Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Steven King

New thing today, read Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. A coworker gave me his Different Seasons by Stephen King. It's a collection of four novellas/short stories, first being "Hope Springs Eternal", this story.

This was the FIRST Stephen King story I've ever read, another first :) It was surprisingly touching and very very close to the movie. Of course, I've seen the movie and absolutely loved it. So reading the book was very close to re-watching the movie in my mind. Many of the details are the same, as well as the narrative. There are some scenes and depictions with a little more dramatic movie license, but overall the story translated well both in book and in movie. I might even say, this is the first time I've seen a book and movie be so close in spirit and story.

In the book, the narrator is a red haired white guy, whereas Morgan Freeman is "Red" in the movie. Also, the story of Brooks is told more dramatically and heartbreakingly in the movie, whereas in the book Brooks is a very minor and offhandedly mentioned character. The themes are the same though.

If I had never watched the movie, I would be bored to tears by the story and possibly never read or finish it. Books usually have to grab me hard in the beginning, making the introduction very essential. It would have to be poignant, interesting, suspenseful or exciting. As I've heard a few people say, Stephen King's stories are a slow start. This one was especially true. It just starts off kind of dull and without really a point, but with a lot of description and narrative. Because I loved the movie, the story was easier to read through, and took me back to the movie and unfolding of the story. It unfolds as the movie does.

I was impressed :) Best part is, my favorite quotes and lines from the movie are from the book. The director/screenwriter kept those, pretty much exactly the same. The ones below are probably my favorite. They unfold in the story very well :)

"We're glad he's gone, but a little sad, too. Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure."

"Dear Red,

If you're reading this, then you're out. One way or another, you're out. And if you've followed along this far, you might be willing to come a little further. I think you remember the name of the town, don't you? I could use a good man to help me get my project on wheels.

Meantime, have a drink on me - and do think it over. I will be keepnig an eye out for you. Remember that hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. I will be hoping that this letter finds you, and find you well.

Your friend, 

Peter Stevens"

I think King has a lot of quote gems in this story. I think if I re-read this book 2 years from now I would find something else that touched me. He just seems to have a way about storytelling. You can just tell there's so much brimming, so much going on that he wants to tell, and he manages to artfully put it all together into words, images and weaving them beautifully together into stories.

Next in the book is Apt Pupil, subtitled, "Summer of Corruption". We want to watch the movie so maybe I'll wait to read it, who knows? There's also Stand By Me or The Body "Fall from Innocence" and finally The Breathing Method "A Winter's Tale". Very clever book, Different Seasons :) I have a new respect for Stephen King and will need to check out some of his other stories and books.

This was a very nice read :) Great new discovery and new thing of the day :)