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mb1520's review against another edition
4.0
This book was suspenseful, but the beginning dragged a little bit for me. I had a hard time getting into it, but once the pieces started falling into place, I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed how King interwove the past and present to tell the story and was intrigued by both plots. The ending was heartbreaking, and extremely unexpected.
This was my first Stephen King novel and I look forward to reading more in the future.
This was my first Stephen King novel and I look forward to reading more in the future.
imkaytie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
faith_mikey's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
koshe1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
missmegs13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
yorky_pud21's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
readerisha_'s review against another edition
5.0
Oh god.
I rate this heartbreaking book a goddamn 5/5!! It's perfect. It is one of Stephen King's GREATEST novels.
I watched the film just about last year and instantly became my favorite film of all time. I thought about reading the book to see if I will also love the book as much as the film and KING did not disappoint me. I am in such awe right now as I type this. The film was just as perfect as the book.
(SPOILER)
The only part that the film did not include was the last part where Janice (Paul's wife) died in an accident.
But overall, this book just did something to me. Sometimes, I don't even want to read if I watch the film (and vice versa) but THIS is an exception. The only exception I think.
And what do I always say about Stephen King? Mr. King can write a magnificent novel where HE can take you inside the book. That is why I consider him as the best storyteller of his time up til now in the present. He can build tension so that you can feel different emotions through his character.
Just like how he built up the story about The Green Mile and its occupants.
How he can connect emotions to the reader through John Coffey's suffering because I ugly cried watching the film and reading the book.
There are so many things I would like to add but it will take me days to point everything out.
I have been recommending the movie version to anyone I know and I would definitely recommend the book as well! No doubt.
I rate this heartbreaking book a goddamn 5/5!! It's perfect. It is one of Stephen King's GREATEST novels.
I watched the film just about last year and instantly became my favorite film of all time. I thought about reading the book to see if I will also love the book as much as the film and KING did not disappoint me. I am in such awe right now as I type this. The film was just as perfect as the book.
(SPOILER)
The only part that the film did not include was the last part where Janice (Paul's wife) died in an accident.
But overall, this book just did something to me. Sometimes, I don't even want to read if I watch the film (and vice versa) but THIS is an exception. The only exception I think.
And what do I always say about Stephen King? Mr. King can write a magnificent novel where HE can take you inside the book. That is why I consider him as the best storyteller of his time up til now in the present. He can build tension so that you can feel different emotions through his character.
Just like how he built up the story about The Green Mile and its occupants.
How he can connect emotions to the reader through John Coffey's suffering because I ugly cried watching the film and reading the book.
There are so many things I would like to add but it will take me days to point everything out.
I have been recommending the movie version to anyone I know and I would definitely recommend the book as well! No doubt.
joshkiba13's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A pretty interesting concept to be explored, narrated by the head guard on the execution block of a prison in the 30s. It was really interesting to see what moral qualms such an occupation would give you. I wish there had been more story with John Coffey, the prisoner that the whole story revolves around. Still, it was well told and the reader did a great job with the audiobook. It would have been cool to have read this as a serial novel in the 90s, but alas I was still a few years away from conception.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Racial slurs and Chronic illness
katengler5's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was really surprised by this book. It had been pretty low on my list of Stephen King books I wanted to read, but I saw the audio book was on Spotify and decided to listen to it. I am so glad I did. I knew the very basic premise of this book, but it wasn’t quite what I expected.
The narrator, Paul, is the supervisor on death row. There he sees multiple men go in and go out, but then he gets one inmate, John Coffey, who changes his perspective on his job and his life for good. From there the story takes multiple turns, some of which had me shocked and others piled on the tension.
For a portion of the book, Paul is describing sort of mundane scenes around the prison, but it never gets dull. The characters are developed so well, that just watching the interaction between characters, you won’t get bored. It also helps that Paul is always alluding to what’s going to happen next (he is telling this story in retrospect), and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Stephen King originally released the Green Mile as a set of serial novels. This was a different mode for him and one that really seemed to work. Where some of his books have sections that feel bogged down or meander-y, he always had to keep the reader wanting more from the Green Mile to ensure they would buy the next book. It’s definitely not super fast paced or thrilling, but there are just enough premonitions and comments made by the narrator that you’re on the edge of your seat without overtly realizing it, even when you don’t know what you’re waiting for.
What really sets this book apart though is how truly moving it is. You get to know Paul very well throughout the book and he’s a thoroughly likeable character done in a perfect way where it’s not over the top or cheesy, but he still always does the right thing and has the best intentions. As he goes through emotional ups and downs throughout the book, both working on death row and after, you really feel for him as the reader. That combined with the story and fate of John Coffey makes for a book that is able to get you in your feelings at least a little bit.
I absolutely recommend this book. Fans of most any genre would enjoy it. It has some suspense and some emotion with great character description and a unique setting and perspective.
The narrator, Paul, is the supervisor on death row. There he sees multiple men go in and go out, but then he gets one inmate, John Coffey, who changes his perspective on his job and his life for good. From there the story takes multiple turns, some of which had me shocked and others piled on the tension.
For a portion of the book, Paul is describing sort of mundane scenes around the prison, but it never gets dull. The characters are developed so well, that just watching the interaction between characters, you won’t get bored. It also helps that Paul is always alluding to what’s going to happen next (he is telling this story in retrospect), and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Stephen King originally released the Green Mile as a set of serial novels. This was a different mode for him and one that really seemed to work. Where some of his books have sections that feel bogged down or meander-y, he always had to keep the reader wanting more from the Green Mile to ensure they would buy the next book. It’s definitely not super fast paced or thrilling, but there are just enough premonitions and comments made by the narrator that you’re on the edge of your seat without overtly realizing it, even when you don’t know what you’re waiting for.
What really sets this book apart though is how truly moving it is. You get to know Paul very well throughout the book and he’s a thoroughly likeable character done in a perfect way where it’s not over the top or cheesy, but he still always does the right thing and has the best intentions. As he goes through emotional ups and downs throughout the book, both working on death row and after, you really feel for him as the reader. That combined with the story and fate of John Coffey makes for a book that is able to get you in your feelings at least a little bit.
I absolutely recommend this book. Fans of most any genre would enjoy it. It has some suspense and some emotion with great character description and a unique setting and perspective.