The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel

Gave this a power-read while on vacation during relaxing times and travel layovers. I've seen parts of the movie in the past when flipping channels so some of the plot was already known but the start and finish were new to me. A great read; Stephen King does a wonderful job of formulating the Good and the Bad and tying their interactions together. The story is not quite suspense/thriller and not quite horror; nonetheless it is a page turner filled with 1930's stereotypes and churns the emotions.

This serial novel is not bad but could have been better. There are several villains some more prominent than others as is often the case with Stephen King books. A prison guard reveals how he encountered a man who has been wrongfully convicted of a double murder and sexual assault. I had major expectations for this because this is frequently regarded as 1 of the author's best and I did not get the same opinion. The stress of working as an executioner is presented in a realistic way.

So this is my second venture into this book. I read it initially in my teens and absolutely loved it. Even cried. This time around, maybe desensitized by watching the movie over and over, it didn't hit the same way. It is subdued for an SK book, but not in a bad way. It felt great diving back into nostalgia. Seeing everything that has taken place since reading it in 1998. This book is a time capsule, it's sensitive and beautiful with some ugliness involved, but there is hope in the ashes of the lost. John Coffey is an amazing character that could rank right up there with the best of SKs world. Paul Edgecomb is awesome in his caring for his convicts, and Brutal is just a great solid friend. At its base, this book is a testament to friendship and kindness. It delves into the ugliness of humans and its effects on others. Go read this timeless classic, then watch the movie. 4.25/5.