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pasta_al_tonno's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
pasta_al_tonno's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sams84's review against another edition
5.0
This is an utterly superb read and a brilliant novel that combines all of King's skills as a writer to produce a story that is gripping from start to finish. Told through the reminisces of Paul Edgecombe, once E Block Supervisor, as he writes his memoirs at Georgia Pines Nursing Home. As the story progresses we find that all is not as it should be on E Block as Percy gets more and more out of control and one of the inmates, John Coffey, begins to show his talent for healing. Each of the characters are superbly written and very well balanced between their different sides with even the convicts having softer, more human sides than many would expect. The more delicate scenes are well handled and not over-dramatized with a sensitivity given to the act of taking another's life, no matter how deserved it may seem. The climax of the story is heart-wrenching as the reader is torn between one conclusion and another and the pain, anguish and grief the wardens' feel and the mix of fear and relief that washes over Coffey are portrayed beautifully. Overall this is a superb novel that doesn't suffer at all from its origins as a serial, if anything this adds to the feel of the book as the reminisces of an old man. A great read and I can't believe how long it took me to get around to it!
joe_hh98's review against another edition
5.0
‘The Green Mile,’ is Stephen King at his absolute best. It merges the supernatural horror that he is so renowned for, with a raw, human poignancy that draws the reader in an instant.
The strength of this story is its characterisation. Paul Edgecombe is a solid narrator, who depicts in detail the sheer bleakness of life on Death Row. There is also an array of other fantastic characters. In particular, there is Percy Wetmore, the contemptibly sadistic prison guard. But perhaps the most important character is John Coffey. Coffey is a giant-like prisoner accused of the heinous murder of two young sisters. Upon meeting Coffey, the story introduces an alluring sense of intrigue and the reader is left questioning how such a gentle man could be capable of such an atrocity.
It is of course this mystery that drives the entire narrative. Stephen King balances the ambiguity of this crime with a vivid, unfiltered insight into the unenviable existence of life as a convicted murderer. He does a phenomenal job of humanising the inmates, drawing sympathy from the reader in their final moments, as if they are wholly innocent.
This story works because it attracts the necessary emotions from the reader so effortlessly. Albeit ‘The Green Mile’ is not an easy read, but it stands tall due its strangely poetic depiction of pure hell on earth.
The strength of this story is its characterisation. Paul Edgecombe is a solid narrator, who depicts in detail the sheer bleakness of life on Death Row. There is also an array of other fantastic characters. In particular, there is Percy Wetmore, the contemptibly sadistic prison guard. But perhaps the most important character is John Coffey. Coffey is a giant-like prisoner accused of the heinous murder of two young sisters. Upon meeting Coffey, the story introduces an alluring sense of intrigue and the reader is left questioning how such a gentle man could be capable of such an atrocity.
It is of course this mystery that drives the entire narrative. Stephen King balances the ambiguity of this crime with a vivid, unfiltered insight into the unenviable existence of life as a convicted murderer. He does a phenomenal job of humanising the inmates, drawing sympathy from the reader in their final moments, as if they are wholly innocent.
This story works because it attracts the necessary emotions from the reader so effortlessly. Albeit ‘The Green Mile’ is not an easy read, but it stands tall due its strangely poetic depiction of pure hell on earth.
costi_na's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
miserable_biscuit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lj754's review against another edition
5.0
I have so much love for this book. It was the first book I read by King. Such a sad story about John Coffey and Paul Edgecombe. Definitely worth the read.
rkbbii's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sarahfarrow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0