#24 – The Green Mile

Plot

Welcome to Cold Mountain Penitentiary, home to the Depression-worn men of E Block. Convicted killers all, each awaits his turn to walk the Green Mile, keeping a date with “Old Sparky,” Cold Mountain’s electric chair.

Prison guard Paul Edgecombe has seen his share of oddities in his years working the Mile. But he’s never seen anyone like John Coffey, a man with the body of a giant and the mind of a child, condemned for a crime terrifying in its violence and shocking in its depravity. In this place of ultimate retribution, Edgecombe is about to discover the terrible, wondrous truth about Coffey, a truth that will challenge his most cherished beliefs … and yours. 

Review

We’ve reached the first of my five-star Goodreads ratings, as The Green Mile and the next 23 books all received the highest praise I could give an online review.  For those math nerds with us, that means 37% of all Stephen King books garnered the prestigious five-stars.  I’m not sure what that means but it feels like a lot.

This is the only novel on this list that I had watched the movie prior to reading the book.  Because of this, the major twists and plot developments lacked surprise but the novel itself was obviously deeper and effectively further developed these known characters.  

The film is fantastic by the way, which typically goes against most Stephen King adaptations.  Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Sam Rockwell all were excellent.  While it was nearly impossible not to picture these guys when reading the novel, it was not distracting.

The Green Mile was originally published as six short volumes, released in one-month increments.  Thankfully they have since published multiple versions that include the entire story.  I imagine it would be very difficult on Constant Readers to have to wait one month to continue this incredibly rich novel.  

Had I not seen the film, this would have ranked within the Top-15, because it perfectly encapsulates what King can do so well.  He creates memorable characters, sprinkles in some supernatural elements, and adds riveting plot developments.  

This is the highest rated Stephen King book on Goodreads, clocking in with an average rating of 4.46.  

Details

Pages: 399

Dates Read: June 29 – July 20, 2021

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

Best Part: Mr. Jingles.

Hint for #23: A common name for an amusement park. Wikipedia tells me there is one in Lubbock, Texas – and others in Kansas and Georgia.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.