Shawshank Redemption

Author: Stephen King

ISBN: 978-0751514629

Incredible

Reviewed by Kevin Hayes ( khayes2009 )

I am a major Stephen King fan. I bought this book for £3 in a clearance and lucky I did. I was bestowed upon me my current favourite book, actually more like 4.Different Seasons, to give the book it's proper title, is a collection of 4 novellas set in a different season of the year. The opener, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (Hope Springs Eternal) tells the well cinemised tale of Andy Dufrense, imprisoned for the murder of his wife 'and the guy she was banging'. The book sheds new light to the film, and makes it a more enjoyable watch.

The second novella, Apt Pupil (Summer of Corruption) tells us the story of Todd Bowden a young boy drawn in when he discovers a Nazi war criminal in his neighbourhood. Although the story sounds farfetched, this was my favourite novella in Different Seasons, a psychological thriller that will terrify you.

The third novella, The Body (Fall From Innoncence) I felt dragged. It is about four boys who discover find out about life and death in their own epic journey. It is a good story, but not close to the previous two.

Finally we have The Breathing Method (A Winter's Tale), a gruesome story about a club and the tales told there. This I felt was the most graphic novel in the collection, but once you see through the obvious you find a strange sense of the supernatural surrounding the club.

Stephen King said he didn't want these to be horror genred, except The Breathing Method, which he was requested to include. However, his sense of finding horror in anything chills your soul. A must have for everyone.

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