I've Just revisited this book and I'm still at 4 stars with it, for the same reasons I stated in my original review. It was never going to jump to five, but I'd been deliberating whether to shuffle it back to a three.

This Depression era tale of life on death row, somewhere in the Deep South, started slowly. It took me quite a long time to grow familiar with the characters on the Green Mile, as it was known. It’s a long book, so that’s not so much of an issue (unless I’d given up on it, of course). Once I was comfortable with the cast, I was quickly sucked in to the atmosphere of it all. It’s a good story, a very good story. And it’s well told. But I have some misgivings.

What I Liked: At this point I'd read only a few of King’s books (11/22/63, Joyland and Mr Mercedes) but enough to know that ensnaring the reader by drawing believable, empathetic characters is a cornerstone of his longevity as a successful writer. This was certainly in evidence here. I was introduced to, and grew to love, Paul Edgecombe (who narrated the story first person, for the most part) and his colleagues on the Green Mile. Throw in a mixed bag of interesting inmates awaiting their fate and the interactions reached the extremes of tear inducing pathos all the way to hilarious belly laughing humour. The latter particularly emanated from my favourite character, William "Wild Bill" Wharton. But, above all, the dialogue always felt right, it fitted the mood of the place and the time and clearly delineated each character.

What I didn’t… I may be alone in this but I found the introduction of Mr Jingles, the performing mouse, to be a distraction – one that added nothing to the story. In fact I’d go further: to me the least attractive element of the book was the use of ‘magical realism’ and Mr J was the element that most jarred, was the least believable. If the mouse’s role had been imperative to the story I’d have lived with it but I truly believe it to have been a superfluous inclusion. I know it would have been hard to tell this tale without asking the reader to suspend disbelief for its duration, but I’d have preferred for this element to have been minimised. As I say, this is just a personal view.

An interesting aside is the parallels of the story to Of Mice and Men. Both depict big, innocent men who are completely lacking in guile. In each, this character meets his end at the hand of a companion who shows love for them. If the reader was in any doubt about the author’s intended linkage then the inclusion of the mouse allows King to introduce a phrase to the text that is a close approximation of the title of the Steinbeck book.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read and one that would and did draw me back to more of the author’s work – though I continue avoid the horror books.

If you’ve been living under a rock for the last 30 years and have not seen the movie or read the book of The Green Mile, do yourself a favor and do one or the other.

I’ve seen the movie like 20+ times in my life. It really does feel like it.

One day you’re looking for something to watch on cable and you come across the movie. You see that half the movie has been playing but you think, “Well, there’s nothing else on right now. Let’s see where John Coffey is in the story and what's Paul Edgecombe up to again.”

You turn on the movie and sure enough, I’m watching the damn thing again. I’m getting mad at Percy Wetmore. I’m laughing at Mr. Jingles. And I’m having my f’ing heart break again by the end.

This exact moment happened the other day and I thought, "Why haven't I read this yet?! Is it because I know the plot, it's not urgent, or it's not new to me?"

So let me answer the million-dollar question. Well, it felt like the biggest question to me and why I haven't gotten to this sooner.

Was the book different than the movie? In places it is different, and I think you should eventually get to the book even if you know the plot. The book gives the story more heartbreak (shocking but it's true) and it returns to similar plot points that the movie does not go into.

Some differences in the book (not spoiler worthy so you can read on): ✔ When Paul Edgecombe is in the retirement home. ✔ The character of Brad Dolan (what a muthaf’er). ✔ The end of the book is sadder than the movie. Yeah, I didn’t think it was possible but there ya go.

Did I cry like a baby while listening to the audiobook? You bet your sweet ass I did.

This book is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

Every time I pick it up and start reading, it manages to amaze me with its brilliance and break my heart all at once.

I always tell myself that I'm ready for the flood of emotions that will come, but I'm never truly prepared.

It hits me like a ton of bricks every single time, leaving me completely devastated.

The story is a heartbreakingly beautiful one, touching on every possible emotion.

It makes me feel joy, sadness, horror, anger, and everything in between.

What makes this story so excellent is the way all these emotions are woven together so perfectly.

The author has done an amazing job of creating a world and characters that you can't help but be completely drawn into.

You become invested in their fate, rooting for them and feeling their pain as if it were your own.

This is definitely one of my all-time favorite stories by King.

It's a masterpiece that will stay with me forever.

The Green Mile is a nickname that comes from the color of the floor in the cheerless Cold Mountain Penitentiary's E Block, death row. It's located somewhere in the American South, and in the gloomy year of 1932, inmates take the long walk to see Old Sparky, the electric chair that will end their lives.

However, the unique green surface is the last thing on the nervous inmates' minds as they peer through the bars of their humble cells. They soon find out that it isn't a distant mile at all.

When John Coffey, a giant black man convicted of murdering two nine-year-old twin girls, enters his final home, sadistic prison guard Percy Wetmore, the governor's wife's nephew, brags about his political connection and shouts "Dead man walking."

Paul Edgecombe, the official in charge of the block, starts to believe Coffey is innocent. Coffey's face is always covered with tears, he's afraid of the dark and asks if the lights can be kept on at night. He can't read or write and has trouble remembering, but he's a gentle person with unknown powers.

He cures Paul's painful urinary tract infection, and the grateful guard tries to find out more about Coffey's case. Mr. Jingles, a mouse, is not an official inmate but is loved by all the guards except Percy.

John Coffey saves Mr. Jingles' life, and tensions increase as a murderer is put to death by Old Sparky. The execution is a disgusting sight, and the mistakes are caused by Mr. Wetmore.

The officers involved in the execution, including Paul, despise the job, but they need to feed their families during the Great Depression.

Warden Hal Moores' wife, Melinda, is very ill, and Paul has a risky notion that Coffey might be able to save her. This could get him and his pals into a big mess, even jail time in Cold Mountain.

Stephen King's story is superb, always entertaining and full of interesting characters. It's as good as the glorious film version.

In my opinion, this is a very unusual novel by Stephen King.

It definitely cannot be classified into the usual genres such as thriller or horror. Instead, it is a story with a lot of magical realism and religious symbolism, which serves as a plea against the death penalty. I wasn't really aware that Stephen King has an interest in incorporating the Christian faith into his works. But when I think of "Revival" or "Salem's Lot", this is clearly not an isolated case.

Here, a seemingly innocent inmate who was sentenced to death in the electric chair is portrayed as a martyr and saint who brings healing to people. John Coffey already has the initials like the man who was killed on Golgotha after two criminals in the name of the people. Did Stephen King want to write a modern, new testament? Or did he just want to show that there can be both good and bad in death row inmates? Or did he just want to clarify the cruelty of killing with electricity? Or did he simply want to tell an exciting and entertaining story? Although King provides insights into the genesis of his sequel novel in the preface and afterword, the intention remained open for me. But whatever the motives behind it: It is simply a very touching book without the usual shock moments and everyday fears of its protagonists. In between, I even got teary-eyed once. Even if you already know the movie, it is a very rewarding read.

This is an unforgettable and deeply emotional novel.

John Coffey, together with Paul Edgecomb, is undoubtedly the sweetest character that King has ever created. The story unfolds in a way that tugs at your heartstrings.

The ending, however, is truly heart-wrenching. The injustice that takes place leaves you feeling emotionally numb.

Surprisingly, the movie adaptation of this novel series is equally excellent, if not better. It manages to capture the essence and the powerful emotions of the story.

Personally, I hold this novel in the same high regard as IT and The Stand. It is a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

Whether you are a fan of King's works or simply looking for a captivating and moving story, this novel is a must-read.

My final King… until Holly comes out :(

The only reason I didn't give it the full 5 stars is that it took a while to really get going. At the beginning, I found myself less inclined to pick it up. It seemed a bit slow and unengaging. However, as I persisted, it gradually became pretty amazing.

The story started to unfold in a captivating way, drawing me in deeper and deeper. The characters became more vivid, and the plot took unexpected turns. By the end, I was completely invested in the story.

In fact, I cried at the end. It had such an emotional impact on me. Overall, I would rate this book 4.5 stars. It may not have been perfect from the start, but it definitely redeemed itself and left a lasting impression. I can't wait to see what Holly has in store for us next.

In my humble opinion, this is one of Stephen King’s finest pieces of work. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the Dark Tower books, The Stand, and The Shining.

The writing in this particular work is truly beautiful. King has a remarkable ability to paint vivid pictures with his words, making the reader feel as if they are right there in the story.

The characterization is masterful. Each character is fully developed, with their own unique personalities, motives, and flaws. You can’t help but become invested in their lives and root for them as they face the challenges that come their way.

The story itself is downright compelling. It grabs you from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the very end. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat and guessing what will happen next.

And the ending? It’s absolute perfection. It ties up all the loose ends in a satisfying way, while also leaving you with a sense of wonder and awe. This is a masterpiece from start to finish, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves great literature.

OLIVIER DELAYE

Author of the SEBASTEN OF ATLANTIS series

John Coffey is an incredibly large and intimidating man. However, beneath his imposing exterior lies the mind of an innocent child. He stands accused of brutally assaulting and murdering two little girls, yet he seems completely unaware of why he did it. After the tragic event, he cradles their dead, naked bodies in his arms, weeping over the horror and guilt of his actions. Needless to say, this is an extremely unusual crime committed by an extremely unusual man. There appears to be more to the motives of this crime than meets the eye. It's such a bizarre mystery that a certain group of noble prison officers begin to doubt if John was ever truly involved in the crime in the first place. Whether he is innocent or guilty remains unknown, but John has a mysterious power that can assist the officers in uncovering the truth of what really happened, setting the record straight, and resolving a few other impending tragedies in the process as he awaits his ultimate fate behind bars.

The Green Mile, at its core, is an analysis of the corruption within the criminal justice system. Bad people manage to walk free after committing the most heinous acts imaginable, while innocent individuals are convicted of crimes they never committed or harshly punished for extremely minor offenses. The death penalty, in particular, can eliminate the most unforgivably evil people in the world, but it can also take the lives of innocent people who have been wrongly accused. The prison justice system is a very messy, slippery, and twisted process.

Beneath its more obvious themes of capital punishment and a flawed justice system, Green Mile is a beautiful story about the miracles that a single person can perform when given the opportunity, especially with the help and understanding of others. It's about overcoming prejudice and not judging someone's entire character based on appearances, misunderstandings, or the negative things that others say behind their backs. It's also about how being a kind and selfless person often comes with carrying a great deal of pain, burdens, trauma, betrayal, and strong emotions that are on the verge of exploding.

John Coffey is definitely one of my all-time favorite Stephen King characters. Every scene featuring him is incredibly emotional and introspective. His character encapsulates all of the important themes and messages that the plot is attempting to convey within a single individual. He is the personification of empathy and pain.

On an unrelated side note, there is an animal companion subplot in the book that contains a lot of surprisingly cute and wholesome moments. John and the prison guards befriend a pet mouse named Jingles that游荡s around the prison and serves as a source of comfort and emotional support for them all. I really enjoyed the little guy's role in the story.

In addition to being one of Stephen King's greatest novels, it also has one of his greatest endings that hits you right in the heart.

My rating: 5/5

A great story.

I would have liked a happy ending for Coffey, but what can be done

4.5 stars *

I absolutely loved this movie! It was an amazing adaptation of the book. The story was brought to life in the most vivid and engaging way. The characters were well-developed and the actors did a great job of bringing them to the big screen.

The special effects were also top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere and excitement of the movie. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire viewing.

I also have to give a shoutout to the book. It was a captivating read that had me hooked from the very beginning. The author did an excellent job of creating a rich and detailed world that I couldn't get enough of.

Loved the movie, loved the book! This is definitely a must-see and a must-read for any fan of the genre.

I dreamed you were wandering in the dark, and so was I. It was a strange and somewhat unsettling dream that left me with a sense of unease upon waking.

Wow, I'm speechless. After reading this story, I am truly at a loss for words. King has once again shown why he is a master of his craft.

King does what he always does best. The story telling and overall character development is pure brilliance as usual. He weaves a tale that sucks you in from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the very end.

It's full of suspense and raw emotions. The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, while the characters' emotions are so real and palpable that you can't help but feel for them.

I think John Coffey has become one of my favourite King characters. His gentle nature and supernatural abilities make him a truly captivating and memorable character.

I think Percy Wetmore is up there with Norman from 'Rose Madder' for most dislikeable characters. His cruel and sadistic nature makes him truly despicable.

Oh and...Mr. Jingles!!! *-* This little mouse adds a touch of charm and lightheartedness to the story, and I can't help but love him.