Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

WHY: Have loved the movie for a long time, and did not even know it was adapted off a novella or that the story was penned by Steven King. As I'm trying to read more older books and more King, thought I would give this a go.
DIFFERENCES: Surprisingly, the movie was extremely faithful to the short story - with most of the memorable and impactful lines literally coming off the page. Written through the first-person perspective of prisoner Red, I will admit that I struggled to read his voice as an Irish and instead imagined Morgan Freeman and his dulcet tones were reading to me, which worked really well for immersion into the story. We get all the details of Andy Dufresne's life here, from the trial to the sisters to the financial dealings of the prison guard and warden. Whilst here the wardens rotate, and the twist is hinted at and explained a lot more, I still found this to be a really enjoyable tale about the persistence of hope in the darkest conditions - a theme that stood out a little more here than when viewing.
WHO: Honestly, despite thorougly enjoying this read it is very hard to recommend it over the 1994 oscar-nominated film - if you haven't seen it, go watch it in one sitting. This is really for the die-hard fans of King, or any super fans of the movie, which is one of those rare adaptations that gets all the major beats and themes right, and then adds some.

Audio read by: Frank Muller

I'm thrilled to finally write my first book review using the Hardcover app, akin to Letterboxd! I’m especially excited that my inaugural review is for Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, written by the legendary Stephen King.

Having owned this novella for a few years, I never got around to reading it until recently, as I was juggling multiple books and focusing on my screenplay. While Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is a solid story, it doesn't possess the same depth and authenticity that I found in Misery, my all-time favorite King novel. In Misery, the dialogue, suspense, tension, and atmosphere are meticulously crafted, making it a gripping read. In contrast, Shawshank felt somewhat underwhelming, as if King was just bored and wanted to write something for the hell of it. The novella has its merits, but it often feels like a rollercoaster ride—interesting at times and dragging at others. It’s as if the entire book goes through cycles of being boring, interesting, boring, and interesting again, which can be quite frustrating. This pacing creates a sense of disconnection that made it challenging to stay fully engaged. It’s almost like you’re holding onto a vehicle that swerves unpredictably, with moments of intrigue followed by stretches of monotony.

Having seen the film adaptation, I recall it being rich with emotional depth, character development, and thought-provoking moments. The film brilliantly portrays the struggles and resilience of Andy Dufresne and Red, eliciting sympathy from the audience. I find it hard to believe that King didn’t give it his all this time; Shawshank lacks the same passion evident in Misery, Carrie, and other standout works. Despite my disappointment, I acknowledge that Andy Dufresne and Red are nothing short of iconic. They are among the most iconic characters in literary and cinematic history. Yet, I can't help but feel let down by this novella, as I expected more from King. While it’s a good read, it falls short of greatness, particularly when compared to his other works. The ending, however, is beautifully executed, mirroring the film's emotional resonance. Deep down, I find this book to be a good but not great read. It may be somewhat disappointing, but I plan to revisit the film tonight to see how it holds up against my recent reading of the novella. Ultimately, while the book is solid, I believe the movie captures more depth and authenticity than the novella.