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annaledbetter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Homophobia, Rape, and Torture
Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Excrement, and Vomit
38threads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
michelles_book_nook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This novella absolutely hit every note perfectly in such a short and sweet read and I loved it! This book follows the story of Andy Dufresne, a new convict at Shawshank Prison who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife and her lover. And through the first hand account of his prison best friend, Red, you are taken on a journey that spans decades that is suspenseful, heart wrenching and filled with a tale of unjust imprisonment, friendship and hope. This book will have you absolutely mesmerised and will make you lose track of time while you get lost in it. Honestly I can't even express the feelings you go through in this book because it is such a journey but you will finish it with a full heart and potentially tears in your eyes. Overall, I highly recommend this book and if you're a newbie to Stephen King or don't want to start out with his horror books then this is a lovely welcome to his immense writing style and talent.
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
maddiefight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
rachel_here's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Remember that hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
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.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Rape and Violence
Minor: Car accident
bluejayreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence
Prison, institutional abuse, forced laborbeingsimba's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Violence
kristenm's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I didn't love the graphic depictions of r*pe in this, and wouldn't recommend this story to anyone who finds sexual assault triggering. While a small part of the story it is detailed and upsetting. Aside from that, this was an engrossing tale start to finish with great characters and a perfect atmosphere inside Shawshank prison across decades.
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Transphobia