Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel by Stephen King ISBN: 0-671-04178-9 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 1999 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.72 (607 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Stephen King matures..
Comment: Like most Americans in their 40s, I've read more Stephen King novels over the years than I care to admit. While certainly a "hit and miss" author, Stephen King is at least someone with a (sometimes out-of-control) imagination. Fortunately he puts his imagination into good use with The Green Mile.
The Green Mile is a story of a 1930s death row prison, as told by one of the supervisors. Both the prisoners and the prison guards are dissected, with both parties exhibiting the best and worst sort of behaviour imaginable. But being a Stephen King novel we, of course, expect a surreal element to the story. This is manifested with the appearance of an inmate with "special powers" (sorry, no spoilers here). However unlike many of his previous novels where he really goes off the rails, Stephen King channels his creative energy to take to book to a very moving conclusion (yes, it's almost a tear-jerker).
I wouldn't say The Green Mile is Stephen King's best work so far. However it does lead me to believe that he is finally making the step from popular fiction to literature. Job well done.
Rating: 4
Summary: Engrossing, but missing suspense thanks to Hollywood
Comment: Steven King is a master storyteller, and he has skillfully drawn me into his dark world many times. Sadly, this didn't happen with The Green Mile. This wasn't through any fault of King's; it was a Hollywood movie trailer that affected my perception of this wonderful book.
Caution: If you are fortunate enough to be unaware of the plot of The Green Mile, stop reading reviews and read the excellent book.
I believe King intended the reader to initially feel that John Coffey is a dangerous man who very likely raped and murdered two innocent girls. The whole beginning of the book is centered on this perception of Coffey. As Paul gradually discovers the gentleness and peace of the character, it is intended that the reader will make that journey of understanding with him.
This gradual shift in perception of Coffey never occurs however. Why? Because who hasn't seen the movie trailer showing the character of Coffey bashfully asking for the light to be left on, stroking Mr. Jingles, crying and peering at us with sad, innocent eyes? We have also all heard Tom Hanks drawling, "I've worked with violent men all my life. There doesn't seem to be any real violence in him. I don't believe he did it a'tall."
Well that's just great. Thank you, Hollywood Producers, for changing the suspenseful impact of the entire first half of the book (and the movie too). Instead of the narrative filling us with tension, the plot feels incredibly slow. When we know Coffey is no danger, we don't fear for Paul as he guides him into the prison or enters his cell, and we are bored by his gradual relization that Coffey is not what he seems to be. We lose interest, since Paul is very slowly figuring out what we were told ages ago; Coffey is special and innocent.
That being said, the book is still worth reading. Although I would have liked to have gone into it with a less detailed knowledge of the plot, there are still numerous twists and turns that keep the reader interested. The characters are endearing and memorable, and the book has a surprising and interesting ending.
Rating: 5
Summary: Fate is Inevitable
Comment: In Steven King's The Green Mile the story is story is strengthened by King's use of literary devices. King makes the tone of the story extremely morbid, which gives the story a very grim look. This strengthens the story because it gives the reader something to be interested in. Also, the way the story is set on one giant flashback interests the reader and strengthens the plot. King does all this to put an emphasis on the fact that fate is inevitable.
The tone of this story is very doleful because it keeps the reader in a state of suspense throughout the entire story. This especially shows when Eduard Delacroix is about to be executed and when Percy kills Mr. Jingles. In addition, the diction King uses is very gruesome and grotesque which helps emphasize the tone of the story. The reader sees this when Delacroix is being executed. The tone keeps the reader interested and feeling as though he/she is actually part of the story.
The flashback affect that King uses helps add to an understanding of more confusing parts of the story. Any part of the plot that confuses the reader is clearly explained when Paul is talking at present time. All relationships between Paul, Percy, Dean, Harry, and Brutal are clearly explained. King also uses the "present time" to create an emphasis on them major events of the story. Such events are the first encounter between the people on the mile and Billy Wharton. Furthermore, when the story switches to "present time" the reader becomes anxious to find out what happens next. The reader's anxiety leads to suspense. Thus King's use of flashback helps strengthen the plot and create suspense within the reader.
The whole story is based on the fact that fate is inevitable. King clearly shows this throughout the story, mainly when John Coffey is executed even though he is innocent. No matter what people try to do, there is no escape from death. However, nobody on the mile realized that Coffey wanted to be put to rest until his execution. King lets the reader know that death is inevitable, although it is a comfort to a tortured soul.
 |
Title: Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King ISBN: 0684853515 Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: 14 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
 |
Title: The Stand: Complete and Uncut by Stephen King ISBN: 0451169530 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: May, 1991 List Price(USD): $8.50 |
 |
Title: Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, Book 4) by Stephen King, Dave McKean ISBN: 0670032573 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: 23 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
 |
Title: The Shining by Stephen King ISBN: 0743424425 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 28 August, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: Different Seasons by Stephen King ISBN: 0451167538 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 02 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
