15 Greatest Stephen King Short Stories Of All Time
2. Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption
The basis for the fan-favourite movie The Shawshank Redemption, this novella serves as the opening for one of King's masterpieces - the novella collection Different Seasons.
Andy Dufresne is a former banker, jailed for the double murder of his wife and her lover. Though he claims without pause to be innocent of any wrongdoing, he is sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary, where he ends up befriending the tale's narrator, Red. As Andy serves his time by helping his fellow prisoners gain academic diplomas and the prison guards with their taxes, he slowly but surely plots a daring escape.
Andy remains one of King's best characters - a man who represents hope and innocence, who gives even the most disillusioned prisoners at Shawshank reason to look forward to a better future, no matter where they are. It's a tale of hope, of possibility and friendship, and works wonders thanks to Stephen King's stunning grasp of character and storytelling.