Customer Reviews

The Green Mile

5 star:		(689)
4 star:		(107)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have to admit that I watched the movie before I read the book. I was very pleased after finishing the book to realize that the movie did not deviate too far from the book at all.

This is the first Stephen King novel I've ever read. I don't care for horror and supernatural stories, but this particular story I felt needed to be read, not for the supernatural tale, but for the human experience.

In the 6 sections of the serial novel that comprises the paperback, King develops the story of John Coffey, who is sent to death row, which is also called "The Green Mile", for the rape and murders of twin girls. However, Paul Edgecombe, security guard, doesn't believe that this man, who's afraid of the dark, could have committed such a terrible crime. Intertwined within this story are subplots that include, Percy Wetmore, Eduard Delacroix, and William 'Billy The Kid' Wharton, and of course Mr. Jingles.

The movie is approximately 3 hours long, and it was worth every minute. I read the book in 2 days, and that's a record for me, and it was also worth every minute.

This book is an old man's (Paul Edgecomb - the head prison guard at Cell Block E), recollection of events that occurred in 1932 at the Cold Mountain State Penitentiary. In particular, it focuses on John Coffey, a convicted murderer and rapist of two small girls, convicted murder and psychopath William (Billy the Kid) Wharton and convicted murder Delacroix. And a mouse by the name of "Mr. Jingles". It is the story of a special gift which one of these prisoners possesses, one that none of us would probably want.

King has produced a profoundly moving story and I assure you, the last fifty pages of this book will be read through tear-filled eyes.

The characters and story are memorable; the lessons and messages are clear.

I absolutely loved this book...I think you will too! (Let's all hope Hollywood does a good job with it) Most highly recommended!

The movie "The Shawshank Redemption" has one of the most compelling stories of all time. Great characters, gripping plot, a heartfelt emotion make it an experience like no other. Now, there is another king (no pun intended) in town. The Green Mile, with its cast of well-fleshed and intriguing characters (John Coffey, Delacroix, and even Mr. Jingles the mouse) and emotion thicker than pea soup make this a great book already. But where this book truly shines is its plot; engaging, well-crafted, intriguing, thought-provoking, riveting, you name it, this plot has it. Considering that Stephen King didn't know how it would end when he began writing it, this an astonishing feat. This is the best book I have ever read, and I recommend it to anyone.

Is John Coffey a Murderer? As the large man is admitted to Death Row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary saying, "I tried to take it back, but it was too late," that is question Paul Edgecombe, head of security, must ask himself.After some investigation, and with the help of Eduard Delecroix, a convicted murderer, and his pet mouse Mr. Jingles, Paul discovers the truth and is forced to make the most difficult decision of his life. Along the way, William "Billy the Kid" Wharton comes to the Green Mile (so named for its lime carpeting) and shakes things up, just adding to the trouble caused by Percy Wetmore, the antagonistic rookie guard.The book is told in first person and six parts, as Paul Edgecombe recounts the events and carries on a simultaneous present tense story. I liked the book it has realistic dialogue as well as a down-to-earth view during the Great Depression, and the way it was written in parts gives it a unique feel. The Green Mile, by Stephen King, is definately worth the read.

I had never thought about reading the series until the movie was advertised, then released. Not having time enough for a 3+ hour movie, I bought the book. The Green Mile is by far the greatest book I have read in a VERY long time. King has outdone himself, and anyone who is used to Kings' novels, will be surprised when they read this one. I wish I could buy copies for everyone I know. Please, if you are 'on the fence' about purchasing this book, do yourself a favor and buy it. You WILL NOT regret it.

I've just finished reading some of the "bad" reviews that some of you have written on here. Many of you have something in common...it seems as though you were expecting the usual horror story. This book is not at all a horror story with the exception of a "few" incidents that are explained in gory detail.

If it's a horror story you are looking for, then pass this one up. This is just a great story with a few twists and unexpected events. This is the first book of King's that I've read, so I didnt really know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised....I was very impressed with his way of describing things in such a way that you felt as if you either knew the characters or were in the same room with them. Those of you that read this book....can you still smell Delacroix? Eeeeewww! But boy, great story-telling!

"The Green Mile" was excellent, better than anything else King has done in the 1990s. And like most of King's other 90s works, "Dolores Claiborne," "Rose Madder" and "Gearld's Game," for example, the story is not so much rooted in horror and fantasy as it is suspense and thrills. This more than anything else makes the book refreshing and an absolute joy to read! The character's in this 6-part, serialized novel are also very well developed (of course) and interesting enough to have a book dedicated to EACH of them! Paul Edgecombe, Percy, Brutal, Delecroix, John Coffey (like the drink, except spelled different) and more, WOW! I will not give away the story because it's just to good, and with the film coming out Dec. 17th starring Tom Hanks it'd be ludicrous to even contemplate doing so! READ THIS, IT EVEN BEATS SOME OF KING'S EARLIER 70s/80s work! You won't be disapointed with the contemporary "cheeseburger and fries novelist," who churns out a real literary winner here! 4 1/2 stars.

I am, by admission, not a Steven King fan. However, this book may change that! From the first page to the last, this book not only held my interest but my heart. King weaves a beautiful tale of the memories of a prison guard who presided over death row inmates in the 1930's. But the story is more about the relationships on the "Green Mile" than the executions. It is a story of hope, not death, and of the energy that exists between human souls.

King explores the ability of one person to heal another, and in the end, it is the guard who heals, by writing his memoirs many years later.

The movie, starring Tom Hanks, is especially faithful to the book, a credit to both author and screen writer. The integrity of the story, the humor, pathos, and affirmation of life is preserved.

Both deserve 5 stars! One to watch, one to read, again and again. Bravo!

I guess you either love this book or you hate it. I happen to love it. I think people who did not enjoy the book anticipated the Green Mile to be one of SK's infamous horror novels. It isn't. I think we associate him with that genre so much that we forget what a great storyteller he really is (does anyone else love the Dark Tower series? ).

The Green Mile was just a great read. It was so easy to become completely involved with all the characters, and the story is gripping (even if it is corny!). I highly recommend this book to those of you who appreciate King for his ability to tell a story. If you're looking for gore, keep on walking!

Recently I finished "The Green Mile", a novel written by Stephen King. This book was one of the best books I have ever read, considering that I am only 17 years of age. I have been a King fan for many years and I mostly enjoy his movies, but this book was amazing. The story is actually the narrator looking back at his life when he was a guard at a maximum security prison. He is telling this story from a nursing home, where he now lives. The book starts off exciting, but then quickly moves to the past and becomes a little boring. If you work your way through a lot of backround information and a couple chapters the book starts to pick up. Its the the type of book that you will read twenty pages over the course of a week and then suddenly find yourself reading half the book in a day. What I liked about the book was that there was a lot of stories in it. I thought the whole book was going to be about John Coffey, one of the main characters, but it wasn't their was little stories that were also written in this novel. Also I liked the style of writing a lot. Just the way that King described things and his intricut detail to everything. What I didn't like about the book was that it took a little long to get into it. It started off quick, but then started to lag. This was not a problem though because the rest of the book made up for the slow begining. One of the things that I hated at first but then learned to like was the flipping back and forth from when the main character was at the nursing home to when he was in the past at the prison. I really enjoyed this book a lot and if you are into Stephen King at all you will love it. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, intriguing book to read over the course of a couple weeks. Have fun!