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The Green Mile #4
The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix
Time has run out for one of the inmates at Cold Mountain penitentiary. Eduard Delacroix is set to take that final walk down the Green Mile. But first he must say good-bye--to the guards, to his fellow inmates, and to a strange creature that forever changed his life. Little does he know of the terrible fate that awaits him, and of a devilish plan of revenge.
Nothing you have ever read can prepare you for Stephen King's boldest exercise in terror, a multi-part serial novel that begins on Death Row and burrows inward to the most horrific secrets of the heart. Put yourself in Stephen King's hands, and feel the grip get tighter and tighter. --back cover
Nothing you have ever read can prepare you for Stephen King's boldest exercise in terror, a multi-part serial novel that begins on Death Row and burrows inward to the most horrific secrets of the heart. Put yourself in Stephen King's hands, and feel the grip get tighter and tighter. --back cover
90 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 27, 1996
About the author
Stephen King
2,530 books857k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
May 27, 2020
What a page turning installment. The death of Del is terrible, Percy a real devil. The characters are extremely well drawn and the story evolves like a movie. I think this is the best execution scene on Old Sparky I ever read. The comparison of the nursery home with the routine in a prison is shocking. What is Paul up to do to help Hal's wife? The series got me hooked. So I will get into the next volume. Absolutely recommended!
October 20, 2021
The Green Mile was the first King story that I'd attempted to tackle as I wanted to start reading more 'grownup' books, the unique publication history of the serialized nature being a throwback to Dickens era was a tempting way for 13 year old me to try and read something more mature in short bursts.
Each month whilst still buying the latest Goosebumps (more out of loyalty at this point), I'd take a trip to the Cold Mountain Penitentiary and the events surrounding the condemned killers on death row.
King has always been strong on character and both Paul Edgecombe the stories narrator and death row supervisor alongside the massive figure of convinced John Coffey are the heartbeat of the novel.
King needed to work extra hard to establish a connection for his constant readers in hope they'd stick with them each month.
So much of the stories themes were clearly ill suited for this impressionable young reader first time around.
Whilst most of the novel focuses on the magical realism, there's plenty of horrific moments that you'd expect from King.
Firstly John's conviction of raping and murdering two young girls is brutal, it's the gruesome fate that awaits Eduarad Delacroix that's almost as shocking too.
The events of this novel certainly had more of an emotional impact this time around, especially during the sixth and final part.
It's a powerful gut punch of an ending for characters you've grown to love.
This is the highest rated King novel on Goodreads and it's completely justified and will now be my recommendation for anyone who wants to read King for the first time.
Each month whilst still buying the latest Goosebumps (more out of loyalty at this point), I'd take a trip to the Cold Mountain Penitentiary and the events surrounding the condemned killers on death row.
King has always been strong on character and both Paul Edgecombe the stories narrator and death row supervisor alongside the massive figure of convinced John Coffey are the heartbeat of the novel.
King needed to work extra hard to establish a connection for his constant readers in hope they'd stick with them each month.
So much of the stories themes were clearly ill suited for this impressionable young reader first time around.
Whilst most of the novel focuses on the magical realism, there's plenty of horrific moments that you'd expect from King.
Firstly John's conviction of raping and murdering two young girls is brutal, it's the gruesome fate that awaits Eduarad Delacroix that's almost as shocking too.
The events of this novel certainly had more of an emotional impact this time around, especially during the sixth and final part.
It's a powerful gut punch of an ending for characters you've grown to love.
This is the highest rated King novel on Goodreads and it's completely justified and will now be my recommendation for anyone who wants to read King for the first time.
February 10, 2017
And finally we get to the fantasy and horror section of these collected novellas, and what a satisfying inclusion, with resurrection and a really, really grizzly death.
It was almost like a comedy of errors with all the things that went wrong, and I guess I'm just a sick and twisted individual to be like some of those watchers in the rows, crowing to their friends how they got to see him burst into flame and all that. I mean, what's the use of having friends if you can't live it up a little and make your buddies jealous and all.
Sickos. ;)
And we're still not done, but we've got some pretty good payoff already. I can't wait to see what else happens. :)
It was almost like a comedy of errors with all the things that went wrong, and I guess I'm just a sick and twisted individual to be like some of those watchers in the rows, crowing to their friends how they got to see him burst into flame and all that. I mean, what's the use of having friends if you can't live it up a little and make your buddies jealous and all.
Sickos. ;)
And we're still not done, but we've got some pretty good payoff already. I can't wait to see what else happens. :)
December 16, 2019
okayyy sooo i read The Green Mile fifty years ago or however long ago it was. i don't own it tho *will get it when i find it on sale*. i found Part 4 today, which was hella cheap, and i decided to buy it. why? the fuck should i know.
I didn't know they sold it in 6 parts but apparently that's how it was released. Part 4: The Bad Death Of Eduard Delacroix is about Eduard's electrocution. it was entertaining. do i sound like a psychopath? probably
I didn't know they sold it in 6 parts but apparently that's how it was released. Part 4: The Bad Death Of Eduard Delacroix is about Eduard's electrocution. it was entertaining. do i sound like a psychopath? probably
February 22, 2022
This part of the novel, especially the execution part is a huge detour from the mood of the rest of the entire novel, and more like the Stephen King everyone knows about. It is just as grizzly as it is terrifying, just as vivid as it is heartbreaking. However, it’s without his usual doze of monstrosity, and the realistic description is what makes it even more frightening.
No one deserves an end like that. Though in some way it brought a slightly less menacing and less villainous side out of Percy, but still. For a time, you are brought out from the story that you were expecting, into something that can get your nerves.
No one deserves an end like that. Though in some way it brought a slightly less menacing and less villainous side out of Percy, but still. For a time, you are brought out from the story that you were expecting, into something that can get your nerves.
April 10, 2020
Gruesome and sad book in the series. Very well written, but I think the toughest in the series of the green mile. Very graphic. I genuinely did like this book. I hope the next book will be better.
March 12, 2015
If you've seen the film, you'll know how 'bad' the execution of Delacroix is. But reading it? Woahhhhh way more graphic and horrifying. Amazingly written though and descriptively detailed.
December 7, 2023
The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix was the fourth of six installments of The Green Mile, King's serial novel which appeared in consecutive months in 1996. It was, of course, published in a single volume in 1997 and was adapted into one of the very best films based on his work; it returned to the best-seller lists in 1999 as a result, and is now known almost exclusively in its collected form, but I think it loses some of its magic. I picked up The Two Dead Girls, the first volume, soon after it hit the stands, and then made a point of popping into B. Dalton's monthly on release day of the next five months. The serial format, as King points out in his introduction, forces the reader to wait and ponder what might happen next, and spreading the reading experience over a half-year with all of that pondering and speculation really makes it a much more memorable experience. It's a really fascinating story, with some of his best characterization, from Coffey to Delacroix to Elaine and on and on, and never forget Mr. Jingles, the coolest mouse in literature since the iconic Algernon and Brown's Mitkey. It's not a "typical" King story but is definitely one of his best.
May 28, 2016
This is probably the toughest volume to read for many reasons.
1. Delacroix doesn't just die, King wasn't lying when he wrote the title of this volume
2. I hate Percy more than I thought was possible.
3. cliffhangers...
Why did I do this to myself? Why did I think waiting would be fun? 4.5/5
1. Delacroix doesn't just die, King wasn't lying when he wrote the title of this volume
2. I hate Percy more than I thought was possible.
3. cliffhangers...
Why did I do this to myself? Why did I think waiting would be fun? 4.5/5
February 1, 2016
Pche, kdybyste jen měli tušení, jak moc mě to baví. :3
July 25, 2016
And the plot thickens... 4.5 stars
July 15, 2020
Si la peli es cruda, aquí es mucho peor
October 20, 2019
20october2019
a fellow trainee lent me a copy of this series back in 2002.
then reread most probably in 2008, after 19september, when i was able to acquire the collected volume.
a fellow trainee lent me a copy of this series back in 2002.
then reread most probably in 2008, after 19september, when i was able to acquire the collected volume.
August 12, 2020
This story is so great! The way this part ended, I know the next one will be very interesting and intense... can't wait to continue!
September 13, 2022
Wow, these keep getting better as they go on. John Coffey evolves into a really gentle and sympathetic character while Percy only continues to show what a disgusting monster he really is. Sometimes the people running the jail are worse than those locked up behind the bars. This is where the paranormal elements fully kick off and some truly gruesome and horrifying things go down. On a lighter note, there's a scene where John works his magic and brings my favorite character back to life, so I gotta hand it to him for lifting my spirits after so many dark events.
November 8, 2014
John Coffey was standing at his cell door, tears streaming from his strange, distant eyes - it was like watching blood run out of some unhealable but strangely painless wound. -Chapter 6
The Bad Breath of Eduard Delacroix. That is what I keep calling this by mistake.
A beautifully & shockingly written tale.
The Bad Breath of Eduard Delacroix. That is what I keep calling this by mistake.
A beautifully & shockingly written tale.
August 11, 2018
I can't help but compare the segments to each other when I put a month between each...I've been reading them on the day of the new moon each month. The sky will be darker all night. This installment is one of the best. It's tense and graphically gruesome. Plus, the ending leaves you desperate for more story.
January 5, 2016
Que horror la muerte de Delacroix, aún siendo un asesino peor es el abuso de poder.
October 19, 2016
My favorite part thus far. Moving yet horrifying, all rolled into 60 short pages. I tore through this in one sitting.
On to part 5.
On to part 5.
January 23, 2022
Read when it was first published
January 18, 2023
Bring back so many moments from the movie.....
I decided to pick this one up directly without going through the first few installments from the series because even in the movie, I found the death of Eduard Delacroix most terrifying.
I love how words written on a few papers can conjure up so much power so as to make you love or hate characters as if they were real. This one does that effortlessly. I would recommend watching the movie first. Knowing what I knew before reading this book added more speed for me.
I decided to pick this one up directly without going through the first few installments from the series because even in the movie, I found the death of Eduard Delacroix most terrifying.
I love how words written on a few papers can conjure up so much power so as to make you love or hate characters as if they were real. This one does that effortlessly. I would recommend watching the movie first. Knowing what I knew before reading this book added more speed for me.
February 21, 2021
This instalment is the most horrible out of them all. I love how King writes his characters so well. With Eduard Delacroix you would think of the fact that he was a paedo and murderer and expect to despise him. In the end you find yourself liking him as a character and feel his pain so much during his execution. Then you have the guy who is supposed to have good character and be the good guy and he behaves like he should be in a cage himself. Percy acts like a psychopath with his actions and you find yourself despising him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2017
Compared to part 3, I might put this book more under as 3.8 or 3.9 stars as I feel it's just a little bit under the 4 stars of "Coffey's Hands". Despite that small tidbit in stars & ratings, I genuinely did like this book. Yet again, the series continues to just grow with intrigue and a mixture of satisfaction/fright for me. The death of Delacroix was very bad and upsetting. My only negative thing about this part of the book, which is why it is a little bit lower than part 3, was that I have a hard time liking Delacroix's character because he actually did do bad things and deserved some punishment for them. Granted, the way he died was completely unnecessary and horrific, but I feel like I cannot let myself forget how he landed in Cold Mountain Penitentiary and cannot whole - heartedly love him because of those things. It very much reminds me of how fans love Tate from American Horror Story, but completely are blind with love to recognize what horrible things he is doing to others. I'm a firm believer that people aren't good nor bad at their cores, but instead of just people who are flawed and get caught up in good or bad things... With that said though, when people do bad things, I think you have to remember who they were in those moments, why those things happened, why they did that, how they acted, etc. even if they aren't like that to their cores. You can't just forget all that because they play with a mouse and say cute little things. The same goes for the other way around. Just like how when someone does acts of good all the time and then something bad, you can't just forget all the other stuff they've done either and focus on the forefront problem. However, it's not good to do what Percy did in this book though and essentially play God. Whether Delacroix did bad or good things, at the end of the day, he deserves to be treated as a person and, in the end, he did not get that. Rest in peace, Eduard Delacroix. And I'm sorry, Goodreads, for my unintended rant. Overall, I would read this again and cannot wait to continue on with the next one!
January 30, 2010
The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix, aside from the upcoming events of volume six, is to me the saddest of all of the installments. Delacroix is a lovable and sweet french character, even for a murderer. It's really hard to read if you don't expect it from seeing the movie, and if you like Delacroix. When the frenchman arrives to meet his maker via Old Sparky, karma comes around from when he laughed at Percy earlier. I won't spoil it, but let's just say it isn't for the faint of heart. From the bittersweet parting of Eduard and Mr. Jingles, to his frightening and painful death, you'll be loving King's storytelling- but hating Percy Whitmore.
September 5, 2013
Was a good girl and managed to wait a bit before reading this one. Ok, I was asleep, but it counts! A gripping read, especially the death scene. Quite glad I read it before having my tea. I really hope that Percy gets his comeupance. Knowing King's sense of humour, I'm also hoping it will be really horrible.
August 15, 2018
Oh, God. Poor Del 😭
This book is slowly doing me in. First Mr. Jingles, now Del. Percy is just an incompetent, mean, douchenozzle of the lowest order. King really has a knack for writing about lowlife bullies and arseholes.
As things really get going on the mile, I just want to keep reading. This book just pulls you in.
This book is slowly doing me in. First Mr. Jingles, now Del. Percy is just an incompetent, mean, douchenozzle of the lowest order. King really has a knack for writing about lowlife bullies and arseholes.
As things really get going on the mile, I just want to keep reading. This book just pulls you in.
December 29, 2017
Even though you know he's a murderer and burned people, you still felt bad for Del in the end. And Percy has definitely made the list as one of the worst people in literature that I have read about. Seriously that one chapter was so hard to read. I closed my eyes in fear. This was a good one.
July 20, 2018
Well.....that was tough to read, but couldn't stop myself....That Percy -plain evil & stupid all rolled into one....
November 5, 2019
This was a brutal execution and someone was responsible for it who was not kind. Of course, it started off with a smaller death to prepare you. I am looking forward to seeing what happens with John Coffee in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews