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Description
Paul Edgecombe and his fellow guards take a convicted killer away from Death Row and to the bedside of a woman writhing in torment. The plot contains profanity, sexual situations, and violence. Part 5.
Quick Summary
If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a guard on Death Row forced to trust a man who can literally heal with a touch, this novella drags you straight into that impossible choice. Stephen King turns the familiar prison drama on its head by giving the biggest, gentlest prisoner a supernatural gift, and the tension between the guards' duty and the miracle they witness makes every page feel like a heartbeat. It's only about 20,000 words, so it's a fast read that still manages to be emotionally heavy, which is perfect for readers who love the movie version of The Green Mile but want something more compact. You'll find rough language, a few violent scenes, and some sexual references woven into the story, so it's best suited for older teens who can handle mature themes without flinching. The moral questions it raises about compassion, guilt, and what it means to do the right thing are the kind that spark great book-club debates. If you liked Stephen King's The Body or the film Shawshank Redemption, you'll feel right at home here, and reluctant readers might be surprised how quickly they get through it.