Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
The Green Mile is a 1996 serial novel by American writer Stephen King. It tells the story of death row supervisor Paul Edgecombe's encounter with John Coffey, an unusual inmate who displays inexplicable healing and empathetic abilities. The serial novel was originally released in six volumes before being republished as a single-volume work. The book is an example of magical realism. The Green Mile won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel in 1996. In 1997, The Green Mile was nominated as Best Novel for the British Fantasy Award and the Locus Award. In 2003 the book was listed on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's "best-loved novel".
Night Journey: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This emotionally intense novel set on death row contains graphic executions (including a botched burning), violence against children, racial injustice, and heavy themes of mortality. The supernatural elements provide hope but don't diminish the dark subject matter.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include child harm, torture, murder, death, and death of child (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers will be gripped by this profound exploration of good and evil through the eyes of a death row supervisor who meets an inmate with miraculous powers.