When one mentions horror novels, one name that invariably comes to mind is Stephen King. While considered to be one of the most prolific horror novelists of our time, many do not realize that some of his greatest works were not of the horror genre at all.
The Green Mile is certainly one of the best books I have ever read. This tale is about John Coffey, an enormous man brought to death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary for the rape and murder of two young girls. The narrator, prison supervisor Paul Edgecombe, has worked at the prison for many years. He treats most inmates the same way: He is kind to them if they behave, but is not afraid to punish them.
Resident prima donna on the ward is Percy Wetmore. The only reason he still has his job as a guard after years of sadism and incompetence is that his aunt married the Governor. Percy is a terrible person, and one of the worst villains in literary history. His thoughtlessness and his cruelty are his two great faults as he thinks he runs the ward with an iron hand.
When Coffey enters the ward, Edgecombe knows that there is something different about him. Something special. He knows that Coffey is a good man and would never hurt a fly. As the story progresses, he learns more about this man as he learns more about himself.
King writes this novel excellently. Though it is almost 600 pages, it never has a dull moment, and it is difficult to put down. As the reader learns more about the interesting characters of John Coffey, Paul Edgecombe, Percy Wetmore, and the other prisoners on the ward, the novel gets very interesting. The characterizations are interestingly subtle yet shocking. The Green Mile is most certainly one of the best novels I have ever read.
http://www.amazon.com/Green-Mile-Stephen-King/dp/0671041789/ref=cm_lmf_tit_22
Grade: 9
The Green Mile is certainly one of the best books I have ever read. This tale is about John Coffey, an enormous man brought to death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary for the rape and murder of two young girls. The narrator, prison supervisor Paul Edgecombe, has worked at the prison for many years. He treats most inmates the same way: He is kind to them if they behave, but is not afraid to punish them.
Resident prima donna on the ward is Percy Wetmore. The only reason he still has his job as a guard after years of sadism and incompetence is that his aunt married the Governor. Percy is a terrible person, and one of the worst villains in literary history. His thoughtlessness and his cruelty are his two great faults as he thinks he runs the ward with an iron hand.
When Coffey enters the ward, Edgecombe knows that there is something different about him. Something special. He knows that Coffey is a good man and would never hurt a fly. As the story progresses, he learns more about this man as he learns more about himself.
King writes this novel excellently. Though it is almost 600 pages, it never has a dull moment, and it is difficult to put down. As the reader learns more about the interesting characters of John Coffey, Paul Edgecombe, Percy Wetmore, and the other prisoners on the ward, the novel gets very interesting. The characterizations are interestingly subtle yet shocking. The Green Mile is most certainly one of the best novels I have ever read.
http://www.amazon.com/Green-Mile-Stephen-King/dp/0671041789/ref=cm_lmf_tit_22
Grade: 9
