The Green Mile - Stephen King

Advantages: One of the best books around
Disadvantages: Couldn't put it down!

I saw the film of the green mile as soon as it came out. It was made by the same people as the Shawshank Redemption, and I remembered how good that was and rushed out to see the Green Mile. My boyfriend came with me against his better judgement, as he was far more keen to see a lighthearted film, which this is NOT! However, at the end of the film, we both left the cinema saying that it was the best film we had ever seen, and that opinion still stands. ...
...in conversation, just to discus the story and how moving it was. Definately a must see film! That said, I have always been more of a book person myself, so when I was looking for a book to read recently, I decided that the Green Mile was the obvious choice. Infact, I was so sure that the book would be brilliant, that I decided to read it in French. Although I would class myself as fluent in French, it is not my first language and I therefore find ... Read review

Advantages: Plenty of excellent reading
Disadvantages: None, unless you went for the serialised version!

...me, went a little down the pan as it were.... Delores Clairbourne, Needful Things, they weren't bad but not up his usual standard for me. And so, I went off Stephen King for a while and though I still read anything he brought out, I didn't rush out to buy them, then the first small paperback of The Green Mile came out. Personally, I saw this as a cynical way of the publishers and King himself trying to wring more money out of the reading public; ...
...I didn't buy any of the serialised versions for the combined reasons listed above. After the serialised version had been out for a little while, I was browsing our local bargain bookshop when I saw the full version of the book and I thought 'Oh what the hell...' and bought it. I will say that it was a very good decision, at that time the book wasn't anything like as famous as it is now because of the Hollywood film starring Tom Hanks. On to the ... Read review

Advantages: Wonderful Storyline, Serial Novel, a Classic!!
Disadvantages: Well...can I come back to you?

The Green Mile, a Serial Novel by Stephen King. The book comes in six parts, and it was decided the book should be one volume. I recommend you watch the Oscar Winning Film as well, Starring Tom Hanks, it is excellent, however lets talk about the book. Part 1 - The Two Dead Girls! This explosive start to the book addresses the main issue. What you look at is the murder of the two Detterick twins. One night they decide to sleep outside, their mother ...
...alarm bells to ring around the Detterick Farm. A massive search party is set up and local land scoured to find them. Blood stained Cloth is re-covered from trees, an indication that they were in distress. Miles away from Detterick Farm, a man is heard to be screaming. Of course everyone approaches him, the large Negro has one twin in each hand. He is crying his eyes out, and shouts, "I tried to take it back, but it was too late' and John Coffey ... Read review

Advantages: Thought-provoking book on an interesting subject
Disadvantages: Not for the faint-hearted

...to fade as soon as the final page has been reached while others haunt the reader for weeks, months and even years thereafter? It’s over a year now since I read “The Green Mile” by Stephen King and yet the main characters have stayed with me, forcing me from time to time to give consideration to the issues that they faced, and the unresolved questions in my mind that they raised. Whenever I hear of a prisoner in the U.S. on death row awaiting their ...
...penitentiary in Cold Mountain in the year 1932 as it is portrayed in this novel. If I see a comment advocating the re-introduction of the death penalty in this country, I wonder if the proposer has thought through the details of how they would implement it. Paul Edgecombe, the narrator of The Green Mile, knew all too well the details of his job, and he had come to terms with them in a remarkably mature way. Presiding as superintendent over E-block, ... Read review

Advantages: Another great masterpiece from Stephen King
Disadvantages: None

...around for so long. With The Green Mile now being my favourite(with IT very close behind!)I cannot wait for his next masterpiece. I watched the film before I read the book and after reading the book am impressed with how close the film and book really are. All throughout the book as I read the pages, I could hear Tom Hanks saying the words to me as he did an excellent portrayal of Paul. Paul is a prison guard on death row in the 1930's. It is ...
...memorable time. The book is well written as all Stephen King's novels are. The characters are all excellent and you will find yourself loving some and hating others. There are twists and turns that you will not expect, and maybe not enjoy. It is definately one that you cannot put down until the end, it comes in six small books rather than one big one.You get to know each character very well and know all their strengthes and weaknesses. Del is a french-canadian ... Read review

Advantages: True to King style.
Disadvantages: Some parts lag.

...See this movie! It is very good. BUT... more importantly, READ THE BOOK! It is even better! They have never conveyed in the movies exactly what King's writing puts into our own imaginations! Something is always slightly lacking in the movie versions. I have nearly every Stephen King book written, and I am a huge fan, so my opinion may be a little bias, but I also have the knowledge of his abilities and differences in style, and in my experience, his books are better. In my 20+ years of horror reading experience, King's style has changed with the times. I personally prefer the older novels and short stories like Carrie, Christine, and Salem's Lot, but this story is compelling and easy to read. Published as a series of short novellas, I experienced reading them at their publication, one at a time, and waiting eagerly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: It just has to be read!
Disadvantages: None - and I'm not joking!

...this is quite possibly one of Stephen Kings definative literary moments. The Green Mile has to be by far the best book he has ever written. I was priveleged to buy this book the first time around when it was issued in 6 monthly parts and I can assure it is one of the most riveting reads. From the very beginning it has a "must read one more page" feel to it. The story tells of John Coffey, a giant of a man who is wrongly convicted of the murder of twin sisters in the heart of deep South America. Sentenced to the death penalty, he awaits his fate in prison until his time to walk "The Green Mile" ..However, John Coffey is not all he seems to be, and his mysterious powers soon come into the fore, something that prison boss Paul Edgecombe will soon come to learn. A gripping tale from start to finish, if you enjoyed The Shawshank Redemption... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: it tell the story well, makes you want to be there
Disadvantages: the film is not as indepth as the book

...I have read the most gripping story that Stephen King has ever written this was The Green Mile. When i first bought this book just form reading the back cover it was the book that was never going to be put down. The story is focused in the Cold Mountain Correctional Facility in the 1930's, along the lonely stretch of cells known as the Green Mile, killers await death, whilst their guards watch over them. Good or evil, innocent or guilty, none of them have ever seen the likes of brutal new prisoner John Coffey. Paul Edgecomb is the head Prison guard on Death Row at the Cold Mountain Correctional Facility. When a new inmate, John Coffey, is sent to the prison for the brutal murder of two children, the guards notice something very odd about him. The way 'the green mile' was written made me feel as if I was there like a as... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful