anicetus reviewed Green Mile by Stephen King
Review of 'Green Mile' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
An emotional and startling journey down the green mile, complete with fascinating characters, that'll stay with after the end.
Paperback, 435 pages
English language
Published Nov. 3, 2008 by Gollancz.
"The Green Mile: those who walk it do not return, because at the end of that walk is the room in which sits Cold Mountain Penitentiary's electric chair. In 1932 the newest resident on death row is John Coffey, a giant of a black man convicted of the brutal murder of two little girls. But nothing is as it seems with John Coffey, and around him unfolds a bizarre and horrifying story.
vil murderer or holy innocent -- whichever he is -- Coffey has strange powers which may yet offer salvation to others, even if they can do nothing to save him." --back cover
An emotional and startling journey down the green mile, complete with fascinating characters, that'll stay with after the end.
In which the stereotypical magical black man stuns all by being spiritually gifted but is characterized as being hulking and stupid. Real classy
Un roman de Stephen King que j'avais bien aimé à l'époque où je l'avais lu. Marquant, par son cadre, ses personnages et son récit.
Oof. What a read! I really loved this book. Stephen Kind is such an amazing story teller. And so visual. He makes you hear and see things, and (unfortunately) to smell them too. I did not see any of the twists coming, and when last did that happen? Usually you can plot twists come trudging up over the horizon and by the time you reach them you can greet them by the hand like old friends.
This story is told from the point of view of Paul Edgecomb, a guard at the Death Row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. His life seems to be ticking over in a fairly orderly way until the arrival of John Coffey. Very large, very black, covered with scars and accused of a horrific crime. And yet even before he knows anything about him, Paul finds himself shaking hands with John Coffey. A thing he has …
Oof. What a read! I really loved this book. Stephen Kind is such an amazing story teller. And so visual. He makes you hear and see things, and (unfortunately) to smell them too. I did not see any of the twists coming, and when last did that happen? Usually you can plot twists come trudging up over the horizon and by the time you reach them you can greet them by the hand like old friends.
This story is told from the point of view of Paul Edgecomb, a guard at the Death Row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. His life seems to be ticking over in a fairly orderly way until the arrival of John Coffey. Very large, very black, covered with scars and accused of a horrific crime. And yet even before he knows anything about him, Paul finds himself shaking hands with John Coffey. A thing he has never done with a death row prisoner before.
Since this is Stephen King, you probably already know that things get pretty grim. You learn a lot more about the electric chair than you really need to know. But wow! What a book. A great story that tears you right along with it.
I did find the Christ symbolism a little over the top at times, but you know what? It made sense as well. Fantastic book.
''This happened in 1932, when the state penitentiary was still at Cold Mountain. And the electric chair was there, too, of course.''
One of my favorite King stories