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Title: The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel
ISBN: 0671047213
Author:
Stephen King
Publicate Date: 1999-12-01
Publish: 1999-12-01
List Price: $39.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Audio Cassette
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $4.05
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.89
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1: The memorable story of Paul Edgecombe and John Coffey
A wonderful story; beautifully presented and well told.
I think that this is my favorite Stephen King story (although 'The Dark Tower' series comes close as well). This is a tale of a prison guard (Paul Edgecombe) and convicted child murderer (John Coffey) and the unusual relationship that developes between them on death row in the of fall of 1932.
I saw the movie some time ago and it is one of my all time favorites; great acting, well directed and, as with all great movies, has moments that seem to linger with you and are recalled from time to time (and sometimes at the strangest moments).
The book and the movie are somewhat different. The story is basically the same of course, but because the book was written in installments, (featuring the main characters serially), I believe it would have been difficult to make a movie of the book that would have made sense. However, what they did with the movie turned out well.
The book, not surprisingly has some additional story in it, that is not found in the movie. We are provided with some extra information that deals with Paul's life after he retired from his job on death row and also with a different ending for Mr Jingles then was seen in the movie; both additions alone make reading the book worthwhile (especially the latter).
Conclusion;
The memorable story of Paul Edgecombe and John Coffey ("like the drink, only not spelled the same way"). An emotional story with some haunting attributes; simply exquisite.
5 Stars...more if I could
R. Nicholson
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2: Powerful book.
This is one of the most powerful book I've ever read.If your familar with the book, then you will truly love this.
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3: Some allegory, lots of suspense
Paul Edgecombe is trapped, figuratively and literally, in an iron cage. Edgecombe works in a killing machine where condemned criminals await death. Rationally, he and his co-workers await orders and carry them out with practiced efficiency. Events are pre-determined by outside forces. He carries out the death orders without question. That is until he meets a certain large man and small mouse. With 20-20 hindsight from the perspective of his old age, Paul recalls his memories of the events on the Green Mile in an effort to make sense of his own life.
King's constructs a masterful setting that permits him to present superficially many subtle points. Several times during the story, I wished he derailed his narrative to delve deeper into specific issues he sounds upon. However, for King, the story is the priority and the reader can think about the issues on their own. There is a clear undertone of anti-death penalty throughout, but he stirs other questions: What is the role of atonement? What would you give up if you could facilitate a miracle?
The Green Mile flirts with allegorical motifs. Christian references to atonement are made throughout the book. The story takes place deep within the Bible belt (Georgia) and many characters are depicted with Christian values of varying levels of orthodoxy. For Paul, atonement of sins is central to understanding is past: "Only God could forgive sins, could and did, washing them away in the agonal blood of His crucified Son, but that did not change the responsibility of His children to atone for those sins (and even their simple errors of judgment) whenever possible. Atonement was powerful; it was the lock on the door you closed against the past (p. 314)." Early in the book, Paul struggles with the meaning of salvation in his setting as opposed to that contrived in movies: "In the movies, salvation is cheap. You pay a quarter and a quarter's worth is just what you get. Real life costs more, and most of the answers are different." At times, fundamental Christian views are presented with hints of hypocrisy. For example, he briefly tells the tale of a Baptist Sheriff who dies in an adulterous act. Also, the nursing home bully Brad Dolan has a bumper sticker that says "I have seen God and his name is Newt." Buffoonish Old Toot's red snack wagon has apocalyptic verses including "REPENT for the Lord shall judge his people" (Deut. 32:36) and "And surely your blood of your lives will I require" (Gen. 9:5).
However, despite some allegorical sermonizing, King in no way comes across as pontificating. On the contrary, the story is paramount. He presents teasers at the end of each chapter so you can never find a good place to out the book down. The plot is engaging and characters are so representative of universal real world acquaintances. Everyone knows people like Brad Dolan and Percy Wetmore, ill-natured bullies who seem unhappy unless they can make those around them are unhappy. That was the real genius of the book; the characters and engaging drama. Of course, I read the book with all its pieces put together, but I can imagine the book would be extremely suspenseful if purchased the serial form...waiting in suspense for each section to arrive to find out what happens next. Probably the fastest 536 pages I have ever read. Well done.
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4: Even better than the movie
While not a fan of all his novels, I think the Green Mile serial was very well done. This version is an excellent and complete hardcover.
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5: This is Easily King's Best Novel of the Nineties
I love Stephen King, but I have find most of his novels after 1988 to be disappointments. THE GREEN MILE is the big exception. This an almost perfect novel with a great story, believable characters, and a terrific sense of momentum that carries you to the very end. It's a King book that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with his other classics, such as SALEMS LOT, THE DEAD ZONE, THE STAND, THE SHINING, PET SEMETARY and MISERY.
If you've never read King before, THE GREEN MILE a lovely place to start, and will help you understand why he's such a popular writer with such a huge following. Highly recommended.
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