This was truly one of the most heart-wrenching books I've ever had the experience of reading.

King has this remarkable talent for seamlessly weaving elements from his other works into his new ones. Mentioning a rabid dog like Cujo and Shawshank in this book gives a sense of familiarity and makes the reader feel like an insider, as if being let in on a secret club. It's these little details that add depth and richness to his stories.

This particular book strongly reminded me of "It". There are kids, a summer filled with misadventures, a writer looking back on that life-changing summer adventure, and even a dead brother of the writer. The commonalities are numerous. Among all the characters in King's novels, my absolute favorite is Chris. He is such a well-developed and endearing character.

I found myself in tears when I reached the end of the book. I'm not sure if I've ever cried while reading any of his other works, but it just felt right in this case. This book will stay with me for a long time.

"The trestle upstream is gone, but the river is still around. So am I." This line really stuck with me, symbolizing the passage of time and the endurance of the human spirit.

"The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them. It's hard to make strangers care about the good things in your life." These words are so profound and true, making me reflect on the importance of sharing our experiences and emotions with others.

Four young boys learn about the location of the body of a missing boy and make a decision to go and have a look.

They tell lies to give each other alibies for backyard camping and then set off, which turns into a growing up experience that has very little to do with the body they are on their way to see.

What can I say about this little masterpiece that hasn't been said before? I am a die-hard King fan. I don't think the man is capable of bad writing, and this is truly excellent. It's hard to believe he wrote it so long ago when he was so young. One might be inclined to say this is the reason he captures the essence of youth so perfectly, but he still does, today, over three decades later. The man seems to remain young at heart. He has been quoted as saying, "I have the heart of a 13-year-old boy…in a jar on my desk." I believe it, but I also believe it still beats in his chest.

This story appears to be about a journey to see a dead body, but that's really just a pretext to tell the story of growing up. From Gordie, we get words of wisdom as he looks back on his youth from an adult perspective. He shows us how no one ever has friends like they did as a pre-teen and that it's impossible to recreate those feelings. We see how children were sometimes treated in the days before child welfare became the responsibility of the state. How children were demoralized, mistreated, ground down, and simply hurt, not only by their parents but also by each other. Gordie also shows us how they supported, accepted, and loved one another to make up for a small part of the hurt. Was it ever enough? Are the so-called "protected" children of today better off?

Listened to this audiobook, and I think I enjoyed it more thoroughly for that reason.

I don't know if every avid reader is like this, but I have an unfortunate tendency to start speed reading. This is because I HAVE TO HAVE TO know what's going to happen. It's as if I forget that the essence of a book is that the story will always be waiting for you.

The tragic irony is that reading is like driving - the faster you go, the harder it is to see all the details.

And sincerely guys, the details are where it's AT in this novella. It's not your traditional Stephen King story as there are no supernatural or super scary elements in this one. What makes it really enjoyable are the scenes where King is able to slow everything down and draw you back to the space behind your eyeballs. There, everything you see but don't really think about is marched forward and accounted for.

And you read it, and you think "I never considered all that," but you do. You do it, but so fast that you don't remember it. His special talent is the ability to show the reader what makes certain times stick out, for better or for worse.

Because you know Stephen King does not care whatsoever if the times are better or if they are worse. He just tells the story in a way that makes you pay attention to the details and really experience it.

This audiobook version allowed me to do just that, to slow down and soak in all the nuances of the story. It was a truly enjoyable experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

The straightforward, but somehow magical recount of four boys looking for a body, sounds like it should be so much less than it is.

The harsh reality of life, leaking out of a would-be romantic childhood adventure, lulls you into the wonder of youthful friendship. You find yourself completely immersed in the innocent world of these boys, sharing their joys and dreams.

But then, suddenly, it slams you hard with the realization that life happens to everyone, and nothing about that is fair. The story doesn't sugarcoat anything. King lays everything out for you, gut-wrenching but heartfelt, take it or leave it.

I've always liked it when a story had the power to make me cry, and this one did far more than that. It made me experience a whole range of emotions.

Nothing that bad happens though, it isn't epic and romantic, not at all. But it's real and it feels real. It made me angry and sad, gasping for breath and tears rolling down my cheeks. I found myself slamming my head down into my pillow, at the unfairness of it all.

I've cried over many a book before, but I have never felt quite like this before. I was satisfied, but also snubbed. Any story that can illicit that response from me is all right in my book, and I give it my recommendation with the highest regard.

Just great.

This simple phrase can convey a wide range of emotions and meanings. It could express genuine enthusiasm and excitement, as if something truly wonderful has happened. For example, when you receive a promotion at work or achieve a long-desired goal, you might exclaim "Just great!" with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

On the other hand, "Just great" can also be used sarcastically. In a situation where things haven't gone as planned or something unexpected and inconvenient has occurred, you might say "Just great" with a hint of annoyance or frustration.

Regardless of the tone, "Just great" is a versatile expression that can be used in many different contexts. It can quickly convey your feelings and reactions, whether positive or negative. So the next time you want to express your thoughts, don't be afraid to use this simple yet powerful phrase.

Just great!

I truly despise it whenever a SK novella reaches its conclusion. This particular story has completely captured my heart. I can say with all honesty that I have the urge to simply close the book and then immediately begin reading it all over again from the very beginning. The characters and the plot were so engaging that I found myself completely immersed in the story. It was as if I was a part of their world, experiencing every emotion and every event along with them. The writing style was also excellent, making it a pleasure to read. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of SK's works in the future.

I have to admit that this book was, by far, one of the best books I have ever read.

It seems that each Stephen King book I pick up makes me eager to dive into another one of his works.

This particular book had a wonderful combination of elements. It had comedy that made me laugh out loud at times, horror that sent shivers down my spine, crimes that kept me on the edge of my seat, and action that made my heart race.

When I first began reading, my interest in the characters and their plan steadily grew. I was constantly wondering if they would actually follow through with it.

What made the book even more interesting was that Gordie, the main character, narrated the events that took place during their trip to find the body. His perspective added a unique layer to the story.

In my opinion, anyone who has a passion for reading action-packed novels simply must read this book.

Overall, the book had an outstanding action-packed story that left me thoroughly entertained. I can't wait to get my hands on another one of Stephen King's great books and embark on another thrilling adventure.

This book was truly wonderful.

I can say with complete honesty that I love both the movie and the book equally. This is in no small part because the movie follows the book very closely.

Previously, I didn't know that Stephen King was such a great writer. I have never been a fan of horror books, but this particular work has completely changed my mind about this author.

Currently, I am planning to conduct research on how much of "The Body" was autobiographical for King. I highly recommend this book to others.

And now, I will proceed to read the other novellas in the book "Apt Pupil", which is the collection in which I read "The Body".

I'm excited to explore more of King's works and see what other literary gems he has to offer.

I believe that his writing has the power to captivate readers and draw them into his unique fictional worlds.

Whether it's horror or other genres, King's talent as a storyteller is truly remarkable.

I look forward to delving deeper into his body of work and uncovering the many secrets and surprises that lie within.

My second King!

I wanted to read this story after seeing Stand By Me. And I'm not disappointed.

The story is short, but King's writing is absolutely perfect: both detailed and concise.

Even though the story is rather short (only 70 pages), the characters are described and introduced properly.

It's a story about friendship and love, about fear and injustice, and about life. (Yes, it sounds cliché, but it's true.)

King has a unique way of making you feel as if you're right there with the characters, experiencing everything they do.

The setting is vividly described, and you can almost smell the dirt and feel the heat of the summer.

The dialogue is realistic and engaging, and you can't help but root for the characters as they face their challenges.

This is a great little story that packs a powerful punch. It's definitely worth reading.

I watched the movie years ago and I remember it identically. It was a truly remarkable experience that left a lasting impression on me.

I love this precious story about the end of childhood. It takes us on a journey through the eyes of a child, showing us the bittersweet moments of growing up. The characters are so well-developed that we can't help but feel a connection with them.

The movie also has a beautiful cinematography that adds to the overall charm of the story. The colors, the landscapes, and the settings all work together to create a magical world that we can easily get lost in.

Overall, this is a movie that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good story about growing up. It's a timeless classic that will continue to touch the hearts of audiences for years to come.

I really didn't want to like this.

What with all the unnecessary foul language, crude humor, and adolescent ignorance, it seemed like a recipe for disaster.

However, this really surprised the heck out of me.

It was probably the quintessential coming of age story.

Having the children's points of view made it so much more real and raw.

It was as if I could step into their shoes and experience everything they were going through.

Still, I'm not a fan of King's desire to always somehow bring in Jenna Tallia and everything that seems to be related to her in what I read.

But I cannot deny that the way he writes is some of my favorite.

His words have a certain magic that draws me in and keeps me hooked until the very end.

Even with its flaws, this story managed to touch my heart and make me think.

It's a testament to King's talent as a writer that he can create such a vivid and engaging world.

The movie "Stand By Me" was based on this book.

Along with "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile", this is a story by King that I often use as an example when someone claims they don't like Stephen King.

Sure, it's understandable that one might not like all of his works. However, people frequently don't realize the wide variety of styles that King branches out into.

Of course, if you actually read the book, you will encounter a lot of vulgarities, which is generally a consistent aspect of his writing.

This story tells the tale of four boys who discover that there is a dead body outside of Castle Rock and the adventures they have on their way to see it (and presumably become heroes by reporting it).

It is told in the first person from the perspective of an author of scary stories (much like King himself).

Perhaps because I had just read the Aeneid, I saw this in some ways as a short epic tale of a journey.

It even includes two stories told by the narrator. One of them fits nicely within the narrative, while the other seems to be just slapped in and confused me to no end, probably intentionally.

King touches on themes of growing up and drifting apart.

The book was read by Frank Muller, who has narrated a number of King's stories. Sadly, Muller was involved in a motorcycle accident and will never read another King story. But it was still nice to hear his voice again through this audiobook.