Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

In the most satisfying tale of unjust imprisonment and offbeat escape since The Count of Monte Cristo, new and established King fans alike are swept away to King's mythical Maine woodland of Castle Rock for this suspenseful, mysterious, and ultimately heartfelt story of an innocent convict seeking a startling revenge. Even among King's uniformly beloved and ubiquitous works of fiction, this short story stands out for its unforgettable characters and as the inspiration for the Academy Award–nominated film The Shawshank Redemption. This modern classic is as fresh today as it was in 1982, when it was published alongside "The Body," "Art Pupil," and "The Breathing Method" in Different Seasons.