The Body by Stephen King is a wonderful tale about the rise and fall of the friendship between a group of boys over the course of one morbid adventure and the aftermath of that event.
This was another book that I read for the Spring Into Horror Readathon!
Let’s dive into my review!
My Thoughts on The Body by Stephen King –
If you don’t already know, this tale is about a group of four boys that walk the train tracks to go see a dead body that they heard about. They are determined to find the body and report it to the police and newspaper so they can have their fifteen minutes of fame.
However, things don’t go exactly as planned.
I think that this tale is just so wonderful. While it only covers the course of a few days, it was so interesting to see how much the boys grew up in that short amount time.
During their adventure, the boys were faced with various intense situations including a near-death experience, being chased by a vicious dog, dealing with ignorant adults, getting covered in leeches, passing out/helping a friend that had suddenly passed out, seeing a dead body, and
firing a gun to protect one another.
Each of these situations played a role in boosting the boys emotional maturity. And while it deepened their friendships, it also made it impossible for them to ever be the same…
It was a little sad to see how they all slowly realized that their friendships would never be the same after this. But at least they had one last hurrah!
One of my favorite elements of this book was that Chris was such a good friend for Gordie. The scene while they’re walking and Chris levels with Gordie, telling him to pursue his skills for writing was so wonderful:
“I wish to fuck I was your father!” he said angrily. “You wouldn’t go around talking about taking those stupid shop courses if I was! It’s like God gave you something, all those stories you can make up, and He said: This is what we got for you, kid. Try not to lose it. But kids lose everything unless somebody looks out for them and if your folks are too fucked up to do it then maybe I ought to.”
My Favorite Passages from The Body –
We knew exactly who you were and exactly where we were going. It was grand.
The last thought broke the paralysis and I shot to my feet. I probably would have looked like a jack-in-the-box to anyone watching, but to myself I felt like a boy in underwater slow motion, shooting up through five feet of air or rather up through five hundred feet of water, moving slowly, moving with a dreadful languidness as the water parted grudgingly.
But at last I did break the surface.
I screamed: “TRAIN!”
My Final Thoughts on The Body –
I cannot believe it took me so long to read this book! Especially because I adore the film based on this book, Stand By Me. Now I need to go re-watch that!
I really enjoyed this book! Some of it is a bit outdated, especially with the language used. But it’s a perfect time capsule that captures the friendship between young boys at that time.
Thanks for reading!
Have you read this book or watched the film adaptation yet? If so, what did you think?
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the film! I’m a big fan of Kiefer Sutherland and have always had a crush on him!
😀
Great review!
This genre isn’t really my thing, but I hear great things about this author!
<3
It sounds like Stephen King has managed to do it again with writing a great horror novel which had struggles for the characters to go through. But it sounds like you could really see how the events playing out affected the boys characters and relationship… which is really masterful writing!
For sure!! Oh my gosh, I loved this one so much! I always find it so interesting when some of his books kind of drag on, but I’m still totally invested in every thing that happens!
If there’s one thing King does well, it’s stories about boyhood camaraderie and friendships! This isn’t one I’ve read, but it’s on the list.
😀 I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when you get to it!
Sounds like there was some great character development! And as I was reading your review, I was like, “I feel like I’ve seen this as a movie a very long time ago,” so I’m glad you mentioned the movie lol.
😀 Yes! Stand By Me! I’m hoping to rewatch it today. My husband isn’t sure that he’s ever seen it, so I need to change that! 🙂
I haven’t read this in ages. Great review, Erica!
Thank you!
I need to read this – I do love the movie Stand By Me.
-Lauren
Yes!! It’s a wonderful read!! 🙂
It’s been years since I read this and I really need to reread it one day. I remember loving it back then and of course, I think Stand By Me is one of the best King adaptations (although The Shining remains my fave even if it is a horrible adaptation). Glad you enjoyed it!
😀 I really enjoyed The Shining film as well! Different, but still a great movie!
I saw the silhouette image in the cover and thought that it reminded me of Stand By Me, not that I’ve actually seen the film but the train tracks photograph is iconic. I had no idea the film was based on a Stephen King book! I learn something new every day 🙂
😀
I have never read stephen King, and never seen stand By Me, both of which kind of amaze me lol, but this sounds wonderful. And I love that quote about writing. I think so many gifts/ talents go unused in life, and sounds like he’s talking directly about that. Very cool.
<3
This is one of the few Stephen King books I haven’t read yet!
I definitely recommend it! I loved it so much!