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Mitchell Sanford

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Different Seasons

by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)

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Mitchell Sanford said: " Prison. Everyone thinks they know but unless you have been institutionalized, you have no idea. The Shawshank Redemption, by Stephen King, is set in a Maine prison and is told by Red, a lifer at Shawshank. Red begins by telling the reader about how h Prison. Everyone thinks they know but unless you have been institutionalized, you have no idea. The Shawshank Redemption, by Stephen King, is set in a Maine prison and is told by Red, a lifer at Shawshank. Red begins by telling the reader about how he ended up in the Shank, but then makes it very clear the focus will be on Andy Dufresne, another lifer in the Shank. Andy's story begins in the late 40's with him being convicted of killing his cheating wife and her lover. On the outside he was an up and coming banker in new England, but once he walks through the gates he is the same as every prisoner, bait. Shortly after arriving in the Shank, he catches the attention of the Sisters, a group of prison rapists. Red describes in graphic detail how the Sisters, "break Andy in". Andy battles the Sisters, until one Spring day where everything changes. Red and Andy are re-tarring a roof when Andy overhears a guard complaining about how he will have to pay taxes on an inheritance. Andy speaks up and tells the guard on how he can receive the money tax free. From that moment on, Andy is untouchable. When the word spreads that he is a money wiz, all the guards ask him to do their taxes. In return Andy receives protection from the other prisoners. He even helps the warden move shady money he receives from prison contract kickbacks. Andy benefits the most from the wardens special treatment because he receives a solo cell and is put in charge of the prison library. Red describes Andy as the warden's mascot because he is a model prisoner. I do not want to spoil the end because it is amazing.
In most books it is remarkable to see how much a character changes. However, in The Shawshank Redemption it is amazing to see how little Andy changes. In prison, many people are affected by living in a small cell, eating bad food and the overall depressing atmosphere of prison. Andy on the other hand maintains a cool, positive attitude. He also manages to keep hope which is a rather rare occurrence. Even though Andy does not change he improves other prisoners mood with his positive attitude and beautiful stone sculptures. One thing that changes about Andy is his compassion. When he is the head of the library, and spends countless hours helping prisoners pass their high school equivalency tests, so maybe they could have a better go the second time around. Andy does not change throughout the book, the prison changes around Andy.
I would recommend this book highly. It is told from a second person viewpoint which is interesting, because it is a rare viewpoint for a novel. It is a rather fitting viewpoint because it takes place in prison, where news travels through the grapevine. I would recommend this book to action fans, crime fans and anyone interested in reading a heartwarming story. I would not recommend this book to children, due graphic scenes between Andy and the sisters, and the slight vulgar language. The Shawshank Redemption is one of the greatest books I have read in a long time. ...more "

Dec 01, 2014 06:40PM · see review