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Justin's Reviews > The Green Mile
The Green Mile
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by
So I cheated on my local library last week. I don't think she knows yet, and I feel kind of bad about it. I discovered a smaller library that was actually much closer to my house. She definitely caught my attention, but I never went because it just seemed like the selection was going to be much smaller, and my current library and I have a great thing going right now.
But now I'm involved with two libraries and, boy, is my life going great!
I found this book at the new library where I couldn't find anything else that jumped out to me. I mean, the fiction section is like three rows, maybe four. That includes every genre of fiction. No mystery, romance, horror... it's all fiction.
This is the book I left with last week, and this is now my favorite Stephen King book. This is King at the top of his game. It's the perfect length with all six parts, it ends well, and he doesn't rely on horror or too much salty language to tell a fantastic story.
I've always said King is the best when he stays under 400 pages or so and doesn't write about vampires or monsters. He dabbles in the supernatural here, but not for the sake of scaring the reader. He just really, really hit a home run with this thing.
I liked having six separate parts combined into one novel. Each new section felt fresh with a new plot element, and King helps reset the scene from where he left off before. The characters are all well developed and none of them are too outlandish or over-the-top. Even the antagonist. That was great.
I have a solid love/hate relationship with Mr. King, but I loved this one. Seriously, this is my favorite book I've read from him. Go read it if you haven't already. And watch the movie because it's a classic on its own.
And, thank you Stephen King for a beautiful first date with my local library. I hope our future encounters are this incredible.
But now I'm involved with two libraries and, boy, is my life going great!
I found this book at the new library where I couldn't find anything else that jumped out to me. I mean, the fiction section is like three rows, maybe four. That includes every genre of fiction. No mystery, romance, horror... it's all fiction.
This is the book I left with last week, and this is now my favorite Stephen King book. This is King at the top of his game. It's the perfect length with all six parts, it ends well, and he doesn't rely on horror or too much salty language to tell a fantastic story.
I've always said King is the best when he stays under 400 pages or so and doesn't write about vampires or monsters. He dabbles in the supernatural here, but not for the sake of scaring the reader. He just really, really hit a home run with this thing.
I liked having six separate parts combined into one novel. Each new section felt fresh with a new plot element, and King helps reset the scene from where he left off before. The characters are all well developed and none of them are too outlandish or over-the-top. Even the antagonist. That was great.
I have a solid love/hate relationship with Mr. King, but I loved this one. Seriously, this is my favorite book I've read from him. Go read it if you haven't already. And watch the movie because it's a classic on its own.
And, thank you Stephen King for a beautiful first date with my local library. I hope our future encounters are this incredible.
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The Green Mile.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 25, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 25, 2015
– Shelved
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
June 12, 2016
–
Started Reading
June 12, 2016
– Shelved
June 17, 2016
–
80.95%
"This is definitely King at his best. Glad I randomly found it at the library and gave it a shot."
page
323
June 18, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 88 (88 new)
message 1:
by
Kandice
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Jun 18, 2016 05:10PM
My closest library is also that small!
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I haven't read this, but watched the film when it came out. It affected me so powerfully that to this day I have never re-watchedit just in case I ruin it! I prefer the memory of it-an absolute must watch. Don't know if I'd read the book, knowing the story as I do, as it might be too emotional a read for me. Great review of the book
Glad you liked it! Been waiting for your review! It's my favorite SK book as well. Completely different than the 'usual SK' books. Great review!
The first time I read The Green Mile, it was the serialized version. It was agonizing waiting for the next installment to see what was going to happen next! This is definitely one of my favorites of his, and one of the few times I have liked the film just as much as the book!
Great review. I'm involved with two libraries also. It's challenging isn't it?
This is the first 5 star review I've given to SK. I don't hand them out often, especially to him. :) But this book is that good. Can't wait to watch the movie again.
Wonderful review, Justin. I've seen the movie at least twice and am wondering if I should read the book. I completely agree with you with regards to SK - under 400 pages and no vampires and monsters. You said it perfectly.
I think my favorite is when King writes like this. Different Seasons is similar (IMHO).
Confession... I thought Different Seasons was a collection of short stories like Night Shift. I now see I was way off.
Novellas - similar to Four Past Midnight and Full Dark, No Stars. Different Seasons has The Body (Stand By Me) and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (which might be one of the reasons it reminds me of The Green Mile).
Ah ha! I was more right than wrong! Thanks for clearing that up for me.
You should check it out, it is one of the few of King's that I have given 5 stars to.
Couldn't agree more:-)
I have yet to read the book (in my TBR) but have watched the movie many times. Love it. But my comment is geared more to your polygamist library ways. See, I am a library polygamist too. I have no shame. Libraries are meant to be used, the more the merrier. My city library split with LA County, so I utilize my City AND County. Both are close and both offer wonderful things. Your relationship with your primary library will still be strong, do not fear. Your second library will also get attention, and be the more precious for it. You can have both. Trust me on this.
Haha! Thanks Denise! You've put my mind set ease.
Justin wrote: "Haha! Thanks Denise! You've put my mind set ease."Glad I could help!
So when the review started with "I cheated on my local library last week", I instantly knew this guy knows what it's all about
Ha! A rare five star review for me, but the awesomeness of the book is getting lost in the fact that I frequent two libraries now. ;)
You hound dog you! I would do the same thing though if I had another library close enough. Sometimes, I pass another one that looks tempting on the way to the gym... But I haven't managed to make it to the front door yet. Maybe I'll push through the guilt and just go for it next week. THE GRASS MUST BE GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE! Side note, I loved this movie and your review makes me want to read the book.
But we all know the real show stopper was the library fiasco!
Lol- let's hear it for promiscuous library involvements! Thanks for letting me know there is more King in my future. I've only braved The Stand and the Shining, and then I saw the movie and let's just Jack Nicholson ruined a classic hotel for me!
Chelsea, I see what you did there. The grass is indeed always greener. There's one particular mile that's very green. I read this thing over two months ago, and this whole library thing was cool until now. I was even using an old library from another state I'm the town I used to live in for Overdrive. I may or may not have memorized the card number.
Renata, this is one of those rare occasions when the book and the movie are both phenomenal. Five star book, five star movie.
Great and witty review, Justin! You sell The Green Mile almost as well as you do your small library, where is it? L.
Outside of Dallas. Deep in the heart of Texas.
Oh, too far... I'll have to look for my own small library. Hope you find other great books in yours. And keep posting your awesome reviews, Justin. L.
Justin wrote: "Outside of Dallas. Deep in the heart of Texas."OMG, I did the same thing in TX too. I lived in Southlake for 2 years, but I much preferred the Grapevine Library. It always had MORE. And a drive thru window!!! Only one I have ever seen. Heehee.
Nice! I'll have to check that out sometime!
I just read the Green Mile for the first time earlier this year! It was amazing. I got the series in the 6 small books on ebay and devoured them. And I appreciate the movie even more, because this is the only instance where I have compared a book to its resulting movie and had no complaints or disappointments about the movie. I leaked some actual tears reading this book, which is worth 5 stars for the writing alone.
loved the book and loved the movie too. Can anyone suggest what would be the best SK read I can go for after this?
On my reading list...and just finished stephen kings thinner
Great review. Entertaining but straight to the point and I'd very much have to agree. Well done sir!
Justin, I'm a librarian. You're not cheati g mate. In fact, I'm disappointed you are only frequenting 2 libraries
Bum ... can't find edit comment option. There is an 'n' missing in previous cooment. Also comment was penned with tongue firmly in cheek. XD
Haha! I love how the librarian in you wouldn't let you leave that typo there.
I really feel that this review should have started with, "Dear Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I never thought it would happen to me, but..."
James, that just made me laugh out loud. Nicely done sir!
Nice review mate! I love SK, but agree that some of his works are so masterful that makes a few of his novels mediocre in comparison
Justin wrote: "James, that just made me laugh out loud. Nicely done sir!"Always appreciate an appreciative audience.
agree 100 percent, defs my favorite King book too, just finished the audiobook today at work and honestly can't describe how beautiful the story is in words.
Johnny, sorry for letting you down, but I appreciate you taking the time to read my reviews lately. I’m not sure my reviews are what you are looking for, but there are thousands of great people out there you can follow/friend that could meet your expectation.
Maybe you should specify, "This one's for....Johnny" (in the style of "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun" by Julie Brown). Or not. ;)
And yet... here you are... making a worthwhile use of your precious time.
Justin, I must say that for middle-aged, you are very well preserved. And I like your reviews; they are funny and tell about the book and that is that. That said I am not sure why Johnny is actually here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ since he doesn't want/need friends or social interaction and clearly does not want humor or bantering in the reviews he is choosing to read or not read.
Johnny, I have met some of the most amazing, book-minded people here and that includes Justin. I have made friends on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ that have become like family to me in real life. I do not think it is like Facebook and just because someone interjects humor or a "pointless description of library adventure" into his review does not make pointless, except to you. It is not your review, it is his. It is not your opinion, it is his. And if it offends your delicate sensibilities and bothers you so much, you are free to move on. Which you clearly do not want to do until you have the last word, which is EXACTLY what you are railing against and absolutely deserves the response that Justin gave you. Because, that is truly the best way to deal with trolls who are just here for a fight and not really here for the books.
Thanks, Dawn Michelle... but middle aged???? 😃
