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Any summary of the novel “The Green Mile” by Stephen King has to include a bit when it comes to the widely known and esteemed horror novelist, himself. He published this novel in 1996 as a serial novel, and the original edition actually came out in six small, paperbacks, which were later made into one novel. King is most well known for his horror novels, so as this summary of the novel “The Green Mile” shows, this book, set in the 1930s, is a departure from a lot of of his other works. Plot The summary of the novel “The Green Mile” includes the plot and setting. The story takes place in 1932 on the E Block (Death Row) in Cold Mountain Penitentiary in Georgia. It is narrated by the main character, Paul, who is the captain of the prison guards who preside over E Block. “The Green Mile” of the title is the corridor amongst the cells of the cell block that leads to the execution room. The corridor is covered in green linoleum, hence, the “last” or green mile the inmates take to their death. The story follows John Coffey, a large, black inmate convicted of raping and murdering two young white girls, and the other two inmates on death row, along with the guards who watch over them. Coffey is special, as Paul discovers, and he has magical healing abilities that become apparent. He befriends a little white mouse, who he names Mr. Jingles, and heals the mouse when the brutal guard Percy Wetmore tried to kill it. He likewise heals Paul’s kidney infection, and later, Paul spirits him out of the prison to heal the warden’s wife’s brain tumor. Coffey “transfers” this brain disease to Wetmore, the sadistic guard who the inmates and staff dislike. Wetmore never recovers and spends the rest of his life in a mental institution. Eventually, Paul discovers that Coffey is special in galore areas. It turns out he did not murder the two girls, another inmate (William Wharton) did. Coffey does not want to be pardoned, and dies in the electric chair because he can not bear the cruelties of real life. After his death, Paul discovers that each of the people Coffey has healed live extraordinarily long lives. Paul is 108 at the end of the book, and Mr. Jingles is 64. They have no idea how long they will live, and the novel ends. Characters A summary of the novel “The Green Mile” includes the characters in the novel. Paul Edgecombe – Paul is the main reputation of the novel. A prison guard, by the end of the story he is an old man narrating this share of his life to a friend who is writing his memoir. John Coffey – A closely 7-foot-tall black man, a convicted murderer awaiting his death sentence on death row in the prison. He befriends a white mouse and heals persons of their diseases. Percy Wetmore – A sadistic prison guard who every one dislikes. He torments the prisoners, tries to kill Mr. Jingles, the mouse, and measuredly botches an execution where the inmate suffers terribly. He keeps his occupation because he is affiliated to the governor. Eduard Delacroix – A Cajun man convicted of arson, he is fundamentally a coward. He is the man who dies a horrid death at the hands of Wetmore. William Wharton – Another convict, it turns out he is the one who actually consecrated the murder attributed to John Coffey. He is wild and frightening, and attempts to disrupt the prison as much as he may before he dies. Mr. Jingles – The white mouse that lives to be 64 and is befriended by John Coffey.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. 9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. The first six minutes of this half hour work contains some of the most intense symphonic writing that I have heard. The music surges forward with unyielding power until a more reflective central section is presented. The work concludes, almost unexpectedly, in dark fashion with a fierce orchestral tutti over a pounding timpani. “Stepan Razin” is scored for orchestra, chorus and bass soloist, bringing to mind the 13th symphony. Indeed, “Stepan Razin,” composed two years after the 13th, bares many similarities to that symphony, but there are also similarities to the 11th. For instance, Shostakovich conjures up the same desolate depressing atmosphere as he does at the opening of the 11th in “Stepan Razin.” Further, towards the end of “Stepan Razin” I half expected the bass clarinet from the finale of the 11th symphony to begin its frenzied solo after a series of powerful bass accents are heard. There are also similarities to some of Shostakovich’s film scores. For me, Shostakovich’s music to “Hamlet” often comes to mind here. The piece itself concerns a 17th century Cossack, Stepan Razin, who revolted against the Czar. Stepan Razin was captured and executed, but “became a posthumous folk-hero, a symbol of the downtrodden and disenfranchised individual standing up to entrenched, brutal power.” It seems possible that Shostakovich intended for piece to be interpreted more broadly, and perhaps the piece itself was a protest against the oppressive Soviet regime. The tone poem “October” was premiered in 1967 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the October Revolution. Of Shostakovich’s well-known works, it is probably closest in style to the 12th symphony. A lot of people are tough on the twelfth, maybe because they are looking for some deep meaning in it all. Similarly, many may feel indifferent towards “October” for its lack of profundity. Despite this, I think “October” is an exciting orchestral work. There are two main ideas in the composition, a menacing theme in ¾ meter, which opens the piece, and a “Partisan Song,” first heard in the clarinets, in common time. Towards the end of the piece the two themes vie for control. Shostakovich is reluctant to let the menacing theme go, but eventually does and the piece ends in a triumphant flourish. I have a feeling that this piece would be a welcome addition to any concert program, as it’s a real crowd pleaser, except that it was written in celebration of the Communist revolution. Too bad, I guess. There’s not much say about the five fragments dating from 1935, except they were considered “practice runs” for the fourth symphony and they last about between one and two minutes on average. To call these pieces random sketches, might be giving them too much credit. But I suppose it is good to have them on CD in case anyone is curious. In summary, “October” is an exhilarating orchestral work and “Stepan Razin” is one of Shostakovich’s masterpieces and is required in any decent Shostakovich collection. This is true, especially considering the strong performance by Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony. Highly recommended. 52:22 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The 13-minute October was created during the 50th Anniversary of the 1917 October Revolution. Whether the composer was against communism or not, this piece really compels. I’m especially amazed at the sheer craft of the orchestration (even if it may not be very original). The brass and percussion are the true stars here. The loud glorious ending may be a bit unusual due to the nature of the rest of the piece, otherwise this piece is one that pleases. Even though it sounds decent enough, the Five Fragments for Orchestra are just “rough drafts” of later more mature works, so I have no interest with this one. Gerard Schwarz makes a stunning achievement with the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Symphony Chorale. Everything is close to perfect: no musical mistakes, no overblowing, no smoothing of tension, no tedious moments whatsoever. The orchestra may not have that authentic Russian feel that The Russian State Symphony Orchestra conveys, but Seattle no doubt plays all three pieces with power and precision. Audio Quality from Naxos still amazes me. It’s almost puzzling how a low budget label is able to give us quality that’s equal to Telarc and Chandos. Grade: A- (only because of the Five Fragments) |
A Shostakovich Rarity
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