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Summary: All that
Review: I saw the movie before reading the book, and to be honest, neither did the twain seperate much. I read the book to understand what I didn't get out of the movie, and now i understand more of the movie. I really don't read much of this genre, but I must say that I enjoyed this one.
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Summary: Stuck in traffic? How about some Coffey!
Review: With my commute to work upwards of 45 minutes each way, a coworker lent me his audio edition of this book to pass the time. After all, how much NPR Morning Edition can one take in a week! I have never read (or listened) to a Stephen King novel as usually his subject matter isn't up my literary alley. But, let me write that this story was very compelling, and sometimes I wished my commute were longer so that I could get to the end of a section!Frank Muller is an outstanding narrator. He switches gears from voice to voice seemlessly as if there were more than just one person relating the tale over the audio waves. This tale, set in a prison's death row, and starring a very interesting and diverse cast of inmates, including the novel's anti-hero, John Coffey, twisted and turned and kept me guessing from "page" one to the end. And, just when I thought, "well that's it. I figured it out. That's the plot," or something along those lines, it turns out I'm wrong, or I hadn't figured it out, or there was more to the plot that I guessed! This novel had me in its clutches the whole time, just as Coffey had---, well, you'll see (or hear). Muller, apparently a veteran of Stephen King audio books, even reads King's foreward and afterwards, which give a very interesting glimpse into what it is like to write, and publish, a novel in parts, where one part is published and the next hasn't even been finished. Some authors might not be able to pull this off, but King does. I haven't seen the movie adaptation yet, but I could imagine Tom Hanks playing the role of the main character, from whose perspective the entire novel is written in first person. If your commute is as long as mine, get yourself an audio book. If you think you'll enjoy a tale of suspense, drama, mystery, with a big helping of uncensored (after all, this is the unabridged version) swearing by many of the characters, then I'd recommend you pick this one up. (NOTE: This one isn't for kids, as it deals with some mature themes, not the least of which are detailed descriptions of executions, harsh language, and some graphic adult-oriented scenes.)
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Summary: This book is so beautiful
Review: This book is just fabulous.Not what a lot of people expect from the guy that wrote Maximum overdrive but his true fans know he has a very emotional side.One of the few books I cried while reading.And i NEVER cry.The story is just so original and breathtaking that it can't be fully described here.The only resemblence to Shawshank... is the fact its abut prison.Nothing else.Other than being a tearjerking epic,it also changed my mind about a lot of things including the death penalty.After I read this I realized how terrible it is.Just read the book.You will never forget this touching story of how miracles can be found in places you would never expect.King's finest(and thats saying a lot!)
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Summary: Engrossing, but missing suspense thanks to Hollywood
Review: Steven King is a master storyteller, and he has skillfully drawn me into his dark world many times. Sadly, this didn't happen with The Green Mile. This wasn't through any fault of King's; it was a Hollywood movie trailer that affected my perception of this wonderful book. Caution: If you are fortunate enough to be unaware of the plot of The Green Mile, stop reading reviews and read the excellent book. I believe King intended the reader to initially feel that John Coffey is a dangerous man who very likely raped and murdered two innocent girls. The whole beginning of the book is centered on this perception of Coffey. As Paul gradually discovers the gentleness and peace of the character, it is intended that the reader will make that journey of understanding with him. This gradual shift in perception of Coffey never occurs however. Why? Because who hasn't seen the movie trailer showing the character of Coffey bashfully asking for the light to be left on, stroking Mr. Jingles, crying and peering at us with sad, innocent eyes? We have also all heard Tom Hanks drawling, "I've worked with violent men all my life. There doesn't seem to be any real violence in him. I don't believe he did it a'tall." Well that's just great. Thank you, Hollywood Producers, for changing the suspenseful impact of the entire first half of the book (and the movie too). Instead of the narrative filling us with tension, the plot feels incredibly slow. When we know Coffey is no danger, we don't fear for Paul as he guides him into the prison or enters his cell, and we are bored by his gradual relization that Coffey is not what he seems to be. We lose interest, since Paul is very slowly figuring out what we were told ages ago; Coffey is special and innocent. That being said, the book is still worth reading. Although I would have liked to have gone into it with a less detailed knowledge of the plot, there are still numerous twists and turns that keep the reader interested. The characters are endearing and memorable, and the book has a surprising and interesting ending.
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Summary: King's a genius
Review: Engaging & well written. Excellent plot full of exciting surprises. Buy this book, you're going to like it. Can't really go wrong with this one. King has done it again!
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Summary: Keeps you interested
Review: Paul Edgecombe had supervised 76 excecutions before John Coffey, a giant of a man convicted of the murder of two little girls, came to the "Green Mile" of Cold Mountain Prison. He had never questioned his job or the innocence of an inmate until then. Did John Coffey kill those little girls? The story is well told, with many interesting characters, and grips you all the way into the last scenes. Any fan of Stephen King will find this book as pleasantly suspenseful as any other, and the words ring true. A winner.
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Summary: Rivetting! A True- Pageturner!
Review: I cannot say enough about this book. I simply could not put it down. The book is about a man named Paul who begins to think that John Coffey, a man sentenced to by electrocution, is actually innocent after some unexplainable phenomena. This book was outstanding, and I think one of King's best, if not "the" best. There is so much passion and sentimentality in this book that it is so difficult not to cry at some of the situations that arise in the book. I never cry reading a book, but this one I just couldn't help myself. (now the movie, that was a totally different story. That one I was a TOTAL basketcase for! ) I urge everyone to read this book! You will think twice about everything you have come to believe, including the issue of the death penalty. I thought I didn't believe in it before I read this book, but now I think it is absolutely horrific. Whether you are a King fan or not, this book will leave you speechless and will definitely make you a believer in miracles and the human spirit!
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Summary: A MIRACLE IN THE MAKING!
Review: I have read quite a few Stephen King novels and well, hated them. I can't think of any that I really liked. So I walked into a local used bookseller and was looking for a new book. The owner recommended that I read "The Green Mile." I told her that I didn't like Stephen King, but she insisted saying that this was different than his others. So I bought it and read it and I was in shock, I LOVED IT! The only Stephen King book that I enjoyed. The story was incredible. You felt that you were right there with the characters the whole time because of the great detail in the story. I couldn't put this book down, I just kept going and going, getting more engrossed in it each page that I read. Well, after I finished it (in 2 days), I felt that I was so happy that I had purchased it because it brought out a different, spiritual side of life that hardly any people have experienced. If Stephen King would write more novels like this incredible masterpiece then I will run to get his next one.
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Summary: All Beasts...Large & Small
Review: Can you imagine melding a little furry mouse, a huge hulking beast of a man, into a wonderfully woven magical tale, and your name is NOT "Disney"? I couldn't. However, super-natural master author, Stephen King, has a gift unsurpassed by few if any among modern day writers. His gift brings us this mysterious story of a man, John Coffey, who is wrongly imprisoned for the hideous murders of two small girls. Coffey is on deathrow, back in the 1930's. He has a "gift" too. And when the guards learn of this, they use this wonderfully strange force in miraculous ways. By now, most know the entire plot from either this book comprised of 6 novellas or from the hit movie. Either way, "The Green Mile" is rich, textural, heart-wrenching and just makes us want to protect all beasts, large and small. Thank you for your interest & comments--CDS
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: Great, one of King's best works, a page turner, I recommend this to everyone, the best prison novel ever.
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