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The Green Mile, Part 1: The Two Dead Girls (The Green Mile #1)
by
Stephen King
The Green Mile tells the story of two men, a prison guard and his new death row inmate, and their suddenly intertwined lives. What would it be like to walk those last 40 yards to the electric chair, knowing you were going to die there? What would it be like to be the man who had to strap the condemned man in or pull the switch? What would such a job take out of you, or eve...more
Paperback, First, 92 pages
Published
March 1st 1996
by Signet
(first published 1996)
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It was 1996 when I came across this, a happy accident, at my local 7-11, near the bat tree.
It is 1932 when we first meet Paul Edgecombe, head screw, and our narrator and walk The Green Mile at Cold Mountain, where men are sent to pay their final due to Old Sparky, the electric chair.
It is the year that John Coffey came to Cold Mountain, convicted of brutally raping and killing two, near nine year old twin girls, an enormous man, a mountain in his own right, with wet, dark eyes and a humble, g...more
It is 1932 when we first meet Paul Edgecombe, head screw, and our narrator and walk The Green Mile at Cold Mountain, where men are sent to pay their final due to Old Sparky, the electric chair.
It is the year that John Coffey came to Cold Mountain, convicted of brutally raping and killing two, near nine year old twin girls, an enormous man, a mountain in his own right, with wet, dark eyes and a humble, g...more
10 likes · like · see review
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Just a random thought: I bought and read this first book in the feuilleton (according to the note in the front cover) before the English edition was published.
First time I read a book in feuilleton form. I liked it, although stop reading in the middle of a story is very unpleasant... I wanted to know how things would go on, with Coffey, but also with the guards.
There's not much happening here in this first book, just a lot of explaining, getting to know the characters. What struck me was, that...more
First time I read a book in feuilleton form. I liked it, although stop reading in the middle of a story is very unpleasant... I wanted to know how things would go on, with Coffey, but also with the guards.
There's not much happening here in this first book, just a lot of explaining, getting to know the characters. What struck me was, that...more
I thought that this book was an okay book. I liked it but I found it hard to follow. It told about how this larger black man went to jail for killing these two girls but in the end he is a really humble guy. He was later killed in jail by the electric chair known as "sparky". I would recommend this book to high school students because there were often parts I didn't understand and found confusing.
1 like · like · see review
J’adore le film du même nom, notamment parce que je suis totalement fan de Tom Hanks, mais aussi parce que c’est une histoire vraiment sublime. J’étais donc très heureuse de pouvoir découvrir le roman à l’origine de ce film et il a amplement dépassé mes espérances. J’en profite pour remercier ma Doodie de ma l’avoir prêté ! J’ai décidé de faire un article pour chaque épisode, ainsi je donnerai mon opinion à chaque fois, même si chaque épisode est très court.
Ce roman est construit d’une façon ass...more
Ce roman est construit d’une façon ass...more
I love this story, but I have never sat down to actually read it through before now. I am actually pretty surprised at how faithful the movie adaptation is to the story so far. I recall quite a bit of narration in the movie, but I know they do not go to the depths the books do. There is a bit more nebulous an idea of a solid timeline in the books than in the movie, which I think is probably more true to the idea of the story, since Paul is telling us the story from the standpoint of an older man...more
Oh good memories. Back in the days my dad gave me such a great gift. He gave me this book, part 1 and told me that from now on, I could go to the bookstore in town each month, to get the next part of the series.
So every month I ran to the bookstore and immediately delved in. Never thinking it might be better to wait till I had all of them, before reading. couldn't, even if I wanted to.
So unlike most people, I did not read the whole book in one, but i read it in 6 sessions.
I am sure I re-read the...more
So every month I ran to the bookstore and immediately delved in. Never thinking it might be better to wait till I had all of them, before reading. couldn't, even if I wanted to.
So unlike most people, I did not read the whole book in one, but i read it in 6 sessions.
I am sure I re-read the...more
May 13, 2013
Jess
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-and-mystery,
short-stories-and-novellas
Another notch on the Stephen King belt! I'm reading "The Green Mile" in its original serialized form, but I hope to finish it all by the end of this month (my father's fiancee's daughter gave them all to me after doing some cleaning). Alas, this isn't much of a review, since it is like reading a chapter from a novel. But "The Two Dead Girls" certainly got me hooked into the story of John Coffey and the horrible thing he did, which was King's intention when he started writing a serialized story....more
The main characters – including the mouse – are introduced and developed. We learn from Paul’s narrative that Eduard Delacroix is going to die badly. But we don’t know how. The story will move forward in the second volume, The Mouse on the Mile.
At the end of each book, King poses a question to his readers. Readers are invited to submit 50 word essays answering the questions. The best essay will win an autographed copy of The Green Mile Manuscript. The question at the end of Two Dead Girls is, “W...more
At the end of each book, King poses a question to his readers. Readers are invited to submit 50 word essays answering the questions. The best essay will win an autographed copy of The Green Mile Manuscript. The question at the end of Two Dead Girls is, “W...more
Jan 29, 2013
Elizabeth
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
african-american,
african-american-major-character,
american,
animal-cruelty,
child-abuse,
child-sexual-abuse,
death-penalty,
domestic-abuse,
fantasy,
homophobia,
mental-illness,
misogyny,
native-american,
native-american-minor-character,
psychic,
race,
racism,
rape,
religious,
segregation,
setting-1930s,
sexual-assault,
torture
Liked it. Just such a good read. It revolves around a central theme of the nature of evil. Does evil originate in individuals or systems? The main character Paul Edgecombe, the death row supervisor, goes from a firm conviction in the former to gradually swinging to the latter. He recognises the death penalty is applied in a way that shows up society's racism, that the state disproportionately executes it's non-white citizens, usually black. However, like most supporters of the death penalty, he...more
Not a whole lot happens in this section except for exposition: you learn of John Coffey’s crime, brutally murdering and raping two young sisters, and you get to know the narrator (Paul) and some of his coworkers. One thing I noticed was that Coffey’s guilt is just assumed without much in the way of evidence. This big black man is found holding the two corpses and sobbing away, and everybody figures he must have been the one who killed them. “I couldn’t help it” could have multiple meanings, espe...more
I read the "Two Dead Girls" by Stephen King. Tis book is the first out of eight in the green mile series. This book was about the life of an execution prison worker. Throughout the story, the main character, Paul talks about his experiences and leads up to his final execution of Coffey (a 6'10'' African American). Overall I thought this book was fun and interesting to read, because it had many different types of humor, and had life in prison from the prisoners and the workers view. I would recom...more
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I really liked this book. Stephen King is really good about keeping a sotry interesting and not boring at all. So far i really like this the story and Ive finsihed the fisrt one and now on to the second one. In the fist book it takes place in the 1930's and mainly talks about Paul Edgecomb, and how he is the supervisor/guard at cold moutain prison. He does the E block which is where inmates stay when they are going to be excuted. He meets one imate named John Coffey. He killed and raped two girl...more
My Father has owned the whole Green Mile Series for quite a while now, and since I liked Stephen King's works up until now, I decided to give the series a look. It was surprisingly good. The book lacks the Stephen King horror style,It is difficult to assign a genre to this book. It has elements of science fiction, fiction, and horror, but i guess the best way to describe it is Thriller. These books are near impossibe to put down and are relative quick reads. Stephen King shows his masterful abil...more
I have read many King books and this series was one of my favourite. The story was great, and the characters wonderful. Most of all I loved the anticipation of waiting for the next part to come out. Now that was so much fun but at the same time agonizing waiting to read what happened next :) No regrets though, I am happy I read this before the single book was published. I also watched the movie and it was very true to form and I was not disappointed as I usually am when I watch a movie after I h...more
Sep 30, 2009
Lauren
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Stephen King readers, people who enjoy slightly horrific tales
Recommended to Lauren by:
We watched the movie in Current Events
Shelves:
thriller-horror-mystery,
series
When I first came upon The Green Mile, it was in the form of something book fans dread most: the movie. Though it was relevant (we were studying the death penalty) and I had to watch it anyway, I actually really enjoyed the movie. Now that I've picked up the book, I'm hoping my mind will let me forget all the details of the movie so I can read them! ;D
This is the first book, focusing on the arrival of John Coffey, a man accused of raping and killing nine year old twin girls. Upon meeting him,...more
This is the first book, focusing on the arrival of John Coffey, a man accused of raping and killing nine year old twin girls. Upon meeting him,...more
How can Stephen King produce such lovely writing about such horrible, brutal events? The man is a genius. His writing is economical yet lyrical. Anyone can read what he's written and see the beauty and the tragedy that is life. I have no idea how he does this.
This installment of his six part serial is full of foreshadowing and flashback, leaving the reader wanting more on every page.
I received the first three books from the FreeCycle windfall. Before finishing the first book, I started working o...more
This installment of his six part serial is full of foreshadowing and flashback, leaving the reader wanting more on every page.
I received the first three books from the FreeCycle windfall. Before finishing the first book, I started working o...more
Hook: How would you feel when it is your turn to walk the green mile to your death.
Review:Two innocence little girls brutally murdered, nobody knows why they were murdered. John Coffey the murder didn’t even understand why he killed them. In his time in prison he learns new insight about his life and the one who will walk him down the green mile. Walking the green mile is when your time in life is up. Sparky awaits you.
Reconmedation: I would highly recommend this book to readers who are interest...more
Review:Two innocence little girls brutally murdered, nobody knows why they were murdered. John Coffey the murder didn’t even understand why he killed them. In his time in prison he learns new insight about his life and the one who will walk him down the green mile. Walking the green mile is when your time in life is up. Sparky awaits you.
Reconmedation: I would highly recommend this book to readers who are interest...more
It's been a while since I have been able to just sit down and read books for fun- my husband and I just moved into our first house and I have been taking a full course load in accounting and working full time. So I decided to read something light. And since my grandfather, before he passed away, kept insisting the Green Mile was the best Stephen King he had ever read, I decided it was time to pick it up. And so far, I am intrigued. I think it will turn out to be a good story.
Brilliant! King does it again and this time he got to torture his readers in the process. Publishing The Green Mile as a serial series was a stroke of sheer evil genius; 100 pages at a time. Waiting six weeks for the next installment was exciting and excruciating.
A wonderful divergence from King's typical horror stuff. Suspenseful, unflinchingly human, and heart wrenching. I loved it!
My favorite King book(s) to date.
A wonderful divergence from King's typical horror stuff. Suspenseful, unflinchingly human, and heart wrenching. I loved it!
My favorite King book(s) to date.
I love the idea of a serialized story told in a set of six "chapbooks" - this really hearkens back to an earlier era. Stephen King has written a very engaging start to this story. He introduces some expertly-drawn characters (John Coffey, Percy Wetmore, and Paul Edgecombe in particular) and sets the scene very skillfully for the next installments. This is a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to part two!
I know Stephen King can write; I really like his short stories. This book, however, was just boring. I couldn't wait to finish it and have no intention of slogging through the rest of the story. I didn't connect with the characters, nor the plot. I'm surprised that it was made into a movie (that I have no intention of seeing). Perhaps it was Stephen King's name that moved it from book to movie. Who knows?
Brilliant!!! I really liked the story. Stephen King is really good in keeping an interesting story. Actually, I finished reading the first part in just 3 and a half hour. I was so upset because I purchased only the first part so it seems that I was hang in the air thinking if what was the next thing to happen or when I was going to put down then. But so far so good, I really liked the story. It's back in the days.
The literary snob in me has never thought much of Stephen King, but I have to admit that he's a master storyteller. His characterisations in particular are amazing; I felt like these people were living, breathing souls, especially John Coffey. I read this first part of The Green Mile in half a day and am looking forward to journeying further.
This part of The Green Mile was wonderful. I loved every page and can't wait to read the next one!
So far the book is right on the money with the movie that I have seen. However, the book has alot more insight on the characters and who they truely were. Although the movie did an amazing job or portraying the characters emotions and was darn near perfectly on mark with the book.
I love this little section of The Green Mile and hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
So far the book is right on the money with the movie that I have seen. However, the book has alot more insight on the characters and who they truely were. Although the movie did an amazing job or portraying the characters emotions and was darn near perfectly on mark with the book.
I love this little section of The Green Mile and hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
I did read this as a series, and out of all of Kings books this was the one I enjoyed the most. Presentation in serial form, the story, the characters, and the message were all wonderful! I really think that this is a little overlooked masterpiece.
When the film finally came out it too, was a fine gem of a film, casting was genius!
When the film finally came out it too, was a fine gem of a film, casting was genius!
I love this story and it took me less than a hour to read. This is in the original dime store novel format that King had intended it to be released as so in essence it took 6 months of torturous tenterhooks it took me to read the book "The Green Mile". Would I do it again - HELL YES! I couldnt imagine reading it any other way
Well, I am intrigued. This is just the beginning of the tale, and there are all kinds of little bits and pieces that make no sense. I'm trying to sit back and think a little about what's been said, before I go on. I already have this "tension", this sense of dread for what will happen.
I don't know why, but some of Stephen King's books I have read, including the Green Mile Series is not on here. I will gladly read the books again. I loved the books, and the movie was exactly like the books. This is not horror. But a well written story, by one of my favorite authors!
This was one of the first books I ever bought myself, at age 12. As I was already a King fan I loved the idea of these 'little' books. So much so that I pounced on the consequent ones every month.
Great, easy reading and I still own those same books now, 15yrs later.
Great, easy reading and I still own those same books now, 15yrs later.
Apr 28, 2010
J. Robert Ewbank
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
a-good-read,
horror
I am not happy about having this book put out in six small books, but they are Stephen King and they are good.
The first one is about the killing of two girls and the man blamed for their deaths.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
The first one is about the killing of two girls and the man blamed for their deaths.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his parents separated when Stephen was a toddler, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family...more
More about Stephen King...
Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his parents separated when Stephen was a toddler, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family...more
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“I couldn't help it, boss, he said. I tried to take it back but it was too late.”
—
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