Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption a Story from Different Seasons [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Stephen King (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 181 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr; Lrg edition (July 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896214400
• ISBN-13: 978-0896214408
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,449,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen King is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. Among his most recent are the Dark Tower novels, Cell, From a Buick 8, Everything's Eventual, Hearts in Atlantis, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, and Bag of Bones. His acclaimed nonfiction book, On Writing, was also a bestseller. He is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic story in its own right, January 21, 2002

By 

Lesley West (St James, Western Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption a Story from Different Seasons (Hardcover)

This is Steven King's finest novella. I should probably add that the movie follows the story faithfully and does it very well - it is one of my favourite movies. But somehow the story is always a little better.

What is interesting about the story is there is more of a feeling of the sheer weight of time Andy spends in prison. There is not one cheif warden or sadistic guard, there are several, who come and go as the years roll on. The posters change of course, but the friendships that Andy forges remain. And the spectacular ending - just as we imagine.

It is fortunate that this is a story that has translated so well to film - so often such things fall well short of the mark. But it is well worth reading in its own right, and I recommend it highly. If you cannot find the story by itself, it does appear in "Different Seasons" with 3 other equally good stories.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The foundation of a great movie and a beautiful story., May 10, 2002

By 

Mister Hip-Hop (The Land Where Hip-Hop And Jazz Live.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption a Story from Different Seasons (Hardcover)

An amazing, inspirational story. This book laid the foundation for the movie, and since I am not the biggest Stephen King fan, this was obviously his best work in my mind. Andy Dufresne is sent to prison for murdering his wife and golf player Glenn Quentin, although he did not actually commit this crime and was framed. Andy's experience in prison includes encounters with desperate gay men, an evil warden, and other obstacles, but most importantly, his friend Red. He and Red go through the struggle together and become a dynamic duo. Also, fanatics of the classic film remake beware: there are a couple of facts kept secret in the movie that may surprise you in the novel. Though the book is a mere 106 pages it's definitely one you will want to read again and again. There are also a few other differences in the book compared to the film, such as no murders or suicides in prison. Shawshank is described very well. Eventually, Andy seeks his revenge and opens some eyes, and all he needed was a rockhammer and a poster of a model (he changed the posters every few years). If you have seen the movie but haven't read the book, I highly recommend that you check out the book as well, because it tells a lot about the characters. There is even a devastating secret about Brooks that was not revealed in the movie version. A definite keeper. If you can find this book, do not let it go.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars See the movie., August 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption a Story from Different Seasons (Hardcover)

I loved the movie version of "The Shawshank Redemption," and figured on reading the book. The book was way too short though, especially for King. The movie elaborates what King does not and includes many more inspiring scenes that are truly great. Don't get me wrong, the book is written teriffically, but not better than the movie.