Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
28(28%)
4 stars
29(29%)
3 stars
42(42%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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99 reviews
July 15,2025
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Magistral, Fantástica!! It's in my top 3 of S. King.

Yes, this gentleman can end his books well. Possibly, it's the best ending I've read from King.

I liked it more and more as I read, and the ending is very good and tear-jerking.

The characters are very well-developed and the setting, the feeling one gets from the agents in that area of the death row corridor, is spectacular.

There is a passage where they detail the steps and feelings during an electrocution that makes one's hair stand on end...

Continuously, flashes of the movie, which is also magnificent, came to me, and I kept imagining Tom Hanks' face as the protagonist.

Rating: 10/10

Synopsis: Stephen King sets his novel in a penitentiary for death row inmates, an antechamber of hell that he uses to draw a radiograph of horror in its purest state.

In October 1932, at the Cold Mountain penitentiary. The death row inmates await the moment to be led to the electric chair. The abominable crimes they have committed turn them into the prey of a legal system that feeds on a circle of madness, death, and vengeance.

This story by Stephen King is truly a masterpiece. The way he creates the atmosphere and develops the characters is simply outstanding. The description of the death row and the inmates' experiences is both chilling and captivating. The ending is not only satisfying but also has a profound emotional impact. It makes you think about the nature of justice, mercy, and the human condition. Overall, it's a must-read for any fan of King or anyone who enjoys a good horror or drama novel.
July 15,2025
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This is an excellent book, and the movie based on it is also excellent. It is one of the rare occasions when the movie truly does justice to the book.

I purchased this book for my husband as he has a great fondness for the movie. It is characteristic of our relationship that I have now read the book, yet he still hasn't. :)

A detailed review will be forthcoming. I am looking forward to sharing my in-depth thoughts and analysis of this book with others. There are so many aspects to explore, such as the engaging plot, the well-developed characters, and the beautiful writing style. I believe that both fans of the movie and those who have not yet seen it will find this book captivating and enjoyable. Stay tuned for my review!
July 15,2025
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Rarely does it happen to me that I read a book which actually causes me to tear up to some extent and which I can't stop thinking about even months after turning the last page. You should have heard about the movie adaption starring Tom Hanks and the late Michael Clarke Duncan (may he rest in peace). If you haven't considered watching it yet, then please don't hesitate to do so for even one moment. The Green Mile is easily one of my favorite movies of all time. To be completely honest, I had certain doubts about whether the Stephen King novel it was actually adapted from would be capable of causing the same range of emotions in me as the movie did.

And oh, how it succeeded with doing that. First off, allow me to mention something about my love-hate-relationship with Stephen King. During the 80's, he built up for himself a reputation as being one of the major horror writers of his time. But few people actually know about the few touching, emotionally affecting stories he can be called responsible for. Let me just mention Stand By Me and Shawshank Redemption, both of which are beautiful movies actually based on a less famous work by Stephen King. I am the first one to admit that King has a capability to write novels you will have a lot of troubles with if you expect to find stories with literary worth. But books like The Green Mile are what I love this author for.

For those who are unfamiliar with the story, The Green Mile is the nickname for the death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, a prison in Louisiana. During the 1930s, our protagonist Paul Edgecomb receives John Coffey into his custody as supervisor of the death row. Coffey turns out to be physically intimidating, but mentally challenged. How could a man like him, a man who is afraid if the lights are not kept on during the night, have been capable of murdering two innocent girls? Trust me, this is not a story about Coffey's guilt or innocence, however. What King confronts us with is a character-driven story about the daily events on the death row, raising moral and ethic questions along the way, allowing us to care about the small amount of characters he presented to us. Untypically for King's novels, we only meet a few characters, but even those of minor importance to the story are drawn out in such a fascinating way that it becomes difficult to resist caring for all of them.

Originally, King published this book in six different installments before releasing the six parts altogether in this novel. Each of those six parts focuses on different elements to the story, with all these parts interfering with each other along the way and finally weaving together a convincing picture of a prison in the 30's. Is this book only about life in prison, however? No, it isn't - by far it isn't. In a frame story, King introduces us to the older Paul Edgecomb who revisits the events on the Green Mile in an attempt to write down his story before his memory can begin to fade away. King starts off each of the six installments of the story by including more insight on the story of Paul's older self, until he finally manages to masterfully create the illusion of two deeply connected plots.

Supernatural elements are a minor part of the story, though - as skeptical as I usually am about stories involving magical realism - its inclusion mainly just allowed to emphasize the beauty of the story.

Coffey like the drink, only not spelled the same way. Coffey is introduced as a simple-minded man who is not capable of even understanding what he is accused of, and Paul Edgecomb realizes this - just like he realizes that there is more to the character of John Coffey than just the accusation of having raped and murdered two girls. The cast of characters in this novel is truly convincing - we meet Brutus "Brutal" Howell, Eduard Delacroix with his beloved pet mouse Mr. Jingles, and of course Percy Wetmore. If you haven't met Percy yet, you just have to know that there are actually polls circling around the internet asking whether Hannibal Lecter or Percy Wetmore is the most evil antagonist ever to be introduced in a novel/movie. And Percy actually has more than just a few votes.

Talking about Mr. Jingles, I will miss him. Oh, how I will miss him. In the end, this story manages more than just to raise questions. It turned me into a pile of emotions, ranging from nostalgia over grief up to relief - but mostly nostalgia. The last pages included some of the best writing I have ever encountered and yes, I will gladly admit that both the movie and the book made me cry, and I don't find it difficult to believe that they will continue to make me do so in future. Because out of all the movies I have seen and the books I have read, The Green Mile in both its book and its movie version is a story I am going to revisit over and over.

If you have only seen the movie, then please don't fear reading the book because even though it is a completely different experience due to a few minor changes and, obviously, a huge distinction in its narrative, the book doesn't fail to convince even after having watched the movie. And if you have only read the book - then what are you waiting for? The Green Mile is, in my opinion, one of the best book-to-movie adaptions which have ever entered the big screen. A beautiful, touching book which I am never going to forget.

Buddy Read with Anne who I have to truly thank for continuously encouraging me to keep up reading!
July 15,2025
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A pesar de ser una seguidora incondicional de Stephen King, no había leído este libro debido a que he visto en numerosas ocasiones su adaptación al cine. Esa maravillosa película protagonizada por Tom Hanks y el espectacular elenco que lo acompaña. No es que dudara que la novela fuera mejor o peor, sino que simplemente conocía el argumento de memoria y pensé que por eso mismo la lectura no me despertaría gran interés.


No podía estar más equivocada. Leer esta novela resultó ser una aventura inolvidable. Junto con la maravillosa pluma de Stephen King, recreé en mi mente cada escena, cada diálogo, cada gesto. Además, salvo mínimos detalles, la adaptación es increíblemente fiel al libro.


Por otra parte, como está escrito en primera persona desde el personaje de Paul Edgecombe, se disfruta una narración muy intimista. Y hacia el final, se nos revela cómo cada personaje importante en la trama recorrió su propia milla verde, con las mismas injusticias que se vivieron en el año 1932 en la penitenciaría del Cold Mountain.


Recomendadísimo.

July 15,2025
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King, the top! Once again, he has triggered a landslide of emotions!

King is truly an outstanding figure. His every move and every performance have a huge impact on people.

Whether it's on the stage or in life, he always shows his unique charm and talent.

His actions can arouse people's strong emotions, whether it's excitement, admiration, or even a bit of jealousy.

But no matter what, King's status and influence are undeniable.

He is like a bright star shining in the sky, attracting everyone's attention.

We look forward to seeing more wonderful performances and achievements from him in the future.

July 15,2025
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This novel, I believe, is a work of great creativity. It is a magnificent literary treasure by the author Stephen King. Every page is a creation in itself, with a great deal of beautiful descriptions, wonderful dialogues, and a smooth and wonderful narrative style, rich in a large number of words and excellent descriptions.

Each character in this novel is a special and unique case in prison. As the saying goes, everything has a reason and truth, and this is the description of the characters in the novel, especially the inmates (despite their small number in the novel) and the guards. The situation of each of them makes you think deeply after reading the dialogues and characters of this novel.

As is his habit, the author Stephen King innovates in this novel in terms of the narrative method and the smooth and enjoyable transition between events, as well as the way the events are intertwined. However, if you read it carefully, you will enjoy it and not be bored. In my opinion, this novel makes you embark on a journey of discovery in the world of inmates and guards, but from a different perspective, as the author Stephen King described it in a human way, not as we have seen or heard before in books or on television.

The novel and the film do not have a big difference in some events and the ending, but both are presented excellently and are suitable for this story. However, the characters in the film are exactly the right people for the characters in the novel, and this is also an innovation from a cinematic point of view. They have adhered to this cinematic work and produced the film wonderfully, winning many international awards, including the Oscar. (I recommend you watch "The Green Mile").

In the final events of the novel, despite the twists and events that were not expected, but it was written more excellently than before by the author Stephen King, and it is a pleasant read.
July 15,2025
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Stephen King is truly a master of the written word. His unique style has the power to keep readers up all night, regardless of age. In "The Green Mile", King展现了他的最佳水平,与"肖申克的救赎"和"伴我同行"不相上下。


这本书讲述的是一个关于生命的故事,充满了微妙的不安和低调的力量。King用他的文字轻易地触动了读者的心弦,让青少年和成年人都不禁为之动容。他以情感和悲伤抓住读者,然后又以看似不经意的方式给人以沉重的打击。


书中的人物形象鲜明,对话自然流畅,充满了生活的细节。King通过这些元素,描绘出了一幅真实而又令人难忘的画面。他让读者在阅读的过程中,不禁思考生命的意义和价值。


总之,"The Green Mile"是一本非常优秀的小说,它展现了Stephen King卓越的写作才华。他用他的文字创造了一个充满魔力的世界,让读者沉浸其中,无法自拔。我强烈推荐这本书给所有喜欢阅读的人。


“We each owe a death, there are no exceptions, I know that, but sometimes, oh God, the Green Mile is so long.”


Stephen King can write. Capital-W write. In that trademark way of his that has me stay up for half of the night — at age 16 and 38 alike — just so that I can finish his story, sleep be damned. It’s that strange spellbinding storytelling magic he’s so good at.


And this is King at his best, on the level of “Shawshank” and “The Body”.


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The Green Mile is a quieter King, the one who knows the power of subtle unease and the strength of understated stories that are at their core just about life. It’s a King that can break your heart so easily and leave both teenage and adult me slowly blinking off that inconvenient moisture in my eyes while trying to pretend that it’s all fine, man, all good. It’s a King that catches you with emotion and sadness and then with seeming casualness gut punches you. And it’s great. Cruel but great.

\\n  “Time takes it all, whether you want it to or not. Time takes it all, time bears it away, and in the end there is only darkness. Sometimes we find others in that darkness, and sometimes we lose them there again.”\\n


King is perfect yet again. The characters - easily drawn and actually human, both good ones and the slimy little shits. The easy and completely natural dialogue with good ear for actual quirks in speech; the dialogue that sounds real, like it should be spoken rather that stuffily written. The slice of life moments that never feel overlong despite the leisurely pace. The beauty of strangest moments and the slow creepiness of others. The things that stay with you when you are at the end of your own Green Mile - the mix of regrets and loveliness and kindness and pain that’s life.


\\n



One moment he has me pondering along with his protagonist Paul Edgecombe, a death row prison guard in the 1930s South when he comes across something strange and wonderful and also awful, “Sometimes there is absolutely no difference at all between salvation and damnation.” And the next moment he has me admire through chuckles his ability to cunningly turn a phrase in such a way that it’s both precise and funny and weirdly memorable (“During that time I didn’t dare fart sideways, let alone take a day off to investigate the idea I’d gotten at my kitchen table on the morning after all the upheavals.”) Fart sideways indeed.


He’s good. He’s got me under his spell for life.


King will always be among my favorite writers, and honestly, one of the best writers of our time, and it’s pointless to try to convince me otherwise.


5 stars.


—————

Buddy read with Dennis.
July 15,2025
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This is a very interesting and thought-provoking book. It is truly a story that grabs hold of you and makes it difficult to put down once you start reading. In my opinion, although it had a few minor issues, the overall great writing and the captivating story itself definitely deserve readers' attention.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world within the pages of this book. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Despite the few flaws, this book is still a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story. It will make you think, it will make you feel, and it will leave you with a sense of satisfaction once you reach the end.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting and engaging read. It is a great addition to any bookshelf and is sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

July 15,2025
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One of King’s best works, it stands up there with The Shining and The Stand.

King has the remarkable ability to terrify us because he is highly adept at drawing us into a scene. He lures the reader in with his deft characterization and meticulous attention to detail, which in turn creates empathy and understanding within us.

Just like in Francis Ford Coppola’s brilliant The Godfather part II, in the scene where a young Vito Corleone (played by Robert De Niro) shoots Fanucci. He wrapped his pistol in a towel, and the cloth catches fire after the shots. That particular detail has remained in my mind with greater clarity than the actual murder itself. Coppola managed to draw us into that grisly sight with such vivid detail that we can almost feel it. We know that a towel can get scorched and catch fire, and thus we become a part of what’s happening.

Similarly, in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film Jaws, when Roy Scheider’s character is shoveling chum into the water, the shark suddenly surfaces right in front of him. The audience initially laughs at the irreverent profanity, but then is immediately shocked at the monster’s appearance. Spielberg’s direction played with our emotions like a fiddle, drawing us in with humor and then, when we are open and vulnerable, scaring us with the surprise.

King also provides that kind of detail and has the skill to play with our emotions. He understands and makes excellent use of the technique of adding unusual yet memorable details. Moreover, he mixes shades of humor in with the darker hues of terror to make the overall portrait more tangible and engaging.

The Green Mile is also a minimalist statement about institutional life in America, reminiscent of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Set in the south during the great depression, King does not let us forget that these men endured this job because it was employment, one they were happy and lucky to have. However, more than this, King’s description of prison life, like Kesey’s portrayal of mental hospitals and treatment, carries with it a sense of desperate inevitability. The harsh realities of this life come down the line like a freight train on a track, unavoidable and unstoppable. There is a detail from the book that I don’t think was included in the 1999 film, and it was hard to take. Injustice always is, but King’s depiction of this was more complicated than what could have been in the movie, and thus all the more heart wrenching.

A story about executioners, in this case, a shift of prison guards working on death row and whose job it is to both care for the condemned inmates and then to actually carry out the sentence, is a setting custom-made for King’s great talent. We are walked through the rehearsals for the executions (by electric chair) and then witness the performance of that instrument. We get to know the men who have this unenviable task and also spend time with the men who await death in a prose that is similar in its sympathetic representation to Capote’s In Cold Blood.

John Coffey (played so well by Michael Clarke Duncan in the Frank Darabont film) was as tragic a figure as ever appeared in our literature. While a cursory comparison could be made to Lenny in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, King’s inclusion of fantasy and supernatural elements adds an almost theological tone to the narrative. Clearly, this is no coincidence as King describes several men as devout, and Biblical references and symbolism are ubiquitous throughout the story.

Highly, highly recommended.

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July 15,2025
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Zielona mila is a book full of the tragic history of a man who worked as a prison guard. One day, a new prisoner arrives at the block - a large and emotional man. He claims that he was trying to help, but the main character faints while trying to get the truth out of him. The book is also intertwined with his future in a nursing home, and these fragments are horribly sad.

It presents a desperately intelligent position on injustice and nostalgia. I feel as if I were still on the block with them, and I don't know if it will ever be different.

This story not only shows the harsh reality of prison life but also delves into the complex emotions and experiences of the characters. It makes the reader reflect on the meaning of justice, the consequences of actions, and the power of memory.

The writing is engaging and vivid, bringing the story to life and making it easy for the reader to empathize with the characters. Overall, Zielona mila is a thought-provoking and moving book that is well worth reading.
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