Reviews with content warning for Violence - Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption being one of my favorite movies of all times, I had to get around to reading the novella at some point.

Here, Stephen King delivers a fascinating tale about prison life and what it can do to men. Andy Dufresne, former banker, is condemned for the murder of his wife and her lover despite pleading his innocence. As the years go by and Andy is confronted with corruption, sexual assault, and prison violence, he still wishes to attain freedom - in whatever little ways he can.

Although he does many things in the years that follow his incarceration, the story really is about Red: the only guilty man of Shawshank, the man who can "get it for you", the man who says he's changed while really, he's nothing more than a low-key criminal only looking out for himself to survive prison. From his point of view as a guilty veteran of prison life, we observe his meeting with fresh fish Andy and the way their unlikely frienship grows.

The novella allows for a deep-dive into the life and state of mind of Red, an institutionalized man documenting his experiences as he slowly regains hope and a desire for freedom thanks to Andy. And in a way, I think everyone can relate to being a cog in a machine, feeling trapped but secure in a repetitive life, and fearing but longing for a way to break free. I think this is why this story is so powerful, and still endures today. Just like it does Red, it fills us with hope.

Now I'll say I still prefer the movie, but the novella is a must-read either way for those looking to explore Red's psyche a bit more, and for those who generally enjoy reading Stephen King's works.

As a side note, although the end of the movie is a tear-jerker and I absolutely love it, I appreciate that we end the novella with Red simply hoping to meet Andy again with no confirmation that he ever does. It confirms what Andy has been saying all along: that hope itself is enough to set a man free, even if the destination is uncertain; and I think it is a great way to conclude this particular version of the story.

Content Warnings

meaghanelizabook's review against another edition

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hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

beingsimba's review against another edition

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hopeful medium-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Remember that hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

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