52 pages 1 hour read

Stephen King

The Body

Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 1982

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In "The Body" by Stephen King, four boys in the summer of 1960 set out on a 20-mile journey from their hometown, Castle Rock, to find the body of a dead boy, Ray Brower, by a river. Narrated by Gordon Lachance from an undetermined point in the future, it explores their traumatic backgrounds, confrontations with mortality, and how this adventure shapes his perspective on life and storytelling. This novella includes graphic depictions of violence and death of a child.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Stephen King's The Body impresses with its rich storytelling and well-drawn characters, capturing the essence of youth and friendship. While some readers find the narrative occasionally slow and the language coarse, the masterful blend of nostalgia and poignant themes overwhelmingly captivates. Overall, it’s a compelling and memorable read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Body?

Fans of coming-of-age tales and gripping character studies will relish Stephen King’s The Body. This novella, akin to S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, suits readers who appreciate rich storytelling that delves deeply into friendship, adventure, and personal growth against the backdrop of small-town America.

RecommendedReading Age

16+years

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Classic Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Topics

Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Bullying

Relationships

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Fear

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Life/Time: Coming of Age