political connections. He is the kind of villan that you love to hate. Percy is sadistic, cocky, weak, and a whiner. Wild Bill Wharton is very cool. He is a mentally unstable inmate who takes pleasure in making other people miserable. The stuff he does will shock you and disgust you. But some of the things he does will also make you laugh as well. Edward Delacroix is a cajun prisoner who adopts an intelligent mouse that he nicknames "Mr. Jingles". The relationship between Edward and Mr. Jingles is one of the best aspects of the book, because of the outstanding dialogue King creates for Delacroix. The Green Mile is a great book. The story is emotional, the first person narative is excellent, all of the characters are amazing, and you get a realistic look at the Depression era. You are deffinately in for a treat with the Green Mile.
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Summary: Healing Hands
Review: The work of Stephen King can be touch and go at times. More or less, he nails it every time. Especially th 70's and 80's classics that represent his best work. And while his books that are about killers, ghosts, and various other types of horiffic types of characters are crazy and fun and impeccably written, it's his quiter books that are about people and mostly character driven type stories that come off as his most satisfying because of his incredible ability to write characters. To create them, to give them a voice, and to make them real. Ones that might have fantastical elements to them in some way, but are more about reality. "Dolores Claiborne" comes to mind. And that is what he delivers with series of "Green Mile" books. A mini-series of books?. It was a novel and fun idea, but one that has not been done much in recent times. I can say that from reading the first book, you are as hooked as you always are with any other Stephen King release. I could not wait for the next chapter to come out and usually read them in a day or two. The series is that good and that compelling. It's very much character based and character driven. It takes place down in the south in a prison, Cold Mountain Penitentiary, in 1932. The writing describing the south and getting the talk and dialogue down for that part of the country was on the mark by King. The narrator of the story is an old man in present time who is resinding in a rest home. He is prison guard, Paul Edgecomb, and through his tale we meet him back in 1932 as well as his fellow guards. One of whom stands out far more than all the others. A certain guard named Percy Wetmore. An oily, sniveling rat that seems no better than some of the inmates. The tale takes place in E block and is filled with odd characters. Characters who are waiting out their time until it is time for them to walk that finale mile. The Green Mile. Inmates like William Wharton, who has been dubbed as "Billy The Kid", is a sad sack criminal who has lost it. And we cannot forget Mr. Jingles. Who exactly is someone that would have that name?. Well, I'll let you find that one out on your own. One inmate in particular, John Coffey, stands out. Charged with murder, Edgecomb and the others around him soon learn that Mr. Coffey, a moountain of man, has a special gift. A gift that can help and heal others. What comes of this is if this man really is innocent and was trying to help the very people he was charged of killing, or if he simply lost control and is guilty as charged. King creates supporting characters that are as memorable as always and gives incredible moments, that are either big or small, but memorable nonetheless. There is one nasty part of the serial that happens, and it is the only time in the moment when King goes for the shock and gore that pop up in his other books. It is intelligently written, beautifully told, and memorable. Take the time to walk this mile.
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Summary: i loathe King`s repetitiveness
Review: Despite its popularity, this book hasn:t appealed to me for the following reasons: In one of many other King`s books, he confessed to cutting down his rough copies by 10%. I`d be more unorthodox and go, more or less, to 60% getting rid of those needless, boringly dull descriptions. To me, he is too obsesed with cultural feats (TV animations), which should evoke some sort of feelings of joy, nostalgia etc. to only those who have been brought up in that culture and, therefore, has no universal message, which every great novel should possess. I also find his trynna-be-witty remarks as unsatisfactory but this might be owing to my being quite a demanding reader and his language just fails to be of high standard. In saying this, however, Stephen King would be the first one to admit his limits as far as the language is concerned. Lastly, King`s alledged narrative dilema between the first and the third person has been a wrong choice. The first person should have been gone for. Enjoy it or drop it.
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Summary: I always thought Stephen King's work was too bizarre.
Review: This was my first King novel. I read a review here that said if you have never read King begin with Green Mile. Several of my friends concurred. I am so happy I listened. From what I know, and what I have been told, this is not a typically written King novel full of gore and extreme oddities. This novel is one of my favorites and I will definitely read additional King work. He has to be the most descriptive writer I have ever had the pleasure of reading. If you are hesitant to buy this because of things you've heard about King, or you're hesitant because you have read his other works, put this aside and buy this now. I'm confident you will be pleasantly surprised-as I was.
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Summary: Stephen King's Best
Review: If a casual reader sees a Stephen King novel, they immedeatly assume that what they're seeing is a horror novel written by an over-imaginative author. While they're definitely scary in many of his books, The Green Mile is essentialy a Drama, and many people began to see this if they have seen the(equally excellent) movie, which was made by the same people as the Shawshank Redemption, so go figure. This book delves into the meaning of faith in the real and the unreal, and the story of convicted John Coffey, one of my favorite King characters of all time. This book is told through the 110 year old Paul Edgecombe, the overseer of the green mile, the path that takes you to death and the heaven or hell that awaits them when they die from Ol' Sparky, the oft spoke of Electric Chair. This is Stephen King's most moving story he has ever written, and 3 times this book made me cry.That never has happened before, and therefore is probably my favorite book of all time.By the way, the Ending is absolutely perfect, and was the third time I cried in this novel.I recommend this book to anyone who's literate, and if you're not get help so you can go out and read this book.5 stars all the way, no questions asked. Mr.King's best character ever also appears in this book and is the enchanting Mr.Jingles. Please take note also of one of Mr. King's vilest enemies he ever put down on paper, The Napoleanic Percy Wetmore.
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Summary: Fate is Inevitable
Review: In Steven King's The Green Mile the story is story is strengthened by King's use of literary devices. King makes the tone of the story extremely morbid, which gives the story a very grim look. This strengthens the story because it gives the reader something to be interested in. Also, the way the story is set on one giant flashback interests the reader and strengthens the plot. King does all this to put an emphasis on the fact that fate is inevitable.
The tone of this story is very doleful because it keeps the reader in a state of suspense throughout the entire story. This especially shows when Eduard Delacroix is about to be executed and when Percy kills Mr. Jingles. In addition, the diction King uses is very gruesome and grotesque which helps emphasize the tone of the story. The reader sees this when Delacroix is being executed. The tone keeps the reader interested and feeling as though he/she is actually part of the story.
The flashback affect that King uses helps add to an understanding of more confusing parts of the story. Any part of the plot that confuses the reader is clearly explained when Paul is talking at present time. All relationships between Paul, Percy, Dean, Harry, and Brutal are clearly explained. King also uses the "present time" to create an emphasis on them major events of the story. Such events are the first encounter between the people on the mile and Billy Wharton. Furthermore, when the story switches to "present time" the reader becomes anxious to find out what happens next. The reader's anxiety leads to suspense. Thus King's use of flashback helps strengthen the plot and create suspense within the reader.
The whole story is based on the fact that fate is inevitable. King clearly shows this throughout the story, mainly when John Coffey is executed even though he is innocent. No matter what people try to do, there is no escape from death. However, nobody on the mile realized that Coffey wanted to be put to rest until his execution. King lets the reader know that death is inevitable, although it is a comfort to a tortured soul.
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