Book Review: The Green Mile

Lovely readers,


I decided to take a little break from The Dark Tower (I haven't gotten my hands on the rest of it yet), and start reading some other books that have been on my list. I recently finished The Green Mile (Stephen King, 1996, Crime/Dark Fiction) and just had to write a review of it. Most people are familiar with the story of the The Green Mile, as it was made into a very popular movie starring Tom Hanks (1999). I personally loved this movie and was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy it held with the book. Anyway, I'll include my pros and cons below. Enjoy!

Pros:

• As always with Stephen King, this novel contains an amazing story that really touches you. There was a lot of emotion brought up for me reading this book, and I think King wanted it that way. 
• Obviously I've have to include the fact that The Green Mile and the movie it was based on are perfectly similar. The movie honestly captured just as much awe and emotion as the book did. I was not disappointed in the least. 
• Luckily I don't have to worry about giving anything away (most people have seen or heard about this novel), my biggest pro besides the storyline was the way that Percy went out. There was no better punishment but insanity fit for a man like that, in my opinion. I count what happened to him a triumph. 

Cons:

• This book isn't suitable for young readers. King has a tendency to be a bit more descriptive than some may necessarily want. There are examples of that in this book, for sure. 
• There is a bitter taste at the end of this novel. John Coffey is not acquitted or anything like that. He is, as planned, handed over to the electric chair. This book does a good job of reminding you that good doesn't always triumph over evil, and that sometimes you don't have control. It's not really a con, but to some people it may not sit well. 
• In my personal opinion, I thought the ending to the book was a bit anticlimactic. Maybe that was just me, but I felt myself reaching for more. 

Well, I definitely enjoyed this novel. I probably enjoyed it more than I ever did the movie (no matter how much I love Tom Hanks). I would highly recommend reading it even if you have seen the movie. It will give you greater detail and emotion than watching it on a screen ever could. 

Keep reading! 

Katie 

Book Review: Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower V)

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! **

It's been a little while since I last posted a review, simply because I haven't been able to get my hands on the last two books in The Dark Tower series (Songs of Susannah and The Dark Tower). But I did finish reading the fifth installment, Wolves of the Calla (2003, Western/Fantasy/Science Fiction). I must say that Stephen King has outdone himself with this book. I'll go ahead and tell you that my overall impression of the book was very positive. It may be my favorite one yet. However, for those of you who haven't yet dove into this 714-page monster, I'll place my pros and cons list below. 

Pros: 

• The sheer amount of creativity that went into this book is amazing. King paints a perfect picture of this time, of this place. As Roland and his ka-tet travel along the path to the Dark Tower, they stumble upon people from a different era... I won't go into too much detail, despite my spoiler alert above. I do enjoy letting the reader experience everything. But I will say, you will get lost in the storyline of this book. It sucks you in. 
• Those of you who haven't read Salem's Lot (Stephen King, 1975) or The Stand (1995) will not be able to fully appreciate this pro, but it may inspire you to dig a bit deeper. King brings so many of his other books in on The Dark Tower. Little whispers here and there throughout the series, but Wolves of the Calla was by far the biggest. Actively throughout the book you hear stories from Father Callahan, (the zombie slaying, former priest, former alcoholic) wise man of this particular Calla. He was the center of Salem's Lot. King has a way of weaving each story into another, and creating holes in the universes that makes up his tales to allow other in. It's truly remarkable.
• Honestly this book has some of the most badass fight scenes. Susannah and the women of the Calla happen to hold the record. I won't say much... but the Wolves aren't good, and they get what they deserve. 

Cons: 

• Again, this book was long. The only qualm I have with the length is that it took me forever to finish it. Short con. 
• I was a bit disappointed at how much the group veered off the path of the Beam in this book. The last installment, Wizard and Glass, did this a lot as well. However I can't complain too much, there were very valuable things in the Calla Bryn Sturgis. Father Callahan is now a member of the ka-tet. But for those of you enjoy a clear storyline, a dependable storyline, well... maybe even reading Stephen King isn't right for you. That man makes a living out of taking readers off their guards. 
• This will be the last time I mention this con in my reviews for this series: **This series is not for young adults/teenagers. It contains some graphic detail and can be quite disturbing. Be careful pursuing this series if you have a weak stomach.**

Overall I'm hungry to finish this series. There are, after all, only two books left. Stephen King has been and will always be one of my favorite writers. He just has a magic on the page, a sure way into your hearts and into your heads. If this book doesn't prove that to you, you're out of luck. 

As always, continue reading, 

Katie