Rating: Summary: Is it really that great? Review: First off: yes, it is a great story adorned with likeable and unlikeable personalities. But, there's something about King's writing style that has really crippled along with him in age; he seeems to tell his stories in an indescribable prose that is different, but all the while worse than any of his previous. "The Dark Half" is executed better than this novel [not to say that TDH is bad, but it was jaunty and at times bland], and this was the book that showed to observant people that King is losing his fire in the creativity and talent field. Nevertheless, King is a great writer, but the King of the early 80's could bring down today's King with a simple cold stare.Okay, to the story and its points. As we know, it centers around a black behemoth named John Coffey who is tried and found guilty of rape of murder [liably; this is not that similar to To Kill A Mockingbird] who seems to have the power to heal. Through his dairies [as the story is badly and choppily presented to the reader] E Block head officer Paul Edgecombe questions the ethics of Coffey, his actions, his being, and the people who have convicted him. He searches for different views, going as far as visiting the home of the newspaper reporter Hammersmith to get his opinion. Edgecombe also goes to God and wonders aimlessly why God would behave in such a way to put a man like Coffey on Death Row but to give him healing powers. Edgecombe, along with the neutral Dean Stanton, the sadistic and snippy Percy Wetmore, and the dutiful Harry Terwilliger watches over the condemned on E Block--named "The Green Mile" because of the color of its tiles--including Eduard Delacroix, Arlen Bitterbuck, The Pres, and William "the Kid" Wharton. Though it is choppy, badly-executed [that's a pun, son, as Dean Stanton would say], and dank, The Green Mile is a good story that King had a good mind to write, but it's bad that it didn't turn out as he [and we] had hoped.
Rating: Summary: Absolute Stunner Review: I have found this book to be an incredible journey, one of King's best novels yet. Full of a suspense-packing plot, and unblieveable characters, this book will take you beyond Death Row and into a place beyond anybody's wildest dreams.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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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